If you're looking for area where you can walk from train station in Middlesex County, then you may want to look at the Edison/Woodbridge/Metuchen areas. Somerset/Franklin Township has a lot of condo/townhome communites along Rt. 27 & Easton Avenue with bus/shuttle transportation to train station or NY. I don't know what/where you're looking at, but a lot of the communities are in your price range (some have garages and/or basements) - look at these communities in Franklin Twp: Quailbrook, Kingsberry Acres, Beacon Hill at Somerset, Society Hill at Somerset, Wynnefield at Somerset, Somerset Glen, Forest Gate, etc. Contact Jan Weber of Coldwell Banker & she can help you -

Janet Weber
Coldwell Banker
716 ROUTE 206 & RAIDER BLVD
HILLSBOROUGH, NJ 08844
Cell: (908) 642-6801
Office: (908) 874-8421
Fax: (908) 874-6949
jan.weber@coldwellbankermoves.com

Again, I have sent you emails inviting contact and suggesting appointment to meet. I am sure others have too. Working with an agent is an individual thing. If you would like some help you will have to contact one of us and agree to meet. I doubt very much that an agent will send you results from their searches with no prospect of earning a commission. We only get paid if you work with us and buy a home. Sorry to state the obvious.
Good luck. Carl Witzig- Weichert Realtors, Upper Montclair 973 746-1515 office 973 632-8593 cell

The more I look in Piscataway the less I get the "neighborhood" feeling. I want sidewalks and to be able to walk from the train station home if I want to. Attending open houses helped a lot. I want what Bloomfield, Montclair, & West Orange offers with lower taxes. I might have to bite the bullet and stay in Essex County...Ugh!

Thank you everyone for your responses!

A few suggested Western New Jersey which I haven’t considered. I’m not sure how wonderful that’ll be when traveling to work in the snow but I’ll look into those areas as well.

I am looking for a condo, townhouse, or duplex. Minor repairs are ok. I’m not interested in a multi-family or a major fixer upper.

I welcome any listings and open houses you’d like to forward to me at muski31@aol.com.

Congratulations on making the decision to purchase a home in the best Buyers market ever. I used to live in West Orange and I traveled to Orange quite frequently to visit my in-laws. My travel time would be no more than 15 minutes. Based on your price range and criteria, West Orange might be an ideal location for you, however Maplewood, and South Orange are just as close. My office currently has some nice listings in these towns. If I can be of any assistance to your home search, please feel free to contact me. You can also view our office listings under Short Hills, NJ at our website.

Marsha B. Washington
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
518 Millburn Avenue
Short Hills, NJ 07078
973-467-4844 - office
Marsha.bowenwashington@cbmoves.com

How about a 2-3 even 4-unit? Live in one, rent the others, lower your costs. You will want to discuss and obtain a pre-approval to be sure you are ready to buy. I can help with that. Condos are requiring more down payment from many lenders. I recommend you pick a favorite area, start with an agent and get the pre-approval. Many areas you list have little if anything in your $240K range. Check realtor.com as a search link. Call me anytime.
Carl - 973 632-8593 Weichert- Upper Montclair. I specialize in Bloomfield, Belleville, CLifton, Nutley, Montclair, Verona, the Oranges, the Caldwells,

Dear Buying this Year,

Good for you! Going to open houses are so helpful in determining what area you would like to live in as well as finding a real estate agent that you would like to work with. I have been working with many clients in your situation. Have you considered Morris County? The taxes are fairly reasonable and there are areas that are certainly commutable to Orange. As far as Essex County, I found some potential listings for you in West Orange, Verona, Glen Ridge, & Bloomfield...have you looked in these towns? Are you interested in living in a condo/townhouse? This also opens up your possibilities. And what about a home that needs some work? Is that something you will consider? If you like, I'm happy to send you listings and open house schedules. Feel free to contact me for them as well as any other questions/concerns you might have.
Best of luck!
Tara

Tara Hofmeister-Sheng
Weichert, Realtors
Rt. 46 @ Cherry Hill Road
Mountain Lakes, New Jersey 07046
Office: 973.334.9400
Mobile: 862.242.0688
Tsheng@weichert.com
TaraDreamHomes.com

I'm bias but Hunterdon County is my choice. Like you I'm from Essex County and we found value and great schools in the western part of the state. Our first move was to Somerset County but it got congested and prices rose so we moved further SouthWest. Check out the demographics and school reports yourself on http://www.justjerseyrealestate.com. You can also do a complete home search on the site and see what's available in your price range. Please let me know if you need an agent. I'm happy to help. Good luck to you,

Camille Miller
Broker/Owner
Just Jersey Properties

Hello!
Try to investigate area of northen and western NJ.
Yes, commute to Orange will be between 30 min and 1h15min., but there are many nice homes there in your price range.
I cover very large area of NJ and if you will have any questions, I'll be glad to answer them.
Yelena Tsuladze

I specialize in Essex county and would be glad to help you. There are really good buys in West Orange and Belleville. Contact me at (973)951-8143 or email me and I will send you properties.