Best area or apartment to live around Rockaway NJ for a single lady :) (Newark: apartments, rentals)

[june2516]

Hi

My job relocated to Rockaway NJ from Edison NJ and from Manhattan before that...so I've been moving all over the place for the last 5 years
This time I'd love to find a decent place to live for at least 4-5 years
I currently live in a 2BR in the Ironbound section of Newark...I hate it!
I moved here in a hurry...it was a very bad decision because I knew nothing about New Jersey then other than IKEA Elizabeth lol
2 years later & now that I have a car, it's time for me to move on

My ideal area would be somewhere close to my job in RT 80 Rockaway but
not too far far away from Manhattan (In case I decide to quit this job so I have options)
I'm a 30 something single Asian woman any neighborhoods that I will not stand out too much is perfect! (Currently I'm the only Asian in 20-block radius!!!) Somewhere safe, quiet but not silence of the lamb..you know the place that has a "City" feel to it

I'm looking into Bloomfield, Montclair, Verona or Livingston, Parsippany...
The problem would be my limited budget of $950 or less all inclusive for a 1BR with parking

Any suggestion?
Do you think it's possible?
I need to move by the end of October so I only have 2-3 weekends to find the place...(Oh Dang! I'm in a hurry again!)
Please Please Please help me...Point me to the right directions
and...What area should I avoid?

Thank youuuuuu
June

[Calico696]

Try this website. Apartments.com | Find Apartments for Rent, Houses, Condos and Townhomes | Rental Listings

$950 might be a little low for the areas you mentioned. Good luck.

[june2516]

Thank you Calico696
I did that
Also been checking Craigslist like a maniac (every 10mins) for the past 3 months...no luck
So you think those areas I mentioned are pretty good for me?

[Obrero]

I would also consider checking Boonton and Denville. Also Morristown but the $950 might be an issue there...not sure.

[june2516]

Thank you Obrero
I will check those right now

How's Dover?

[Obrero]

Originally Posted by june2516

Thank you Obrero
I will check those right now

How's Dover?

Heavily hispanic. I think a single gal can do better safety wise. Would pass.

[june2516]

Oh..I see
How's Orange & West Orange?
I know East Orange is off my list for sure
My budget is a problem so I might not be able to afford all the nicer areas

[EB2]

Ouch. You'll be squeaking by if you can find anything for under 1k in those areas: including West Orange, where all of the apartments - 1 br, I've looked at start at 1k-1100 (border of Orange/West Orange may be different) (also, I know WO quite well, so if you have questions, feel free to message me).

Orange...you MIGHT be able to find something under 1k. I've seen some "cheapish" rents here and there in that city. But, the area is heavily African American (unsure of the Asian population - I've never seen one when traveling through or transferring buses). If you did take a jump into the slightly cheaper Orange, you would have a train station. The crime level in the city is higher than those that you first mentioned.

Are you willing to rent a room? If so, try Roommates.com.

For general rentals, check Apartments.com, Rent.com, and of course Craigslist.com

Good luck

[fastninja500]

Why not live in Rockaway? It's an excellent town. Convenient to your work. And if you have to go into Manhattan, the park and ride for the bus is right at the Rockaway Mall. It's a straight shot into Manhattan on I-80. Or the train station is right next door, in Dover.

I live is a town close to Rockaway. I commuted from this area to Manhattan for over 12 years. Both by train or bus. Very convenient. The Rockaway area is beautiful. And you're only minutes away from several farms in the area (we like to shop at farms for fresh fruits and vegetables). Or if you're ever into golf, there's a ton of golf courses close by.

As an aside, I go into Dover almost every week and never feel in any danger. Been doing it for years. Sure, it's largely Hispanic. I don't see that as a bad thing at all. My wife, my son and I go into Dover, trying to get a taste of the various restaurants in town - Colombian/Peruvian/Mexican, etc.... Much like we do when we go into Chinatown for Chinese/Vietnamese food. Or Harrison for Portugese food. Or Livingston for the Jewish deli. etc...

By the way, there's a ton of us Asians in this area. (My son plays the cello in the school orchestra, which is dominated by Asian and Jewish kids. I don't know why?! It just is. The school band is more diversified.) So you won't stand out as being "different" at all. But the closest decent Asian food store is a few miles west on Route 10 (in East Hanover) or Route 46 (I believe it's still in Parsippany).

[june2516]

Thank you
Yeah...why not Rockaway???
I guess I don't want to be too close the the job...I want to commute a bit so I get to see other people or see things happening
I will check out Dover. Seems like it's the only area I can afford
I don't mind Hispanic area. I understand & speak a bit Spanish, French, Portuguese
and love the foods!
What I can't stand is the loud music & 24/7 party which is a normal thing for them I think
I mean I love music. I play violin & piano since I was 5
But Salsa, Bachata, Reggaeton from 6am till 3am the next day everyday??? :O

I will check Orange & West Orange as well
What about Morris Plains or Caldwell?
Way out of my budget?
Tomorrow I'm planning to drive to all the areas you guys recommended
Wish me luck