Maplewood and South Orange (Newark, Jersey City: crime, homes, neighborhoods)

[abejita]

They sound like paradise! How walkable are they? What are different neighborhoods like?

[mead]

Both towns are pretty nice with a good commute to the city.

Just stay away from Irvington and Vailsburg and you should be fine.

[PLPD333]

Ok if your in NJ and never benn there befor you may not want to go to these places becuase if u take a wrong turn u may regret it

Camden
Passaic
Patterson
W.Orange
Newark
Jersey City
Alantic City
Linden
Plainfield
S.Plainfield
Bloomfeild
Irvinginton

Yea stay away from ALL the ORANGES

[kaday]

Maplewood and South Orange are very nice towns. I lived in Maplewood for three and a half years and my mother's family was originally from South Orange. We never experienced any crime at all and most all of the neighborhoods are very nice and walkable to the quaint downtown. There also is a shuttle "the jitney" that provides transportation to the train station during commuter hours. I've lived all over the country and by far this was my favorite place to live. South Orange is very nice as well though much of the downtown is along a very busy street.

[econtenor]

I would take West Orange off this list. Most of West Orange is absolutely gorgeous with most of the homes going over $1 Million. The Chalet is in West Orange and catering for an event goes for over $600/plate. I think you meant E. Orange, which is the metaphoric "other side of the tracks"...

[Onizuka]

The area of Maplewood right around the downtown area is nice and walkable. The rest of town is not so nice and walkable. In fact, much of town is pretty crappy, especially where it borders on Newark and Irvington.

South Orange, same thing. The area right around downtown are nice and walkable. Everywhere else, especially where it borders on East Orange and Newark are not as nice.

Basically, in both towns, you'll find it to be nice as long as you're close to downtown. Otherwise, you'd be better off picking another town.

[mead]

As I said, West Orange and South Orange are pretty nice. The problem with the towns is that they border some pretty rough neighborhoods (and in the case of West Orange, encompass some of them).

[kaday]

I have to disagree with the earlier post on Maplewood. Maplewood borders Milburn on one side, the nicest part of South Orange on the other across and on the other side it borders Irvington which would be an area to avoid. The majority of the town borders beautiful affluent towns. Some of these areas would not be walking distance to downtown but still very safe. I would guess that 75% of the town borders very safe good areas.

[pattiv]

Originally Posted by kaday

I have to disagree with the earlier post on Maplewood. Maplewood borders Milburn on one side, the nicest part of South Orange on the other across and on the other side it borders Irvington which would be an area to avoid. The majority of the town borders beautiful affluent towns. Some of these areas would not be walking distance to downtown but still very safe. I would guess that 75% of the town borders very safe good areas.

I grew up in both towns and I agree with you.
They have done a great job with both towns, especially Maplewood.
The majority of both towns are safe and border beautiful affluent areas.
Maplewood is my favorite.

[kaday]

If it wasn't for my husbands job change I'd be there right now in Dicken's village with my kids then over to the pub for lunch and maybe a beer! It is a great town with great character and good people. I miss it especially at Christmas!