Great NJ city for public transportation? (Newark, Jersey City: to rent, neighborhood, school)

[Bamiyan]

Hello everyone!

I have been searching on this site for a while trying to decide where me and my husband want to move to, and so I thought I would finally post

I am originally from Somerset, NJ (Franklin Township) and have been moving around for the last 8 years for school/work, etc, and have always missed home! I would love to move back to the area (or even closer to NYC), but the problem is we want to get by without a car if at all possible.

Can anyone recommend a city to move to that has good public transportation, is safe, and has "reasonable" rent? I have been living in Japan the past 2 years so I am unfortunately really used to great train service And "reasonable" rent can vary...I know the rent in Somerset is astronomical now, about $1,500 a month, so I would love to get anything under $1,000 a month if possible. Thanks a lot

[BobKovacs]

The big question is, where are you trying to "transport" yourself to? Are you looking to use public transit for daily shopping, doctor visits, etc., or just looking to commute to work? If the latter, where will you be working?

[Bamiyan]

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

The big question is, where are you trying to "transport" yourself to? Are you looking to use public transit for daily shopping, doctor visits, etc., or just looking to commute to work? If the latter, where will you be working?

Sorry! lol, I forgot to put that

Well, I would love basic transportation for during the weekdays (around the town for shopping, etc), and then be able to take either a train or ferry over to Manhattan during the weekends. The latter is not necessary, but a plus if at all possible.

[BobKovacs]

Well, there's no subway systems anywhere in NJ, so you're limited to either the Light Rail that runs through Jersey City and the surrounding areas, the light rail that just got started in Newark, or buses (the latter not being highly recommended, IMO). On a $1,000/month budget, JC and the other towns on the light rail up there won't offer much, and the selection in Newark will be limited or in some crappy areas. You'll also be limited when you want to leave the immediate corridor served by the light rail, and may end up having to rent a car often. IMO, NJ really isn't a place to live if you're not going to have a car, unless you live a very simple existence that doesn't require much movement outside of your immediate neighborhood.

[EEEPNJ]

Local transport in Jersey is HORRIBLE. It's mostly about getting you to and from NYC, but local, dreadful.

[Zebra Pimp]

Try looking into Weehawken or Edgewater. Cheaper than Hoboken. Weehawken has ferries to NYC and the lightrail as well.

[brook2ga]

Where will you be working?

[solibs]

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

Well, there's no subway systems anywhere in NJ,

No subway except for the PATH system that runs between Newark, JC, Hoboken and Manhattan. No lightrail except for the three lines that branch out from Hoboken and the two lines that run out of Newark (soon to be expanded) and no regional rail except for the 12 or 13 lines that run out of Newark/Hoboken/NYC and no buses except for the 60 or so routes that criss-cross North Jersey.

[tahiti]

bayonne has a very good public transport system. 3 bus lines that can get you anywhere inter and intra city and a light rail system. you can easily live in bayonne and not have a vehicle.

[HelgaB]

Try Union Township (Union County). There is a bus service on Morris Ave. If you find a place to live nearby, you will be able to take a bus to work and do some shopping. Life is difficult without a car in NJ, but it is doable.