Yeah for sure, i wasn't making a good/bad distinction, just an observation of one difference. Most of the places in jersey that do have alleys are probably too built up and maybe not relevant since that's not where the space for ADUs is

So, I live in an ADU in LA and honestly, I love it. I can rent a place that isn't an apartment but also is smaller than a "regular" home (since I don't need as much space) with all the privacy perks of a SFH.

Here in CA the biggest difference in residential areas is we have many more alleys between back yards. That means easy in/out access for ADU dwellers. it's a jersey thing! not to have alleys, it makes ADUs a little less convenient.

But in the balance I'd say they're a positive - more housing without resorting to big block-long apartment buildings. You look at the NYC commuter towns like Lyndhurst, all houses with backyard space that could be housing, if the homeowner wanted it to be. Yes it densifies the most in-demand towns but people are going to populate NJ regardless, and more options closer to work means that person in an ADU in Lyndhurst isn't living in Parsippany and clogging rt 80 every day.

Ok, I won't worry

Sincerely, someone who moved to LA

Ok now I'm just convinced you are posting from Nebraska

If the bottleneck into NYC still exists, then there won't be any difference on the NYC side, which is why their complaint is silly. And if they're complaining about this, oh boy, just wait until they get the opportunity to complain about improving actual real crossing capacity

Those people should be laughed off the face of the earth.

The best way to find houses is to give your criteria to a realtor and have them sign you up for MLS listing emails. It's free, although it does involve finding a realtor first. (But that should be your focus anyway.) Sites like Zillow (redfin is better in my opinion) sometimes have outdated or wrong info.

You could also start going to open houses, speaking to realtors there and see who gives you good/knowledgeable vibes.

As for a down payment, there are options that exist outside of the 20% down, like FHA loans or an 80-10-10 loan. Especially with that household income.

If I remember correctly there were even a few EZ passes early on that still had a gate, you had to pay attention or you might get your car clotheslined

Look I know this sounds crazy but Phil Murphy literally snuck into my home at 3am, put a pillow over my sleeping child's face, and screamed "I killed your grandma" over and over until I got him in a choke hold and he pissed himself.

...There may need to be a bit of tempering of expectations for central jersey. You're not in San Diego anymore.

Carne asada fries or birria? How about getting Italian?

Hawaiian? Why not try Italian instead?

BBQ? Plan on getting Italian.

Seafood boil? There's a place down the street that makes a decent meatball sub.

Grew up but no longer live in NJ. When I come back, it's super annoying if I have to wait for the attendant. It's like if you were out to eat and had a bottle of water at your table, but you could not pour your own glass.

If there's no waiting then I feel neutral about it.

This guy really, really loves nj

If I turn my phone right 45 degrees it kind of works I guess