Summit/Chatham (NJ) area

pk · #1 (**permalink**) 09-20-2002, 09:06 AM

To the Joisey gang-
After living in NYC for 10 yrs it looks like we're moving back to the Garden state. Anybody familar with the Summit/Chatham area. The wife and I are going around with a realtor this weekend.

I'm looking forward to having a garage, one big step closer to getting my Cobra.

pk

Chaplin · #2 (**permalink**) 09-20-2002, 10:13 AM

PK-
I live in Springfield and am 2 minutes from Summit. Before buying my house I looked all over the area and would be happy to answer any questions have. Feel free to email me at
mchaplyn@aol.com

Good luck house hunting. Speak to you soon.
Mike

Satanpez · #3 (**permalink**) 09-20-2002, 11:57 AM

Do you have children? Plan on putting them in the public or private schools?

I'm 10 minutes from Chatham.

-steve in nj-

pk · #4 (**permalink**) 09-20-2002, 12:27 PM

steve-
It would be great to be able to use the public school system. It's one of the reasons we're looking at Chatham. My daughter is only 20 months old, so it's a bit off.

Do you know what other HS's in the area are good?
pk

Satanpez · #5 (**permalink**) 09-20-2002, 12:46 PM

Well...I'd hate to throw my opinions on the High Schools...

I graduated awhile ago from Whippany Park (Whippany). Pretty good school. I lived before that in East Hanover. Both had good schools, but I would say Whippany's was better.

I knew a lot of people from Chatham, 99% of the graduates there are the kind of snobs most people want to hit in the face. Education wise, it's a great school. I don't think the environment there breeds good character. My opinion.

You may want to look at surrounding towns. Or not. If you're looking in the general area of Chatham, make sure you stay in Morris County. We pay 1/2 (or even less than 1/2!) in property taxes than they do in Essex. Car insurance is also much less.

Also, look into the differences between Chatham Borough and Chatham Township. They're mostly refered to as one. Weird things, like on one side of town you can throw out as much trash as you want. On the other you can only throw out a certain amount of bags of a certain size a week.

It's a beautiful area. We're close to the city, plenty of parks, good schools, low crime, lots of highways. If you move into Summit/Chatham/Madison/New Providence you have train stations that go directly into NYC.

-steve in nj-

pk · #6 (**permalink**) 09-20-2002, 01:03 PM

Steve-
That's is exactly the sort of comment I want to hear!

I heard the same sort of comment from a few other people.
Some said "too preppy" the sort of town where people wear bright yellow pants with green whales and it's not 'cause they think it's funny.

We're leaving a huge noisy melting pot and I want my daughter to grow up with those values. Chatham as pretty as it is might not be the right place. These are things a realtor might not be willing to say but you guys will. Is Summit "better" ?
pk

mrmustang · #7 (**permalink**) 09-21-2002, 05:02 AM

Hey PK,

20 minutes from Summit/Chatham......You have mail........

Yours in North Jersey Based Fords,

Bill S.

Rob_R · #8 (**permalink**) 09-21-2002, 08:36 AM

PK,
I work in Summit at the US headquarters for a large chemical company. I have done so for 21 years. I think the Summit area is great but I live about 50 miles south in Wall (Summit is too pricey and I get the added benefit of living at the shore).

If you are commuting into NYC, then you would be hard pressed to find a better area than Summit.

Rob Roschen

John McMahon · #9 (**permalink**) 09-21-2002, 09:30 AM

Most folks I have met from Chatham are a bit snooty. They act like their $hit don't stink but a fart gave 'em away.

The Summit / Berkley Heights / New Providence area is real nice.
Picturesque little towns with nice restaurants and homes. Very 'Leave it to Beaver'ish.

mrmustang · #10 (**permalink**) 09-21-2002, 09:52 AM

We won't even tell you about the 4th grade travel soccer match where the team from Chatham did not even bother to show up becuase it "might" rain..let alone the catered meals at their home games.........If this is the type of place/atmosphere you want your daughter to grow up in, I say go for it

.

Bill S.

Quote:

Originally posted by John McMahon
Most folks I have met from Chatham are a bit snooty. They act like their $hit don't stink but a fart gave 'em away.

Evan Harris · #11 (**permalink**) 09-21-2002, 10:10 AM

Both areas are very nice. Good luck.

pk · #12 (**permalink**) 09-21-2002, 05:22 PM

OK...
Had first day our driving around with a realtor.

We only saw one house in Summit it was over $600,000.
and it needed at least $150,000. to be liveable.(before you call me a snob read on...)

It was an old farm house that hadn't been updated in 90 years. Original Ralph Kramden "Magic chef" enamaled stove (chipped through years of use) and the only heat was small (workshop style) heaters hanging from the ceilings in all the rooms. If it was pretty maybe you could make a case, but nope zero charm. I think the owners must be smoking something.

Saw two nice houses is Chatham both nice but much smaller.

One is landmarked (was buillt in 1750). 8 in wide floorboards! Real 250 years old exposed beams, nice sized rooms. Went down to the basement SIX HOUSE JACKS holding the main beams up. Uhh...honey I think we can go!.

The other a 1929 colonial (about 1600 sf) was nicely done but not that much bigger then our small NYC apartment. We may tender a offer. We'll see if they want to deal.

Saw one new construction in New Providence nice but it was no bargain and it was on a VERY busy road.

You guys are right this area is pricey. We'll see...

-Bill (Mr Mustang)
You saying my little princess shouldn't get the best of everything

a BMW conv. for her 16th BD!
I'm home today can you resend the e-mail to pkrugman@earthlink.net.

pk

mrmustang · #13 (**permalink**) 09-21-2002, 06:47 PM

PK,

You got mail,

again

Bill S.

PS: For your daughters first car, your going to have to wait until she is 17 here in the Garden State

.......

pk · #14 (**permalink**) 09-21-2002, 08:14 PM

I guess this is part of the jersey hazing...I gotta admit my **** stinks and I can play soccer in the rain to get back into the state.

pk

daddy1dave · #15 (**permalink**) 09-24-2002, 07:31 PM

I grew up in Summit - went to public schools (very good). Just sold my parents house on Dale Dr. (west part) for $400K two years ago - had come down quite a lot from its high. Great town ... but it also has a very good police force ........ I can not imagine how a Cobra owner would survive without many personal appearances in the courtroom contesting the tickets. I also lived in Wall Township (north of Point Pleasant) and really enjoyed that area - some folks commuted to N.Y.C. from there. Good luck ..........