Relocating to New Jersey
 

My husband and I are moving to New Jersey (from California) this fall, and we're looking for suggestions re: where to live. His job will be in Union, NJ. We would like an affordable urban neighborhood -- with a downtown/main street area within walking distance. We don't have kids, so we're not worried about school districts. Just looking for a cool neighborhood where people don't have to get in a car and drive 2 miles for a Starbucks! Any ideas? Thanks!

Hi I spent most of my life in NJ but more in the suburbs. I worked in Manhattan for many years and have moved to VA 7 years ago.
Hoboken was an up and coming urban area when I worked in Manhattan and I believe it has revived itself. If you want more suburbs, but still an urban feel, Montclair is a very nice area with cute shops and restaurants,etc...If I remember correctly, Millburn was a nice area as well with urban appeal. I don't know about affordable. NJ is expensive everywhere. I hope someone else can chime in and give you some more recommendations. Welcome to the east coast.

Cranford, Madison and Chatham are all walkable lovely and desirable towns near Union with main streets but might be too small for you.

Downtown Morristown is worth checking out. Bigger, lovely and historic.

Insider tip: If you want to be a pioneer, look into Rahway. A city on the verge of an amazing transformation. Still affordable but is destined to be New Jersey hippest city next to Hoboken.

Welcome to New Jersey
Remember:

"Bloom where you're planted"

Bayonne is also undergoing a renaissance; don't know quite how far it has come yet.

Hi westcoastgrl. I live in Union. It's still a mid-priced town.

We don't have kids, are mid 30's. What kind of price point are you hoping for and how far is your husband willing to commute?

Staying in the immediate area, Millburn, Cranford, Summit, Westfield, Madison, Chatham all fit your "main street" criteria. All of these towns are on the expensive end as housing goes. Depending on where in CA you're coming from this may not be an issue!

2 Miles isn't far to drive around here...but I think all except Cranford have Starbucks in their downtown areas.

I've lived in this area of NJ my whole life. Happy to answer any questions you have either here or e-mail me. [email protected] Trish

Hi! I've just moved to New Jersey, myself, about seven months ago. I came from a delightfully urban neighborhood - pedestrian dominated with local shops and a wide diversity of people ... from the starving artists to the ridiculously well-off. It had an incredible music scene. If you are looking for something like this - do not - I repeat - do not look into Madison, Chatham, or Morristown. You will NOT find it here. The advice I got when moving here was the same as the other advice this post has received - but none of them are anything like an urban setting. They are nothing more than suburbs with pedestrians. Don't get me wrong - it's beautiful here. But I'm suffocating, myself. I wish you the best of luck. I'm still on my search. (And Hoboken is highly over-priced.)

dancytm: Where did you move from?

i used to live in summit, which has a decent downtown area. my favorite downtown in that area is westfield. great old homes too.

Hoboken seems to be too expensive for what you get. I second Bayonne. It's a nice city that still isn't as expensive as it is going to get. Nice people and great location.

Westfield would be the best for you guys !! Straight drive down Route 22 and Westfield is great !! Lots of nice restaurants and great shopping - nice place to just walk around - I used to live there and I go back as much as I can to just stroll the streets - very YUPPIE area !!

So Westcoastgirl asked and then never returned to post again. I'm curious where they ended up moving to.

Gosh, there are quite a lot of "urban" areas in and around Union and the term "affordable" means different things to different people. Also, looking for someplace within walking distance of a Starbuck's is certainly going to limit the choices.

I lived in NJ for almost 50 years and I hesitate to tell people where to live. Westcoastgrl would be better off renting a house in or near Union while she explored the surrounding towns. She can then find a place that meets her needs as closely as possible rather than rely on strangers to chose her next hometown.

Westcoastgrl, I am a former San Diego person myself. Where are you moving from in Calif?? I would think that might make a difference although in my opinion there is so place in N.J that compares to Calif. That being said I moved to Pa. many years ago. I would set my sights on Dunkin doughnuts coffee. One on every block! Very popular in N.j I have to agree I would rent first cause it will be quite different that what you are use to I am sure. Very excellent idea. As for Union N.J hmmmm, I would look around surrounding areas. My son lives in Scotch Plains and I do visit occasionaly. I have heard Westfield was nice, older homes. As suggested rent first is a key to the soloution. I found the East coast very different that Calif. and it took time to get use to the change. Good luck and much happiness wherever you choose.