What do you think of West New York? (Jersey City, Hoboken: apartment, low crime)

[wilkens21]

Just curious what thoughts you folks have this town. The tax rate of 2% is quite high and from what I understand the schools are not all that good here.

[CrazyJerzyKidUNO]

West New York is one of my favorite towns in Jersey. Im there all the time. I have some friends in that area and they have actually told me alot about the film program in West NEw Yorks schools. They say its great and they do alot of community based projects. West New York is also just a really great town. Low crime, nice urban setting, 7 minute bus ride to Journal Square/Manhattan.

[wilkens21]

Thanks for the response....I know that there is a "planned" community right now on the so-called "gold coast" shore of West New York (ie: port imperial blvd/river road) which is like a yuppie-ville. But why are the taxes so high there (i know it's Jersey, but there is still no excuse for that)?

[nycgooner]

As someone who grew up in West New York, I'll give you the skinny: first of all, the WNY I grew up in and the WNY of today are two completely different worlds. I graduated from Memorial HS back in '96, and the schools were pretty good then. However, it has become two completely different locales separated by the Palisades. You have the Gold Coast, which I recalled, used to be a mini putt-putt and driving range and open space. Then, above, you have WNY. WNY is predominantly a low-income town with crime. A lot of people moved away from WNY in the mid to late 90s, and imo, it brought the standard of living down. My parents still live there but they have been wanting to move out for a while. One of the pluses of living there is the close proximity to the City. And with the light rail now running through WNY, albeit it is on the Gold Coast, it is easier to get to JC/Hoboken.

[NancyC]

I also grew up there, and I will always have love for it , but if you want
to live in a noisy, crowded town that takes you 30 mins to travel 3 blocks by car, and will probably never hear english spoken then move
to to WNY.............

[dane32]

NYCGOONER please specify where it is good and where it is bad, I am looking at an appartment on Boulevard east and 64th street - how does that area looks like, I mean crime wise etc.

Thanks

[EEEPNJ]

Boulevard East, for the most part, is OK. You have unbeatable views of the city. It's funny, becuase I was on just this corner the other day and I was thinking, there is one building that is all nice and luxurious, and the next is one that is very run down and not so great. You also have to go OFF of the boulevard.

I too grew up in the area, I was married at St. Joe's in WNY and I have such nice memories of it, but unless you are a single person who just wants quick access to the city and does not mind an urban area with all the problems mentioned here, I would not live there.

And I agree w/ the poster about the schools, the schools are awful. Memorial was the best urban HS in NJ back in the late 80's/early 90's, but it has gone steadily downhill since.

[Raven1976]

Originally Posted by nycgooner

As someone who grew up in West New York, I'll give you the skinny: first of all, the WNY I grew up in and the WNY of today are two completely different worlds. I graduated from Memorial HS back in '96, and the schools were pretty good then. However, it has become two completely different locales separated by the Palisades. You have the Gold Coast, which I recalled, used to be a mini putt-putt and driving range and open space. Then, above, you have WNY. WNY is predominantly a low-income town with crime. A lot of people moved away from WNY in the mid to late 90s, and imo, it brought the standard of living down. My parents still live there but they have been wanting to move out for a while. One of the pluses of living there is the close proximity to the City. And with the light rail now running through WNY, albeit it is on the Gold Coast, it is easier to get to JC/Hoboken.

funny.. I graduated in 94 from Memorial high school.. wonder if I knew you.
The high school I think has gone done hill, but the elementary schools are good and have really good teachers.

[NJ Chutzpah]

from what I have seen in my joyrides around NYC, NNJ is that WNY has become mostly a sanctuary city

However it has a nice main street, great views of NYC skyline, and some of the housing stock looks great

lots of potential, and with hoboken next door, it will only get better

[Shabnem]

I moved from NYC to West New York to Riviera Towers. I love to live here. The commute is great on Blvd East in 15 minutes your are in NYC. By far is greater than Hoboken and Jersey City.
The price is right. Check it out there are lovely apartment in Riviera Towers- Large apartment and the best view.
Spiffy