Carteret NJ (Roosevelt: middle-class, section 8, crime rate)

[JayMover]

Ive found a property I like in Carteret, NJ is this a decent area in terms of safety, decent neighborhoods,etc...?

Thanks!

[BobKovacs]

Carteret is going through some changes, with a lot of redevelopment happening in the industrial areas. There's also a lot planned for Roosevelt Ave, though right now the majority of the shops/buildings are closed, as if they're all waiting for something to happen.

My parents grew up in Carteret back in the 50s/60s, and back then it was a Polish/Hungarian neighborhood. Over time, areas like "Chrome" became predominantly black and hispanic, and a lot of the town went downhill (I'm not attributing the downturn to any one race, but they demographics and the quality of the town have both changed). I still wouldn't recommend living in or near the "Chrome" section, but there are some OK areas. In general, it's a blue-collar town, so if that's what you're looking for, you might find it to be suitable. If you're looking for something more white-collar with better schools, you should look elsewhere.

Bob

[a mom]

The town is pretty safe. The crime rate is low. Violent crime is almost zero (except domestic disputes), but there is theft and some drug dealing (how heavy I don't know).

It's an ethnically diverse town (black, white, Hispanic and Asian (mostly Sikh and Hindu Indians), although there isn't equality yet, by any means.

There are good parks and a newly developed waterfront with a boardwalk.

There are many outdoor activities such as pop concerts in the park, 4th of July fireworks, festivals, and carnivals (even one at Christmas).

Lots of sport activities for the kids. There's an expensive dance school.
No YMCA yet (but there are supposed to be plans for one soon).

The whole town is basically middle-class to one degree or another. The section which has the most poverty also happens to have the greater share of well-educated professionals, artists, etc., and good houses which are more solid and built better than in the other sections. The more solidly middle-class sections are filled with not so great little houses which have been remodeled to death or larger "McMansions", and quite a few small-minded people who are still asking inane questions like "which section of town do you live in?" There are plenty of whites who are living on Section 8 or receiving other sources of public assistance in both sections.

The property taxes are high.

I think the town is at a cross-roads between being blue-collar and bigoted or multicultural and progressive. For this reason, you've really got to come and spend some time here to see if its a good fit for you and your family. First stop should be the ShopRite. Then maybe the park. Stop and ask people questions. People here are pretty friendly, at least on the surface.

Good luck.