| Author | Message | ||
     Jessica Mara Hajny Maarek Citizen Username: Juliette Post Number: 1 Registered: 4-2003 |
Hello, we are thinking of buying a home in Maplewood, because we visited and really like the warm feel of this town. We wanted to know what we should expect during the choosing process--is the market very tight (meaning, bidding wars on every home, several offers on each home, etc.), or is it more relaxed? Also, I wanted to know where a good area to move would be for stay at home mommies--I have a 2 year old son--classes, activities, preschools, synagogues, etc. Thank you for any information PS Sorry if there's a better page where I could have posted this... | ||
| smithford Citizen Username: Smithford Post Number: 94 Registered: 2-2002 |
Jessica, I think the market is still pretty tight, but people's experiences vary. My impression is that there are fewer bidding wars as you go up in price, but you can still get one anywhere. I also think you are starting to look during shopping season, so that may affect your experience. We moved in little over a year ago (went to contract about 4 months before that). We're on a street just north and west of the train station, and in the 7 houses immediately surrounding us (inlcuding us), there are 14 kids, ranging in age from about 6 to soon to be born. In those households, 3 moms are stay at home, though all have signficant community or work from home involvements. 2 work part time, 1 works full time, and the other just went back to work after maternity leave, and I'm not sure if she's full or part time. There are tons of options regarding classes, activities, preschools and synagogues. Feel free to private line if you'd like more information, or a recommendation for a real estate broker we liked. | ||
| Jessica Mara Hajny Maarek Citizen Username: Juliette Post Number: 2 Registered: 4-2003 |
Thank you so much for the information, that's what I figured. We have been looking in Montclair, Bloomfield and around there, where it's really tight, so I was wondering if it was a similar situation in Maplewood. One other question: is there a certaion section of Maplewood that is especially nice, or are all parts pretty equal? Thank you again for all of the information! | ||
| smithford Citizen Username: Smithford Post Number: 95 Registered: 2-2002 |
"Especially nice?" Well, it depends on what is "nice" to you, of course. I really think that pretty much all the areas in Maplewood are nice. But to answer the question I think you are asking, generally speaking real estate prices go up, and lot sizes and house sizes increase, as you go from south and east to north and west in the town. On the south, we're bordered by Springfield, on the east, by Irvington, on the west by Millburn, and the north by South Orange. South Orange and Millburn are wealthier towns than Irvington and Springfield. I think you'll also find house prices in Maplewood higher (for similarly sized houses) as you are move closer to the train station, but then probably drop down for houses that actually border the rail line itself. Being near the train isn't merely good because you're near the train, but because you are near Maplewood Village, which is a major benefit. | ||
| Joan Citizen Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 1594 Registered: 5-2001 |
Jessica: There are two synagogues in town: both orthadox. One is at the corner of Prospect Street and Parker Avenue (just north and a little east of the middle of town). The other is near the south east border. If you want to live within walking distance of your place of worship, these might be two areas to consider. (There are also three synagogues in the neighboring town of South Orange, two of which are conservative and one of which is reform.) Post your other make/break factors here and we will try to help you narrow your search. | ||
| smithford Citizen Username: Smithford Post Number: 96 Registered: 2-2002 |
Nearby synagogues are also in Livingston and Millburn. | ||
| Elizabeth Citizen Username: Elizabeth Post Number: 135 Registered: 7-2002 |
Jessica—Are you looking in South Orange too? We moved here three years ago and treated South Orange/Maplewood as one place. We lost bids on houses in both towns, before getting our house in South Orange. There are differences between the towns, which I'm sure someone on this board will be happy to enumerate. But for everyday living I have really found the “two towns, one community” slogan to be true. We share a school district, old-timey architecture, tall trees, quiet streets and the much-lamented lack of a decent large grocery store. I patronize the stores in “downtown Maplewood” as frequently as those in South Orange and I wind up at Kings more frequently than my budget should allow. Even this wonderful bulletin board is officially named “The South Orange-Maplewood Virtual Community” (not Maplewood Online) and many fine posters are actually South Orangians. Mr. Moderator, Dave Ross himself lives in SO if I’m not mistaken. (Sorry . . . but I sometimes feel that on this board South Orange comes across as some lesser step-brother of Maplewood. And we do have the gaslights . . . ) There are many wonderful neighborhoods in both towns (my unscientific observation is that each one is filled with kids) and you should take a tour to see them all. I think the Community Coalition (http://www.twotowns.org/) will drive you around and give you the scoop on all the neighborhoods. Good luck with your house hunting. | ||
| Jessica Mara Hajny Maarek Citizen Username: Juliette Post Number: 3 Registered: 4-2003 |
Thank you, everybody, for all of the useful information! I appreciate your help, and am already very impressed by the helpfulness of all of the residents! We hope to become a part of your community very soon! PS We would be most interested in either the Conservative or Reform temples--any suggestions? (and also, do these places have preschools?) | ||
| smithford Citizen Username: Smithford Post Number: 97 Registered: 2-2002 |
We're members at Temple Shaarey Tefilo Israel in South Orange on Scotland Road, which is the continuation of Valley when it crosses South Orange Avenue. TSTI has a great preschool, which our son is in. Oheb Shalom is a conservative synagouge just before TSTI on the same road (both on the right as you are coming from Maplewood). I'm not sure if they have a preschool. My aunt and uncle are members there and very happy. The JCC in West Orange is a bit further, but also has a great preschool. | ||
| redY67 Citizen Username: Redy67 Post Number: 31 Registered: 2-2003 |
Jessica, good luck on your search. I think Maplewood is one of the best towns to look in. Moving from out west we found it very tough to make friends when we first moved to NJ. When we bought our house in Maplewood making friends couldn't have been easier. Everyone was incredibly helpful and we now have many life long friends. It is wonderful for a stay at home mom, as there are many in our area. I do believe that there are preschools at both temples. | ||
| kathy Citizen Username: Kathy Post Number: 543 Registered: 5-2001 |
The two conservative synagogues in South Orange (Oheb Shalom and Beth El) both have preschools. | ||
| susan1014 Citizen Username: Susan1014 Post Number: 23 Registered: 3-2002 |
No time to post in detail right now, but live in South Orange, belong to conservative synagogue Oheb Shalom in South Orange, and have a 3 year old in it's preschool. We are very happy with all of the above. Happy to talk about them either online or off. Let me know. | ||
| Jessica Citizen Username: Juliette Post Number: 4 Registered: 4-2003 |
Thank you everybody for your useful information! It will be much needed when we get to Maplewood. Cheers | ||
| shrink Citizen Username: Shrink Post Number: 5 Registered: 2-2003 |
Hey, I agree Elizabeth. South orange is a great town, and I feel as though SO is never mentioned much on the board. Even when people were posting about the NY Times article, some how SO was left out of the equation even though both towns were featured equally. |
