Where to live in Jersey City? (Bayonne, Sayreville: condos, crime, houses)

[Canadiangirl_11]

My husband is starting school in Manhattan (midtown) this fall so we are looking to move to the area this summer. We were told that Jersey City would be our best bet as he wants to stay within a 40 min commute and we want to spend under 350K on a 2-3 bedroom house/condo. We don't have any kids so we're not worried about schools but are wondering where in Jersey City we would find decent neighborhoods in our price range or if there are other cities that might be even better.

I would appreciate any help or advice you could offer. Thanks!

[p7777]

I live currently in Jersey City. From a commute point of view to Manhattan, nothing beats Jersey City. For decent areas, I think the options are,

- Newport/Grove street - not possible to get under 350 K.
- Heights - you can find some sfh under 350 , there are also some condos.
- 440 ( Society hill/Droyers Point ) - you can find a condo here under 350 K.

Let me know if you need more info.

[NativeNewYork Girl]

Originally Posted by Canadiangirl_11

My husband is starting school in Manhattan (midtown) this fall so we are looking to move to the area this summer. We were told that Jersey City would be our best bet as he wants to stay within a 40 min commute and we want to spend under 350K on a 2-3 bedroom house/condo. We don't have any kids so we're not worried about schools but are wondering where in Jersey City we would find decent neighborhoods in our price range or if there are other cities that might be even better.

I would appreciate any help or advice you could offer. Thanks!

I moved from Jersey City to Sayreville, NJ in 2006 after living in JC for 8 years...unless you can afford to live downtown near the waterfront I would strongly advise looking at North Bergen or Bayonne, same county as Jersey City but better neighborhoods. There are decent areas within Jersey City Heights but for the most part the neighborhood deteriorated greatly from 1997 - 2005 or so.

[JERSEY MAN]

I lived in the JC Heights area for over 35 years. West of Kennedy Blvd. is the nicest area of the heights. Crime is relatively low in that specific area for city standards. Breakins to cars, an occasional burglary not much street crime and drug dealing is not out in the open as in other neighborhoods. I would buy a nice two family house in that price range as most of this area is working 2 family houses. Remember I emphasize(sp) WEST of Kennedy Blvd, I lived there and would move back if the public schools were good. I could give specifics on just about every block in JC if needed as I work there for over 30 years in LE. Good luck. Some posters will tell you not to step foot in JC but some areas(only a couple) are decent for city living.

[PaulM27]

Originally Posted by p7777

I live currently in Jersey City. From a commute point of view to Manhattan, nothing beats Jersey City. For decent areas, I think the options are,

- Newport/Grove street - not possible to get under 350 K.
- Heights - you can find some sfh under 350 , there are also some condos.
- 440 ( Society hill/Droyers Point ) - you can find a condo here under 350 K.

Let me know if you need more info.

Idk if I would recommend the heights or by 440.
Heights are ok, but for someone who is moving from somewhere else I'd recommend elsewhere. And whats with that Power Plant that you can see from the heights, not pretty. (towards Tonnelle Ave./ 1&9)
440 is ehhh, if you like living in industrial areas go for it..
In Jersey City stay in Downtown.

I can't think of anything in Hudson that is under 350k and worth moving to.

And if its under a 40 minute commute that means a good portion of Northern NJ is open for you to live in.

[todd72173]

No where in JC. I moved out end of last year after 2 years in very bad conditions.
Lived in Heights (Sherman Place) to be exact. One of nicest streets in all of heights- Victorian Homes. You would think good move- no. Walk one block either way, trash trash and more trash. Nobody speaks English..Spanish is #1. Kids, gangs, whatever hang in the local parks. Schools are horrid. Commute is only decent point as I walked to Path. Everything else- expenses, prices, no safety, is horrible.. Stay away from JC. If you needed to go to JC- stay downtown and pay a fortune for it.

[JERSEY MAN]

Originally Posted by todd72173

No where in JC. I moved out end of last year after 2 years in very bad conditions.
Lived in Heights (Sherman Place) to be exact. One of nicest streets in all of heights- Victorian Homes. You would think good move- no. Walk one block either way, trash trash and more trash. Nobody speaks English..Spanish is #1. Kids, gangs, whatever hang in the local parks. Schools are horrid. Commute is only decent point as I walked to Path. Everything else- expenses, prices, no safety, is horrible.. Stay away from JC. If you needed to go to JC- stay downtown and pay a fortune for it.

Todd you moved into a urban city 2 years ago what did you think, it was going to be Upper Saddle River? It's congestion, dirt, crime, poor schools. Most URBAN cities are going to be like that. I'm sorry it didn't work out for you but I lived on that street for 35 years in a victorian home and thought is was okay. I guess when your born and raised in a city your accustomed to urban living. Go figure.

[todd72173]

Originally Posted by JERSEY MAN

Todd you moved into a urban city 2 years ago what did you think, it was going to be Upper Saddle River? It's congestion, dirt, crime, poor schools. Most URBAN cities are going to be like that. I'm sorry it didn't work out for you but I lived on that street for 35 years in a victorian home and thought is was okay. I guess when your born and raised in a city your accustomed to urban living. Go figure.

I Lived in Staten Island and Queens. I forgot to mention the amount of Mice I caught in a very clean, well kept pre-war building. About 30 mice atleast. and the roaches. I got used to the roaches, but when I started pulling mice from the trap for weeks straight, they started not to bother me. No gloves, just whatever. I figured then it might be time to get out.

[NJexpat]

Originally Posted by NativeNewYork Girl

I moved from Jersey City to Sayreville, NJ in 2006 after living in JC for 8 years...unless you can afford to live downtown near the waterfront I would strongly advise looking at North Bergen or Bayonne, same county as Jersey City but better neighborhoods. There are decent areas within Jersey City Heights but for the most part the neighborhood deteriorated greatly from 1997 - 2005 or so.

I agree with NativeNewYorkGirl - look in Bayonne. Less crime, more affordable.

North Bergen has become terribly congested in the last few years.

[lovejones]

you should consider the Paulus Hook, Van Vorst Park, Hamilton Park and Harsimus Cove neighborhoods within JC. these are all considered to be within the downtown/waterfront area and sometimes referred to as the 'gold coast' of JC. commutes to NYC would be from 5 to 25 mins. from these locations, most of which offer shops and restaurants. crime exists, but is tolerable. i've seen 2br condos recently in the low $400s (craigslist is a good source). if you absolutely need to be under $375, then i would consider sacrificing a bedroom to stay in one of the nicer neighborhoods and go for a 'larger' one bedroom. if you see a 2br condo in any of these neighborhoods, it would be a steal. if you find a 3br in any of these, i'll eat my hat...