does anyone know Belleville? (Newark, Passaic: travel, hospital, houses)

[bellsouth2007]

I have read some earlier negative comments here about Belleville. Just how bad is the town? At least according to this crimes in Belleville are below the norm for New Jersey? So if you have had direct experiences with Belleville, can you share your insights?

Am I out of my mind to think about taking from the franklin station the subway train to Newark Penn Station? Too dangerous?

[brookdaleresident]

I know people that live there. They send their kids to private school as the public schools aren't that good. As for taking the train, I think you should be fine.

[bellsouth2007]

School is not an issue.

Anybody else wants to comment on Belleville?

[KewlGuy]

Originally Posted by bellsouth2007

School is not an issue.

Anybody else wants to comment on Belleville?

Yea, I'll comment. Avoid it. Bloomfield too. That entire area has really gone down hill in the past 5-10 years.

[Calico696]

Originally Posted by KewlGuy

Yea, I'll comment. Avoid it. Bloomfield too. That entire area has really gone down hill in the past 5-10 years.

I agree. I lived in Bloomfield for 27 years, near the Belleville border. I still have one friend in Bloomfield and some relatives in Belleville. When I go to visit I can believe how run down the area has become. Mostly everyone I know from there has already gotten out, my friend wants out but has financial issues. The relatives are in their late 60's and 70's so they aren't going anywhere.

[Marc Paolella]

Belleville is no better or worse than any other number of the dense suburbs that surround New York. It's like Bloomfield or Garfield or North Arlington or North Bergen, a little run down in a few areas, but overall not bad. The residential neighborhoods are densely packed, but most of the houses are nicely kept.

Believe it or not, the median home price in the Winter-Spring market of 2005-2006 was $305,000. The median during the current 2007-2008 Winter-Spring market is $307,000. Not bad considering all the gloom and doom in the market.

[brookdaleresident]

Belleville isn't a bad town. Most of Bloomfield, however, is much nicer, especially the north end. I agree Belleville is similar to Garfield or N. Arlington, and probably Lyndhurst.

[LynnePatrice]

I lived in Nutley, right on the edge of Belleville. While there are run down areas, it's still mostly OK. I had one occasion to feel intimidated at night, but I am female and that can happen most anywhere. It's a mixed area, older Italian/Irish, lots of hispanic and some african american. I like those types of neighborhoods. It depends on what you are looking for. It's very close to Newark and some other areas that are not great and I wouldn't recommend, however, Belleville itself seemed fine to me.

[TrishP7]

I lived in Belleville for about 4 years and I only felt somewhat safe on my particular street..Cuozzo St. Not a great area at all...too close to Newark. Belleville is one of those towns that the block you live on might be beautiful but by time you turn the corner, you feel like youre in the twilight zone! I then moved to Bloomfield..Brookdale area. Much nicer but very pricey!

[girl-973-908-732]

I shop in Belleville around Washington Avenue, Joralemenen (sp) and am in the area regularly (usually traveling on Washington Avenue)....shortcuts to Kearney, Harrison, or doing to the post office CVS, anyhow, I don't see anything wrong with the area. I'm not afraid at night to walk through the town, the schools are decent- not the best, but not the worst. I look at belleville along the same lines as Linden, Roselle, Montclair, Nutley, parts of Passaic, North Arlington, Lyndhurst, Rutherford, Bergenfield, Lodi . . . I mean they're not the greatest towns in NJ, but they sure aren't the worst.

My daughter was born at Clara Maass and I absolutely love that hospital, I've gone to city hall for copies of her birth records on two occassions and the staff is wonderful. Additionally the police station is located in city hall and again, they're very nice, pleasant, attentive. I like Belleville.