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My husband isn't sure whether he would take the train to Newark Penn Station and then switch to the path or just drive to Jersey City and take the path from there. He thinks both options would be okay, but he thinks the Jersey City route would be quicker. He'd take I-78 to Jersey City. Any thoughts on the traffic in the early morning? He'd be leaving at about 7:30 AM.
My husband isn't sure whether he would take the train to Newark Penn Station and then switch to the path or just drive to Jersey City and take the path from there. He thinks both options would be okay, but he thinks the Jersey City route would be quicker. He'd take I-78 to Jersey City. Any thoughts on the traffic in the early morning? He'd be leaving at about 7:30 AM.
If you take the train to Newark, the hop the PATH, you should be at work at about 8:30 -- maybe sooner. Driving to JC, then hopping the PATH could be risky. One accident and you're looking at getting in closer to 9:00, if not later.
From what I have heard from people on this board and elsewhere, Westfield is a down-to-earth place. That's important for us since we are loooking for a town with a strong sense of community and people who are family-oriented and not overly materialistic.
Hi there,
If the latter is true, you might be better off looking in a town like Cranford, to be honest.
Chatham is surrounded by Summit, Short Hills, Millburn...about as materialistic as you can get, frankly. Just check the nearby Whole Foods in Madison and Millburn to see what I mean. It's a nice town, don't get me wrong, but I think it would be a stretch to think it's "down-to-earth" in most ways. That said, I don't think of Westfield that way either...it is loaded with people who would like you to think they are living large. Cranford is arguably less so, but it has its growing share of (unwarranted) snobs. All the towns mentioned will have their share to greater or lesser degrees. They're all very nice towns, but you have to consider the dynamic operating in them, mainly based on the degree of affluence.
Btw, I'd hardly consider Chatham as being rural in any way. It might be more so than Westfield, but that's like saying it's more urban than upstate NY. It's suburban. You're unlikely to see a cow anywhere in the local area.
Hi there,
If the latter is true, you might be better off looking in a town like Cranford, to be honest.
Chatham is surrounded by Summit, Short Hills, Millburn...about as materialistic as you can get, frankly. Just check the nearby Whole Foods in Madison and Millburn to see what I mean. It's a nice town, don't get me wrong, but I think it would be a stretch to think it's "down-to-earth" in most ways. That said, I don't think of Westfield that way either...it is loaded with people who would like you to think they are living large. Cranford is arguably less so, but it has its growing share of (unwarranted) snobs. All the towns mentioned will have their share to greater or lesser degrees. They're all very nice towns, but you have to consider the dynamic operating in them, mainly based on the degree of affluence.
Btw, I'd hardly consider Chatham as being rural in any way. It might be more so than Westfield, but that's like saying it's more urban than upstate NY. It's suburban. You're unlikely to see a cow anywhere in the local area.
Good luck in your search.
Actually, you'll see both cows and horses if you drive about 5 minutes from Chatham into neighboring Harding or Long Hill. Chatham Township is much more rural than Westfield. Maybe not more so than Binghamton, but that's not one of the OP's choices. However, I'd consider Chatham Borough suburban, and not rural.
I grew up in Chatham Twp years ago and remember feeling trapped there as a teen. There was nowhere we could walk to, unless we allowed hours and hours. The town is laid out in a straight line and invariably your best friend would live at the other end. Look at a map of the place. It's crazy. You're going to have to drive your kids everywhere. And don't get the idea that the place is rural, because it totally isn't. The last time I visited there I was shocked at how crammed together all the houses were (I live in Mass. now--so my orientation is different). You get the worst of both worlds--cramped surburbia, but no conveniences.
I think Westfield with it's bustling downtown would be a really fun place to grow up.
Actually, you'll see both cows and horses if you drive about 5 minutes from Chatham into neighboring Harding or Long Hill. Chatham Township is much more rural than Westfield. Maybe not more so than Binghamton, but that's not one of the OP's choices. However, I'd consider Chatham Borough suburban, and not rural.
The point is that it's hardly farm country. Both of the areas you mentioned are only about an additional ten minutes or so from Westfield. So maybe if you want to see a cow in a hurry, Chatham is a better choice.
The point is that it's hardly farm country. Both of the areas you mentioned are only about an additional ten minutes or so from Westfield. So maybe if you want to see a cow in a hurry, Chatham is a better choice.
I grew up in Chatham Twp and found the kids extremely spoiled and materialistic. Crash your new IROC and get a new BMer. (Back in the 80s but you get the idea.) My mother still lives there. Very safe and the schools are good. Like it has been said in previous posts, it is not as easy to get around without a license as in Westfield. Good luck!
Thanks for everyone's input. It looks like Westfield is coming up the winner in this debate. We hadn't thought of the issues teens face when trying to socialize in a town that is smaller and doesn't have a large town center. This has given us something to ponder.
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