r/MovingtoNewJersey

My wife and I, along with our four-year-old daughter and large dog, are relocating to New Jersey from Seattle. It's a big change for us. We have owned our home in Seattle for a while, and so we are used to having some space, but that looks to be difficult to me in New Jersey. I have to commute to work five days a week in midtown, and I would like my commute to be under 45 minutes.

All right, anything smaller than 1,500 sq ft would be pretty challenging for us. Ideally, we'd like it to have some greenery and to be dog friendly.

What neighbourhoods might work well for us? Initially, I zeroed in on parts of Jersey City like Paulus Hook. But even that has a 45-minute commute and seems to mostly have very small apartments. I'm noticing more space in Weehawken, and some parts look pretty nice there. So that's on my list.

My budget is 8,000 per month. I'm open to both apartments/condos as well as townhomes/single-family homes. Both have their pros and cons. A relatively modern layout like lots of natural light and a modern kitchen is important. It should also be close to really good schools - as a family we really want to prioritize the “best” education. We want to minimize day to day friction for commute, dog walking etc.

What I'm finding surprising is that even with my budget, which feels relatively high, I'm not able to come close to the kind of lifestyle that I've had in Seattle. I feel like I'm doing something wrong or maybe my expectations are too high.

Just bought a house for ~25k over asking in the high 600s low 700s range. This was our fifth offer we sent out in the past 6 months. Just wanted to share my experience here.

- Montclair and its bordering towns can be a nightmare. These homes are under listed to generate foot traffic. I’m guessing realtors hope for the unicorn who is willing to go vastly out of budget for a home they love? I don’t get the point of under listing at all.
- In my experience, realtors are more competent the higher your price range. So many of these realtors under list purposefully and only accept final offers when they get overwhelmed. We lost out on 2 houses because of poor communication.
- Research the property reassessment schedule for that town. Don’t get hit with a sudden large tax bill.
- Ask if any new additions to the home have been reported to the county. Increasing livable sq ft can equal more property taxes. The real due diligence is to figure out the budget for your town. They’ll adjust tax rates based on the gap.
- Read the contracts. Ask questions to your attorney. Nobody is looking out for you but you.
- Research comps based on bedrooms, full bathrooms, and sq ft. There is a significant difference when you go from 1.5 -> 2+ full bathrooms. Same for 2->3+ bedrooms.
- Most houses appraise fine. Lenders can offer a reasonable PMI if you don’t want to fork over the cash to cover the gap from appraised to sell price.
- It’s on you to find the homes you like. Don’t wait for your realtor to bring them to you.
- Listing price is not final and sometimes not even close. It’s a starting point. Comps will tell you what the house will eventually sell for. We stopped counter bidding on several homes after we felt it didn’t make sense and we were being too emotional.
- Make a chart showing how high of a home you can “afford”. We were pleasantly surprised seeing how a 10k or 20k higher sale price isn’t that terrible payment wise.
- Lenders won’t leave you alone until they lock you in. I found several errors after locking in and had to keep following up for them to fix it.
- We were only competitive with our offers after waiving appraisal contingency and limiting home inspection to structural and environmental only. Make sure you feel good with the house if you limit inspection contingencies. This does not mean you don’t do a full inspection. It just limits why you can cancel the contract.
- If you get a recently renovated house, look for small attention to detail. Seeing the little attention to detail made me feel better they didn’t cover anything major up with paint and call it a day.
- Look at the landscaping for the neighborhood to get an idea of the kind of people.
- Renovations will cost cash while buying a nicer home can be financed. If you keep thinking “oh we can fix that” after you close, just make sure you can take on that cash burden.
- Movers will cost $1500+.
- You can always change your down payment after the seller accepts even after attorney review. You may not be able to change the “additional deposit” or “good faith deposit.”
- if you’re struggling to find what your budget is, calculate how much more the mortgage will be, add in 1% of the total sell value as maintenance costs, and double all your current utility bill. Can you afford the house now?
- The 30% rule or whatever other guidance you read won’t apply to a HCOL like NJ in general. Figure out how much this new place will cost. Try to save that difference for a few months and figure out if you can afford it. I think most people pay 40+% of their paychecks to living expenses. It be like that.
- People have more money than you. It baffles me but don’t get discouraged if you get outbid. It wasn’t for you anyway.
- The true value I found from a realtor is knowing the landscape. My Realtor gave me accurate estimates on what the house will actually sell for. They also gave me decent connections for attorney, inspector, and lenders.
- Shopping for individual closing costs items is probably not worth the headache if you have a full 9-5.
- Imagine yourself living there but don’t fall in love. It’s much harder to move on to the next one if you can’t get past losing the house.

These are all my thoughts I had on my lunch break. Good luck! It’s an unnecessarily long and and annoying process but it’s doable.

My wife 2 daughters (7 and 15) and I are debating moving to NJ for a job opportunity. We live in Orlando FL currently in a good neighborhood with good schools (sometimes those exist here) close to a lot of good restaurants, bars, and music venues.

List of concerns:

-General culture… I have a southern accent and say yes ma’am/ sir habitually. I generally love the north east and people from the north east. (I know y’all aren’t a monolith.)

Location… we’d need to be in east NJ near Asbury Park and everyone I’ve ever met lives/ lived near Philly.

-Finding a sweet spot near good schools, kinda close to cool restaurants/ bars, decent sized house. We’re in 1600 sqft 3/2 now.

-We’ll be making 600k + a year. Is that enough?

Welcome advice outside of these specific concerns.

Thanks so much!

Hi! My boyfriend and I are gonna be moving to NJ in a year or 2, and I mostly researched everything, but there is something I want to ask people that is kinda hard to research without visiting. We will visit prior to making a final decision, do an apartment haunt and stuff, but there are some things I need to figure out so that I can prepare.
So, we essentially wanna live either super close to NYC (like Jersey City), or in NYC itself. It works out for us financially, but what doesn't work (mostly for me) is public transit. Don't get me wrong, public transit is amazing, cheaper and easier than owning a vehicle, and I actually come from a country that is very public transit developed, but after living in Minnesota for 2+ years I am just so used to driving a car and to some benefits from it, that I am probably not ready to give it up. And if anything, when I do decide to do so, we could always sell the car and move closer to NYC or in NYC. And I guess driving is just one of my hobbies, and I am not the biggest car person, but I would say I have a thing for cars. Plus I would have a lot of use for a vehicle, such as traveling to specific places/stores in NJ, having Walmart around, doing car trips (visiting some New York parks, visiting neighboring states, and my friend also lives in Northern New York that I'd love to go see, etc.).
With the basic research I've done, it doesn't seem like a fun time driving anywhere near Jersey City. Driving in NYC is out of question, of course, except maybe late at night. So, we have been thinking to live somewhere in a town like Maplewood, Arlington, Montclair, City of Orange etc. I am sure eventually there is a high chance I will stop caring for driving and we will move closer, but for now I am just not ready to give it up. Financially owning a car and having cheaper rent in our case is pretty identical to paying more expensive NYC rent and not spending money on car expenses. Job wise, more remote towns look a little better for us for the job market. Also, I am personally considering becoming a paramedic, and as much as I love NYC, I would never work there as an EMT. Traffic is just crazy.
Some aspects I have trouble deciding on:

1. ⁠People that also like NYC very much and that don't live on the island, does it get annoying that it feels like you are so close but at the same you are not? Or am I just being silly?
2. ⁠What city would you recommend for me that would accommodate my requests?
3. ⁠Is it possible to find an apt/house with a parking garage deeper into the suburbs? Is there the best time for apartment haunting, and any tips at all?
4. ⁠I will appreciate any advice and criticism for being so specific, so if you wanna try to talk me out of owning a car, you can go ahead, but I probably won't change my mind. Thank you!

Apt budget: 1800-2000/month without utilities and parking fees. If no car, probably up to 2500. Tiny studio is fine with us for the beginning, we just need a big kitchen countertop.

For anyone looking for apartments in Northern New Jersey, do not rent at 1 Dewitt Road in Elizabeth. The building is run by Skylark Management, a private real estate investment company that owns multiple properties in the area. This is not only a warning for potential residents of 1 Dewitt Rd, but for buildings in New Jersey run by Skylark Management in general. As far as I am aware, they manage 1 Dewitt Rd and a few other buildings on North Broad street in Elizabeth. I think they try to stay away from platforms that allow tenants to leave reviews, so I thought this might be an appropriate place to warn people. Pictures included below!

In my opinion, Skylark Management does not care about residents, despite its website claims. The website states that “the management team prides itself on achieving ultimate tenant satisfaction,” which is so categorically false that I found myself laughing as I read it! It’s so unfortunate that working-class families are giving their hard-earned money to people who couldn't care less if they have decent living conditions, and this pattern will inevitably continue. They’re difficult to get in contact with, not even the super (who is an incredibly helpful guy), can get in contact with them when there is a problem. They do not pay the super overtime to work on weekends, so if you have an issue, good luck to you.

Hot water is unreliable; I have lost count of how many times I have taken ice-cold showers, especially in the winter. Just a few days ago, the hot water was out for the entire building, and it took them well over 24 hours to fix it, and over 12 hours to even address the residents regarding the issue! This is unacceptable.

There are zero security measures & theft issues! There is no security in the building, and anyone can walk right in at any point. Packages frequently get stolen, especially around the holidays. This is not normal and should have been addressed a long time ago.

My personal favorite was the BREACH OF HABITABILITY! My shower was completely unusable for over 48 hours due to a clogged drain. In mid-April, I began having issues with my shower drain, and I reported it to the super. He came by and tried to fix it, and it worked, temporarily. On May 1st, the tub stopped draining entirely, and I reported the issue again. I waited over 24 hours for someone to fix the problem, and unfortunately, it was a weekend, so the super was unavailable. The super sent his sons to help unclog the drain, and it is not their fault, but the drain remained clogged, and my tub was filled with dirty, brown water, which is a sanitation issue. I went over 48 hours without a working drainage system for the only shower in my apartment, and this is no one’s fault except for the management company.

Additionally, this place has poor infrastructure, and management will not invest in fixing it. A pipe burst in our ceiling and soaked the bathroom and living room walls, creating an absolute mess. There are several cracks in the walls and the ceilings, the window frames in the lobby are peeling, and the apartment next to mine had severe structural floor damage, and whether or not they fixed it is questionable, but it is listed for rent again at $2,000 a month.

Last but not least, cockroaches! I'm shocked that the management company has not tried to charge these unwanted tenants rent yet.

Water damage from broken pipe.

My bathtub!

My wife and I are currently renting in Bloomfield, and lately I’ve been feeling a lot of pressure from people around me saying things like “buy now or you’ll be priced out forever.” It’s starting to get in my head a bit, even though part of me feels like rushing into a purchase right now doesn’t make much sense for us. For example, two friends of ours bought as they felt "prices will only get higher need to buy now!"

I’m a therapist in NJ and still early in my career, so my income isn’t that high yet, and my wife is about to start her MSW, which means our household income will likely be tighter for the next couple of years. We’ve managed to save a-lot of money so far but it's not enough for a home in this area more so as my income isn't high enough or my wife's income. One of the biggest things keeping me grounded is that our rent is stable for where we live and do not increase by a-lot yearly.

Ideally, we’d want to stay somewhere in Essex County, Passaic County, or Bergen County, (far reach for Bergen County) regardless of when we look at home prices in those areas, it honestly feels like a stretch right now and I am concerned it will only be worse 5 years from now for example.

At the same time, seeing other people jump into the market and “lock something in” makes me feel like we might be falling behind. I guess this is how most people feel right now in the US and New Jersey who can't buy right now and are just trying to save or keep up.

Honesty coming full circle there is nothing we could afford now just with my income and without depleting our savings so it's a pointless to stress or even think about this lol

Regardless what is your thoughts?

Inspired by this post

https://www.reddit.com/r/MovingtoNewJersey/comments/1t3z0pc/a_little_nervous_about_moving_to_nj/

People saw 600k HHI and started throwing around towns like Rumson, Spring Lake.

If you actually look at the available real estate and calculate PITI for those homes, 600k is nowhere near enough to afford a modest SFH 3b/2b.

You need be making minimum 1m+ to even think about those towns if you want to comfortably afford the PITI.

If you wanted a town with a one seat ride into Manhattan for commuting (bus or train), a town with a walkable downtown, good schools, activities for kids (pre-k aged), where would you choose out of these three options and why?

-Metuchen

-Rutherford

-South Orange

Lol, seems like no one wants anyone moving to New Jersey? I see generally nice replies but seems like every post is downvoted for some reason. Anyone have any insight?

moving to NJ for a one year job. I am in my mid-20s and the job is located in Elizabeth, NJ

• what are some nearby cities that I could live in for the year w/ a manageable commute to Elizabeth?

• is it possible to get around comfortably without my car?

thanks in advance!

Lived in the city for the past 12 years. Loved everything about it—friends, community, restaurants, bars, etc. Now officially looking to buy a place in the Princeton area to be closer to grandparents as we just had our first kid. The social scene has definitely ramped down for us but still enjoyed taking the kid to bakeries and coffee shops and seeing friends occasionally.

I’m a little scared of what life is going to be like in NJ. To those who moved to NJ, how is life different? Do you miss NY? What’s the most unexpected part about suburban life?

Currently in Scotch Plains Fanwood but considering Warren, Westfield, Berkeley Height’s or New Providence. Want = bigger house, more yard, community with more /newer resources (spf is bursting at seems for space for kids and getting rid of grades and classes), safe and thriving environment for kids to grow up in. Needs to be an upgrade from SPF in all ways to consider it. Thoughts??

I’m relocating to Montclair for work and need to find a place by the end of the month. I’m on a limited budget, so I’m looking at some older buildings and areas that seem a little less polished than the neighborhoods north of Bloomfield Ave.

I won’t have a car at first, so I’d really like to be within walking distance of Bloomfield Ave and transit. I’ve toured a few places during the day and they’ve looked fine, but I’d love local perspective on whether these areas are generally okay for day-to-day living, especially at night/weekends.

The areas I’m looking at are:

• Near Salvation Army: Orange Rd, Trinity Pl
• Near Montclair Library: Roosevelt Pl, Union St, Hawthorne Pl
• Near Glenfield Park: Maple Ave, Mission St, Woodland Ave
• Near Bay St. Station: Grove St, Pine St

I’m looking for a place that feels comfortable for walking home at night and doing day-to-day errands without a car. If you know these areas well, how do they feel after dark in terms of foot traffic, noise, and general upkeep?

Hi all, we’re moving to New Jersey from out of state and are looking at a rental. The landlord and property manager are asking for rent to be paid in cash and also charging a broker fee. That’s not something we’ve come across before, does this sound typical for NJ, or is it a red flag? We assumed cash only was a red flag but this is also the first rental we've gone this far with in NJ. Thanks!

Edit: Loud and clear, thank you all really appreciate it. ⛳️ and scam, got it!

Hi - Am looking to buy a home in Cranford.

Google Maps says 1hr from the Cranford station to Newark Penn station, to then xfer to the Path train to Wall St.

I am reading some posts here, as well as FB, of the train being very unreliable with delays being the norm rather than the exception - how true is this? Is the 'delay' 10min or 30min? Is it 1x/week or most days?

Also reading that the 113 bus goes from Cranford to Newark Penn station in 45min, of course then the Path xfer, hoping to still be about 1hr to Wall St - anyone go the bus route?

I would be looking to get on the train (or bus) by about 615am, if that helps.

Thanks much for any info you can provide.

I got 3 ezpass violations totaling to 162 dollar where 150 dollars is just admin fee. What on earth?? I moved here two months ago nobody told me about ezpass and tolls so I didn’t know. My violations came to my mailbox really late and it says to pay by ten days from 4/16/26 or it will go to collections. It also says if I don’t pay by May 1st there could be further legal or administrative actions. I didn’t get this mail until probably last week.

I’m so mad. Should I just pay it since today is some kind of deadline? Or wait till Monday to talk to someone to have them waive the administrative fee. Any advice is appreciated!

Random additional info - I’m on a work visa so I’m scared of getting into trouble and getting deported. And I just recently got my title and registration changed from another state to NJ.

It always appears to me that home prices in Bridgewater seem to be a bit lower than nearby areas in Somerset/Hunterdon Counties. Am I wrong? Bridgewater seems to be a good town with strong schools and solid community connections.

Hi all! Thanks in advance for any suggestions. My fiance and I are moving to NJ this summer. We've been looking into Montclair so far, but want to expand our options. We want somewhere walkable; I've lived in NYC my whole life and am having a hard time with the idea of moving somewhere that I'd need to drive to really get anywhere or do anything on the weekend, after work, etc. He works in Newark (but I don't want to live in Newark) and needs to be able to commute there by train. I'll be commuting by car to Paramus. Somewhere with some form of Jewish community would be ideal. Not necessarily Orthodox, but a synagogue/community with young families.

We're looking to rent an at least 2 bedroom apartment for ideally below $3k. Probably easiest to stay in Essex County or nearby; def not considering Bergen County.

Thank you!!