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There are nearly 600 municipalities in New Jersey. Any one of them could have what you're looking for. Please offer some guidelines. Do you have children? Do you want a house, townhouse, condo, other? Do you like wooded hills or the shore? Are there certain activities you enjoy that you want to have access to? Do you want to be in a town where you can walk to the corner store or would you prefer to drive to Target? What is your price range?
Ideally, we'd love to find a loft, something to similar to what we have now -- in Oakland, CA near Jack London Square - it's a slightly 'edgy' area, a stone's throw from the water, and with a lot of renovation/development. A world famous jazz club is in walking distance. Close to Chinatown, highways, public transportation. Very urban, but also quite safe with a lot of character. Very close to SF and easy to jump on the highway when we need to. We feel more comfortable in cities than suburbia, although it's nice to have green areas close by that we can visit when the concrete jungle gets overwhelming.
No children yet, but that is coming, so schools will be important.
Activities/nightlife: we like live music, my husband cycles and I also do dance. I figure we could find all of that almost anywhere in neighborhoods that are close to NYC, if not NYC proper.
Professionally, we want to be near NYC so that it's practical to have clients there (for occasional on-site meetings, etc.) and because NYC will probably have more of the type of clientele we serve (design and technology.)
Sorry, no price range, too many agents trolling these boards.
Hoboken comes to mind. What doesn't come to mind is why you would leave Cali for this dying sewer of a state. Here's a bit of interesting reading.... We're Number One (Alas) | Politicker NJ
I would have to agree with DFBonnet. I'm from CA (Bay Area - SF/Oakland) and it is way better than NY (sorry NYer's). Cali is MUCH cleaner, and more kid friendly! I only live in NY at the present moment because my hubby is from here (and he was home sick, lived in CA for 7 yrs). We have 3 children and I am looking to get the hell out of here within the next two years. Looking for something like Cali but without the prices. Also, why would you want to come to another state where the cost of living is pretty much the same (probably more in NY) but the atmosphere is worse? Just my opinion!
Last edited by sroper33; 08-16-2008 at 01:05 PM..
Reason: forgot to mention that I'm from the Bay Area!
Hey there, We also are looking to find a nice town for our family that would be within an hour commute to NYC. We're looking for great schools, nice neighborhoods, just a great family town. We have a decent budget, but it seems hard to select a town when you're unfamiliar with the area. Can anyone give me any suggestions. I find the "townships" confusing?? Are those the names of the towns? Thanks!!
Sounds like you are coming from a pretty cool area. That's going to be tough to replicate here to be honest.
Without a price range it is going to be tough to say, but I believe that you are going to have to face a bit of a compromise/trade-off between location to the city and the quality of the schools.
If you are looking for a downtown like atmosphere with decent schools, I might suggest Summit, Montclair, Westfield- they have charming downtown areas and are relatively close to the city with good schools (Montclair possible exception).
I am not going to lecture you about the pitfalls of NJ and whether or not it is a dump. You have made your decision to come here, so welcome and I hope you enjoy yourself!
Sounds like you are coming from a pretty cool area. That's going to be tough to replicate here to be honest.
Without a price range it is going to be tough to say, but I believe that you are going to have to face a bit of a compromise/trade-off between location to the city and the quality of the schools.
If you are looking for a downtown like atmosphere with decent schools, I might suggest Summit, Montclair, Westfield- they have charming downtown areas and are relatively close to the city with good schools (Montclair possible exception).
I am not going to lecture you about the pitfalls of NJ and whether or not it is a dump. You have made your decision to come here, so welcome and I hope you enjoy yourself!
That's not tough to replicate. Downtown Jersey City and Hoboken are equivalent to what she describes in the oakland area.
"loft, in a slightly 'edgy' area, a stone's throw from the water, and with a lot of renovation/development. A world famous jazz club is in walking distance. Close to Chinatown, highways, public transportation. Very urban, but also quite safe with a lot of character. Very close to SF and easy to jump on the highway when we need to. We feel more comfortable in cities than suburbia, although it's nice to have green areas close by that we can visit when the concrete jungle gets overwhelming."
That = Hoboken and Downtown JC. Rivergirl, that is where I would start looking if I were you.
My husband and I are researching locations to live that are close to NYC (1-2 hours by car or train), but don't have the NYC price tag. Any ideas?
Thanks!
Westfield ----great family town with good schools
Rahway----both city and country feel (under a lot of developement right now and the school system is not as good as surrounding towns) but i still love it
Colonia (part of woodbridge) another great family area with good schools
Clark / Cranford ---both good family towns with good schools
There are a lot more towns like these but these are the ones i know
That's not tough to replicate. Downtown Jersey City and Hoboken are equivalent to what she describes in the oakland area.
"loft, in a slightly 'edgy' area, a stone's throw from the water, and with a lot of renovation/development. A world famous jazz club is in walking distance. Close to Chinatown, highways, public transportation. Very urban, but also quite safe with a lot of character. Very close to SF and easy to jump on the highway when we need to. We feel more comfortable in cities than suburbia, although it's nice to have green areas close by that we can visit when the concrete jungle gets overwhelming."
That = Hoboken and Downtown JC. Rivergirl, that is where I would start looking if I were you.
What about this part?
Quote:
Originally Posted by rivergirl43
No children yet, but that is coming, so schools will be important.
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Looking for nice family town in New Jersey
