NYC Born male looking to buy property in Newark area (crime, how much)

[amazinmets73]

Hi, Im an almost 22 year old guy whos looking to buy property in the northern N.J area. I was born and raised in Harlem, and have lived the last 2 years of my life in Des Moines, Iowa. I want to buy a house in the newark area to be close to my family in NYC. I want to buy a fixer-upper property for 30,000-70,000 bucks, paid in cash, no mortage. I have experience in fixing up houses. Now, obviously the reason ive chosen newark and the surrounding area of nothern NJ is the price, i couldnt get any property in NYC for that amount. I'm wondering about the neighborhood, is it even worth it to buy property in these areas? or is Newark just too run down? ive heard its going through a renassaince, kinda like Harlem. Thanks for your help!!

[ReluctantGardenStater]

Murders increasing is generally a bad sign for any modern renaissance.

Not that I would ever move to Harlem, but Harlem and Newark can't really be compared.

[amazinmets73]

Harlem is a perferctly safe area, trust me... Harlem really hasnt been a ghetto since the mid 90s, just look at the property prices. I've lived in the Bronx too, im not scared of living in a gritty area. But I don't want to buy a house in a complete slum and live where I wouldnt feel safe sleeping at night, do you know what i mean?

[amazinmets73]

Originally Posted by ReluctantGardenStater

Murders increasing is generally a bad sign for any modern renaissance.

Not that I would ever move to Harlem, but Harlem and Newark can't really be compared.

Also, I thought Newarks crime and murder rate had been dropping?

[ReluctantGardenStater]

Originally Posted by amazinmets73

Harlem is a perferctly safe area, trust me... Harlem really hasnt been a ghetto since the mid 90s, just look at the property prices. I've lived in the Bronx too, im not scared of living in a gritty area. But I don't want to buy a house in a complete slum and live where I wouldnt feel safe sleeping at night, do you know what i mean?

I really wasn't saying Harlem is an unsafe area. I don't live in NY, have little knowledge of Harlem in general, and I really couldn't say whether it's safe or not, although your words seem positive. Harlem is simply an area in which I wouldn't desire to live for two basic reasons:

1) I have a dislike for any part of the NYC area (at least as far as the idea of residency goes)

2) The demographics would not be demographics I would choose when searching for a place to live

As for Newark, there were almost as many murders in May alone as the entire first quarter of the year and the murder rate has seemed to be on a steady increase recently, though I suppose that's expected with the summer months. It's certainly no better than last year.

[amazinmets73]

How much do you know about Newark? Ever lived or worked there? Do you know what areas zip codes i should avoid and what are the nicer ones?

[amazinmets73]

How much do you know about Newark? Ever lived or worked there? Do you know what areas zip codes i should avoid and what are the nicer ones? And i gotta go with you on the NYC area... manhattan in particular.. i just need somewhere where i can have more space.. i enjoy owning a car and having a yard, know what i mean? lol

[ReluctantGardenStater]

Originally Posted by amazinmets73

How much do you know about Newark? Ever lived or worked there? Do you know what areas zip codes i should avoid and what are the nicer ones? And i gotta go with you on the NYC area... manhattan in particular.. i just need somewhere where i can have more space.. i enjoy owning a car and having a yard, know what i mean? lol

I wish I could help you further, but it's not really my department. My father worked in Newark for over 32 years as an employee of the financial division of the post office, so I would have to call him for any real solid information, as I have never had a job/residency and don't really know the layout. I do like the Italian areas, and despite some reservations I have about the city, I do pop in now and again to swing by La Prima and I have never really felt too threatened in the Ironbound section, but that's all I can really say. I wouldn't personally desire to move to Newark but different people have different tolerances.

I can't stomach Manhattan, man. The most nauseating feeling in the world is searching for a parking spot that ísn't A) Significantly expensive or B) 2 hours walking distance from your destination.

[amazinmets73]

tell me about it.. ive been trying to persuade my family to move outta that nightmare for years, but its hopeless

[block911]

Originally Posted by amazinmets73

Hi, Im an almost 22 year old guy whos looking to buy property in the northern N.J area. I was born and raised in Harlem, and have lived the last 2 years of my life in Des Moines, Iowa. I want to buy a house in the newark area to be close to my family in NYC. I want to buy a fixer-upper property for 30,000-70,000 bucks, paid in cash, no mortage. I have experience in fixing up houses. Now, obviously the reason ive chosen newark and the surrounding area of nothern NJ is the price, i couldnt get any property in NYC for that amount. I'm wondering about the neighborhood, is it even worth it to buy property in these areas? or is Newark just too run down? ive heard its going through a renassaince, kinda like Harlem. Thanks for your help!!

Anything decent is north of 200k, anything below is not worth the effort as it will be vanadalized or not in a safe area.