NJ/NY

Can anyone give any feedback on the Marlboro/Manalapan/freehold area or the Merrick/Bellmore/Wantagh area to raise a family. What do you like/Dislike? Thanks.

Re: NJ/NY

I have family in Marlboro, Manalapan and Freehold. I’m pretty sure manalapan schools are best out of the 3 For children with autism (it was the reason a friend of mine chose that town to live)

Manalapan & Marlboro taxes are similar to the LI towns you mentioned and they are full of NYers. It’s like little Staten Island in some sections. Freehold is a little less expensive (and I mean a little) and you have areas that are more open w extra property / even some farms (kinda like going from nassau to Suffolk) I know you didn’t ask, but Howell is also nice. Even more space and again, schools have good special Ed programs as well.

If I was choosing, I’d go to Nj over LI. As crowded as everywhere is, it’s not nearly as bad as it is here w the traffic

Re: NJ/NY

NJ/NY

I lived in the area when I was on LI. It was very convenient to highways, shopping, restaurants. Tons of activities for kids and lots of parks/playgrounds. We left right before my DD started kindergarten, so I can’t comment on the schools but I’ve heard nothing but good things.

The commute to the city wasn’t great, but that would likely be the case with NJT, too. I didn’t find the traffic to be that bad, but that might be because the traffic where I live now is so horrible. The houses overall are pretty affordable when compared to other parts of the tri state area.

Not sure how to word this delicately, but some of the people were…interesting. It’s not the most progressive place. I guess that could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your own feelings.

NJ/NY

I live in the Merrick/Bellmore area and responded on the other thread. My aunt lives in Manalapan. I really like that area. I think it would be a nice place to live. I would love to have a house with a larger property. You just can't get that where I live now. The big downside for us to that is area is the commute into the city. There is no train in the towns that you mentioned. I think Matawan might have the closest train and the ride is long. My cousin used to take the bus to commute to the city when he lived at home. Then again, beaches aren't too far and traffic is traffic. You have all the u-turns in NJ lol. It's also more surburban/rural than south shore Nassau County.

NJ/NY

I currently live in Manalapan and we love it. There are a lot of NYers that have moved here. A lot of people commute to NYC from Manalapan, Marlboro and freehold by bus. It's a great place to raise kids.