Moving to Mount Olive/Budd Lake (Hopatcong, Hackettstown: house prices, buying, schools)

[entidine]

Buying a house in Mount Olive, have some questions.

I work in Bergen County so will have to travel 46 to 80 to 287 to 208. What's the best time to leave in the morning so as not to hit the really bad traffic? I'm hoping to get to work sometime between 9 and 10 a.m.

I've heard mixed things about the schools. No kids yet but will have someday soon. Good area to raise kids?

Is Budd Lake fun to go to? Doesn't seem like it from driving past on Rt 46. I like Lake Hopatcong, which has some ok restaurants on the water.

Nearest real town is Hackettstown. Seems to be up-and-coming with some good restaurants, yeah?

Where is the best place for bagels?

Which are the best public golf courses?

How's the town gov't? Corrupt like most in NJ?

BTW, picked Mount Olive based on the house prices and the fact that my fiancee has relatives nearby in Long Valley. Seems like a pretty boring place though. Hope I'll be pleasantly surprised.

[va_bank]

I live in lake Hopatcong. If you have an option to be at work by 10:00AM, leave as close to 9:00AM as possible, traffic on I-80 EAST decreases to almost none by then.

It's a GREAT area to raise the kids (mine are the only reason I still live in this state), especially if you like outdoors/nature type stuff. Schools are average, nothing to write about in terms of academics, but little violence or drug use, at least by average American standard. I feel safe sending my kids to these schools, even if I'm not confident they will get the best education Otherwise, like you said, it's a pretty boring places. Safe, but boring.

Oh and I hope you like bears Seriously, don't freak out - they are harmless. Just don't leave your garbage out overnight.

[exit82]

bears are harmless? Yogi and boo boo maybe-I'd keep my distance from all the others.