Looking for places to live around Morristown

Submitted by Uanaka t3_107cyfq in newjersey

Hi all! I’m a mid-20s single guy moving into the area for a new job in Morristown starting in the summer. I’m starting to look into places to live in the surrounding area and I’d really appreciate any recommendations for towns/specific apartment complexes to live that might be a good fit for me.

Ideally budget would be <$1800 for a studio/1BR place including cost of utilities, and within a 20-25 minute driving commute from Morristown. I also wouldn’t mind a “sharehouse” kind of situation either. Is it common, or at least not abnormal, to find working professionals/families that rent out a room or backhouse?

I don’t particularly care about living in a place with walkability as I have a car and will be driving anyways, and if anything, I prefer a more “suburban/quiet” feel in a neighborhood that has relatively decent access to amenities but also not a super industrialized area. I’m also hoping to avoid more college-town areas too, unless it means I can find something affordable.

Am I expecting too much to find a place with central heat/AC and in-unit, if not in-complex laundry, facilities with my budget? I’m not looking for a luxury apartment of any kind, but at least live in a place that is maintained well. The kicker is that I do live out of state so I wouldn’t be able to actually visit anything in person. I do have a friend in NYC who offered to do some drive-bys and maybe the occasional tour taking pictures but I have to be mindful of their schedule too.

Lastly, I read through the wiki post about moving to NJ. Are real estate agents and brokers, really that much of a must to get anything done?

I’d really appreciate any recommendations, and I appreciate any kind of input.

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KishanCS t1_j3llyta wrote

Parsippany is a nice suburban, relatively crime free town that has major access to all major highways and plenty of good food options, shopping stores, gyms, and isn’t as expensive as motown. Only a 5 min drive.

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Uanaka OP t1_j3lqvy2 wrote

Thanks for the insight. I was looking at those areas north of Morristown and Parsippany stood out. How about some of the areas east, but not getting into the more metro Newark area, like Madison, Livingston, or Hanover? Do you know much about those areas?

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ljnj t1_j3lwkqj wrote

I agree Parsippany might be your best bet. Those other areas you mentioned are very nice but generally, you won’t get as much for your money if you go east. There are really no bad areas around Morristown although there are sections of Morristown that may be less desirable. Parsippany has more apartments than most towns in the area so prices are a little lower there.

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Uanaka OP t1_j3mwfqx wrote

Thanks so much for the recommendation. I ask about the others because I've been told there are times where I may need to go out to Summit for work, so I was also thinking about some place in the middle.

I think I'm a pretty lowkey guy, so I'm willing to consider most things as long as it isnt a place that hasn't been touched in decades I suppose.

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[deleted] t1_j3lzqpu wrote

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Uanaka OP t1_j3mworz wrote

Thanks for the Denville rec. I asked about the more eastern communities because I've been told I sometimes have to go out to Summit as well for work, so I was also looking into areas in Morristown and summit. Parsippany is great if I was only in Morristown, but it sounds like I may have to go out to Summit frequently as well.

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Snownel t1_j3lodno wrote

You could just draw a 20-minute circle around Morristown and just pick whatever. But central air for under $2k will probably be a challenge, especially if you are renting from out-of-state.

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Uanaka OP t1_j3lr5y5 wrote

Sure, I guess I’d kind of like to know what the general idea of those areas are like? Are there any areas that are just flat out avoid, in terms of safety, or on the other end, just way too expensive to not even bother looking into?

How about in terms of ethnic predominance and other “stereotypes”? Thanks so much!

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Snownel t1_j3njlac wrote

Morris County is almost entirely suburban or rural. Netcong/Stanhope is the only place with a crime rate worth worrying about but it's a pretty small town just outside of your range. It's also not really a dangerous area so I'm not sure why the high crime.

In terms of small apartments, there are a handful of garden apartment complexes between Morristown and Parsippany mostly.

Morris County is around 2/3rds white so finding anything good other than Italian restaurants can be challenging. Dover has a big Hispanic population and a bunch of great little restaurants, but other than that it's not a particularly diverse area.

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Uanaka OP t1_j3oeuaz wrote

Thanks so much, I really appreciate the insight. I've been mainly perusing the areas north and east of Morristown, since I'll also have to go out to Summit on occasion for work too. Anything in those areas that would really stand out to you in terms of places to live?

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chubbyburritos t1_j3mllno wrote

Denville is great and has a really nice downtown

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Uanaka OP t1_j3mx488 wrote

Thanks for the rec! How is Denville usually known in the area?

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nickoportugues t1_j3lwuqk wrote

I’m in East Hanover. About 15 mins to Morristown. Quiet, suburban, close to major highways and tons of shopping on rt 10. nice people. A ton of Italian Americans in this town…you can’t beat the food.

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Uanaka OP t1_j3mwxzf wrote

I'm always a sucker for food. What are the prices like around there typically and is it somewhere where the dollar goes a longer way than in Morristown? I was looking at like Mendham as well and as soon as I saw the real estate prices, I knew it was a place to cross off my list. Definitely seems like the western and southern communities tend to be more affluent.

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gnitsuj t1_j3mkf8e wrote

Not sure on the pricing these days, but my wife and I lived in the Olde Forge East complex about 5 years ago, off Speedwell about 5 minutes from the Green. Swimming pool, parking is not assigned and there are plenty of spots, pet friendly, central air, laundry room in the complex. We paid about $1600.

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Uanaka OP t1_j3mx1k3 wrote

I'll definitely check it out! Certainly sounds great but I'm almost certain rent has gone up these past few years. Otherwise seems like an absolute deal

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gnitsuj t1_j3mxjvy wrote

I just checked out the website, it's not a whole lot more than it was 5 years ago: https://oldeforgeeastapartments.com/

The 893 sq. ft. model is the one we had.

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Uanaka OP t1_j3oeg8w wrote

Thanks so much for the check! I know it was a couple of years ago, but what was the area like? Ever had any concerns?

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gnitsuj t1_j3omacf wrote

Nope, the complex was clean and safe, my wife and I would walk our dog around daily. You’re technically in Morris Plains, the complex straddles the border of MP and Motown, but the mailing address is Morristown. It’s super close to the really nice ShopRite in Cedar Knolls, if you know the area.

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Uanaka OP t1_j3pdyh7 wrote

Unfortunately, I don't know the area. Hence, why I'm hoping to glean a bit more from here. Thanks again for the recommendation!

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Skintag12 t1_j3njx86 wrote

The center of Morristown is a busy bar town. The neighboring towns outside are quieter and generally have an older demographic. Check out Chatham and Madison both very great towns to live in especially with your budget

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Uanaka OP t1_j3ofb8k wrote

Yea, I've certainly paid my dues living in busy bar towns so I'm really hoping to venture out of it. If I want to enjoy it, I'll drive in or uber in whatever.

I definitely appreciate the recommendations of Chatham and Madison. I was actually looking at places between Morristown and Summit too, because I will on occasion have to head out to Summit for work too. I know in the grand scheme of things, these towns are negligible distances apart while driving and it shouldn't matter too much.

I was really just hoping to learn about if there are any areas that just don't fit what I'm looking for, and just should avoid altogether.

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avocado_45 t1_j3p8kqy wrote

I second Parsippany as a good option! Morris Plains and Whippany too. Denville and Boonton are a little further out but also good places to check out!

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Uanaka OP t1_j3pdiwa wrote

Denville and Boonton are starting to be pushing out a little bit further than what I am looking for, but Morris Plains and Whippany are about where I'm looking. How are the surrounding areas of Whippany, like Florham Park and Afton?

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avocado_45 t1_j3piary wrote

All are middle to upper middle class suburban areas, generally considered very safe and definitely not “bar” towns, but Madison does have a few colleges. Whippany, Florham Park, Chatham, Madison, Morris Plains, Parsippany are very family friendly. Parsippany is the biggest and probably the most diverse, and if I had to guess would probably have the best chance at reasonable rent prices. All of these areas also have good access to all major highways and back roads as back up options too if there’s traffic - would be perfect for commuting to Morristown or Summit. Are you looking for a place with more of a quaint quiet downtown or more of convenient to supermarkets and other big shopping centers?Please feel free to DM me if you need more specific info - I’m a Morris County native. Good luck and welcome!

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Uanaka OP t1_j3reuak wrote

Thanks so much I really appreciate it. Considering everything looks to be relatively accessible and commutable, I'd like to live in a more quaint and quiet area, as I would have no problems driving to supermarkets, grocery stores etc.

I guess the downside of everything being good and safe, the choices become even harder haha. Of those places you listed above and as a native to the area, are there any particular stereotypes (not in a bad way) that they're known for? As in, it's where the best shopping is, best parks etc.

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[deleted] t1_j3lz6q2 wrote

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Uanaka OP t1_j3o22zl wrote

Thanks so much! Definitely good to know. Another reason why I'm willing to look a bit farther out and away. Any recommendations on areas between Morristown and like summit? I got a couple of Parsippany recommendations, but I also wanted to consider areas east of Morristown too

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NMS-KTG t1_j3s4uyh wrote

This is terribly stereotyped

I've lived in the Hollow for most of my life and go out at night and I've never seen an open air drug sale, stabbing, needles, or anything of the sort. I once found weed on the bridge over the whippany, but like Dover, the crime is incredibly overblown (and no doubt because it's full of "undesirables" or people of color).

I often see mothers with their children walking down the street, or occasionally a group of men with their music a little too loud at night, but even when I was 12, I never felt unsafe in that area, even after dark.

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[deleted] t1_j3s6wcq wrote

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NMS-KTG t1_j3s8g7a wrote

Well Clyde Potts is closer to Speedwell than Mlk, so I would consider that in the Speedwell neighborhood.

Regardless, the shooting was not a normal thing and it had a bunch of people worried about their safety which is a clear indicator that people aren't getting shot very often in TH.

saying one shooting is a sign of high crime is like saying Morris County is poverty stricken because you say a couple homeless people on the street once

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