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Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4419
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 9:48 am: | 
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My husband and kids are pushing for a bigger house and more property.
Where, perhaps within 1/2 hour from here, might one find a nice community where such a thing exists? Last summer we looked at the Clinton area and realized it would be too far for my commuting husband, plus I wasn't really feeling it, if you know what I mean.
For those who know me and or care, this is not a final decision, just something we are looking into (as we seem to several times a year.) |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 2006
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 10:06 am: |
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Well what would make you FEEL IT? |
Camnol
Citizen
Username: Camnol
Post Number: 340
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 10:09 am: |
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Have you looked in South Orange at all? The lots seem to be bigger there. |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4422
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 10:17 am: |
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Alley, I dunno. The older homes in Clinton seemed cool but the newer homes seemed so cookie cutter. I'd like a place with a little character.
Camnol. Huh? I've looked online at gsmls but not too much has piqued my interest. Plus, we don't want to/can't afford to pay $900k and 20k in taxes. |
Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 910
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 10:27 am: |
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I've been keeping an eye on this same issue - hoping to find a house with a minimum of 1 acre - the trouble is we are so ideally located right here in S.Orange!
Taxes aside, the best area for more land in a country-like setting and a terrific commute to NYC (if you drive) is Llewellyn Park in W. Orange. However, W.Orange taxes aren't much better than S.Orange/Maplewood and there is an additional annual park fee assessed on each property. But it is drop-dead gorgeous.
Then, if you want to leave Essex County taxes behind, Morris Township (not MOrristown) seems to be a good choice. Not only does it have the nearby proximity of Morristown for an actual "town", but it's taxes are much less than Morristown. (Morris Township is basically a ring around Morristown.)
For even better taxes (I've seen about $9K on a $1.5M house!), yet still within a decent drive to MOrristown, you could check out Harding. I've found that the houses in Harding that are more affordable have an issue. They are gorgeous homes on large (typically 3+ acre) properties, but sometimes have highway noise from Rt 287 even though they are miles away from it. Definitely ask a realtor to preview any property and check the noise level if this is an issue for you.
Other possiblities are Madison, Chatham, or New Providence, but an acre is not cheap when the rare 1+ acre property is listed.
If you're not too concerned about not having a "town" nearby, you could check out Watchung or possibly Warren in Somerset County. In Watchung again be on the look-out for highway noise. I went to two open houses for homes that are still on the market that had terrific views -- of the Blue Star shopping center on Rt. 22! I find that Basking Ridge (often called Bernards Twp.) and Bernardsville are just too far from the city. Also, Berkeley Hts is supposed to be a lovely little town, but it seems they don't have anything with an acre lot.
If you don't mind going further out, there's Mendham, Randolph, Denville, Mountain Lakes, but they are a huge commute imo.
Oh, and I find the best website for house shopping is www.gsmls.com. It's exactly what a realtor would send you without the street address. Another tip - if you ask a realtor to send you a MLS listing with the address, you can sometimes better see the property using Google Earth and/or Mapquest to try to check proximity to highways and high voltage power line runs, etc. to see if it is worth your time to do a drive by.
Have fun, and get your house "ready to show" in the meantime, just in case you accidently stumble across the house that gets you to "really feel it!" |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3744
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 10:29 am: |
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Two years ago a friend moved from here to Florham Park. They are within walking distance to downtown Chatham, got a newer, four bedroom, colonial style house on a quiet street, in a neighborhood of similar houses that are not too cookie cutter, IMHO, and a nice piece of property. Apparently the train ride to NY from Chatham isn't that much longer than from Maplewood. The taxes are much lower and the schools are good. HOWEVER, my friend really seems to miss Maplewood. Most of the adults she's met in Florham Park are VERY different than most of the folks she knows here. |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4424
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 10:37 am: |
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PDG, thanks...that's really helpful info. We drove through Denville yesterday and my kids were thrilled with the whole idea of having a lake nearby. I did think it was a bit far though.
How do you check out public schools? With 3 kids, that's pretty important. |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4425
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 10:38 am: |
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Me&, how different? Too uppity? Too white-bread? Too materialistic? Too closed-minded? Obviously these are concerns! |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3745
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 10:47 am: |
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Some questions are better answered off-line. Look for a P/L from me. |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4426
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 10:49 am: |
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Thanks! Got it and replied.
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Wendyn
Supporter
Username: Wendyn
Post Number: 3092
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 10:49 am: |
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Check out Morris County. Morristown/Morris Township/Morris Plains. Boonton has some lovely older houses and lots of land, no idea about the school system. I think they have a decent downtown. Friends live in Whippany and you get bigger bang for your buck there because there is no train, and they use the Harding Towship schools. Housing isn't nearly as pretty though, and no cute downtown. Same with Florham Park. Mountain Lakes isn't cheap but you get a lot more land, lower taxes, and great schools. Long Hill (we talked about it before...Martinsville, Sterling and Gillette) has potential, Martinsville being the best option house-wise.
Union County: Mountainside. Houses not as charming though.
Also in Somerset county Bridgewater (Martinsville section is nice), Watchung.
Also Flemington, but it is far out.
Because of the land though many of these places are sprouting mcmansions though! |
Hank Zona
Supporter
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 5579
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 10:49 am: |
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have you considered Tottenville? |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4427
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 11:02 am: |
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Thanks WendyN. The McMAnsion thing is definitely an issue for me. I really don't want to live in a plastic house. Driving around yesterday I mentioned I wanted a place with historical housing and my family booed me. We saw a split level online that looked beautiful inside, but I told my husband I'd have to have the facade redesigned to look different...I can deal with really modern or traditional, it's the in between 50s-60's-70's mishmash of architectural style I immensely dislike. He couldn't understand.
Hank, that deserves no response!
It seems like there's no easy answer. I like the idea of being near a town with a little culture, some history, etc.  |
Boomie
Citizen
Username: Boomie
Post Number: 323
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 11:07 am: |
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VIG I sent you a pm. |
Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 911
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 11:07 am: |
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Wendyn, you're right, I had forgotten about Long Hill Twp. (But, I think the "M" town you meant to list should have been Millington and not Martinsville.) I agree, the houses in Millington seemed nicest and the proximity to the Great Swamp is a nice plus. Some houses back to it, so you can find property with a lot of backyard privacy. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 5048
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 11:12 am: |
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VIT Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes.
Try East Hanover. Near 280, 80, 287, 46 etc. It's one of the first towns out of Essex. Good schools, parks, close to shopping. My nephews currently go to a private school there so my sister or brother in law are there every day. |
Pippi
Supporter
Username: Pippi
Post Number: 2200
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 11:18 am: |
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VIG
If you want any info about Denville, schools, etc, PL me. My old boss lives on a lake in Denville. I think it's a pretty long commute to the city.
FWIW, living on any of the lakes in Denville is getting VERY expensive. The town is charming, but you would likely not live close enough to town to walk.
you should talk to jbirchby about Lebanon. It's 30 minutes west down 78. She has a beautiful old house on a large piece of property.
(PS - I thought you were leaving this alone for a couple of years??)
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Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11510
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 11:21 am: |
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Since Hubby commutes, but not by train you have some possibiities a lot of us don't have. Long Hill Township is one of them.
You have to figure out just how long a drive is to long. An additional 15 minutes? 30? |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4428
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 12:03 pm: |
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Pippi, they just don't leave me alone! We all want more house/property but Mr. Vig is getting more and more reluctant to shell out 100k more for a slightly larger house and 5k more in taxes.
If I didn't mind isolation, I would just go by the house/property that inspired me, but as a SAHM being involved/my kids/schools/etc. is what will provide me with a social circle so all the other elements come into play.
Mr. Vig thought Denville wouldn't be too bad to the GW which he seems to take much of the time. Meanwhile this week he's been taking the train and he's been enjoying it. I for one would like to be relatively near a NYC train. Even if I only used it a few times a year it would make me feel better.
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jbirchby
Citizen
Username: Jbirchby
Post Number: 73
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 12:03 pm: |
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Hi VIG. We moved from South Orange to Lebanon last September. We bought an amazing old (almost 250 years...) place on a little over a quarter of an acre. In terms of space it is fabulous. And quiet (we came from a pretty loud congested street in SO) We live very close to 22 and 78 so it's easy to get pretty much everywhere. I made it to Pippi's house in a half hour yesterday. I love driving home at night and not getting stuck in a ton of local traffic and seeing all the beautiful hills in the background. It's also very clean and in our area all the homes are old and incredibly charming and people really really take care of and restore them. We were told before we moved in that the town hadn't changed in 100 years and aside from some modern technology I'd say that was a pretty accurate assesement.
People were very welcoming to us when we arrived and continue to be so but I must admit to feeling a bit like a city mouse (tho a happily relocated to the country one). I know the fact that I'm not a fan of country western music makes me stand out a bit, haha. I think there may be more close-minded people here than there, but they are also a lot less confrontational. Generally it seems to be a live and let live kind of attitude. You definitely don't have the kind of anonymity that we had in SO. When I called to make sure the sewer bill was in our name they already knew who we were and which house we bought. It's not bad, just different and took some time to get used to. It's a very small town about 1 mile square, the population is somewhere around 1200. So it has a small town feeling.
Just to give you an example of how different it is, when my husband and I closed we didn't move in for a couple weeks to paint and get the house ready. There's a little sandwich/lunch place called the general store within 2 blocks of our house. We went there the first day and while ordering our lunch mentioned that we just bought the house down the street. The owner asked us if we wanted to start a monthly tab. A TAB?!? Whoever does that anymore?? TS and I were like "did we just move to a parallel universe?!?"
Anyway I've babbled enough for here, feel free to PL me if you want more info, I'd be happy to chat.
J |
jbirchby
Citizen
Username: Jbirchby
Post Number: 74
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 12:05 pm: |
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PS, there are LOTS of kids around. |
Zoesky1
Citizen
Username: Zoesky1
Post Number: 1496
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 1:03 pm: |
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Virtual It Girl,
Shortly before my ex-husband and I divorced three years ago, we bought a house in Warren. It was gorgeous (the setting). I loved it. There were many, many things I missed about Maplewood and I ultimately bought a house back Maplewood as a result of the divorce, but the one thing I loved about hte ouse was the land. We had 1.7 acres, half wooded, half lawn...beautiful setting. That's a fairly typical lot size for Warren. We could be in Maplewood by hopping on 78...took about 15 minutes. Only thing was, the commute to Manhatan was not good. My ex had to take the train from Gillette (Long Hill Township), and it was fairly long...I think 50 minutes, not including 10 minutes drive to the station (parking was easy, however). Taxes were not bad (it is in Somerset County)...I think we paid about $7.9K on a largish house on that much property. I also thought our house was charming. It was good quality construction on a 25-year old house....big, roomy, crown molding, two fireplaces, that kind of charm. Couldn't beat an older house, but not bad. And we primarily moved for the property.
I now own a house in Livingston, as you may know (though MOL is such a darn habit I can't kick it), and the lot sizes are also bigger out there. Taxes not bad for Essex County. But commute is also an issue. I still take the train from Maplewood, but I have to drive to it now --- no parking available in South Orange for 3+ years, no parking at all in Millburn. But it beats the bus.
Just my two cents' worth. |
Pippi
Supporter
Username: Pippi
Post Number: 2201
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 1:46 pm: |
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VIG and Jbirchby - weren't we going to plan a horseback riding day? Maybe that would give VIG a way to get the lay of the land, so to speak? |
jbirchby
Citizen
Username: Jbirchby
Post Number: 75
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 1:48 pm: |
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Yes, we were. Just let me know what weekend is good for you two  |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4430
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 3:10 pm: |
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I would love to do a horsebackriding day. Maybe early June? Let me know!
Zoesky, I kind of think if we're going do do it, we're going to get out of Essex county altogether. As I said, I love it here but we need more space. If we found something suitable in MSO that didn't break the bank, I'd be all over it, but if I'm here I want to be able to walk to the train/town. I don't want it to be halfway. I also want enough more space that I won't feel like we're outgroing it again in a few years. So, on one income, it's tough.
I know I'm not 100% ready but when are we ever ready? |
ffof
Citizen
Username: Ffof
Post Number: 4719
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 3:32 pm: |
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A good friend moved to Basking Ridge. After 4 years she still misses Maplewood (hard to find similarly minded people and I don't just mean politically) and comes back at least once a week. On the other hand, she has an acre of flat land for less taxes and the kids like the open space. |
Zoesky1
Citizen
Username: Zoesky1
Post Number: 1499
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 4:09 pm: |
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Basking Ridge is beautiful (abuts Warren, so I got to know it a bit, specificaly a nice park there where I'd take the kids and dog). Space, space, space --- lots of space.
I did find it a bit isolating to live in Somerset County (one of the things I missed about Maplewood). I remember signing up my daughters for a ballet class in downtown Basking Ridge, close to my home in Warren, and none of the other moms were too friendly....some of them lived in huge mansions in Harding Township, Bedminster, surrounding areas....but that may have been me feeling inferior or something. You have to be able to deal with a lot of wealth out there. Seems like there are more extremes in wealth, too.
But i believe one can find community almost anywhere they go, and if you have school-age kids (I did not at the time) it would be fine, I'm sure. If we had stayed out there, I am confident I would have developed a sense of belonging. I was only there a year before selling and coming back due to my divorce, so it was not exactly a great time for me to be making friends....
Anyway, it is beautiful countryside in Somerset/Morris Counties. |
catmanjac
Citizen
Username: Catmanjac
Post Number: 208
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 4:45 pm: |
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SUSSEX COUNTY! Lower Sussex County has a lot to offer, and there are more lakes than you can count. Byram Township (next to Andover, Sparta, Stanhope, Hopatcong) is the town of lakes. There are several lake communities that are not townhouses or carbons of each other. Check out the area... it is beautiful, and just a 45 minute drive to Maplewood. Train stations in Netcong, Hopatcong, and a future one in Mount Arlington are all on the Morristown and Boonton lines. |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4432
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 5:25 pm: |
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I am afraid Sussex Cty. would be too far for a daily commute to NYC, even if he goes in at 5am! |
Boomie
Citizen
Username: Boomie
Post Number: 325
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 6:36 pm: |
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Sussex County is a hike. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7674
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 6:39 pm: |
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If you are going to pick up and move, why not head to Westchester? My brother pays about 40% less in property tax for his house in East Hampton (granted, it's not near Georgica Pond or beach) than I do on mine.
I have vowed that our next move will be out of NJ. The taxes are just too ridiculous. Hubby would have plenty of access to Metro North. |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4434
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 8:28 pm: |
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Westchester is a thought, I actually like NYS. I guess I figured it would be way too expensive. |
eliz
Supporter
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 1459
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 9:16 pm: |
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What about Rockland County/Orange County if he commutes via the GWB? |
Jersey_Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 821
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 9:36 pm: |
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VIG,
I won't participate in a thread about you leaving our community. Except to post that I won't participate in a thread about you leaving our community.
J.B.
Orange? Okay, I've already said too much. Don't go. |
kevin
Supporter
Username: Kevin
Post Number: 698
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 9:52 pm: |
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The Gladstone line of the M&E can be a pain for commuting from Penn during the off peak hours. I don't think it is much of an issue if you commute from Hoboken. I remember sometimes having to sit at the station in Summit for 40 minutes waiting for a connecting Gladstone train. This was 10 years ago, so they probably changed the schedules since.
There was a recent thread about Long Hill Township. Anyone can get a train parking permit in Long Hill. You have 3 stations to park at and the fee used to be $75/yr. Again, this could have changed.
<sales_pitch> If you're interested, I own 2.5 acres in the center of Martinsville's village if you want to purchase some land to build a new home (it has a livable 60s house). I keep it as a rental. It is secluded and walking distance to everything. There is a 2,000 acre park and reservoir 2-3 minutes away, as well as a few seasonal farm stands along the main road. </sales_pich>
You should browse the gsmls.com system and look at all of the towns in the area to see what type of inventory there is. Pick the towns that look interesting, and look them up online, ask MOL, get a map and make a day to drive around. If you are still interested, have a local realtor show you the area -- the parts that you might have missed on your self guided tour.
Drive the towns during rush hours, and on Saturday mornings to get a feel for the traffic. Rural areas aren't immune to traffic issues.
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kevin
Supporter
Username: Kevin
Post Number: 699
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 9:54 pm: |
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MLS for the Greater Hudson Valley -- Orange, Rockland, Sullivan and Ulster counties:
http://www.ghvmls.com/
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Pippi
Supporter
Username: Pippi
Post Number: 2202
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 9:20 am: |
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VIG - I understand that, while the taxes in Westchester are much less than Essex County, the housing stock is MUCH more expensive. I know several people (including Racquel) who looked in Westchester for years and heard ridiculous $$ for really really small homes in the areas with good schools
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Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11524
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 9:47 am: |
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Having to drive to Stamford from time to time I can assure you that using either the GWB or the Tappan Zee at rush hour is only for those who really enjoy Books on Tape. |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4439
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 12:58 pm: |
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Thanks Pippi, that doesn't really sound too promising.
Bob, Mr. Vig takes the GW now, as he is working on Park & 83rd. Since he generally leaves early, he misses a lot of the traffic.
Mr. Vig has a friend who bought recently in Mount Vernon NY— he grew up in Mahopac. I know nothing of these places but he said it's beautiful up there. Might have to ask around and drive up to check it out. It's so daunting.
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catmanjac
Citizen
Username: Catmanjac
Post Number: 209
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 2:43 pm: |
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I still say lower Sussex County, such as Hopatcong, Byram, Sparta, Tranquility, Andover, etc. Only 45 minutes to Maplewood, an hour to NYC if not during rush hour. |
Jim Murphy
Citizen
Username: Jimmurphy
Post Number: 279
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 2:53 pm: |
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VIG,
I grew up in Mahopac. It is beautiful up there, lots of lakes and reservoirs - definately more open space. Good schools.
That said, I hear that the taxes are now no picnic, either. The commute will likely more than double. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11529
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 2:57 pm: |
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Mount Vernon seems to be a lot like East Orange. A community that has some nice housing stock, but in general has become very poor. The schools got a fair amount of publicity a couple of years ago because of improved test results. |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4442
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 3:40 pm: |
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Jim, that's funny. My husband was just speaking with a few guys he works with who also live up there. Plus he's friends with brothers who grew up there as well. (All work in construction.)
Bob, not sure I would want to move to a place comparable to East Orange!!! |
Jim Murphy
Citizen
Username: Jimmurphy
Post Number: 280
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 3:57 pm: |
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Bob is absolutely right about Mount Vernon. You could say the same for much of Yonkers, Portchester, Eastchester - the first-ring suburbs.
If the commute is a priority, I really don't think you can go North or East of the City, gain more land and space, without paying an astronomical price.
If he's willing to drive, Putnam County (Mahopac, Carmel, Brewster, Peekskill, etc) is an option. I would think Suffolk would be as well.
You'd better be willing to drive too. All those 2 acre lots mean plenty of driving those girls around. The towns are bigger (geographically) so the school districts are bigger and the friends more far-flung.
I prefer it here... |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4443
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 5:12 pm: |
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I know, I know, I love walking into town and to Springfield Ave. but we are really, really feeling squished.
That said, I'm not running off yet, just exploring different options. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7688
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 5:17 pm: |
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Jim has a point. If they are getting to the age where they can walk to a friend's house on the block, they won't have that on a large property. No room for an addition or basement remodel? |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4444
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 5:31 pm: |
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Basement—Done when number 2 was a baby.
MBR/family room Addition—Done when I was pregnant with number 3.
We have considered doing the attic but we'd need dormers and we'd lose a bedroom where the stairs are, so we'd have to have 2 bedrooms up there anyway. Not cheap.
And then I can only imagine what we'd pay in taxes... 
You guys aren't making this easy! |
HOMMELL
Citizen
Username: Hommell
Post Number: 176
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 5:35 pm: |
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I grew up in Basking Ridge. Couldn't walk to friends' houses, had to drive everywhere, etc. The lots are larger...but the lots are larger. It was a nice place to grow up but a long way to commute. It's never as close as it seems. |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4450
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 12:00 pm: |
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How about Rockland county? When my husband worked on the UWS lots of his colleagues lived there.
Anyone have any personal experience??? |
Neen
Citizen
Username: Neen
Post Number: 233
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 12:49 pm: |
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I grew up near Rockland County and it is definitely a pretty area, particularly by the Hudson. The commute can be a bit of a challenge as I think the only options are bus or driving across the Tappan Zee to the Metro North. |
bmpsab
Citizen
Username: Bmpsab
Post Number: 226
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 1:04 pm: |
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If you want older homes and property, Chester or Mendham might be a nice choice. Not sure about housing prices, but I know Mendham is supposed to have excellent schools. I grew up in Morris Township and it is a lovely area (commute is too long to the city for me). I also have heard that Morristown High School (Morristown, Morris township and Morris Plains share the high school) is not as good as it used to be (but, I'm sure they said that when I went to high school there too!). |
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