New York to Newark... (Jersey City, Bayonne: apartment, crime, home)

[TruEyeDee]

Hello everyone,

My wife and I currently live in a decent part of Brooklyn. We have a one bedroom apartment for $900/month in a 4th floor walk-up of an apartment building. We've been in NYC forever and both feel we would like to get more for our money and just a change of environment (and we hate the fact we have to walk-up 4 flights several times a day). We are a young, quiet couple who are thinking about eventually buying our first home in the near future once we get more familiar with the different areas of NJ.
A two bedroom apartment has been offered to us in a beautiful two family home in North Newark for $800/month. It is completely brand new and the home owners are the Pastors from our church. It is on the borders of Belleville and Bloomfield. We've visited the area and it seems like a decent area of Newark, but then again I hear so many bad things about Newark, I don't know what to believe.
Is North Newark a decent area? Or are we going to regret ever stepping foot into this city? I know it has it's rough areas, but how close are these areas to where we're considering moving to? Any feed back will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!

[DodgeViper01]

Newark, no matter what location can be rough but if you are used to NY (not sure what part of Brooklyn you are from), it might not be that bad for you. Newark has a lot of new construction going up so you should be able to find something that you like.

[cyntmac]

Here we go again.
If anyone is out there reading this who is really considering a move like this- you have to know you need to spend some time in the area and see if you feel comfortable. Walk around and talk to people. If this is an area very similar to where you currently live- it would be an easier decision to make. Crime stats tell you only so much and you have to know that the important things will still be available. Trade offs are different for everyone.

[princetonian]

Newark (murderwise) is 5x more dangerous than NYC (the whole city, all 5 boroughs), or about 3.5x more dangerous than Brooklyn. Maybe move to Weehawken, Hoboken, Bayonne or Secaucus.

[cblogger]

If you have no kids...try it out...your proximity to everything is great in Newark...great restaurants and the city is truly going through a renaissance...

BUT crime although going down is an issue...that city still has it's major crap holes...of biblical proportions.

[apvbguy]

Originally Posted by cblogger

If you have no kids...try it out...your proximity to everything is great in Newark...great restaurants and the city is truly going through a renaissance...

BUT crime although going down is an issue...that city still has it's major crap holes...of biblical proportions.

other than the ironbound where in Newark is there a good restaurant?

[66nexus]

Originally Posted by apvbguy

other than the ironbound where in Newark is there a good restaurant?

27Mix, Scully's, theat. sq.

[downtownjc]

In reference to the Hoboken suggestion: pretty much nowhere in Hoboken or areas very close to NYC will you find a decent 1 bedroom for $900 a month, so I wouldn't look there. Secaucus, parts of Weehawken, and parts of Jersey City might be options that would fit your budget. Bayonne might be a good place to look too.

[princetonian]

Originally Posted by apvbguy

other than the ironbound where in Newark is there a good restaurant?

Where is it even SAFE in Newark to eat?

[CuCullin]

Originally Posted by princetonian

Where is it even SAFE in Newark to eat?

Lots of places. Mostly in the ironbound section.

Have you ever been to newark, or are you going to bring up a statistical murder rate or crime index to say there aren't safe places to eat?