Worst or pooriest sections of trenton (Clinton: work, house, gangs)

[stillalearner]

Hey everyone im new to these forums and this my first post yay lol. I am currently trying to do some research on Trenton mainly the pooriest sections and have no idea where to look. From everything i read it seems like most areas or sections in Trenton is in pretty bad condition. I was wondering if someone can help point me in right direction by telling what areas are considered the pooriest sections in trenton and why the decline. Thanks again for your help/reading

[subetterly]

Most people are looking for the "best" areas so it will be interesting to see the posts you get. Fortunately (or unfortunately) my business takes me to the area around the courthouse and I just don't know enough about the individual areas of Trenton. Frankly, I don't linger and I have no desire to explore the rest of it, based on what I see when I am there.

Good luck....

[luckyshoes]

All of Trenton is not doing too good. There is a small section called Mill Hill near the train station that is going through an overhaul process, significant gay population and another part called Hiltonia, where you can get a big cool old house for cheap. But it's still Trenton. Schools are horrible. Chambersburg used to be ok, but it's not anymore.

If you are looking in Trenton, don't. Try Hamilton at least.

[desertsun41]

All of Trenton is worse and all is bad. Sorry but I speak truth. Some years ago I used to cut throught Trenton to get to a favorite fishing spot on the Delaware River. It was right under that bridge with the big red letters that say "Trenton makes, The world takes".

At the end of the day we would drive near the court house for something to eat because we only felt safe in that area. The cops there seemed to watch over that area well. Some times we would drive some of the back streets and just look in awe at the way some people live. I feel bad for them. It just sucks that in this world people can be so poor. It was never suppose to be that way.

[stillalearner]

thanks again for the replies everyone not looking to live there but just narrow it down to what area or section would be considered the poorest or worst and the decline that lead to it. But thanks again for taking time to respond

[christina0001]

Of course there are better and worse sections.
The worst section IMO is the area between Rt. 29, Parkside Ave, Rt. 31, and Calhoun St. It kind of makes a square. The side streets off of the major roads in that square are mostly bad. There are too many corner bars, too many boarded up homes, and too many people hanging out on the street 24/7. Of this area, I feel the side streets off of Stuyvesant are probably the worst. Gang activity is very heavy, and businesses have steadily been pulling out, although somehow the little shopping plaza on Hermitage is hanging on. The gang/drug lords drive pimped out Cadillac Escalades and other supernice rides. They have complete control of this area. It's not unusual to see armoured police vehicles dealing with stuff here.
My #2 on the list is the area between North Olden, Rt. 1, Mulberry, and N. Clinton. The area just south and west of here on N. Clinton (i.e. Poplar, Hart) is almost as bad. I have seen several drug deals in both neighborhoods. Again, too many bars, too many people hanging out on the street, too much gang activity.
My #3 is Perry Street. The blocks between Broad and Rt. 1 are rough. The side streets are also bad. Drugs, gang activity, etc. This area is close to the capital section and I wish they would do more to clean it up.
#4 would be the lower blocks (maybe blocks 100 - 300) of Walnut Ave. Over the past few years, the Trenton police have been bearing down heavily on Walnut, so it has improved. But there is still too much drug and gang activity.

[jerseyj]

In its' day, Trenton was a major manufacturing center (1800's-early 1900's) producing steel, rubber, wire and ceramics, thus the Trenton Makes the World Takes bridge name. It was a fairly wealthy area and you can still see the once grand old Victorian homes (like those on Greenwood Ave.)
When the manufacturing closed up the city began its' decline and those grand old homes have been converted into multi-family dwellings and boarding homes.
The city is divided into 4 Wards. The East Ward is home to the train station and Trenton Central HS.
The South Ward includes Chambersburg, historically inhabited with Italians, but changing.
The North Ward borders Lawrence Township.
The West Ward is home to some of the better neighbourhoods in Trenton, Hiltonia, Glen Afton and Berkley Square.

I agree with Christinas' assessment of the worst areas in the city. It is such a shame that this, once vibrant, Capital City has declined to such an extent.

[mike0421]

Originally Posted by jerseyj

In its' day, Trenton was a major manufacturing center (1800's-early 1900's) producing steel, rubber, wire and ceramics, thus the Trenton Makes the World Takes bridge name. It was a fairly wealthy area and you can still see the once grand old Victorian homes (like those on Greenwood Ave.)
When the manufacturing closed up the city began its' decline and those grand old homes have been converted into multi-family dwellings and boarding homes.
The city is divided into 4 Wards. The East Ward is home to the train station and Trenton Central HS.
The South Ward includes Chambersburg, historically inhabited with Italians, but changing.
The North Ward borders Lawrence Township.
The West Ward is home to some of the better neighbourhoods in Trenton, Hiltonia, Glen Afton and Berkley Square.

I agree with Christinas' assessment of the worst areas in the city. It is such a shame that this, once vibrant, Capital City has declined to such an extent.

That bridge has it in reverse these days. The correct motto should be "Trenton Takes, the World Makes", or at least amend the World makes to "the NJ suburbs" make.

[BobKovacs]

Originally Posted by mike0421

That bridge has it in reverse these days. The correct motto should be "Trenton Takes, the World Makes", or at least amend the World makes to "the NJ suburbs" make.

My thoughts exactly....lol.

[o.s. alex]

Quote:
Originally Posted by mike0421
That bridge has it in reverse these days. The correct motto should be "Trenton Takes, the World Makes", or at least amend the World makes to "the NJ suburbs" make.
My thoughts exactly....lol.


its people that laugh at our city that embarasses me. not the city of trenton. im embarassed of the people that up and left and then thumb their collective noses at the city, which is an insult to the residents of trenton because they still have to live there. they dont have the option of moving out into west windsor and driving soccer mom caravans. some people still have pride and dignity in their neighborhoods no matter how bad they are. i grew up off west state street and lived on north olden avenue and my family still lives out there. you people complain about gangs and drugs but who of you from the burbs are taking your precious time to make a difference in your communities? who cares about west windsor or princeton? how about volunteering at the local soup kitchen. how about toy drives for the kids that have nothing for the holidays? theres people out there doing that and thank god for them. thank god for the people that live there, and dont live there, taking time from their lives and giving something so people with nothing can have something. its pride and love like that, that rebuilds communities and revitalizes cities. it gives people hope, it lets them know that no matter how poor or how hard you have it, other people still care and dont laugh at them or feel ashamed to show you love where youre from.
you suburbanites think youre so much better than everyone "lol'ing" at us saying we're taking from you? drugs and gangs are so prevalent because so many people abandoned the city and left it to rot. as i said before it takes a few hours a week to work at a shelter or the ymca to help take the kids off the streets... theres still hundreds of mom and pop businesses trying to make a difference, giving what little there is to people that have nothing. the trenton economy is built on mom and pop businesses because theyre the only ones willing to take those financial risks. the notion even in jest that amending the bridge is proof that money cant buy everything, especially a backbone to support your capital city. i'll always be from trenton and ill always defend where i come from. trenton made me what i am.

this site is about cities. cities arent just pretty buildings. cities are about people and neighborhoods. show some respect.