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OP care to explain WHY you have ruled out Jersey City it matches and exceeds all the bullet points your requesting?
Presumably can't afford JC/Hoboken. In which case Weehawken isn't really a helpful suggestion. Of course, there aren't really any options that fit the criteria listed once you get beyond those few.
Shadowsjc – Wow! Great response! I actually had a client along Ferry Street in Newark a few years back at my prior job and remember liking the scene there. I have no idea why I never considered it more. I guess the idea of Newark gave me some hesitation, but from the brief research I’ve done; it seems to be relatively safe, for a city. I’d imagine the prices are pretty reasonable as well, compared to downtown Jersey City and Hoboken. Do you have any suggestions regarding apartments to look into?
SonorityGenius – Good question, you are right, I never explained that in any of my posts. One of my co-workers lives in downtown Jersey City, and he explained to me that I probably would not find an apartment in the area for less than $1700/1800 a month, and that’s just for a one bedroom. My absolute cap would be $1500 and that would have to include rent and all of the utilities. (Also - I don’t see my friend spending any more than $700 for an apartment). Ideally I wouldn’t like to spend any more than $1000 or $1100 for myself. From the research I’ve done, there are more affordable areas, such as the Heights and Journal Square, but some areas are safer than others (similar to any other town/city) and I would be removed from the “action” of the downtown area. I guess there are always trade-offs in life. Also, I suppose I was also looking for a town with a more laid-back vibe than Hoboken or Jersey City, but that’s probably pushing it.
BrownstoneNY – your presumption is 100% spot-on. Thanks for the information about Weehawken. The more towns I can remove from my list, the less time I have to waste on those dead-ends.
I think what I am concluding from the prior responses is that my criteria is not reasonable. Also, I will start researching into the Ironbound in Newark.
Shadowsjc – SonorityGenius – Good question, you are right, I never explained that in any of my posts. One of my co-workers lives in downtown Jersey City, and he explained to me that I probably would not find an apartment in the area for less than $1700/1800 a month, and that’s just for a one bedroom. My absolute cap would be $1500 and that would have to include rent and all of the utilities. (Also - I don’t see my friend spending any more than $700 for an apartment). Ideally I wouldn’t like to spend any more than $1000 or $1100 for myself. From the research I’ve done, there are more affordable areas, such as the Heights and Journal Square, but some areas are safer than others (similar to any other town/city) and I would be removed from the “action” of the downtown area. I guess there are always trade-offs in life. Also, I suppose I was also looking for a town with a more laid-back vibe than Hoboken or Jersey City, but that’s probably pushing it.
Actually OP, you CAN still live in Jersey City! Try to look for rentals in the Heights, there is a large splurge of luxury condominiums advertising all inclusive rents under $1500. The Heights is 5-10min jitney bus ride away from Downtown (sometimes walkable!) and also from Journal Square which is a PATH ride away 15min to NYC..it is definately SAFER than Journal Square area and ALOT of bus/jitneys options so instead of looking farther, focus on key areas of commute within the Heights from your work, and try to walk there few nights - you will see Heights is usually comprised of diverse families and certain areas like Ogden Ave are actually all working professionals from NYC
OK, I was going to say Montclair, but somebody beat me to it.
However nobody mentioned another excellent option, Maplewood.
Maplewood has a nice village area with restaurants and bars, although miniature compared to Hoboken. If you locate yourself in the Village area you can literally walk to the train. If you choose a different location there is a Jittney bus that collects you to the train in the morning, and back home in the evening. South Orange is also an adjacent area, though the real estate may be a bit higher there.
Please let me know if you would like help in your search and move.
Sincerely,
Amos Elroy
CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Expert)
SFR (Short-Sale Specialist Certified)
CHBA (Certified Home Buyer Advisor from NAEA)
CSBA (Certified Home Seller Advisor from NAEA)
NAEA Member (National Association of Expert Advisors)
Residential Real Estate Expert Adviser
Lic. Realtor Associate
EXIT On The Hudson Realty (888) 462-6573 Ext. 101 / (888) HOB-NJRE Ext. 101
FAX (888) 462-6573
Office 201-437-0411 aelroy@HobNJRE.com
Sounds like you are looking for rental, right? If you work in JC and want to be close to public transportation, I say take the with Path (journal sq stop for cheaper price or close to 78 in downtown JC). Bayonne is a good option too.
I've lived in JC for 5+ years and love it. If I were you, I'd stay there (work and live) and not moving out of JC. Driving in is painful during rush hour, as pointed out by other forum members. Plus downtown JC is easy to get into Manhattan if you want to. For young professionals, I think JC has a lot to offer. (Still way cheaper than Manhattan!)
If you are buying, you have a whole lot more to consider though.
I live in JC at present and work in the area as well. I really wouldn't consider anything else in Jersey except the JC-Newport-Hobo stretch simply because of the PATH train. Moving further out only makes sense if you plan on spending most of your time in NJ and only heading to the city a a few times a week at most and not relying on mass transit to get you back home at 3AM.
SonorityGenius – I appreciate the advice. I will look into “the Heights” one of these weekends. You are right; it’s close to NYC, has various transportation options, close to work, affordable, and apparently relatively safe. Can’t go wrong with a combination like that.
Aetroy – I’m impressed with your alphabet listing of certifications. Anyway, I have not heard of Maplewood but will begin researching the town. Thanks for the advice!
Itssoho – You are correct, at this point, I am only looking for rentals. I’m glad to hear you are enjoying yourself in Jersey City! The Downtown area is an amazing place to be. What are your thoughts of Jersey City outside of the downtown area such as “the Heights” and Journal Square?
GoHuskies – You bring up an interesting point, and something I will need to consider. I like NYC, but I’m not sure if I see myself going there more than one or twice a month. I suppose I’m more of a small city kind of guy. I like the idea of having things to do and being able to walk to all of those places that have things going on; however I wouldn’t consider myself a city-slicker who eats, sleeps, and breathes NYC. It’s definitely an amazing place though!
To re-cap, it seems like my best options include:
Jersey City Heights, Newark’s Ironbound, Weehawken, and Montclair
Thanks for the replies everyone, it has been very helpful and informative!
The eastern end of JC Heights is super hipstery (I live here but am a bit more square than the average resident) but a lot of the listings you see online are for the far end of it, past Central. You want to look at the eastern end, right above Hoboken, called Riverview. This is where the park, coffee shop, farmer's market, new bar etc. are located. Palisade Ave, and even Ogden have apartments. But one thing I've noticed about Weehawken, Union City and JC Heights is that they just stick the listings on the outside of the buildings.
People here also like to hold on to their properties so you may be able to back into a nice condo if you're lucky.
I also think the part of Union City that borders Weehawken is really nice. I don't ride the 123 PABT bus that often because light rail or jitney is more convenient, but the times that I have, I see so many young professionals getting off at Weehawken and up to right past the reservoir in UC.
Speaking from experience, if Downtown JC is what you're looking for wrt night life, Weehawken is NOT for you. I have bounced back and forth between these places (I refuse to live in Hoboken) and consider them basically polar opposites.
JC = city living without having to go into NYC. PATH access, bars, bodegas, coffee shops, parks, etc.
Weehawken = more space, cheap rent, bus commutes but zero night life/amenities.
If you have a job in JC, I highly suggest figuring out a way to live there. Downtown JC is a great place if you don't have to leave it regularly. But man, commuting from there by car into the rest of NJ is a bear, and I don't even want to think about what it's going to be like when the Pulaski shuts down next month.
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Maplewood
