Moving to Jersey City/Union City/Hoboken (Bayonne, New Brunswick: apartments, to rent) - City-Data Forum

LMTNewJersey · 05-03-2011, 02:02 PM

Where are you coming from? St. Petersburg, FL
Why are you moving? Job opportunities, Personal
Where will you be working ? Probably Jersey City, Hoboken, Union City (Depends more so on where Im living)

Will you buy or rent? Rent
What is your budget ? At the moment looking for cheap roommate situation. Overall it depends on my job and how much I'll make through it then I'll figure it out from there.
What kind of place are you looking for ? Apartment, something similar

Will anyone (spouse, children, pets) be moving with you ? No
Do you need/want good public schools? No

Briefly describe the kind of neighborhood you'd like to live in
(examples: families with young children, young, mature, artsy, diverse, safe, close-knit, block parties, etc) it needs to be affordable. I don't need "Gentrified" safety. Basically I don't want to live in a ghetto but I don't need a cop on every street corner.

List three things that are important to you in order of importance. I want to live near the light rail system so I can travel to the PATH train. Or just near the PATH train, does not matter.

I need SERIOUS answers, preferably backed with facts or personal experiences.

I'm looking for a cheap roommate. The area dosent need to be super safe. Something near the light rail or other form of dependable public transportation. Preferably in or near Jersey City/Hoboken/Union City.

Anyone have any suggestions??

Thank you.

Nexis4Jersey · 05-03-2011, 02:15 PM

All 3 have Light Rail lines and stops , Jersey City and Hoboken have the PATH. Jersey City and Union City are cheaper then Hoboken , Weehawken and Bayonne are also cities to look at. They all are tied into the Transit network. In Jersey City Avoid Bergen - Layette and Greenville , those are dangerous sections but the rest of the city is nice and safe by Regional standards. Union City is mostly Hispanic , and Bayonne is mostly white. Hoboken , Jersey City and Weehawken are very diverse , in wealth and Race. In Jersey City look in Journal SQ , Historic Downtown and The Heights.....for cheaper places to rent which would start at 1200-1300$ a month. If you don't have a job yet , then i wouldn't move anywhere near the NJ Gold Coast. You should probably live in one of the Satilite cities like New Brunswick , Hackensack , Morristown before attempting to move to more expensive NJ Gold Coast.

LMTNewJersey · 05-03-2011, 02:26 PM

This is why I'm interested in finding a roommate. On some online sites I'm seeing rents as cheap as $300 dollars with a roommate. Their probably small studio apartments. Which I'm perfectly fine with. By moving into a cheap place like this I can be situated in Jersey which will make it better for me in finding a job in my licensed profession. My friend told me about journal square so I'll probably go check it out.

Does anyone know of any dependable, good roommate websites?

and Im currently staying with someone in manhattan

bradykp · 05-03-2011, 03:01 PM

i think journal square, jersey city heights are your best bets. nothing about hoboken strikes "cheap". and i doubt you'd find a roomate share that cheap. i'd be shocked if you could manage much less than $700-$900/month. my friend rents a studio uptown for around $1500/month. it's not far from the lightrail, bus, and is walkable to the path. but it'd be very hard to share that place with a roomate. could be done...you'd have to really like each other though.

jersey city heights and parts of jersey city...much more affordable.

union city...too far from the methods of transportation you want (PATH and Lightrail). but....bus into the city could be an option?

theworkingmom · 05-03-2011, 03:21 PM

Try journal square/mcguinly square. Easy wake to JSQ Path train. Most areas not ghetto or not too ghetto.

LMTNewJersey · 05-03-2011, 03:51 PM

Catching a bus to the light rail or PATH is something I can consider. I found a particular add on a roommate website that mentioned that the apartment was located in jersey heights but the map that accompanied the page, which showed where the apartment was located, tagged it as being in Fairview.

Is this correct or do you think this person may have made a mistake when posting the ad?

JC1990 · 05-03-2011, 07:00 PM

THE HEIGHTS (not jersey city heights) or J.Sq will most likely be your best bet. They offer some affordable housing without being crime ridden area. A few months back helping my sister look for an apartment we found several 1bd that fell between $650- $900 just on central ave alone. The only light rail stop THE HEIGHTS has is on congress unfortunately, but the heights has a bus stop on practically every corner, if not just a brief walk. J.sq is easier in terms of PT since J.sq is the transit hub of the city. If you plan on having a car this area will be a little easier since it is not as dense as the rest of the city.

Hoboken would be hard, unless you plan on staying with 5 roommates in a 1 bd apartment. HBK is expensive and really only those that are already established in their careers can live there.

Union City would also fit the bill since it is very affordable and has plenty of buses passing throughout the city, and SOME light rail stops. But its mostly hispanic and apprently not many people are too fond of that....wonder why? Biased anyone? not that you are, im not sure if you mind that but that seems to be a reason people give for not moving there. Union City is also very dense and walkable, so if you plan on not having a car this would be the best location.

JC1990 · 05-03-2011, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMTNewJersey

Catching a bus to the light rail or PATH is something I can consider. I found a particular add on a roommate website that mentioned that the apartment was located in jersey heights but the map that accompanied the page, which showed where the apartment was located, tagged it as being in Fairview.

Is this correct or do you think this person may have made a mistake when posting the ad?

could be right or the maps fault. sometimes maps are off on the correct location. then you should call the person who has the add and ask them if that is the correct address. Fairview though is pretty far from JC, no light rails up there and some buses.

LMTNewJersey · 05-03-2011, 07:25 PM

The ad says Jersey City Heights. I don't know if this is the same thing as The heights.

I don't have a problem with hispanics or any other ethnic group.

JC1990 · 05-03-2011, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMTNewJersey

The ad says Jersey City Heights. I don't know if this is the same thing as The heights.

I don't have a problem with hispanics or any other ethnic group.

its just stupid to say jersey city heights. REAL residents just call it the Heights. Even the signs put up by the city call it THE HEIGHTS. its the sme place but jersey city heights sounds stupid, thas all it is.

THE HEIGHTS, not jersey city heights