Jersey City Heights vs Harrison/Kearny re: fun / social life (Newark: appointed, lease)

[skud9]

Lease is up pretty soon and I'm looking to try out a new 'hood in the Jersey metro area. I presently live in south end of Bloomfield near Newark. Just like last year, I am still priced out of Hoboken, Exchange Place, Pavonia / Newport, and Grove St PATH areas. So I'm looking at Harrison/Kearny (again) and Jersey City Heights.

Can anyone comment on what life is like in JC Heights and/or/versus Harrison? Are there many young (mid-twenties) people in these areas? From what I've read, Harrison is safer than JC Heights, but it doesn't look like there are many places to hang out or eat. On the other hand, I've heard there's been a influx of young people to the Heights area recently. Any truth to that or is it just hype?

Thanks!

[seque5tra]

Harrison is mostly industrial, blue collar working class families (at least for now...we'll see after all the redevelopment). If you're willing to hop on the PATH to socialize in JC, Hoboken or Manhattan, and simply call Harrison 'home', then Harrison isn't a bad choice (and you'll save money...again, for now). If you want to actually live in a place that's gonna provide you with a hopping social life, I don't think you're gonna like Harrison. Maybe you can take the PATH to Harrison one day and walk around.

Don't know too much about the Heights.

[skud9]

Thanks seque5tra!

(bump)

[elflord1973]

Originally Posted by skud9

Thanks seque5tra!

(bump)

JC Heights is a sleepy blue collar neighborhood. There are places to eat, but you'll be disappointed if you go there expecting some kind of happening scene.

Have you considered Montclair ? Alternatively, consider sharing a place in Hoboken or downtown Jersey City.

[LynnePatrice]

I live in JC Heights and can say without question it is not a hip social life type of place.

There are plenty of bars, but most of them I wouldn't go into. There are plenty of restaurants, but not cool bar/restaurant type place.

I'm in my early 40's and married and my husband and I usually go downtown, into the city or to hoboken when we want to go out.

[nowitsshowtime]

Are you sure you are priced out of Hoboken? It seems cheaper now than ever. My friend from JC is looking into hoboken and finding 2 bedrooms near path for $1300.

Personally though, I would move to JC, there is something about it that I like better and is more "hip" as opposed to "yuppie" like in Hoboken.

In terms of JC vs. Harrison, JC all the way, but if money is an issue, check out Union City, especially if you like Hoboken. Cheap rent, close to Hoboken.

[jcjh20]

My parents grew up in Harrison/Kearny and I still have a lot of family there. There are a few cool places to hang out at in Harrison where a lot of young people go, but not many. There's not a lot around in that town and seems more like an urban small town residential area. I would definitely live there and just use the train or drive elsewhere, as I think it's a really nice place to live despite the lack of nightlife or social scene. Parking isn't nearly as bad as JC or Hoboken, convenient PATH train town, diverse, pretty safe and very walkable as well.

[majesty318]

What is your budget? I was casually looking on Craigslist in the past few months and found a lot of affordable places in downton JC...

[openheads]

Originally Posted by nowitsshowtime

check out Union City, especially if you like Hoboken. Cheap rent, close to Hoboken.

Agreed.

[twista6002]

Kearney is a fun place. (And pronounce it "Karney" to the locals, not "Kern-e" like it looks). Lots of bars, culture and fun things to do. Harrison is a bit more laid back and the cops have a reputation as being buzzkills. Judging from what you're looking for, Hoboken would be my first recomendation, but Kearney is a quality runner-up.