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I have lived in Jersey City for the past 4 years. Whether Jersey City is suitable for you depends on what you are looking for.
The waterfront has been transformed dramatically, as well as old, elegant 19th-century townhouses in Paulus Hook. Jersey Avenue is jumping with nightlife, and there are lots of cool restaurants and coffee houses. There are now quite a number of quaint streets in Jersey City that have been cleaned up and are very pleasant for strolling. The cleaned-up areas are quite safe at night. I would say, if you are a yuppie with no kids, Jersey City is a good place for you -- but to rent, not to own (see below).
That said, however, there are definite disadvantages. Jersey City is still catching up to its neighbor Hoboken in terms of infrastructure and services geared towards well-heeled professional people. Housing prices are lower in Jersey City, and it has many more brand-spanking-new space-age apartment buildings; but Hoboken has more shopping and services for the "cool" crowd (like health food stores, for example).
If you buy real estate in Jersey City, keep in mind that the taxes are atrocious. Developers and apartment rental companies enjoy lengthy tax abatements -- condo owners do not. Jersey City is a large city, with much of its population quite poor and in need of extensive municipal services -- and rest assured, the city will squeeze every last red cent from those budding NYC capitalists who bought residences on the waterfront and in Paulus Hook. Even so, high taxes are only part of the problem -- the clincher is that the residents who pay them get back very little. Jersey City has potholes the size of basketballs, stop signs where traffic lights should be and terrible public schools. The idea of paying taxes through the nose and then paying private school tuition on top of that doesn't seem fair -- does it?
And another thing. Every now and then, you hear urbanites complain how there is dull life is out in the sticks, and hillbillies complain about the madness of cities. It's a good idea to remember that Jersey City is urban. That necessarily entails noise, traffic and higher crime rates than in the countryside. If you want something serene and bucolic, stay away from Jersey City -- as well as NYC and the North Jersey waterfront. If you want the excitement of living close to the City, you have to take the bitter with the sweet, too.
In short, Jersey City is good for well-heeled single professionals, DINK couples, and people who like living in an urban area and willing to accept the cost. It's not suitable for families with children and people who crave a more suburban or quiet lifestyle.
I try and stay out of these JC posts but I just cant help it. JC is not Hoboken! please stop compairing the two, they have nothing in common other than proximity to NYC. JC will never be Hoboken and thank God for that. And for those who constantly ask questions about areas in JC, instead of taking someone opinion thats trying to sell the area refer to JERSEY MANS reviews first. He has stated that he has had more years in JC than most , it makes way more sense to take his perspective on things rather than some thats been living in the city for 3 years and has all the answers.
I try and stay out of these JC posts but I just cant help it. JC is not Hoboken! please stop compairing the two, they have nothing in common other than proximity to NYC. JC will never be Hoboken and thank God for that. And for those who constantly ask questions about areas in JC, instead of taking someone opinion thats trying to sell the area refer to JERSEY MANS reviews first. He has stated that he has had more years in JC than most , so he knows it makes way more sense to take his perspective on things rather than some thats been living in (ex Journal Square? for 3 years and has all the answers.
Well Thank You. With over 50 years total of living and working in the city daily I guess I could be called grandpop. I try to give my honest opinion one way or the other. I don't side with the bad or the good. And i'm not selling homes.
News Flash- 3 more people gunned down in Jersey City last night at 0130 hours(thats the morning to folks not familiar with military time). Maybe they were getting ready to go to work. I think not. Stray bullets is one thing thats wrong with JC. I drive by the candlelight vigil daily at Highland Avenue and West Side Avenue of the poor guy that was robbed and gunned down and killed last Friday for a couple of bucks. At least the police caught all the dirt bags responsible for the 5 shootings last week. Good job guys. Now we can work on catching the scum from last night.
JM, I have no idea how much longer you will be working in JC, hopefully the time is sooner than later.
For everyone else who reads this forum and asks questions about JC, take note...JC is NOT getting any better.
Yea fisch, its 2 or 3 months to go and I have so many good memories it's hard to let go. But a guy over 50 is a little to old to be chasing around 16 year old crack head gang bangers who could care less about dying. I at least want to have and see grandkids. And it seems much of society dislikes us as either being overpayed pension stealers or brutality specialists. Society sucks(some of it).
Flash- 3 more people shot IN THE HEAD today for a total of 6 in 2 days. One was killed and others serious condition. These are the only ones reported you do have people that respond to other towns and say they were shot. Its great buy a house and a bullet proof vest at the same time.
Last edited by JERSEY MAN; 04-27-2008 at 08:01 PM..
I try and stay out of these JC posts but I just cant help it. JC is not Hoboken!
Nowhere in my post did I say that JC is Hoboken? Please don't get so upset about me having mentioned them in the same sentence. JC and Hoboken are located close to each other (I hope you are not offended that I said that), so people who look for housing in the area often compare the two (you may kick and scream, but they do).
Quote:
Originally Posted by cf77
And for those who constantly ask questions about areas in JC, instead of taking someone opinion thats trying to sell the area refer to JERSEY MANS reviews first. He has stated that he has had more years in JC than most , it makes way more sense to take his perspective on things rather than some thats been living in the city for 3 years and has all the answers.
I just don't get it. I really don't. There is something that happens all over Internet forums that just mystifies me. Why is it that the most innocuous, good-faith post precipates such a nasty barrage of ludicrous accusations and attacks upon the poster's character? It seems that it is impossible to comment on Sumerian cuneiform without ending up compared to a murderer of cute little puppies, or to suggest an apple pie recipe without precipitating a diatribe-filled debate about the American foreign policy. What is it with people like you? What bug do you have up your nether regions that makes you attack those you disagree with in this manner? I was "selling the area"? Really? Where do you see a link for a real estate company or a phone number? Methinks all that bottled-up anger has hampered your ability to think logically: a renter has ZERO incentive to "sell the area" he lives in -- on the contrary, it would serve my interests better if fewer people moved into the area, as it would slow down the price climb. Nor did I ever say that I have "all the answers" -- you merely imputed that nonsense to me based on a simple factual statement, wherein I informed the reader of the basis for my opinion. And, it is a basis. Four years is not 50, but to suggest that a resident of 4 years knows nothing about the area is insane, with all due respect.
If you disagree with me -- fine. But I would appreciate it if you calm down and approach the opinions you don't like with a slightly less McCarthian attitude.
I stayed away from the JC posts for a while since every one was arguing. Catching up I see see safety is the topic again.
I was born in Elizabeth, my next door neighbor was Phil Rizzuto although I was too young to know who he was and I lived in JC for several years. I continued to visit my grandmother in JC for many many more after that.
My question is this: And since JERSEY MAN was nominated as the answer man you can answer or anyone can.
While reading about all the places you all are mentioning I began to reminisce about many things I remember as a young boy. Later on in life I worked on Communipaw Avenue from around 1982 to 1991. From there I never ventured much into the city except to a place called Havenmyers Bakery. You old timers remember the best crumb cakes on earth? The crumb was 3" thick and the cake layer on the bottom was a half inch thick. All for $2 even with no tax.
That was the first question...next, I lived at 66 St. Pauls Av. That is quite a memory some 45 years later. Anyway. What is it like now? Maybe I should ask how bad is it now?
I stayed away from the JC posts for a while since every one was arguing. Catching up I see see safety is the topic again.
I was born in Elizabeth, my next door neighbor was Phil Rizzuto although I was too young to know who he was and I lived in JC for several years. I continued to visit my grandmother in JC for many many more after that.
My question is this: And since JERSEY MAN was nominated as the answer man you can answer or anyone can.
While reading about all the places you all are mentioning I began to reminisce about many things I remember as a young boy. Later on in life I worked on Communipaw Avenue from around 1982 to 1991. From there I never ventured much into the city except to a place called Havenmyers Bakery. You old timers remember the best crumb cakes on earth? The crumb was 3" thick and the cake layer on the bottom was a half inch thick. All for $2 even with no tax.
That was the first question...next, I lived at 66 St. Pauls Av. That is quite a memory some 45 years later. Anyway. What is it like now? Maybe I should ask how bad is it now?
Desertsun, I'll be glad to comment in a open minded way, and I'm far from the answer man. Communipaw Avenue leaves much to be desired after dark, the young and restless go on the prowl on occasion. As far as 66 St. Pauls Avenue which is close to Kenn.Blvd this area is still ok by city standards with a low crime rate.
Desertsun, I'll be glad to comment in a open minded way, and I'm far from the answer man. Communipaw Avenue leaves much to be desired after dark, the young and restless go on the prowl on occasion. As far as 66 St. Pauls Avenue which is close to Kenn.Blvd this area is still ok by city standards with a low crime rate.
Thanks
I remember St Pauls Av being kinda dumpy when I was a kid and kids dont notice that sort of thing.
How bout Havenmyers Bakery. Anyone rememer it?
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Journal Square? for 3 years and has all the answers.
