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I’m a 42 year old single professional mom w/a 6 month old baby, currently living and working in NYC. I’m tired of being crammed into a tiny apartment but can’t afford a 2 bedroom in the city.
I’m looking for a town with an easy/quick commute to Wall St, good schools (incl. high school), a walkable downtown, and some diversity in terms of the types of families and people that live there. I don’t want to feel completely isolated and “stranded” in the suburbs, and am hoping to be someplace friendly where I can make new friends and my child and I can become part of a community.
Ideally I’d like a 3 bdrm house or townhouse, for around $500,000 or less, where the taxes aren’t completely insane. I’ve thought about Montclair, Maplewood, Metuchen, Cranford, Westfield, and Ridgewood. But I haven’t gotten a really good feel as to what it would be like for me to live in each place, and it also seems like each one is missing something from my list - so I’m wondering what you think about these towns for me, and whether there are any other options out there that I’ve missed (or whether what I’m looking for is just unrealistic).
I would suggest Jersey City if you don't mind another urban environment. If you don't mind high rises some of those buildings along the river are very nice, as well as Port Liberte. You would be 15 minutes away from work using the PATH. Dealing with an hour long commute would take precious time away from your child-so this may be a good alternative to NYC. You wouldn't necessarily need a car in Jersey City. What about renting in JC for a year or so until your baby is a toddler, then you might know more of what you want to do? Just an idea.
But if you are ok with a commute-I would suggest Montclair or Glen Ridge. Good child care, strong community. 45 minute commute. More open space. Houses might be hard to come by for that price but you could get a condo. You will need a car.
Places like Nutley, Rutherford are nice and are closer than Montclair, but might be a little more traditional suburban places. I lived in Rutherford for four years and found it to be very family friendly. It was an hour door to door. You could buy a house in Rutherford for about 400. I sold my two bedroom house for 350 last winter. You also would need a car.
Taxes in these suburbs are pretty high, I must say. I'm not sure what taxes are like in JC.
The commute from JC is great, but the public schools are terrible. I think all the towns you listed are nice & fit what you are looking for - what did you find missing from each one?
I actually think Westfield or Cranford would work. Also possibly Scotch Plains? There are new townhomes off Rt 22 that have many small children and it's definitely commutable. If you want a train, you can drive to the Fanwood station or Westfield. Some people from this area drive to the Path and take that downtown as well. I think it's a straight drive off 78. Good luck!
Some good advice here, I would avoid JC unless you plan on private school for your child throughout. And with the exception of small pockets downtown, it's just not very nice.
You'll never find perfection, so don't expect every item you'd like checked. Figure out what are items are a MUST and what items are an "I'd really like" and take it from there.
When you say easy commute - how long is that easy commute? Mass trainsit or driving?
Diversity is not always the easiset to come accross in NJ Suburbs, unfortunately. But Montclair, Maplewood or Nutley in Essex County may be good choices (although you are going to see high taxes, there and everywhere else really). Ridgewood is very nice, not to diverse, and there is a bit of a snob factor. Westwood in Bergen County may be another good choice. Glen Rock another?
I am in a similar situation as you being a single mom though I wish my house budget was like yours
I would look at places in central Jersey- Monmouth County- there is ferry service, bus service and train service. I don't know about specifics because I work nearby. Maybe someone else can help with that.
I do know that taxes here are ALOT less than the towns listed above in Union County and the houses aren't as pricey. Try Middletown- very good schools in this area.
I am from Union County but didn't stay because of taxes.
Union County- 5k-10k+ (Westfield)
Monmouth County- 4-6 K (in this area) from what I've heard. Mine are about $3500 but my price range was about half of yours
Another single mom chiming in. Maplewood has high taxes and personally I grew up in South Orange and when I had the option of staying in my mom's house after she passed away I didn't because I do not think the schools are good enough based on the taxes paid. I currently live in Toms River but commute all the way up north for work.
If/when I relocate back up north my choices are Cranford, Livingston and Metuchen. Livingston taxes are high but you get a very good school system. I'm not sure how the commute would be from these towns and they are not as diverse as I would like but NJ is diverse and I will have to settle for exposure outside of school to get that mix.
Looks like we could start a single mom's sub-group.
Just wondering what town you ended up with and how the commute is going. I'm in the same situation. I am leaning toward renting for a year to get a feel of the place... once I find a location!
Just wondering what town you ended up with and how the commute is going. I'm in the same situation. I am leaning toward renting for a year to get a feel of the place... once I find a location!
Hi all. First off, I wanted to say thanks to everyone who responded - I've been so swamped I haven't been able to check in, but I appreciate all of the great information!
ruby7373, in answer to your question, I haven't made a decision yet - I am REALLY stuck on this one! I think bottom line is that I'm really nervous about relocating to the suburbs as a single person in general - I worry that I'll find it hard to meet people, especially b/c I work and so would only have the weekend to connect with new people, and that I'll feel like an outsider w/all the "traditional" families (even divorced families - I'm an SMC (single mom by choice) so there's no father). And I worry about the commute and spending even less time with my daughter. But the reality is that I can't afford a bigger apartment in the city and don't want to have to deal with the whole private school thing, so I am going to have to figure something out really soon.
I like your idea of renting for a year, but I'm so sick of moving (plus it's so expensive) and would like to just move once and stay put. Of course, that means trying to figure all of this out in advance, which I recognize is next to impossible. So I continue to be stuck and crammed into my teeny little apartment...
For you single moms in the 'burbs, what is it really like? Are my worries/fears justified?
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