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I got new job in NYC (42nd Str). We live now in Mass. So NJ is not far nor new climate for us. However, the commute time to NYC, school, affordable home prices as long as safety are very important for the family. We like also to be about 30 min from the ocean as well. Our Home price limit is 600-700 k.
Would you please share your experience and advice us what are the NJ cities / region, which we can consider in our decision.
You'll want to take the bus if you're going to 42nd street. Maybe try East Brunswick. Good schools, should have something in your price range, close to the shore and has bus service to the city. Good luck.
There are many places to consider. I'm from Monmouth county and it's a wonderful place to raise a family, but so are many other towns. I'm researching now over a year and have come up with this so far:
Great sites: schooldigger.com, nj monthly has high school rankings just to get a rough idea, NJ report card, etc. for school info
Towns -not in any order
1. Holmdel --all around incredible, pricey, but worth it and it seems you'll be able to afford something nice; this is, again in my opinion, my favorite overall so far all around.
2. Colts Neck can be an option
3. Shrewsbury --Little silver/fair haven --great schools, near ocean, family towns; Middletown south areas --around Nut swamp elementary looks good too
4. Westfield --pricey, but worth a good look
5. Freehold township area --not as close, but may be something you want to look at
There are many, many other wonderful places --this is obviously just my opinion given your criteria of family, beach, etc. I can add Basking Ridge which people also seem to love for the schools, family, not as close to the shore, but nice.
NJ is such a diverse place geographically, meaning you have all densities from urban to rural, then all sorts of geography from flat to mountains. I would just suggest investigating areas on online maps to start. You then need to decide what works for you, big town, mid size, small, country, shore, etc.
Hmmm..... 30 minutes from the ocean will give you a longer commute into NYC. May have to decide where you prefer to be closer. I also recommend Monmouth County but it would be a long commute.
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