Jersey City,Elizabeth,Paterson,Linden,Irvington, and Union City. Are they really as bad as people say? (Newark: high school, living in)

[Tungsten_Udder]

Originally Posted by Dorian

Is there anybody on this forum who live in the "bad" areas of these towns that either think it is over hype or feel completley safe?

Me. Although where I live now (downtown JC) is an area that not so many folks consider bad (and probably far more of them wouldn't consider it bad if they'd just visit here now and spend a bit of time here--the primary difference between it and Hoboken at this point is that there are taller buildings here), I've lived in parts of JC that folks consider bad, and I walk all over JC all the time--including the ghetto areas. I've also walked all over Newark, Union City, etc., and actually looked at a house in Irvington at one point.

[Tungsten_Udder]

Originally Posted by EEEPNJ

Raven, it's not because of fear of non "white" people. That's really a silly statement.

I think it's unfortunately true for too many people--that's not saying it's the case for everyone, including you. But I know people for whom it's the case even.

[Tungsten_Udder]

Originally Posted by LynnePatrice

I live in Jersey City because that is where I chose to live. Yes it has issues but there are some great things about it as well.

Why is it so difficult for some people on this forum to understand that there are some people who want to live in these areas and don't just live there because they can't afford to live anyplace else???

I think part of it is that there are a lot of people who frequent the forum who are middle-aged, who have pretty much lived in or near Jersey their entire lives, and either lived in or frequented places like Jersey City when they were much younger. Now they live further away from NYC in the suburbs, and they more think of what places like JC used to be like--back in the 60s through 80s, say. The same thing will be increasingly true of places like Newark in the not-too-distant future, as it's changing a lot . . . but the only way to know that is to spend some time there.

I would have a much harder time believing that they are very familiar with what downtown JC, say, is like NOW, yet they still would feel very unsafe here, and I would love to be able to spend some time with those folks in person, in this area, to try to get a better gauge on what's going on with them.

[Tungsten_Udder]

Originally Posted by EEEPNJ

Everyone can live wherever they want to live. But when someone is moving to the area we should tell them what it is really about.

What a place is really about isn't your opinion of whether it's good or bad. It would be facts about what the location is like. Then based on the beliefs, opinions, tastes, etc. of the person querying, they can make a decision that's suitable for them based on the facts.

If you live in Jersey City, you are going to have to deal with crime.

For example, that's factually incorrect. I've lived in Jersey City for almost 15 years now, I know plenty of people here, and I don't know anyone who has been a crime victim. Of course, I do not know a lot of drug dealers, gang members, etc., so that might be part of the reason why.

[Tungsten_Udder]

Originally Posted by cf77

Uhh what do you think I said in my post before? I said thats the best part of Downtown JC, theres some wealthy people living side by side with some poor people.

Although, just where would you say that the poor folks likely are downtown? I don't think I'd be able to find any . . . maybe except for the homeless guy who is sometimes in front of A-1 Deli on Grove Street, but I haven't seen him for awhile. Any idea what streets, blocks, buildings, etc. they might be in? I can imagine that there might be a couple folks in older apartment buildings who are maybe poor (and because of rent control they're not paying very much), but it doesn't actually seem like there are many of those around here. I walk all around here every day. I'll walk by and check it out if you tell me where I should look.

[Tungsten_Udder]

Originally Posted by Gldngrl61

To those of you on this thread-all of the towns you are mentioning we're booming and beautiful towns 40 years ago.

not that I was in Irvington 40 years ago, but you know that 40 years ago was 1968, right? 1967 was the year of the Newark riots. It's kind of hard to believe that Irvington was a Martha Stewart-styled suburbia in 1968.

[E-TOWN-R.I.P.]

Originally Posted by Tungsten_Udder

Although, just where would you say that the poor folks likely are downtown? I don't think I'd be able to find any . . . maybe except for the homeless guy who is sometimes in front of A-1 Deli on Grove Street, but I haven't seen him for awhile. Any idea what streets, blocks, buildings, etc. they might be in? I can imagine that there might be a couple folks in older apartment buildings who are maybe poor (and because of rent control they're not paying very much), but it doesn't actually seem like there are many of those around here. I walk all around here every day. I'll walk by and check it out if you tell me where I should look.

There are plenty of poor people around the Grove Street stop. The homeless guy at the A-1 is often joined by the crackhead woman outside the PATH stop and the group of homeless (or just poor) people who sit across the street by the hot dog stand. Assorted scumbags can also be found outside the McDonald’s and the 99 cent store. I could go on, but I have to agree with the assertion that Grove Street, at least, is yuppies living next door to poor people.

[Tungsten_Udder]

Originally Posted by E-TOWN-R.I.P.

There are plenty of poor people around the Grove Street stop. The homeless guy at the A-1 is often joined by the crackhead woman outside the PATH stop and the group of homeless (or just poor) people who sit across the street by the hot dog stand. Assorted scumbags can also be found outside the McDonald’s and the 99 cent store. I could go on, but I have to agree with the assertion that Grove Street, at least, is yuppies living next door to poor people.

By what means are you determining the income of people sitting on the wall near the Grove Street PATH station, and what are your criteria for being a "scumbag" near the 99 cent store?

The people who hang out near the PATH station NEVER ask for money. I walk by there every day at least a couple times. Heck, I've even sat there and talked to friends. Usually when I do my walks in the morning, I haven't showered, and I've got an old plain t-shirt and sweat pants on. I wonder if you thought I was poor or homeless.

[E-TOWN-R.I.P.]

Originally Posted by Tungsten_Udder

By what means are you determining the income of people sitting on the wall near the Grove Street PATH station, and what are your criteria for being a "scumbag" near the 99 cent store?

The people who hang out near the PATH station NEVER ask for money. I walk by there every day at least a couple times. Heck, I've even sat there and talked to friends. Usually when I do my walks in the morning, I haven't showered, and I've got an old plain t-shirt and sweat pants on. I wonder if you thought I was poor or homeless.

Without entering into a philosophical discussion about class and standing, let me define my terms: When I say poor, I mean someone who is obviously down on their luck. When I say scumbag (maybe too harsh a term, I should say ‘shady’), that’s someone who I deduce would try to commit a crime if given the opportunity. I highly doubt I would see you and place you into either of those categories. I hope I’d know the difference between someone dressed casually and someone who’s battling an addiction or is up to no good.

So I have to disagree with you on these points: I’ve seen plenty of shady characters loitering outside the McDonald’s and the 99 cent store. I’ve also been asked for money on more than one occasion by the woman outside the PATH station, and was cursed at when I didn’t fork it over. I’m not trying to be argumentative, but these have been my experiences.

[Tungsten_Udder]

Originally Posted by E-TOWN-R.I.P.

I’m not trying to be argumentative, but these have been my experiences.

Okay, but I actually am trying to be argumentative about something. I don't buy that one can just look at someone and necesarily tell if they're poor, and especially you can't tell if they're a "shady character who would commit a crime given an opportunity"--that's blatantly ridiculous. I'm asking you how you believe that you can do that.

Do you live in JC? Maybe we could meet in person and you could try to demonstrate this and we'll try to test it.