Hello Ambrose,

I'm happy to pass this information along to you. I don't know if you have seen CNN/Money's results for "Best Places to Live" for 2008. Somerset's Franklin Township ranked #5 out of the top 100.

In your price range, you can find homes of seven (7) to thirteen (13) rooms on lots up to and in excess of 3 acres. Your current choices also includes new construction.

Here's what CNN/Money has to say about our town:
"There are plenty of high-tech, pharmaceutical and research and development firms in the area, not to mention Princeton just to the south and Rutgers and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School to the north. And housing is a relative deal for the region. Starter homes go for less than $250,000 in the Somerset area. And the solid school system has a 95% graduation rate."

For more information about Somerset, I invite you to visit my local Blog at:
http://www.realtown.com/mjadamssellshomes/blog

If I can, personally, be of assistance to you please contact me at: http://www.mjAdamsSellsHomes.com or mjadams@century21.com

Michael Adams, Realtor®, e-PRO certified
CENTURY21 Our Town Realty
852 Easton Ave., Somerset, NJ 08873
Office: 732.828.3700 ext306 Fax: 732.828.3913

Hi Ambrose, I'd recommend that you put Bridgewater high on your list. It will hit most if not all of your "buttons". The Bridgewater market is moving well in your price range - you can find information about Bridgewater and other communities in Somerset County at http://www.feenick.com Click on Local Market Commentary to see local market stats. You can search for properties and find school information on my website as well. I particularly like the Star Ledger interactive school report card because it allows you to compare and contrast districts/schools.

I'd be honored to assist you with your search Ambrose.

Best,
Jeannie Feenick
Weichert Realtors
Search and connect at http://www.feenick.com

Please visit my website for links to Somerset School information and Parks and recreation in Somerset County and surrounding area. Legally no agent should be answering what a good "family neighborhood" is. What can be provided for you is crime statistics and general demographic information. You get to decide what qualifies as a good place for your family.

The answers below are excellent, Ambrose. You could also consider the nearby towns of Hillsborough, Piscataway, and Bridgewater. Each offers good school systems, good access to shopping( Hillsborough slightly less so than the other two) and a decent array of homes to choose from in that price range. For more information on these areas contact me and I will be glad to get you what you want. Good luck!

Ambrose,
Middlebush and Wild Flower Ridge are great areas if you want to live in Somerset as Susan said.
If you are interested in the surrounding towns: Hillsborough, Bridgewater and Piscataway have great schools and shopping.
Base on your budget, you have a lot of options. Look at Realtor.com for those towns. Also, check out the official town web sites and the NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION web site.
If you need any further help, don't hesitate to contact me.
Happy home hunting!

Middlebush Meadows (Laird Terrace, Pucillo, Nepote) - older homes, price well, good neighborhood - if you can find one for sell. Every property has one acre and in your price range.
Amwell/Bennetts