West Caldwell, Montclair

[AKF]

I understand.

Can any of you tell me which of these places would be an "ideal" location for "my budget" and what I am looking for ??

Rutherford
Passaic
Teaneck
Westwood
Rochelle
Ridgefield
Bergenfield
Newton
Plainfield
Scotch Plains
Garwood

thanks

[BobKovacs]

I hate to say it, but the only two towns on that list that "might" have apartments in your price range would be Plainfield and Passaic, and neither of them are "ideal" for anything.

Bob

[AKF]

ouch!

are there any small "towns" anything in nj close to any of these locations where i could live on my budget? i don't want to live in booneyland but i don't have to be downtown in the middle of a city either...are there absolutely no such place in all of NJ??!!??

[BobKovacs]

As soon as you have easy access to NYC or Philly, the prices get out of your budget range- there's too many people making good $$ in the cities and looking to live outside the cities.

Are you planning on working in NYC or Philly, or do you just want to be reasonably close for occasional visits?

Bob

[JerZ]

Originally Posted by AKF

ouch!

are there any small "towns" anything in nj close to any of these locations where i could live on my budget? i don't want to live in booneyland but i don't have to be downtown in the middle of a city either...are there absolutely no such place in all of NJ??!!??

Is this job something you absolutely have to take? If what it would be paying you would literally only enable you to spend up to $800, please don't take it. I really feel for you and I hate to say that. You might be able to rent a single room in a house or share an apartment with someone for $500-800, but you said you have a family. No...I am so very sorry to say this...there really isn't (that I know of) anywhere that you could with even the slightest degree of safety for your children rent a 2-br. for $500-800 near those areas you mention.

Could you just not take the job?

Or could you rework your numbers? For what the job pays you, can you really not afford $1100-1500-ish? If not...it's just not worth it.

Good luck with your search and your choices. Relocating is hard, I know. Keep asking questions...maybe someone has the answer for you.

[AKF]

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

As soon as you have easy access to NYC or Philly, the prices get out of your budget range- there's too many people making good $$ in the cities and looking to live outside the cities.

Are you planning on working in NYC or Philly, or do you just want to be reasonably close for occasional visits?

Bob

No, Bob. Work would be in one of those locations I mentioned in the previous post...I guess Northern NJ. I just want to be reasonably close for occasional visits to the city....it does not have to be anything like downtown!!

Thanks JerZ,
That is truly discouraging. I mean I have always know the East coast is expensive but the idea that there are no "small" towns even in entire NJ that would allow me to relocate there is unbelievable!

Thanks

[AKF]

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

As soon as you have easy access to NYC or Philly, the prices get out of your budget range- there's too many people making good $$ in the cities and looking to live outside the cities.

Are you planning on working in NYC or Philly, or do you just want to be reasonably close for occasional visits?

Bob

No, Bob. Work would be in one of those locations I mentioned in the previous post...I guess Northern NJ. I just want to be reasonably close for occasional visits to the city....it does not have to be anything like downtown!!

Thanks JerZ,
That is truly discouraging. I mean I have always know the East coast is expensive but the idea that there are no "small" towns even in entire NJ that would allow me to relocate there is unbelievable!

Thanks

[Meyersd]

Monclair is pretty much the center of everything in Essex county. Diverse community, diverse nightlife, tons of resturants,bars and clubs etc. Crime is becoming a major factor, but the police are very good at isolating it to the poorer parts of town. They do a better job of protecting the property of people who pay rediclous amounts for their taxes and have overpaid for their house. If you are considering buying a house for $500K or more, you should be shielded from most of the crime, except an occasional carjack in broad daylight, or you may have your car vandalized when you come out of a expensive resturant off Bloomfield Ave.