Suggestions for commute

[ChrisTaylor]

Possibly our family maybe relocated from midwest to the kennilworth or Summit area. I have not been to the area and am trying to figure out a decent commute time (probably not the 4 min. I now enjoy) From looking at all the mapping choices, paper, internet, etc. it seems I would need to be further WSW or WNW of those 2 towns to avoid congestion on the highways. I would like about 20-30 min. commute maximun, or is that even possible. One more thing, when we move I will be getting a Prius and will actively join your group.
Thanks for any and all comments, suggestions, and advice.
Christine

[Boo]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Christine @ Sep 9 2007, 11:50 PM) [snapback]509861[/snapback]</div>

Possibly our family maybe relocated from midwest to the kennilworth or Summit area. I have not been to the area and am trying to figure out a decent commute time (probably not the 4 min. I now enjoy) From looking at all the mapping choices, paper, internet, etc. it seems I would need to be further WSW or WNW of those 2 towns to avoid congestion on the highways. I would like about 20-30 min. commute maximun, or is that even possible. One more thing, when we move I will be getting a Prius and will actively join your group.
Thanks for any and all comments, suggestions, and advice.
Christine
[/b]

Where would you be commuting to?

[ChrisTaylor]

Where will I be commuting to?

New poster to this site, please bear with. I did not make my initial post clear. Will be working in the Kennilworth, Summit, NJ area. Don't know where to beging to look for a house that is within commute distance of work area. On the maps, everything is so congested compared to the midwester plains. There are so many towns around I don't know where to start. Looking for SF home, newer construction. Any suggestions of towns around that anyone can recommend will be appreciated and I will research. Compute time is a real factor for us, as we have never had one. I have been lurcking on Prius Chat and have been using all the tips for driving better, my old 96 MiniVan is getting better mileage. Someday soon a Prius.

Christine

[Godiva]

Have you thought of contacting a realtor in the area with the information and your needs? They might be able to suggest locations and houses that meet your needs. They could also tell you about the different routes.

[jimmyrose]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Sep 10 2007, 02:10 AM) [snapback]509911[/snapback]</div>

Have you thought of contacting a realtor in the area with the information and your needs? They might be able to suggest locations and houses that meet your needs. They could also tell you about the different routes.
[/b]

Godiva's suggestion is a good one - I'm a Realtor w/Coldwell Banker in North Jersey, but that area is a little outside the area I normally service - and I'm scheduled for knee replacement surgery on Wednesday, so I'm not taking on any new clients right now anyway - btw, the Prius is a big hit with my clients, and I think a couple are seriously looking at it now to purchase (I could refer you to a Realtor in that area if you want).

What you will need to provide (at a minimum) when you speak with a Realtor:
Time frame (when you plan to purchase)
Price range (this may exclude whole towns based on your other needs) and if you're carrying a mortgage, you'll need a current pre-approval
Minimum # of bedrooms needed
Preferred style of house (if this is important)
Basically, you need to define your needs, and then include your wants (most people begin their home search with a lot of needs, then decide they are more wants as they continue to search).
Note: We do not list square footage in NJ unless it's new construction - I've worked with a number of relo people for whom this was very frustrating, since the majority of the country uses this to determine $/sq. ft.

[TonyPSchaefer]

Hi Christine and welcome to PriusChat,
GoogleMaps has added a new feature to their mapping and directions function: the ability to drag the route line around. So here's what you do:
1. go to www.maps.google.com
2. click the "Directions" tab
3. enter the starting location and the destination
4. realize that there are a few different ways to accomplish numbers 2 and 3
5. use your mouse to drag the blue route line around.

There are a few things to keep in mind. When you drag the line, it creates a way point. Sort of a sub-destination. Be sure to remove those way points when creating a new route.

Good luck and let us know how your commute turns out.

[Proco]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Christine @ Sep 10 2007, 02:04 AM) [snapback]509908[/snapback]</div>

Where will I be commuting to?

New poster to this site, please bear with. I did not make my initial post clear. Will be working in the Kennilworth, Summit, NJ area. Don't know where to beging to look for a house that is within commute distance of work area. On the maps, everything is so congested compared to the midwester plains. There are so many towns around I don't know where to start. Looking for SF home, newer construction. Any suggestions of towns around that anyone can recommend will be appreciated and I will research. Compute time is a real factor for us, as we have never had one. I have been lurcking on Prius Chat and have been using all the tips for driving better, my old 96 MiniVan is getting better mileage. Someday soon a Prius.

Christine[/b]

As someone who commutes to that general area (South Orange) every day, commute times will most likely be a toss-up most days. Mapquest estimates about 15-20 minutes to get from Summit to Kenilworth. But if there's problems on I-78 or the Parkway, the local roads can get clogged in a hurry.

I can say that parts of South Orange and Maplewood are quite nice, and about the same distance from both Kenilworth & Summit. I don't now how much new construction there is.

I'd take ZenCruiser up on his offer to refer you to a Realtor.

[ChrisTaylor]

Thank you for all your suggestions. To Godiva and ZenCruiser you both recommend a realtor, and that's what we will be doing. We are still in the negotiation stage, nothing is final. I am trying to plan ahead. ZenCruiser I will be taking you up on a referral for that area, I know nothing about New Jersey. Proco thanks for the first hand knowlege. TonyPSchaefer I can't wait to try the GOOGLE suggestion. What a nice welcome from the citizens of New Jersey.
Christine

[Boo]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Christine @ Sep 10 2007, 10:30 AM) [snapback]510024[/snapback]</div>

Thank you for all your suggestions. To Godiva and ZenCruiser you both recommend a realtor, and that's what we will be doing. We are still in the negotiation stage, nothing is final. I am trying to plan ahead. ZenCruiser I will be taking you up on a referral for that area, I know nothing about New Jersey. Proco thanks for the first hand knowlege. TonyPSchaefer I can't wait to try the GOOGLE suggestion. What a nice welcome from the citizens of New Jersey.
Christine
[/b]

That's right! Here's my own short list of the best things about New Jersey:

1. The view of New York.

2. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.

3. The Sopranos.

4. New Jersey PriusChatters and their sympathizers.

[Proco]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Boo @ Sep 10 2007, 12:01 PM) [snapback]510076[/snapback]</div>

That's right! Here's my own short list of the best things about New Jersey:

1. The view of New York.

2. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.

3. The Sopranos.

4. New Jersey PriusChatters and their sympathizers.[/b]

Thank you for NOT mentioning the shore! We have too many people clogging our roads in the Summer already. The shore stinks! Stay away!! :P

(if you do come down, please be respectful of the locals & the beaches. thank you.)
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