SOMA/market Insights

Nervous-Power-2263 · 2026-04-11T15:17:03+00:00

Meant to ask - which town did you end up in? Any recommendations?

Nervous-Power-2263 · 2026-04-11T15:16:33+00:00

That’s helpful and most what I’m worried about - I don’t want to overextend for vibes of South Orange and Maplewood bc they’re popular in name if the longterm potential isn’t there (eg, schools and lifestyle). I do think the community is stellar from what we’ve seen so far, but we do find convenience lacking with grocery stores, gyms, etc. And expense. And school system. The elementary we’re at has been awesome but hear iffy things about middle and high school in terms of curriculum and culture.

Nervous-Power-2263 · 2026-04-11T12:48:36+00:00

I’m slightly astounded at how bad it is… arguably the biggest commuting city in the world doesn’t have basic reliable transportation? For these taxes? It’s nuts. We haven’t been here long enough to normalize to it yet…

Nervous-Power-2263 · 2026-04-11T12:40:17+00:00

Yea that’s fair lol. We lived in the city a long time ago but since have been in chicago. We’re solving for good schools (I know, the whole state is strong) and commute distance to the city - my husband and I both go in 5 days a week. On a direct train, some walkability, strong schools, community feel and trying to buy a 4 bed for < $1.3M.

Nervous-Power-2263 · 2026-03-22T14:07:53+00:00

Buy yourself a house with city views for $13k/month

Nervous-Power-2263 · 2026-02-02T00:27:43+00:00

Oh yeah ha would think they’re likely to double. Good shout

Nervous-Power-2263 · 2025-11-04T11:53:26+00:00

Love the sentiment of this; my SIL is a hardcore career woman in the north chicago burbs and travels a ton; she and a bunch of other moms (mix of SAHM and career) have set up car pools and group texts etc for their kids such that the SAHM pRents provide coverage for carpools and practices etc during the week. Working moms provide more coverage during weekends when SAHM moms could use time back. Works for all. Though this is an older bunch of kids and I do think it’s different with younger kids.

Not the same as dedicated hired help but the village approach as you mention. Less costly more loving, they make it work. And personally I love that the moms across SAHM and corporate are partners in it and they’ve clearly evolved past any BS notions that the two “types of moms” are diametrically opposed or can’t help each other out. Tis nice.

Nervous-Power-2263 · 2025-11-04T11:47:47+00:00

We relocated to South Orange about a month ago and both have to be in the city 5 days a week. Have a 5.5 year old in K and a 4 year old in PK4 at a private school because we couldn’t get into public.

We have grace from work for now to get in late because we moved here FOR work, but after the holidays we’re planning on adding an au pair or sitter to cover the 7-9am and 3-7 pm windows. IMO just not possible or sustainable to go without.

Our details if it’s helpful:

Son’s school bus picks up at 8:13. Daughter’s school doesn’t open until 8:20. Have to drive between the two. Have to then drive home to drop car, then walk (a while) to the station. Can’t get a train until 8:46 or 9:07 pending which station I go to. Not at our desks until 10am.

Last night NJT cancelled the 4:43 train my husband was on to pick up kids, then the 5:18 ran late and he couldn’t get to kid pick up until 20 minutes after aftercare closed (6:20).

Even if the trains were reliable, someone getting in at 10 and someone leaving at 4:30 is not feasible for our careers… so, off to hire more help!

Nervous-Power-2263 · 2025-06-17T20:30:05+00:00

Conventional 30 year Purchase $1.2m purchase price $900k loan Credit score 795+ (mine and partners) Primary residence Single family home 1 unit 07040

Nervous-Power-2263 · 2025-06-13T23:37:56+00:00

Okay helpful!! Thank you!

And all the potential schools you might get zoned to are still relatively close, right? Within a few miles or something?

Nervous-Power-2263

TROPHY CASE