Is Paterson, NJ dangerous? (Newark, Wayne: unemployment, live, restaurants)

[neekah18]

Originally Posted by Busch Boy

You are referring to the Alabama projects. Like I posted before, these projects are coming down as we speak. I believe one or two of the buildings are already completely empty. They are going to be replaced with market-rate condos/townhouses/apts.

Busch Boy I live in Paterson too, and my thing with that is what type of element are they going to let back into those? I remember they did same thing to CCP when they tore down the projects and built townhomes. I went into Alabama projects once in my life and it was disgusting. Even sitting in the parking lot had me scared for my life. I think it's a shame that they let that project get so bad. I think up until last year they still had people living in building one who refused to move. The Herald News did their usual front page story with a huge picture of a young black mother holding a small child with a couple more at her feet crying about how the voucher Section 8 gave her wasn't enough and they wouldn't physically go out and find her an apartment. By giving former residents first dibs on the affordable units is kind of a catch 22. You want to let them move back into their old neighborhood but you also don't want to risk having the new condos turn into a slum. Do you think this change will be good for Paterson?

[turnyourback]

Originally Posted by neekah18

Why does everyone assume living in Paterson is inexpensive??? Unless you are on government assistance, living in a Section 8 apartment, and don't care about what section of the city you live in, then yes it is cheap. But, for the rest of us Paterson is not cheap. A nice apartment in a nice area will cost you atleast $1200. There are homeowners in Paterson who pay high property taxes just like those in the "nicer" towns. That really annoys me that people automatically assume Paterson is so crime ridden and disgusting because of what they have read or heard.

where in my post did i say i thought paterson was inexpensive? RELATIVELY speaking, yeah, there are places in paterson that are cheaper than the surrounding towns. it's relatively inexpensive compared to the towns around it.

[Busch Boy]

Originally Posted by neekah18

Busch Boy I live in Paterson too, and my thing with that is what type of element are they going to let back into those? I remember they did same thing to CCP when they tore down the projects and built townhomes. I went into Alabama projects once in my life and it was disgusting. Even sitting in the parking lot had me scared for my life. I think it's a shame that they let that project get so bad. I think up until last year they still had people living in building one who refused to move. The Herald News did their usual front page story with a huge picture of a young black mother holding a small child with a couple more at her feet crying about how the voucher Section 8 gave her wasn't enough and they wouldn't physically go out and find her an apartment. By giving former residents first dibs on the affordable units is kind of a catch 22. You want to let them move back into their old neighborhood but you also don't want to risk having the new condos turn into a slum. Do you think this change will be good for Paterson?

I had stated in one of my earlier posts that only 20-25% of the apts in the new townhouses will be reserved for previous AL project residents. The other 70-80% will be sold (at market-price) to buyers. The requirements are tough for those that want to live in the new townhouses that were former AL project residents.

If they stick to this plan, I think the project will be a success.

[Busch Boy]

Originally Posted by turnyourback

where in my post did i say i thought paterson was inexpensive? RELATIVELY speaking, yeah, there are places in paterson that are cheaper than the surrounding towns. it's relatively inexpensive compared to the towns around it.

Well if you compare it to Ridgewood or Montclair, Paterson is definately cheaper. But the taxes/rent are comparable to the rates found in other lower-middle to middle class towns like Clifton, Garfield, Prospect Park, Haledon, etc. Not everyone in Paterson is poor and "stuck" there like many people imagine. Cultural ties, among other things, keep my middle-class parents there.

[turnyourback]

Originally Posted by Busch Boy

Well if you compare it to Ridgewood or Montclair, Paterson is definately cheaper. But the taxes/rent are comparable to the rates found in other lower-middle to middle class towns like Clifton, Garfield, Prospect Park, Haledon, etc. Not everyone in Paterson is poor and "stuck" there like many people imagine. Cultural ties, among other things, keep my middle-class parents there.

and that is completely understandable. i just don't remember ever saying paterson was inexpensive or implying it was easy to get by there. there's a lot of culture in paterson.

[chant108]

Originally Posted by Busch Boy

You are referring to the Alabama projects. Like I posted before, these projects are coming down as we speak. I believe one or two of the buildings are already completely empty. They are going to be replaced with market-rate condos/townhouses/apts.

Thanks. That answers my question the best. It was literally a business I was going to buy down there but I think I will look for another place. The simple reason is that if I can't go to my car with $1000+ in my pocket without worrying for my life, I'd rather not go there I think that sums it the best. And nothing against Paterson as it does have some fantastic looking churches and buildings that take one's breath away, yet a little money spent on beautification would help a lot. I only know Grand street and Market that brings me from rt 80. Fixing those store fronts and painting those buildings could go a long way but the quality of population seems to be a part of the problem as well. Big question is once the projects are demolished where do those people go? From what I understood we are talking some 500 families or so? I read yesterday an article about it it NYTimes, not realising we are talking the same buildings across the street from could-have-been-my business.
Thanks again...

[Busch Boy]

Actually, many of them are using section 8 and heading to other states (especially in the south). I read it in the Herald News (the article Neekah 18 was referring to).

[Ciao9999]

Originally Posted by YO ITZZ JASONN

Is Paterson, NJ dangerous? My friend lives in Wayne (It's a really nice, suburban town that is very close to Paterson) and he says that he goes there all the time with his friends to hang out and that the area isn't dangerous at all. Is he right? When I drived by Paterson, it looked kind of dangerous to me ... is it bad???

I like visiting South Paterson. It's a Middle Eastern neighborhood. You won't find anything else like it in the US, except for Dearborn MI and Queens NY. There are several restaurants and markets worth a visit. I will say the neighborhood doesn't do a good job of marketing itself towards visitors, but go with an open mind. It's a neat place.

The rest of Paterson you can forget, except for the Great Falls park and Garrett Mountain.

[SilkCity0416]

^^^ South Paterson is wonderful. It is like being in the Middle East. GREAT restaurants in this area (the falafel is to die for). However, there are other areas of Paterson worth a visit. Eastside Park for one. Also, 21st Ave. (A mix of Colombian/Italian culture). Even the Downtown area. I LOVE the buildings down there.

[Patersonian]

Originally Posted by SilkCity0416

^^^ South Paterson is wonderful. It is like being in the Middle East.

I don't know if that would be considered "wonderful" for everyone.