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I’m a female, recent grad living in Mount Vernon, NY. I just accepted a job right by the Newport/Pavonia Path train station. My current commute time is about 90+ minutes during rush hour. So I’m currently interested in cutting that commute time down, as much as I can.
I’m looking to rent in Jersey City, or as close as I can get, ASAP. The biggest problem I’m having is that I don’t drive, so I’ll have to be close to public transportation. After scouring through threads on this site, I’m finding the Hamilton Park section most attractive, due to it’s proximity to my new job.
My current budget is about $1200 - $1400/month, which I know is a little difficult in that area. So I’ve also started looking as far north as the North Bergen area, and as far east as the Nutley/Belleville area. I’m also interested in keeping my commute time under an hour. I definitely need something quiet and safe. A few times a month, I’ll have to be at work by 6/7 AM, and won’t be leaving until 7/8pm.
Bottom line is, I’m really interested in staying in Jersey City, but judging from the threads, it will be difficult to find something safe, within my budget. What are some suggestions for places to look in Jersey City, or its surrounding towns/counties, that fall within my guidelines
- Close (i.e. very short walking distance)to public transportation
- Short commute (<1 hour), to Pavonia/Newport
- 1 or 2br - Between $1200 - $1400 monthly rent (possibly including utilities)
- Safe, quiet neighborhood
- Close to shops (grocery, target/walmart/k-mart
- Possibly close to nightlife (not necessary, but definitely a plus)
I used to rent in the Hamilton Park Condominiums on Jersey and 9th -- that sounds like it's right around your ideal location. I paid $1400 for a one bedroom, but that was about 2 years ago, so not sure what the going rate is. If it's still comparable, might be worth checking out.
How long are you willing to commute? There are some good towns along the NJ transit lines that will take 30-40 minutes to get to Jersey City. For example, along the Raritan Valley line there is Cranford and Westfield. Both are very safe towns and have their own shopping districts in town. There is also Millburn on the Morris line. Rent is around $900-$1000 for a 1 bedroom. Most apartments in these areas are duplexes.
Can anyone here comment on Bayonne? I heard some sections are going through gentrification and rents are OK. Plus the new HBLRT train to JC is there as well.
Also how is nightlife/da' scene in Bayonne nowadays?
in jersey city, you should check out the western slope section or the downtown(newport/exchange place) areas. there is also edgewater, parts of west new york, hoboken(almost all of hoboken; in general closer to the water the better). Have you considered splitting a place with another person?
Wow...I wasn't expecting such prompt replies. Thanks for everyone's input so far.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmdurett
I used to rent in the Hamilton Park Condominiums on Jersey and 9th -- that sounds like it's right around your ideal location. I paid $1400 for a one bedroom, but that was about 2 years ago, so not sure what the going rate is. If it's still comparable, might be worth checking out.
Thanks, i'll definitely check them out.
Quote:
Originally Posted by distec
How long are you willing to commute? There are some good towns along the NJ transit lines that will take 30-40 minutes to get to Jersey City.
I was hoping to have a commute no longer than 1 hour, door-to-door.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gothome
in jersey city, you should check out the western slope section or the downtown(newport/exchange place) areas. there is also edgewater, parts of west new york, hoboken(almost all of hoboken; in general closer to the water the better). Have you considered splitting a place with another person?
Having a roommate is out of the question for me. Which is definitely making this search a bit harder. I actually started my search looking around the areas you've suggested, and found them all to be out of my price range.
Thanks for your suggestions again. Please keep 'em coming.
Wow...I wasn't expecting such prompt replies. Thanks for everyone's input so far.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gothome
in jersey city, you should check out the western slope section or the downtown(newport/exchange place) areas. there is also edgewater, parts of west new york, hoboken(almost all of hoboken; in general closer to the water the better). Have you considered splitting a place with another person?
Having a roommate is out of the question for me. Which is definitely making this search a bit harder. I actually started my search looking around the areas you've suggested, and found them all to be out of my price range.
Quote:
Originally Posted by distec
How long are you willing to commute? There are some good towns along the NJ transit lines that will take 30-40 minutes to get to Jersey City.
I was hoping to have a commute no longer than 1 hour, door-to-door.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmdurett
I used to rent in the Hamilton Park Condominiums on Jersey and 9th -- that sounds like it's right around your ideal location. I paid $1400 for a one bedroom, but that was about 2 years ago, so not sure what the going rate is. If it's still comparable, might be worth checking out.
Thanks, i'll definitely check them out.
Any additional input would be greatly appreciated. I've looked at a few realtor sites, that have openings within society hill within my price range. I did a little research on the area, and it seems to be pretty decent until you have to leave the complex.
How reliable is the A&C bus, considering I would have to leave at 6am on the first bus, in order to make it work on time. Would this be possible? I would rather take this bus, than the njtransit provided busses.
Could anyone else weigh in on the frequency, of 1br/1ba society hill apts opening up? Also any idea of what average monthly utility expenses would be, is also greatly appreciated.
You can definitely find apartments in the $1200-$1400 range in downtown Jersey City. I just found one for $1300, and looked at several in that price range. All shown by realtors. Seems like $1250 or above is the going rate for a decent apartment in downtown, go much under that and you start to find various forms of decrepitude or problems. Or at least that was my experience.
I had a day and a half to find and secure an apartment in downtown JC within your price range and was able to do so quickly and fairly easily. No reason you'd need to pay more than your range to find a good apartment. My recommendation is to go with a realtor and suck up paying the fee--I think it's worth it, if you have it to pay. You can tell them exactly what you're looking for and look at several options that meet your criteria fairly quickly. Otherwise, keep your eye on Craigslist.
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nice places very close by
