Is this Edison property 'Tougher Than The Rest'? (And plenty more Boss references)

There’s a big election coming up a few days away. How will you cast your vote?

Will the Thomases choose New Jersey, Midtown West, or the Lower East Side? (What, is that not the election you thought I was referring to? )

Let’s review: Emily Thomas is a Bruce Springsteen-lovin’ momma who’s On Fire for the Glory Days and has a Hungry Heart to take a Downbound Train to catch a Pink Cadillac to the Badlands of the Garden State. (Yep, lots of commuting.)

But, her (still unnamed) partner is Out in the Street ready to Prove It All Night that there’s No Surrender on New York. (C’mon, people, don’t pull some Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out. I’m doing this to illustrate that More For LES is all about the Human Touch.)

Anyway, Emily is feeling the Boss vibes and is thinking that they might want to try out New Jersey. As such, we’re stopping every 15 minutes along NJT’s Northeast Corridor Line until we end back up on the Lower East Side.

Here’s what the Thomases have seen so far:

• New York Penn Station >>> 340 West 55th Street #7B

• Newark Penn >>> 632 Belgrove Dr, Kearny Town, NJ 07032

• North Elizabeth >>> 216 W 6th Ave, Roselle Boro, NJ 07203

• Rahway >>> 150 Carolyn Ave, Colonia, NJ 07067

Today, we’re out in Edison, named after our friend with the lightbulb.

Property #5: 12 Edgewood Rd, Edison, NJ 08820, a 3,014 sq ft home in Edison Township, Middlesex County.

Property Details

• 5 bedrooms

• 4 baths

Commute Breakdown

• Location: Edison Township (Middlesex)

• Train Stop: Edison (NJ Transit)

• / To Station: ~18 min (4.6 miles)

• Actual (NJT) Train Ride Time: 64 min

• Total Monthly Commute Time: 63.80 hours

• Monthly Commuter Cost: $973.89

Financial Summary

• List Price: $1,119,999

• Monthly Mortgage (P&I): $5,300.00

• Monthly Property Taxes: $1,565.58

• Utilities, HOA & Other Overhead (Component of Carrying Cost): $680.00

• Total Monthly Cost (All-in): $8,519.47

Pros and Cons Analysis

Pros: Can we get away with saying “space” again? This colonial home has gorgeous features, lots of windows (and light), and plenty of outdoor green space. It’s close to New Brunswick—which has a happening downtown, re: Hello, Rutgers and college kids and tailgating. It also has 4 baths, which makes it all the cozier for the family and any guests.

Cons: At 63+ hours of commuting per month, the local traveling will consume almost 3 days per month (and more than 1 month per year)...and that’s if the trains are always on-time!

Coming up!

• Jersey Avenue >>> 10 Julie Ct, Somerset, NJ 08873

• Hamilton >>> 36 Birdie Way, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

• Reference Point: 530 Grand Street #E8C

Methodology
I identified properties priced around or below $1,000,000 near NJ Transit’s Northeast Corridor Line stops, one Midtown West option, and one LES reference point to compare commute time, costs, and ownership overhead. Assumptions span rates, pricing, and a range of factors covered in the full methodology, all intended to normalize monthly costs across property types.

Full methodology here.