Are there any safe and nice areas of NJ? (Paterson: apartment, rental)

[hrjersey]

Originally Posted by Red Dove

Thanks for your response Isthistaken. Brick is quickly becoming my choice. Other than Craig's list, would you have any suggestions as to where I could look for rentals? The local paper I guess, wouldn't you say?

Are there any colleges or universities in the area? Any observations on jobs/employment in the area?

I am so greatful to everyone on this forum being so helpful.

The local college is Ocean County Community College. It is Located in Toms River but Brick is the next town over.

The local newspaper is the Asbury Park Press (app.com)

Jobs in this part of NJ tend to be retail jobs. There isn't a lot of big business in this part of NJ so office jobs are not frequent. The Economy is tough and finding even a part time job could be tough.

[Buzliteyear]

Unfortunately, New Jersey always gets a bad rap. I have lived here for 42 years and would never move out no matter how much our state government seems to encourage it.

New Jersey if full of farms and towns and there is a million things to do. New York City, Atlantic City and Philly are both within an hour from central New Jersey. Baltimore and Washington DC are both within 4 hours and Boston is just a bit more than that.

There aren't many states that have beaufiful beaches, good skiing, amusements parks, air shows, incredible downtowns, dinner cruises, casinos, etc.

My favorite thing is the change of seasons. We have bathing suit weather and 6 months later we're shoveling our driveways.

Unfortunately, we built our airport in Newark so the first impression everyone has is the smell of the oil refineries along the Turnpike.

Do some homework. New Jersey is a great place to live.

And to you people from other states who keep asking "Which exit to you live off of," knock it off!

[AndrewMensch]

You've been watching too many Soprano's episodes! NJ has some great areas... if you like cities or towns... mountains or ocean... rural or urban.

[ottomobeale]

NJ is what I would call a steeper curve. Meaning.

Crime overall is a bit lower. The bad areas are REALLY REALLY bad. (Camden, Irvington etc) The better areas are lower and in many cases MUCH lower crime. More concentrated crime.

vs

Florida

where Im not sure I would let my kids play outside unsupervised even to age 10 unless in a gated community. More spread out crime.

[StrugglingMusician91]

New Jersey is a whole state. It really has the best of all the worlds. North Jersey if you like more urban environment, central jersey if you are looking for more suburban environment and if you like rural, NorthWest and South Jersey are good. There are of course dangerous cities in New Jersey but as a whole New Jersey is extremely nice and offers every type of living situation you want.

[zhelder]

Originally Posted by ottomobeale

NJ is what I would call a steeper curve. Meaning.

Crime overall is a bit lower. The bad areas are REALLY REALLY bad. (Camden, Irvington etc) The better areas are lower and in many cases MUCH lower crime. More concentrated crime.

vs

Florida

where Im not sure I would let my kids play outside unsupervised even to age 10 unless in a gated community. More spread out crime.

Bullseye! Crime in NJ does tend to be really concentrated in the bad areas. In FL, there seems to be crime in a lot more areas than in NJ.

[Red Dove]

Originally Posted by Buzliteyear

Unfortunately, New Jersey always gets a bad rap. I have lived here for 42 years and would never move out no matter how much our state government seems to encourage it.

New Jersey if full of farms and towns and there is a million things to do. New York City, Atlantic City and Philly are both within an hour from central New Jersey. Baltimore and Washington DC are both within 4 hours and Boston is just a bit more than that.

There aren't many states that have beaufiful beaches, good skiing, amusements parks, air shows, incredible downtowns, dinner cruises, casinos, etc.

My favorite thing is the change of seasons. We have bathing suit weather and 6 months later we're shoveling our driveways.

Unfortunately, we built our airport in Newark so the first impression everyone has is the smell of the oil refineries along the Turnpike.

Do some homework. New Jersey is a great place to live.

And to you people from other states who keep asking "Which exit to you live off of," knock it off!

Again, so nice of everyone to give me feed back on NJ. What is the opinion on Monmouth County? Cliffwood?

[Buzliteyear]

Originally Posted by Red Dove

Again, so nice of everyone to give me feed back on NJ. What is the opinion on Monmouth County? Cliffwood?

Monmouth County is where I live, and I love it. MC has 51 or 52 towns of which 5 or 6 have a bad section. MC also has some seriously rich towns which probably will not be an option.

I believe Cliffwood is part of Middlesex County. I'm not too familiar with Cliffwood, but I belive it does have a rough section.

Middletown, Freehold Township, Howell, Marlboro, Manalapan, Holmdel, Colts Neck, Ocean Township, Eatontown, are all go towns.

Exactly what are you looking for? Apartments? Condo for rent?

[citychik]

I'm confused. Your son is 20 years old, an adult, has a girlfriend, and wants to move to NJ. Why are you looking for him? I hope you're not going to pay his rent, too! Or are you planning to uproot yourself to move with him? If he's capable of carrying on a relationship with someone who lives far away, he's also capable of doing his own apartment search.

It's no wonder that the "echo boomer" generation of about his age is known for not being able to make a decision, think for themselves, nor step up into leadership roles.

[Red Dove]

Originally Posted by citychik

I'm confused. Your son is 20 years old, an adult, has a girlfriend, and wants to move to NJ. Why are you looking for him? I hope you're not going to pay his rent, too! Or are you planning to uproot yourself to move with him? If he's capable of carrying on a relationship with someone who lives far away, he's also capable of doing his own apartment search.

It's no wonder that the "echo boomer" generation of about his age is known for not being able to make a decision, think for themselves, nor step up into leadership roles.

City Chik

I am disabled and my son is my support structure. Just the 2 of us and our pets of-course. My son is a gem, and has sacrificed a lot to be helpful to me. I just moved to MA from TN. late last summer. Don't like it here. We share our resources so who pays the rent for whom is not an issue with us. He is a stellar son, and can step into any leadership role, given the opportunity. He can more than make a decision for himself, so although I do like the term "echo boomer" I disagree with your opinion.