Safest cities/towns? (Newark, Paterson, Elizabeth: schools, nicest, friendly)

[deanna88]

What are some of the safest and nicest cities and towns in Jersey (0-80 miles from the NYC area)?

[labcjo]

There are many, many towns in New Jersey, most of them extremely nice and safe. It's probably easier to list the handful of cities you should stay away from than doing it vice versa. I would say:

1. Irvington
2. Newark
3. Orange
4. Elizabeth
5. Paterson
6. East Orange
7. Passaic

[re_alvz]

And Camden is unsafe too.

[EBWick]

Originally Posted by re_alvz

And Camden is unsafe too.

Camden is our shining star of unsafe-ness! Usually ranked in the top 3 in the country with Detroit and East St. Louis.

Trenton is fast becoming a dump too.

[deanna88]

Thanks. What's your opinion on these places in Bergen County...? Ridgewood, Bergenfield, Hillsdale, Emerson, Waldwick, and Midland Park. Although we don't have kids, we're looking for a decent, family-friendly community.

[zhelder]

Originally Posted by deanna88

Thanks. What's your opinion on these places in Bergen County...? Ridgewood, Bergenfield, Hillsdale, Emerson, Waldwick, and Midland Park. Although we don't have kids, we're looking for a decent, family-friendly community.

In the order you posted: Great, OK, Near-Great, Very Good, Very Good, and Very Good. Except for Bergenfield, these are some expensive towns, but they're very nice.

[checkmatechamp13]

Originally Posted by labcjo

There are many, many towns in New Jersey, most of them extremely nice and safe. It's probably easier to list the handful of cities you should stay away from than doing it vice versa. I would say:

1. Irvington
2. Newark
3. Orange
4. Elizabeth
5. Paterson
6. East Orange
7. Passaic

And keep in mind that even those cities have a few decent pockets sprinkled here and there.

[ALackOfCreativity]

Originally Posted by zhelder

In the order you posted: Great, OK, Near-Great, Very Good, Very Good, and Very Good. Except for Bergenfield, these are some expensive towns, but they're very nice.

What's wrong with Bergenfield? The schools aren't quite as great as some of the surrounding communities, and the area around the Armory is a little run-down, but, it certainly meets any reasonable standards of safe, 'nice,' 'decent,' and family-friendly.

[CarrieM]

Brick NJ has been named one of the safest towns in the country many times over the past 20 years. Bit of a hike to NYC though.

[MJJersey]

Originally Posted by checkmatechamp13

And keep in mind that even those cities have a few decent pockets sprinkled here and there.

Not really.