Considering Move to New Jersey (Camden, Hoboken: houses, employment, buying)

[trover]

I'm a twenty-something, soon to be professional school grad from the SF area in California. This isn't something people my age out here really aspire to, so call me crazy, but I'm contemplating moving to New Jersey.

Why: I really love the East Coast, particularly the Northeast. NYC, Philly, DC- I can't really pick one I like more than the other- I love them all. New Jersey seems perfectly located to just about everything. Also, it seems like a pretty solid blue state, and I'm a blue state kinda guy. And I grew-up in Chicago, so I can deal with cold winters.

Only problem is, I'm not sure where in New Jersey I'd be interested in living. Most of the major cities are roundly described on this and other forums as crime-ridden urban disaster areas. I've been to Camden, and I know that at least for that town it's no exaggeration. But I also like to live in a somewhat urban setting- dense housing, loots of bars, coffee houses and bookstores, diversity, LOTS of access to public transit. Above all I do not want to live in a "bedroom community" suburb with lots of single family homes on gigantic lots. I grew-up in a place like that and vowed never to return. I also don't plan on having children (can't stand them), so schools are not an issue.

Is there any place in New Jersey that fits my description, or is it either Suburban Wasteland or Urban Hell and nothing in between?

[openheads]

You sound like a Hoboken kind of guy.

[BobKovacs]

I agree with the poster above, that Hoboken would be the best place for what you've described. The question is, what's your educational background, and can you find employment that will allow you to live there? Many of the industries that make that area possible are in the toilet at the moment, and they're not jumping to hire recent grads. Add to that some high $$ rents, and you've got quite the challenge ahead of you.

[JohnVeenstra]

Hoboken is the place you describe

[ira]

I agree - Hoboken is the place for you, if you can afford it. Now, I gotta comment on your "don't plan on having children - can't stand them" statement (can't help myself:-)) You're twenty-something....you might think you know what you want but wait until you're thirty-something...

[tandcookies]

Originally Posted by ira

I agree - Hoboken is the place for you, if you can afford it. Now, I gotta comment on your "don't plan on having children - can't stand them" statement (can't help myself:-)) You're twenty-something....you might think you know what you want but wait until you're thirty-something...

Good point. Plus if you are buying, you want good schools to retain your property's market value.

[mike0421]

If you limit yourself to NJ proper, you might miss out on a place like Manayunk, which is considerably cheaper, right next to Philadelphia, but offers IMO more amenities to your liking.

[trover]

Originally Posted by ira

I agree - Hoboken is the place for you, if you can afford it. Now, I gotta comment on your "don't plan on having children - can't stand them" statement (can't help myself:-)) You're twenty-something....you might think you know what you want but wait until you're thirty-something...

Well, at least allow me a few extra years to sew my wild oats.

Thanks for all the responses in general. As for employment- I'll be graduating law school in may. While a lot of gigantic corporate law firms are laying-off right now, that's not my area of practice. Anyway, that's happening pretty much anywhere you live. As for cost: while I won't say that's not a factor, compared to from SF virtually anywhere besides Manhattan proper is going to be at least same or cheaper.

[clevedark]

Hoboken.

[dance_or_REBEL]

Hoboken, you'll love it! Close to the city, easy transportation if you don't want to drive alot, great places to eat, and perfect for a bachelor type guy!