Society HILL (Jersey City) & Parking at Westside station (Bayonne: apartment, rental)

[techieguy]

1.Does anyone know how the parking situation is at the Westside Ave station in Jersey City ??? Is it full, waiting list etc.. Parking rates ????

2. How's Society Hill ? We came across a rental ad and thinking about renting in Society Hill. Any thoughts ??

Thanks

[jy_2007]

Society hill is FAR from everything. West of 440 if I'm not mistaken. How do you commute? If you're taking public transportation to NYC, i believe it's rather difficult. Nice gated community though, and the rental prices reflect the inconvenience.

[techieguy]

I'm looking to commute to Jersey City downtown , near Exchange place.
I have a car , but I prefer public transportation.

[downtownjc]

I would suggest somewhere in Bayonne near one of the numerous light rail stations over Society Hill. You would have to drive and I don't think there's a lot of parking at the West Side HBLR station, although there is some.

If you like the gated community concept of Society Hill, you could also look at Port Liberte--I believe there is a bus from that community (which is also in a semi-isolated area of JC but is very nice inside) to Exchange Place.

You might also want to look for something in downtown JC while you're at it--you might find a decent place in your price range (look in the Jersey Journal, maybe on Craigslist). Especially away from the waterfront, like in the Van Vorst Park or Harsimus Cove area.

[techieguy]

Harsimus Cove , Port Liberte are out of my price range for 2br, 2 bath. Society Hill fits the bill. Also I stopped by at Westside Ave station over the weekend and the parking lot obviously was empty. Just wanted to get a feel of how bad it gets on a weekday. Any good apartment areas you'd recommend in Bayonne.

[techieguy]

ANYONE PLEASE OPINE . I have to lock down the area and the apartment pretty soon. ANY HELP here will be appreciated.

[bay]

I hope it won't be too late if I reply it now. I am living in Society Hill II. The parking in Westside light rail station is around half full during weekday. The cost of parking is $40 per month, but you have to go with light rail monthly pass for another $53. Additionally, with the monthly pass, you can transfer to bus for free. There is society hill bus right at westside station, and it took 10 minutes to the community. My husband and I work in NYC, we used to catch the light at 7:57 or 8:07 and we can be in midtown/downtown NYC by 9:00am. If you don't want to drive, you can take the bus in front of the community and it will stop at westside (10 minutes) and journal square. To me, it's pretty convenient and scoiety hill is a very nice community.

Now we park in liberty state park because we are sending our baby to daycare in port liberte. There is a bus from porte liberte to liberty state park.but the parking in liberty state park is usually packed. We were even not able to get the monthly pass in March.

Anyway, the pass start to sell on day 20th of previous month. You can go to buy the pass at vending machine around the parking lot at your ealriest.

By the way, if you want to walk, it will take 20-25 minutes from westiside station to society hill. I did that as my daily exercise when I was pregnant.

another option you might want to take a look is Westside station community which is right in front of westside parking lot. The community is not isloted which I don't like, but it's very convenient. You can walk to light rail. The rental price is about the same as society hill.

[manjri]

how's society hill area from safety point of view ? how are the schools there ?

[bay]

if you want good school district, jersey city is not your choice. we plan to move when our baby is ready to go to school. However, I've heard that jersey city has a very good charter school and the admission is by lottery. There are some good private schools as well. Society Hill is a isloted community with 24 hours guard at entrance. I would say the safety is not the concern here. People are very nice and polite. When we first move here in 2005, our neighbors always come to say hi first. I did not see something like this around metro NY for a while.

[vdmehta76]

Hi!

We are looking into Society Hill as an option as well - wanted to find out about the commute - the bus that runs from outside the community, what is its frequency and how long does it take to reach Journal Square.

Is it a good commuting option for couples working in dowtown Manhattan especially during the winters - seems like not very comfortable standing out in the open waiting for a bus or I am mistaken about the service.

Thanks!!