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I'm looking at a couple of places to rent in Montclair and I had a question about safety. I'm looking at places around the Bay St. station because I need to commute into NYC but I'm a bit worried about walking the area at night. I know there are those huge apartment complexes right next to the station but I would rather live in an apartment with some charm. The places I'm looking at are mostly right off of Glen Ridge. One is two blocks north on Glen Ridge, and the other is on Bay St. The streets have street lamps, but I was just curious what others think. Thank you so much to anyone that responds!!
Not really a great area. The corner of Glenridge and Pine has a very shady liquor store on it. It's rated on Google as being a drug hangout, and I believe it.
It's a totally fair question. I live right around the corner from there right now in Glen Ridge.
Is Pine Street and the Bay Street area a great neighborhood? No. Is it surrounded by incredibly wealthy neighborhoods on all sides? Yes. Is it a dangerous neighborhood? Not really.
It's a very small bad section (extending down to Mission, New, and Maple Streets in Montclair) and crime does tend to stay limited to those areas, and isn't happening SO often that its unsafe to walk the streets. Being one block away can make a MASSIVE difference, as I'm sure you've seen when you drive into Glen Ridge or anywhere else in Montclair.
It's for sure a hot area for drug dealing, and car and apartment breaks in can be a problem in the area, but violent crime is very rare. A young guy was shot and killed on the corner of Mission St and Bloomfield Ave last month, and there was a carjacking on Shermann St (off of Pine) earlier this year by some guys from Newark, but stuff like that is shocking when it happens. Muggings are almost unheard of. And once you leave that very small area, its as safe as anywhere else.
Bottom line? Property crime is an issue in that area, but violent crime really isn't. If you're a single guy, you'll be fine. Lock your doors and windows, and lock your car (don't leave any electronics showing). You can walk around fine alone any time of day, but I'd be cautious walking home alone at night.
I drive through there everyday, and rarely feel unsafe IN my car, if that's any help. That being said, they're making serious efforts to revitalize the area around the station, and Nicolo's Italian Deli on Baldwin Street is ridiculously good, but if you can rent anywhere else in Montclair, I would. It's just not as nice as the rest of town. I'd move up one more stop and see if you could find something near Walnut Street, or head down one station, and see if you can find something in Glen Ridge.
I'm aware of some rentals in Glen Ridge, so message me if you want any details!
Not really a great area. The corner of Glenridge and Pine has a very shady liquor store on it. It's rated on Google as being a drug hangout, and I believe it.
Hadn't seen this.... where does Google do this rating?
I used to live on Pine Street, and in addition to being one of the uglier areas in Montclair, there was a lot of drug activity. Crack vials on the sidewalk. And yes, the area around the liquor store is bad. Guys hanging around doing drugs and calling out nasty things to women. They were always trying to get you to give them cash for their food stamps so that they could either buy drugs or buy bottles in the liquor store. I said, no thanks
How is the area around the Walnut Street Station as far as safety is concerned? Is it a problem to walk/park in that area at night?
Not at all. In fact, I'd call Walnut Street the most happening block in Montclair right now, between the farmers market in the warmer months, and lots of new cafes and restaurants opening.
You're also a short walk still to the Bloomfield Ave/Church St area. Really one of the best areas to rent in Montclair if you're taking the train into the city.
How is the area around the Walnut Street Station as far as safety is concerned? Is it a problem to walk/park in that area at night?
My wife and I are relocating from the Pacific Northwest to be closer to family, and we're really liking Montclair. And it appears I may have to commute to the city for a position, unless Montclair State does some hiring. Very timely question for us, so thanks for asking it and best of luck to you on your move.
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Thanks for asking this question!
