Jersey City,Elizabeth,Paterson,Linden,Irvington, and Union City. Are they really as bad as people say? (Newark: best towns, 2010)

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

“Bad” is in the eye of the beholder. If you’re coming from Camden or Harlem, then, yes, Elizabeth and Linden are not that bad. If you come from a civilized section, then, yes, they are bad. Elizabeth has two good sections (Elmora Hills and Westminster) and one decent section (Elmora). The rest is garbage. The influx of illegal aliens has turned a once diverse city into a Central American dump. As for Linden, while not nearly as bad as Elizabeth, it’s also on the downswing. The Polish community was the only thing that kept that town halfway decent. Now they’re gone and the city’s gone downhill. They are two good sections (Sunnyside and the part bordering Cranford). The rest is trash. As for the new strip mall, it’s situated between two go-go bars and next door to a chemical refinery. Not exactly what I would call urban renewal. But both cities are MUCH better than Irvington … so that tells you all you need to know about Irvington.

[Dorian]

Originally Posted by Tungsten_Udder

What's bad or not is subjective. "Bad" is necessarily subjective. What one person finds bad another might not, and there's not a correct answer.

However, there are facts about things like crime, and it's easy to find crime statistics online--including statistics for individual neighborhoods, which is important when you're looking at a city like Jersey City, as different neighborhoods are very different. On the other hand, you shouldn't take crime statistics to tell you how likely it is that you and your family will be safe, because that's not at all what the statistics tell you.

What you really need to do before moving somewhere is visit. A large part of whether a place is right for you is whether, subjectively, it feels right to you. Whether you like the "atmosphere" there, whether it appeals to you aesthetically. If you're just renting first, sure, you could pack it up and move again after a year (usually you're going to have a yearly lease), but why chance living a year someplace you and/or your family hate? The places you mention are all very close to each other. Visit for at least a week. And if you want to look me up when you're in Jersey City, I can show you around the different neighborhoods.

I had to give you rep, anyone willing to take time out to show someone they don't know around has to be a nice person. I plan on visiting too soon. I'm the one who started this thread about 4 months ago I believe and I see there are a large range of answers, lol., interesting tho.

[Dorian]

Originally Posted by abcde-fam

My family and I are looking to move around the Jersey city area, I need honesty about whats bad and not. I have read everyones post and not sure where to go. My husband is an ironworker and would be out of the local in Jersey City. We would like to rent first and I am wondering about Weehawken, Fairview, Edgewater, Cliffside park. I like the city but need to have a good place to raise my children. ANY ANY input would be appreciated.

I started this thread months ago along with others ones on here and although I am not from the area I have done a lot of research. The things I learned on this forum are that you will get all types of different answers about Jersey City itself, some say good, some say bad, some say in between, and most say it various from hood to hood, but the communities you named I have heard nothing but good things about. There never seems to be any arguing or disagreements about those areas.

[kayy]

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

“Bad” is in the eye of the beholder. If you’re coming from Camden or Harlem, then, yes, Elizabeth and Linden are not that bad. If you come from a civilized section, then, yes, they are bad. Elizabeth has two good sections (Elmora Hills and Westminster) and one decent section (Elmora). The rest is garbage. The influx of illegal aliens has turned a once diverse city into a Central American dump. As for Linden, while not nearly as bad as Elizabeth, it’s also on the downswing. The Polish community was the only thing that kept that town halfway decent. Now they’re gone and the city’s gone downhill. They are two good sections (Sunnyside and the part bordering Cranford). The rest is trash. As for the new strip mall, it’s situated between two go-go bars and next door to a chemical refinery. Not exactly what I would call urban renewal. But both cities are MUCH better than Irvington … so that tells you all you need to know about Irvington.

i've lived in Linden for most of my life and stopped going to school there once i started middle school so i'll comment on what you said :
"The Polish community was the only thing that kept that town halfway decent. Now they’re gone and the city’s gone downhill."

not necessarily. there are still plenty of polish people in Linden. linden is about 60% white, 20% black, and 15% latino. and there are still more ethnicities.

and yes, some parts of linden are a little rough, like down linden (near the route 1 &9) and the parts near Elizabeth across the train tracks. i lived near downtown Linden near the intersection of St Georges and Wood Ave and that area was average. decent looking houses are around there.

Sunnyside is the best part of Linden. it's the most suburban and generally quietest. once you see all the signs read " " terrace, you're there.

Linden isn't really "as bad as people say they are" compared to places like Irvington. it has the good and the bad. most of the city is decent looking with a few abandoned looking houses and areas here and there. and yes there's been a lot of construction there lately with the new Sam's Club and Kohl's. they're not built in the most ideal place, but hey, you can't have it all.

and yes there are robberies, thefts, and just crime in general. quite a bit of fighting in the schools. the school system isn't bad really. not a perfect 10 but not bad. it's not extremely dangerous, it's not a boring suburban place, there's diversity, and everything's in close proximity. it's a real town. people just give it a bad rap sometimes because it boarders elizabeth (elmora section) and some of of the stuff that happens there leaks into linden sometimes.

[DR3AMGIIRL]

Comin from someone whos from irvington...im 23 yrs old i've been living here since i was 11...irvington and surrounding cities in essex county are overall rough neighborhoods to live in but like any city whr theres a high rate in crime, theres a high rate in poverty, drugs, welfare, bad school districs, unemployment, and the projects..this things all play a factor on hw ppl act and think...although there are bad ppl where i live there are also good...when you drive into irvington or newark it dont look like bahgdag lol..its simply poverty..its also makes it difficult when crooked rich politicians invest in upscale homes and apartments in these areas that they kno the average person cant afford, with that said it causes a divide, ppl are angry, children r hungry, the ignorant are violent, many ppl who live here who cant find a way out for example when i was in middle school i knew plenty of guys who starting hustling just to support their household whr they had several siblings. They were too young to get real work, their parents and family members were drug addicts or in jail and they had younger siblings (wht options does a 12 or 13 yr old have...foster care?), ppl indeed can become products of their environments but if u want better u'll get better...im an example of that i just graduating from a 4 yr accredited college with my ba, i always did well in school, im from the hood but i know theres too many opportunities in this world for me to not go out and get it...many of my friends went to school, i wasnt a dork i was always popular...so irvington and essex county is not a total failure in society many ppl r tryna do betta and many are content with the bs but where im from roses def grow thru concrete and only the strong survive.

[Nauticadon]

I commend the threadstarter for asking about these places instead of assuming that their bad like many people on here do.

[Dorian]

Originally Posted by DR3AMGIIRL

Comin from someone whos from irvington...im 23 yrs old i've been living here since i was 11...irvington and surrounding cities in essex county are overall rough neighborhoods to live in but like any city whr theres a high rate in crime, theres a high rate in poverty, drugs, welfare, bad school districs, unemployment, and the projects..this things all play a factor on hw ppl act and think...although there are bad ppl where i live there are also good...when you drive into irvington or newark it dont look like bahgdag lol..its simply poverty..its also makes it difficult when crooked rich politicians invest in upscale homes and apartments in these areas that they kno the average person cant afford, with that said it causes a divide, ppl are angry, children r hungry, the ignorant are violent, many ppl who live here who cant find a way out for example when i was in middle school i knew plenty of guys who starting hustling just to support their household whr they had several siblings. They were too young to get real work, their parents and family members were drug addicts or in jail and they had younger siblings (wht options does a 12 or 13 yr old have...foster care?), ppl indeed can become products of their environments but if u want better u'll get better...im an example of that i just graduating from a 4 yr accredited college with my ba, i always did well in school, im from the hood but i know theres too many opportunities in this world for me to not go out and get it...many of my friends went to school, i wasnt a dork i was always popular...so irvington and essex county is not a total failure in society many ppl r tryna do betta and many are content with the bs but where im from roses def grow thru concrete and only the strong survive.

Congratulations on your graduation. It's nice to hear about someone living in the hood and working there way out.

[Dorian]

Originally Posted by Nauticadon

I commend the threadstarter for asking about these places instead of assuming that their bad like many people on here do.

Thanks, I like to try to get to the truth, not just what people assume or judge by what or who they see.

[Jerseyt719]

Originally Posted by DR3AMGIIRL

Comin from someone whos from irvington...im 23 yrs old i've been living here since i was 11...irvington and surrounding cities in essex county are overall rough neighborhoods to live in but like any city whr theres a high rate in crime, theres a high rate in poverty, drugs, welfare, bad school districs, unemployment, and the projects..this things all play a factor on hw ppl act and think...although there are bad ppl where i live there are also good...when you drive into irvington or newark it dont look like bahgdag lol..its simply poverty..its also makes it difficult when crooked rich politicians invest in upscale homes and apartments in these areas that they kno the average person cant afford, with that said it causes a divide, ppl are angry, children r hungry, the ignorant are violent, many ppl who live here who cant find a way out for example when i was in middle school i knew plenty of guys who starting hustling just to support their household whr they had several siblings. They were too young to get real work, their parents and family members were drug addicts or in jail and they had younger siblings (wht options does a 12 or 13 yr old have...foster care?), ppl indeed can become products of their environments but if u want better u'll get better...im an example of that i just graduating from a 4 yr accredited college with my ba, i always did well in school, im from the hood but i know theres too many opportunities in this world for me to not go out and get it...many of my friends went to school, i wasnt a dork i was always popular...so irvington and essex county is not a total failure in society many ppl r tryna do betta and many are content with the bs but where im from roses def grow thru concrete and only the strong survive.

Rep points for you!!

Way to go on seeing that you CAN do better than what you saw around you. You are so right, it's an individual choice and you should be commended for your accomplishments. I really can't say how proud I would be of you if I were your parent or classmate, etc.

Best of luck, I'm sure you have an incredibly bright future ahead of you. Keep reaching for the stars, you're almost there!

[DR3AMGIIRL]

Originally Posted by jerseyt719

rep points for you!!

Way to go on seeing that you can do better than what you saw around you. You are so right, it's an individual choice and you should be commended for your accomplishments. I really can't say how proud i would be of you if i were your parent or classmate, etc.

Best of luck, i'm sure you have an incredibly bright future ahead of you. Keep reaching for the stars, you're almost there!:d

thnk you very much, i def worked hard to get here, and it dont stop here, its jus too bad that the economy is shot right now its still hard finding a job in any field even jobs r like non existent...good jobs dont want inexperienced college grads and reg retail and customer service say im too qualified lmao, now aint that some s*!t