Sandwiched between Chesterfield Township (Burlington County) and West Long Branch (Monmouth County), Rahway ranks as the No. 400 “Best Place to Live,” according to the latest New Jersey Monthly magazine.
In its March edition, New Jersey Monthly publishes its annual “Best Places to Live” with the Top 100 in the print edition, but all 566 Garden State ranked and available online. No. 400 out of 566 ranks Rahway just inside the 30th percentile (so more than 70 percent of New Jersey towns higher).
The rankings take into account eight categories “best representing the quality of life” in New Jersey towns: property taxes, home values (2007 and % increase from 2000), population growth, land development, employment, crime rate, school performance and proximity to services (theater, hospital).” Household income was not included.
What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with the ranking? Outrageous, or just about right? Does Rahway still have a way to go before making its way up the list?
The former Spanktown ranked ahead of Union County municipalities like Hillside (429), Linden (461), Plainfield (490) and Elizabeth (499), but behind Roselle Park (260) and Roselle (384). The highest-ranked Union County towns were Mountainside (16), Summit (29), Clark (33), Cranford (37), Berkeley Heights (59) and Kenilworth (66).
The magazine also features a story about local theaters in New Jersey. The piece highlights 11 but not the Union County Performing Arts Center, which was purchased by Union County for $1.3 million as part of a $6-million expansion and renovation last year.
P.S. Chatham Township (Morris County) ranked No. 1 while Chesilhurst (Camden County) ranked No. 566.
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Ok, I can believe places like Cranford, Westfield, Mountainside, and even Clark. But Roselle Park and Roselle, how did we not out rank them? Someone please explain. Now keep in mind I’m not originally from NJ so I’m going based on driving thru each neighborhood.
What were the Giants ranked during the last preseason? Who won the Superbowl?We’ll take the underdog rap because we’ll be champions in the end!!399..look out cause here we come!!
The rankings are garbage. They have Upper Saddle River in there in the mid 500’s. Yeah, sure, I would rather live in Kenilworth than Upper Saddle River. Dumb list.
Yeah I agree. If people are paying more money to live in those towns, something tells me they are probably better. I got a list for you, 500 things I’d rather read than NJ Monthly.
I agree that rankings are a bit off in that some very desirable towns are bottom on the list, but you can’t deny that being in the top only helps a town’s marketability which is what attracts visitors (to stores and restaurants) and home-buyers. Also, the fact that the UC Arts Center was completely left out of the other article is sad. Why is that? Once again, Rahway is just ignored while the same towns get press (and visitors) over and over.You can’t have a great or revitalized downtown if no one’s there!
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I definitely agree that Rahway gets ignored way too much. For instance, if you go on njmonthly.com and search for restaurants in Rahway you’ll only find 3 restaurants and one of them is currently closed (Back Porch). I know we’re not completely there in terms of dining but we definitely have a few restaurants worth listing on their search page.