My husband is being transferred to NYC this summer and we are looking into places to live. I am blown away by the cost of living, and we need a three bedroom b/c we are expecting again. Is anyone familiar with Hoboken, NJ or know of any other surrounding areas/suburbs where the commute wouldn't be too bad for my hubby (he'll work in Times Square), but where there are lots of famililes? We are looking to rent, but can't settle on a nice area. Help!
It is expensive! Hoboken is a good option. My favorite is Brooklyn. Great neighborhoods, lots of parks and families. Still not cheap, but that's NYC. Good Luck!
Hello,
I recently relocated from New Jersey to Chicago (because NJ was getting way to expensive). Hoboken is a nice town, but the prices have risen incredibly over the past few years. Also, it is very hard to park on the street and costly to park in garages. If you let me know how much you're looking to spend, I can put you in the right direction. I grew up in NYC and NJ and am very familiar with the area. Let me know if I can help further.
Hi J.!
I have 2 friends who live out that way and asked them about your predicament.
Here are their responses:
1. Stamford, CT and the area is pretty nice. Don't know about rental prices though. Anything in the NYC area that is a good commuting distance is going to be pricey.
2. Hmm, Hoboken is a great place for commuters as well as young singles since there is a pretty nightlife there. But it is VERY expensive and it is like city living so it may not be the best place to raise children. Unless they are looking for a city typer environment. Then Hoboken is really nice. But SO SO SO EXPENSIVE. I would say that for rental otions they could look in my town, Hawthorne or if they don't mind hi-rise living, Fort Lee is nice and right at the George Washington Bridge as is Cliffside Park. Let me know more about what type of area they want and how much they are willing to spend and I can probably be a little more helpful. West Orange is nice too.
If you would like more info, I can get you in touch with them.
Good luck with all of your plans!
B.
We just moved to Chicago from Jersey City Heights (2 blocks from Hoboken) last April. It is still considered a "transitional" neighborhood so the prices are good. If you stay on Ogden or within 3 blocks of the elevator you are NOT even NEAR the transitional areas. (But most people don't know this.) You can look into Ogden Avenue in the Heights. The prices are way lower, it's a one way tree lined street, with two parks nearby, plenty of families with kids (everyone who has outgrown their Hoboken condo), incredible views of the city and easily commutable. We rented on Odgen Ave for 2 years before we purchased a home there. It could be an option aside from Hoboken.
Also, Maplewood has top schools, low crime and is a 20 minute train ride from the city (landing him near times square). It's a good option outside of Northern New Jersey which can be very expensive.
Oh, and I'm from Fairfield County, CT originally and wouldn't recommend Stamford because the prices won't be low enough to justify the length of the commute, also the taxes in Fairfield County, CT are the highest in the country, if I remember correctly.
I actually was in Hoboken this past weekend visiting my brothers and their families. Despite Hoboken being expensive, my brothers like it a lot. Between the two of them, they have three children, ages 3, 1 and 1/2 and 1 month. It is expensive but does offer a lot of cultural benefits - parks, restaurants, etc. - all within walking. I know preschool can be tough and one of my sister-in-laws is currently looking into options. It sounds like there are 2 private schools (that are very competitive) and a bunch of public ones. Let me know if you have any other questions. I grew up in Bergen County in NJ but having been living in Chicago for 10 years.
