Hoboken (Washington: for rent, crime, buying)

[jessemh431]

Is it really that bad? Everyone tells me that Jersey is a terrible alternative to living in NYC. I have seen pics of Hoboken and I love it. But is it a good place to live or no?

[nowitsshowtime]

what do you mean that bad?

Bad in terms of price for renting/buying or crime.
Rents are very high, but cheaper than Manhattan. Crime is not a problem.

[Ninjahedge]

Yes, you have to be more specific.

Politcs? Bad.
Crime? Down significantly.

Very convenient to most of NYC.
Expensive or PITA parking.
Loud on the main avenue (Washington).
NEW units do NOT have rent control (old do, but the landlord/realtor will not tell you this!).

The town when I moved in in '97 was primarily a young drinking town. A few good restaurants and LOTS of bars! It has gotten a bit older along with its residents (they used to find someone, get married, have a kid and move out).

Now you are seeing a lot more kids (The Stroller Derby) and the demographic is shifting slightly (The remodeling of the Elysian is a classic example).

What are you looking for, exactly? Define "bad".....

[cleanhouse]

Lived in Hoboken for 5 years. The only things bad about it is the climate. Awesome nightlife. Great walkable town. You do pay for the convienences but to me it was well worth it.
P.S. I took care of the climate issue by moving to S Florida.

[Ninjahedge]

cleanhouse, you in a building built before or after 1970?

There is rent control on just about every old building there. My 650sf place on Washington between 1t and 2nd was $750 a month about 4 years ago. The rule is, only base rent can go up by the amount declared by the city (about 2%). Then the city tax can be added to it (or a portion of it).

Every two years, betwen tenants, the rnt can go up an additional 25%.

My base rent was something like $500, so even with 25%, that $750 final tally would only be able to be boosted up $125 to $875. My landlord was charging one of my neighbors over $1500 until they challanged it and got it reduced to $700 (and back rent returned).

You never want to tick your landlord off for nothing, but when you are looking at $4800 in back rent, that ain't nothin' brother!

[jersey15]

Originally Posted by jessemh431

Is it really that bad? Everyone tells me that Jersey is a terrible alternative to living in NYC. I have seen pics of Hoboken and I love it. But is it a good place to live or no?

Who exactly is told you this? Some snob that lives in NYC I'm sure.

Hoboken is an excellent alternative to NYC. If I couldn't live in Manhatten, then I'd much rather live in Hoboken than any of the the boroughs of NYC. It's crowded, fun, expensive, great nightlife, waterfront parks, etc.

[gould71]

To anyone from NYC, Jersey is garbage, but Hoboken is great. I feel safer in Hoboken that in NYC anyday!

[jessemh431]

Well I love NYC but I would only want to live in Brooklyn or Manhattan. I was talking to family and friends and they all said Jersey is terrible in general...everything about it. Then again, they are from Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Long Island so I guess they are not good judges of how Hoboken is.

My main reason for asking is because my mom is a controlling freak and wants me to have my life planned out...don't ask why. I told her I will graduate college from anywhere and then move Hoboken since it's a lot cheaper than Manhattan. That didn't go over well.

[jersey15]

Originally Posted by jessemh431

Well I love NYC but I would only want to live in Brooklyn or Manhattan. I was talking to family and friends and they all said Jersey is terrible in general...everything about it. Then again, they are from Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Long Island so I guess they are not good judges of how Hoboken is.

My main reason for asking is because my mom is a controlling freak and wants me to have my life planned out...don't ask why. I told her I will graduate college from anywhere and then move Hoboken since it's a lot cheaper than Manhattan. That didn't go over well.

Most people from NY will talk negatively about NJ regardless of the town. Bet they've never set foot in hoboken so they probably don't have a clue what they're talking about. I've lived in both NY and NJ, and as I said above, I'd prefer hoboken over any of the boroughs besides manhatten as a place to live after college. Brooklyn (williamsburg, brooklyn heights, etc.) would be my 3rd choice. Long Island?!? Not a chance!

[jessemh431]

Okay good. Well now I have something to look forward to.