Commute to Parsippany?

We have friends relocating to the area for a job in Parsippany. They're new to NJ so they're trying to determine where to look, and commute time is one factor. I commute to Morristown which is kinda close to Parsippany, but I'm wondering if anyone has any wisdom about this. How is the commute from Maplewood/South Orange? Are there other towns I should suggest to them, that have good schools and a decent commute? (I don't know about budget or anything so I'm talking broad strokes here)

I used to work in Parsippany maybe 7-ish years ago--I was in one of the Jefferson Rd. office parks. Not a difficult commute at all (I live in SO near Seton Hall)--I took 280, got off at the New Road exit, and took 46 the rest of the way. Maybe a 25 minute drive? 

Yes. 25-30 minutes.  Just did it this morning at 8:15.

There will be some fluctuation depending on where they end up living and where in Parsippany. 

That's good to know, thanks!! Obviously we're biased toward Maplewood and South Orange, but didn't want to push it too heavily if the commute was terrible. I'll probably suggest Montclair as well and maybe Morris County, though I'm not sure what towns there would be a good fit for a couple in their early 30s (kids in the near future).

My wife commutes to Parsippany daily from Maplewood, Gregory Ave to 280 to 80. Departing at 8:00a, takes about 40 minutes. Longer if the construction zone is on the move.

I commute to Parsippany from SO through SO Ave.  It takes me about 25 minutes in the morning and about 30-35 coming home.

Mountain Lakes might not be their style, but it is beautiful, has excellent schools, and is really close to Parsippany. Depends on the personality of the couple in question. It is also expensive. I would think a Maplewood/South Orange commute would work as long as they don’t mind the half hour or so commute; keep in mind that traffic on 280 can be challenging at almost any time of day, and 46 is annoying, though useful.

I commute there daily. It depends on where you are going in Parsippany but I usually take 280 - to -80 or to Edwards road and it takes me around 30 minutes. Don't usually hit that much traffic. Parsippany does have some good schools and a really good Technology Director

We have friends who happily raised their kids in ParsippanyTroy Hills/Florham Park. It's a pretty area, but lacks the charm, IMO, of SOM, etc  

I agree it lacks the charm of our area, but the school are good, taxes are lower and you do get more home for your money. 

Millington - we had friends who lived there and at least on their street, they made close friends and threw many a party we attended. The commute to NYC not great, but Parsippany is fine. 20 minutes from Mplwd. Mplwd is 30-40 mins, if closer to 78/24 route to Parsippany.

I don't think Millington is an especially good commute to Parsippany if it involves going up 287 and/or dealing with 78/24 at rush hour. It does have train service and a train station, via the Gladstone branch, but overall is a somewhat nondescript place, with no there there--no real town center, and essentially an outlier of Basking Ridge. I am not even sure which school distinct it is in. Of course there can be great or not great neighbors almost anywhere, but that is not the same as having a town that has a real sense of place and vitality that transcends your immediate circle of friends or acquaintances. If people are moving to NJ for a job in Parsippany there are certainly many commutable places to choose from but Parsippany is a sprawling community and not a train town, so driving convenience during commuting hours is pretty important. And house prices vary tremendously so knowing their budget is important as well. Finally: The endless construction on 287 in the Parsippany / Morristown area can cause significant  slowdowns especially at rush hours. Getting onto 287 north from 24 is also sometimes very slow.

noracoombs said:

I used to work in Parsippany maybe 7-ish years ago--I was in one of the Jefferson Rd. office parks. Not a difficult commute at all (I live in SO near Seton Hall)--I took 280, got off at the New Road exit, and took 46 the rest of the way. Maybe a 25 minute drive?

 I work in Fairfield and take the New Road exit off 280 as well. It's not a bad commute at all (30 Minutes). The New Road exit now has a WAWA so that might be a selling point to some .

I have friends in Randolph, which is a bit closer than we are. Lower taxes and pretty good schools. 

Also, the part of Parsippany can make a big difference. Being able to avoid a single road can make all the difference sometimes.

Can anyone comment on the schools in Parsippany, specifically elementary ones?  I have family strongly thinking about relocating there for many of the reasons stated above.

Bump

rowerg said:

My wife commutes to Parsippany daily from Maplewood, Gregory Ave to 280 to 80. Departing at 8:00a, takes about 40 minutes. Longer if the construction zone is on the move.

This ^^^. I avoid 287 if possible. With recent road work it seems more backed up from 287 to 80 than 280 to 80.