Anyone know anything about the Beacon in Jersey City? (Clifton: home, maintenance)

[JERSEY MAN]

Originally Posted by DessertRat

. . . also, you'd agree that it's at least a safe area during this time of year and time of day? Is that correct?

No I would not agree that the area directly next to the housing projects, which is directly next to the beacon is safe any time of the day. But I will agree that SOME of Montgomery Street is safe at most parts of the day.

[DessertRat]

Originally Posted by mr.man

Do you work for Mayor Healy or something? No way that someone who is planning to relocate has this much love for j city, you don't use good reason, i think you enjoy to cause conflict over such issues, besides the op said she's not moving there, so your crusade to convince us that area is good is in vain.

lol--I have more of a love of truth and logic, and no love for conventional wisdom for its own sake.

[dawncampbell]

I want to say thanks to dessert rat for taking time to take all these photos, although I'm not exactly sure what you're trying to prove or why you are taking so much time trying to prove it.

That being said, I will say that Jersey City looks like any other mid sized city. I lived in Wilmington, DE and found out that where I lived had a considerably higher 'crime rate' than the Beacon zip code, even though we lived in a really nice house, where I parked on the street and felt safe.

I think you just have to know which streets to stay away from which is why for the time being I think moving into the Beacon would be an unwise decision for someone who's never been to Jersey City, and anyways, I do agree with previous posters that it doesn't look like good value for money!

[JERSEY MAN]

Originally Posted by dawncampbell

I want to say thanks to dessert rat for taking time to take all these photos, although I'm not exactly sure what you're trying to prove or why you are taking so much time trying to prove it.

That being said, I will say that Jersey City looks like any other mid sized city. I lived in Wilmington, DE and found out that where I lived had a considerably higher 'crime rate' than the Beacon zip code, even though we lived in a really nice house, where I parked on the street and felt safe.

I think you just have to know which streets to stay away from which is why for the time being I think moving into the Beacon would be an unwise decision for someone who's never been to Jersey City, and anyways, I do agree with previous posters that it doesn't look like good value for money!

Amen, did the barbed wire fence at the entrance scare you off. LOL. Good job though also Dessertrat. Are you sure you don't work for the Beacons sales team.

[DessertRat]

Originally Posted by dawncampbell

I want to say thanks to dessert rat for taking time to take all these photos, although I'm not exactly sure what you're trying to prove

Just what it actually looks like.

It's also useful to people who aren't familiar with the area and want to know what it's like.

I think you just have to know which streets to stay away from which is why for the time being I think moving into the Beacon would be an unwise decision for someone who's never been to Jersey City, and anyways, I do agree with previous posters that it doesn't look like good value for money!

I haven't looked at the prices at the Beacon, but considering that there are 2 bedroom condos going for about 900k in the new development by the marina, 600k might not be too overpriced for the area. You can get a condo in areas that are barely beginning to gentrify (for example, we looked at one about a year and a half ago on Broadway just west of Journal Square), in much smaller/more modest buildings, for below 400k even (we were trying to push the one we looked at down to 330k, but no deal, and even that was above what we could really afford--and the one we looked at had a view of a roof--and half obstructed at that), but 500-600k is a pretty average price for a modestly sized condo in much of Jersey City. It's unlikely that anyone is going to be losing money on these properties, as long as they're willing to hang on to them for a few years.

[mr.man]

Wise decision Dawn. You won't be sorry later.

[Beaconowner]

I think most of the people posting here, besides not living in the area, are incredibly negative in describing one of New Jersey's most vibrant and improving cities, which, by the way I'm proud to be part of. You can buy a 2 bedroom in the Beacon for around $475 to 495,000 and one bedrooms start at around 305,000. For that money you get slate countertops, glass backsplashes, stainless steel appliances, a waher/dryer in your apartment, marble baths, views, a Spa with kids play room, gym, meditation/yoga room, a juice bar, saunas, hot tubs, an indoor pool, poker room, library, billiards room, dog run, and more. I've lived at the Beacon since July, so I have first hand experiance, unlike all of you. No one has bothered me in all that time. Two people asked me for spare change while I was walking on Montogmery, I said no, that was it. No cars have been broken into on our block of Montgomery Street since I moved in. The Medical Center Lunchenette makes a great breakfast of eggs sausage bacon and potatoes for less than $7. The people in the area are happy we are here and that the place no longer looks abandoned. The businesses nearby are anxious to serve us and are planning to increase stock and make upgrades. Pastores is doing a nice trade. The Beacon is not a building, it is ten buildings on 14 acres. The razor wire on one wall of the entrance has been here since the place was a hospital. That wall is part of the original construction in the 1930's. The first building that was shown in the pictures walking up Montgomery is NOT part of the current renovation project. It will remain whatever it is being used for now. All the other buildings are part of the current project. The Montgomery Gardens Projects are going to come down. Leases are not being renewed and moving vouchers are being distributed. One of the staff at the Beacon lives there, so that's how I know, it's not a wishful thinking, its a fact. It will take at least 3 years under New Jersey law to empty those buildings. Regardless, the people I've met from the projects are decent people who happen to be poor. The projects sit on flat ground below the Beacon, which sits on part of the Jersey Palisades. Other than the main entrance past the guard shack, or jumping a fence and dealing with building security, it's not that easy to get into the Beacon grounds, and any poor person would stand out if they did. We have had no problems with anyone from the Projects being where they shouldn't be.
We have 24 hour valet service, so our car lot has a physical presence and camera security too. The Beacon's own shuttle buses run every 15 min and when they are not running you can take the Beacon towncar - so we have 24 hour transportation every weekday. I'd be willing to bet I'm safer at the Beacon then you are where you live, but I don't fear the area I live in. Maybe because I grew up poor, and know what that's like, or maybe because I lived in the projects growing up in Connecticut, so I know what that's like, or maybe its something else, I don't know, most people are like you and me, even if you don't know that yet. I also wouldn't put much stock in what a policeman says about any area. They see people at their worst all the time, hardly the person to ask about an area. Actually Jersey City has a graphic of crime in the city and it shows that the crime rate on Montgomery, around the Beacon is "moderate", the crime around Martin Luther King Blvd is "high". You should be happy that these buildings are being repurposed and saved by people like me, willing to put our money where are opinions are, and continue the revitalization of this town, unless you would want all of Jersey City to look like those anticeptic skyscraper boxes by the waterfront.

[mr.man]

I gave (my) opinion on the area around the Beacon, and as i can see from your post, you were not even raised in Jersey City i was, like my post said i was born in the Medical Center/Beacon so i think i know a little something about the area.

I didnt grow up rich either, so believe me i know the value of a dollar, i would'nt pay 500,000 for a 2 bedroom if D Trump lived right next door,no matter where the building was, but if that's your choice enjoy!

[njkate]

Originally Posted by mr.man

I gave (my) opinion on the area around the Beacon, and as i can see from your post, you were not even raised in Jersey City i was, like my post said i was born in the Medical Center/Beacon so i think i know a little something about the area.

I didnt grow up rich either, so believe me i know the value of a dollar, i would'nt pay 500,000 for a 2 bedroom if D Trump lived right next door,no matter where the building was, but if that's your choice enjoy!

Me as well..what did they do with the Margaret Hague
From DR pics...I can't believe Siperstein paint is still in business after all these years

[mr.man]

Originally Posted by njkate

Me as well..what did they do with the Margaret Hague
From DR pics...I can't believe Siperstein paint is still in business after all these years

I think they are rebuilding the M Hague also, all this time it has been sitting and decaying, Sipersteins was still up and running when i left in Aug.