Working in Newark - where to live?

[kaday]

My brother recently purchased a home for 6 in Westfield. He watched and waited for a bit until something nice in his price range came up. It is a very nice home in a great neighborhood, 3 BR and 3 BA with a finished basement. I think it would be in your best interest to check out Westfield. You may end up finding something that needs some work but if you plan on being there for a while it would be worth it. I lived in Maplewood for a while and loved it. But these days with taxes in Essex County if we were to move back I'd chose Westfield. My sister is there as well with her kids and loves it. Lots of young families and all the kids play outside together in the neighborhoods. Good schools too. Best of luck.

[ChubbyTiger]

Originally Posted by wileynj

What time do you need to be at work? Reason I ask...you can expand your search out into areas where 550K will get you a beautiful home! Areas out my way... 90 mins train but if you drive and leave early enough...you could do it by car in about 45 to 60 mins. tops. Worth considering?

Unfortunately, I doubt that'll be possible. My job is fairly flexible, schedule-wise, but my wife is much more limited. Drive into Newark during rush hour is not something I want her to be stuck with. *sigh*

Originally Posted by DianeGiam;

Marlboro, NJ isn't a far ride from the Matawan Train stations. It has great schools, Freehold Regional School District. At that price you can get something really decent there.

Wow. I'm a little shocked at the prices there. Not bad at all compared to some other areas. Thanks for the suggestion. This is exactly the sort of thing I was hoping to get in this thread.

[EB2]

Originally Posted by TheTruthNJ

West Orange is definitely the way to go. The school systems are great, so much to do in town ice skating, movies, take the kids to the turtle back zoo, golfing, country clubs available, at the eagle rock reservation there's a wonderful view of NYC, great summer programs for the kids oh the list goes on an on...only 10 miles from Newark. See for yourself

I absolutely adore WO for the most part. However, there are some undesireable areas, not to be left unmentioned (all about perception, but I tend not to venture east of Prospect by foot [car, obviously, being a different story], as a good friend suggested for my own benefit). Most of the town is nice though, has Gregory, St. Cloud sections, which are well known in the area. There are high taxes, being Essex Co. Also, WO doesn't have a train line, which I believe the OP was looking for. Quite a few buses, though, including a charter to the city.

Can also see parts of the city from South Mountain Reservation, which is also a very nice park.

I know I'm missing stuff, too, but it's definitely worth a look, if the OP is willing to give up train access (which East Orange, South Orange, and Maplewood, a short distance away, have - though, I'll let someone else fill them in about that, as I've never used those particular stations). It's a cute town.

[mczabe]

You might also consider Scotch Plains & Fanwood. They are one train stop west of Westfield, yet both have slightly more affordable housing than Westfield. The schools are strong, and the community is lovely - and you are 5 minutes away from the retail & restaurants of Westfield. The commute to Newark is almost identical as well.