Linden. (Elizabeth, Rahway, Carteret: middle-class, apartment, to rent)

[entershikarimothership]

I plan to rent an apartment in Linden. What sections would be good and what sections should i avoid? I hear you should avoid the areas near Elizabeth. Is this true? I also hear Lindens rep isn't all that good.

[BobKovacs]

Linden's rep isn't "that good", but it's just a blue-collar, middle-class, semi-industrial town. The school system is so-so, the housing stock is old, and the downtown area is starting to cater more to hispanics than anything else. It wouldn't be my first choice of a community, but if you're looking for an affordable home in a fairly safe area and don't need the schools, it'd be an OK choice.

[entershikarimothership]

Do you or anyone else have better suggestions around this area?

[BobKovacs]

Depends on how big of a "this area" you want to consider. If your willing to go a few miles south, Woodbridge Township would be a good choice as long as you stay in the Woodbridge proper, Iselin, or Colonia sections of the township.

[entershikarimothership]

I didn't bother to look in Woodbridge at all because I hear horrible things about it all the time but, im not sure if thats true. I wouldn't mind going a little far down south or a little more up north. Would Carteret or Rahway be a good choice?

[BobKovacs]

Originally Posted by entershikarimothership

I didn't bother to look in Woodbridge at all because I hear horrible things about it all the time but, im not sure if thats true. I wouldn't mind going a little far down south or a little more up north. Would Carteret or Rahway be a good choice?

I'd take Rahway over Carteret- it's started to see some redevelopment, while Carteret still has a looooonnnngggg way to go.

[entershikarimothership]

Really? I looked up both towns and I thought Rahway was a better choice. What's exactly wrong with these places.

[plainoldt]

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

Linden's rep isn't "that good", but it's just a blue-collar, middle-class, semi-industrial town. The school system is so-so, the housing stock is old, and the downtown area is starting to cater more to hispanics than anything else. It wouldn't be my first choice of a community, but if you're looking for an affordable home in a fairly safe area and don't need the schools, it'd be an OK choice.

Hispanics? really? where do you see that? There is very little hispanic anything in Linden, and I am Spanish.

If anything, its Polish/Slavic and Black in the area around Wood Ave

Below 1&9 is very low income housing. From Linden Ave/Eliz. Ave to St George its working/lower middle/ blue collar people. the area above st. george is all old school linden folk. still somewhat diverse, but not as much as other areas. Solidly middle class, older generations type area especially Sunnyside.

Now, its not my first choice and we're looking to move in a few years because the school system STINKS (except for Schools 9 and 10), but we're not racing out of here.

[entershikarimothership]

I agree. There is only 14% Hispanics.

[jstar41]

yes.. Linden is approx.. 40% black 25%polish/slavic 15% hispanic .. 20% other..