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It looks like my husband will take a job in the Financial District of Jersey City. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like we can afford anything in Essex County (home prices and taxes are quite high). A realtor suggested we look at the more Western areas (Madison, Chatham, Long Hill, New Providence, Berkley Heights, Stirling, and Gillette). Are those areas nice? We have young children so we are concerned about crime and schools. The realtor says those areas are only a 30 - 45 minute commute. Is that true, or is she just trying to make a sale?
Your realtor WAS right. Those areas are very nice. Specifically I would reccomend Chatham [which was once rated one of the best places to live in the COUNTRY] and Berkely Heights.
Those areas are very nice indeed--however, you may find those areas are expensive as well, as Summit, Short Hills, Chatham, etc. are rather upscale (although not quite as expensive as the "rich" towns like Alpine). Summit is particularly nice IMO, as it has a nice downtown area.
If your husband is looking to take transit, keep in mind the NJ Transit rail stations in the area (generally on the Morris & Essex line)--both proximity and parking availability. Also for trains (like Morris & Essex) that go into Hoboken, your husband will be able to take the PATH train down to Jersey City, but add about 10-15 minutes to transfer to the PATH, wait for a train, and travel a stop or two to Newport or Exchange Place.
You could also look at areas on the Raritan Valley line to the south--this connects to Newark Penn Station, where he can take the PATH to Jersey City (if he works at Exchange Place--if he works at Newport getting to Newport would require a second transfer or a 10-min+ walk).
If he's looking to drive, keep in mind that even if most of Route 78 is manageable, the final part of the drive into Jersey City will likely be backed up quite a bit, as either highway that heads there (US1&9 and the 78/Turnpike Extension) lead to the Holland Tunnel and back up from the tunnel delays.
If he's looking to drive, keep in mind that even if most of Route 78 is manageable, the final part of the drive into Jersey City will likely be backed up quite a bit, as either highway that heads there (US1&9 and the 78/Turnpike Extension) lead to the Holland Tunnel and back up from the tunnel delays.
I've headed into the city a few times in part month, and surprisingly, the backup wasn't as bad at the Holland Tunnel as it was at the offramp for Columbus Drive. Apparently everyone has started to get off there and head down Columbus toward the waterfront (you can't get down Montgomery from that exist anymore due to some construction barriers). There were two lanes backed up all the way up the ramp and onto the extension each time I've gone in.
Bob
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