Lucy,

Unlike many of theprior responders I have never lived in Brooklyn, but have spent my entire life in NJ. ;-)

There are many areas of NJ that are hiden treasures! Check out my blogsite http://waynesmithrealestate.blogspot.com/
I have 2 postings about NJ. The latest discusses the recent Forbe's National rankings of best counties in the US. The other, a more tongue in cheek posting in October, 2007 gives a "What's so Great about NJ" look at things.
NJ currently has a State program called NJ Smart Start so IF you're a 1st time homebuyer you should absolutely check it out! The program is Town and Township specific and provides up to a 4% grant or up to about $12,000. You and the property must qualify. You can check out the NJ school report card o my web site or go to the NJ dept of education.
If you have any questions let me know.

Hi Lucy,
After a decade in Bklyn, we made the move to Maplewood and love it. There are so many Bklyn/NYC transplants here that Maplewood has been referred to as Park Slope West! The great thing about the schools here is that depending on where you live, your child is zoned for one of the 5 elementary schools in the South Orange/Maplewood school district. You don't have to apply to a specific school and you won't be shut out. Also, be prepared for the lovely property tax bill which is basically the price you pay for living close to NYC and having great schools! Please visit my website to learn more about this great community, and please get in touch with me if you would like more information. Good luck!
Amy

Hi Lucy, I also made the move from Broolkly to New Jersey - that was 15+ years ago and we've not regretted our decision for a minute. There are so many great communities here and you've heard about many of them already from the voices before me. We searched for a long time and settled on the community of Warren, New Jersey - which is at the exit 36, exit 22 mark on Interstate 78. The community just to the east of us, Watchung, is the point at which the property sizes get larger which is something that we were looking for. I'm working now with a couple contemplating the same move you are from Brooklyn, and that is what they have observed themselves as they moved westward from the city.

The best place to begin is to understand your buying power and a mortgage pro can help you with that. I've got two full time resources in my office that can do that for you - on a complimentary basis and can be accomplished via a phone call or visit. They can also help you understand the trade off financially with the buy -vs- rent question.

Once you know what you can afford, then the question is "where do you want to live?" If you can get your arms around that question quickly so that you can be positioned either by moving in or with a contract that will close around the time school opens, you will be positioned for the opening of school for your daughter. This is true for renting as well - as long as you are in resident in a community as an owner or renter, you have access to the public schools. The process and deadlines for registration may vary by district/community and so you'll want to check for sure. You'll find a link to school information on my website http://www.feenick.com

If we answer the "where do you want to live question" and you can afford to buy a home you are happy with in the community of choice, then the answer to the buy -vs- rent question is clear to me, BUY so that you can begin to build equity for yourself and not for someone else!

It is such a great time to buy - the combination of many choices, great prices, low mortgage rates is rate and historically unusual. Any further decline in price will very likely be negatted in terms of buying power by a rise in interest rates.

I would be honored to work with you and would recommend that we begin with a discussion with the mortgage folks to establish buying power and then get in the car to tour communities and see homes so that you can accomplish your goals and make the decisions to need to make in the timeframe you've established.

Hope to hear from you!

Best,
Jeannie Feenick
Weichert Realtors
Cell 908-337-0943
Search and connect at http://www.feenick.com

Hi Lucy - The question depends on your situation. Given the current market conditions you can probably get a great buy on a house, condo or townhouse. You should look into a few area's that are convienent to you. Middlesex County has a host of great towns with Blue Ribbon Schools.

Getting into a school will be pretty simple, Your realtor can supply information and phone numbers for the area you are looking into. This move also depends upon your needs and wants. East Brunswick ( where I live) is home to some great schools and it is the reason I moved here.. I have two in the elementary system here and the schools are fantastic. At the time I was working in lower Manhattan and the commute by Bus and train is very comfortable and swift. East Brunswick is 35 miles out of NYC and 30 miles out of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. 20 Minutes to Staten Island... close to all.

Rent or buy depends upon your price and monthly payments. at this stage of the market, you may be able to own for a little more then rent depending upon your financial position.

I moved to NJ from Brooklyn a few years ago, this is a different place to live and I have adapted well. Don't expect the same service at the deli counter that we are accustomed too in Brooklyn, the italian bread is like rubber and the bagels either sink or bounce and the pizza sometimes is scary. : )
But there are some transplants in stores that "import" these items for us.

Good luck with your search.

Call / email me if you need help from someone that knows what you are giong through.

John Sacktig
Broker / Sales Associate
Orange Key Realty
732-213-1409

Lucy,

NJ towns vary greatly, depending on location. When you take into consideration your price, commuting needs to and from work, and what type of location you like, the answer to your question may vary as well. Some areas of NJ have seen considerable depreciation, while others have remained steady or increased in value.

So, if you find an area that is holding its value, you might want to buy. However, if you find an area where prices are expected to continue to decline, it's probably a good idea to rent. Again, a good local agent will be able to show you what the activity has been in each individual town/area you are interested in.

Determine your needs, then determine what areas fit those needs and start looking at both rental and purchase options. You should be able to see clearly which way to go.

As far as getting your daughter into a school when you are renting, all you need is a copy of your
lease to get her registered.

Good luck and welcome to NJ!

Lucy,

An important question is have you been qualified by a loan officer to buy a home? If so, the price range you are able to afford and comfortable paying is a strong factor in determining areas to live in. Your loan officer can also estimate rent vs buy to give you a better sense of your financial situation.

Also I would imagine since you have a younger child, the school system must be of importance as well. Whether renting or buying, you would have to call the school(s) or Board of Ed within that town to register her for school.

There are some really good deals on the market today in a lot of different areas but affordability is a big factor as well. Take a ride to NJ on the weekend, drive through some towns you may be interested in, drive past the parks, look up when those towns are having their 4th of July parade/firewooks...it should give you a good sense of the town.

I see it also says you are a home seller. Is your house on the market? With an agent or without? Is it under contract? Any offers? Not many sellers are happy with home sale contingencies these days and it can be harder for you to get an offer accepted if your house is still for sale (unless of course you are pre-approved without the contingency of having to sell your home).

Good Luck. If you are interested in any towns located in Essex, Morris or Passaic Counties, please feel free to contact me directly.

Gina Chirico, Sales Associate/Realtor
Prudential NJ Properties
973-715-1158 cell
973-239-7700 ext 132
GinaChirico@PruNewJersey.com

The rent vs buy question depends on what area you looking at in NJ. In some areas home prices have dropped substantially and might make purchasing a good decision. Other areas haven't seen much in the way of price slides, so renting there might be a better option. Best of luck!

Lucy-

I am a former Brooklyn resident myself. I made the move to Montclair, New Jersey when my kids were very young and I needed more space than I could find or afford in Park Slope. So many Brooklynites have made the move to areas like Montclair and Maplewood because they are attracted to the beautiful architecture, large parks and diversity of these towns. As a matter of fact, I am working with a family right now from Park Slope. They will be moving to Montclair in July.
Real Estate is always the best investment and now is a great time to buy a home because interest rates are low and you can find any style, color and size and everything is on sale! Rather than rent and have to move again, why don't you make a trip or two to the area and have a realtor give you a tour of the town and show you some homes in your price range as well. Stay for the day and walk through the shopping areas and parks. Grab a bite to eat. I'd be happy to take you on a tour of the areas I cover and I could also put you in touch with other Brooklynites that have crossed state lines and made the move here. You'll be surprised at how quickly you can get a feel for the place.
Getting your daughter into a school would be no problem. Your realtor can give you all the information you need and you can take school tours before she is enrolled. In Montclair, for example, we have a magnet system which means you can choose which school you'll want your child to attend based on their interests or needs. Parents conduct tours of each of the schools and can answer all your questions.
If you have any other concerns or would like my assistance, please call or email me. I service Suburban West Essex including towns such as Montclair, Glen Ridge, Maplewood, Bloomfield, etc. as well as parts of Passaic County. I can be reached at 973-509-3970.

Your daughter would have to go to school in your town, wherever you decide to live. If you will give me your price range, I will send you links to what's available. Feel free to contact me directly for any additional questions that you may have. If you rent initially and then decide, you don't really like that town, your daughter would have to switch schools, if you would move to a different town, unless you decide to keep her in the same school, in which you would have to pay an out-of-town tuition. You have the whole summer to decide... why don't you research different areas, either driving around, or via internet to get a feel for it. Again, do not hesitate to contact me; I will help you in any way I can. Best of luck!

Depends on your needs. Fair Lawn is not a bad option. Depends on your price range as well