Single woman looking for affordable studio/1BR in downtown Jersey City (East Brunswick: apartment complexes, rentals)

[The Michigan Man]

Hi all,

I'm doing this for a friend.

She works in downtown JC and is looking to find a modest, affordable studio/1 BR. Her main concern is if she can find a place in this area for $1,400 or less as it seems downtown JC rentals are hot right now. Is this realistic? She can compromise on space and the quality of the building. Also, she does not need a parking spot.

Please find my answers below. Thanks!

Where are you coming from?
East Brunswick, NJ

Why are you moving?
Current commute is too long and would enjoy living in Jersey City

Where will you be working ? If NYC, what part of NYC?
Downtown Jersey City

Will you buy or rent?
Rent

What is your budget ?
1,400/mo not including utilities

What kind of place are you looking for ?
Modest, affordable studio or 1 BR. Just a small place to live within downtown Jersey City.

Will anyone (spouse, children, pets) be moving with you ?
No

Do you need/want good public schools?
No

Briefly describe the kind of neighborhood you'd like to live in
(examples: families with young children, young, mature, artsy, diverse, safe, close-knit, block parties, etc)
Only one location is on her radar - Downtown Jersey City (by Grove St., Hamilton Park, Van Vorst, etc.)

List three things that are important to you in order of importance.(examples: nightlife, outdoor activities, rural/urban, safety, downtown area, charming, new construction, proximity to XYZ, family oriented, easy parking, short commute, etc)

Downtown area, safety. That's pretty much it.

[MrsPiggleWiggle]

Originally Posted by The Michigan Man

Hi all,
She can compromise on space and the quality of the building. Also, she does not need a parking spot.
!

That's the big one. If she is really open minded to the older units, dated appliances, possible roach/vermin issues, she will be able to find something. I've seen 1 bd garden units (pre-Sandy, not sure how many units on the market were unaffected, I'm sure there are dry streets) around her budget and old un-renovated studios in brownstones for as low as $1200. However, parking will almost definitely NOT be included in that price.

If she needs to move in quickly, give Metropolis Towers (2 giant buildings with all the balconies) by Grove Street. Their studios are decent sized, decent condition (main complaint is roaches due to over-occupancy), all utilities included and go for ~1400-1500. Parking available for $125-150. Otherwise, keep her eyes peeled on Craigslist for listings closer to the Colgate/Brunswick section of Downtown... 1bd rentals in multifamily units are cheaper there.

[The Michigan Man]

Originally Posted by MrsPiggleWiggle

That's the big one. If she is really open minded to the older units, dated appliances, possible roach/vermin issues, she will be able to find something. I've seen 1 bd garden units (pre-Sandy, not sure how many units on the market were unaffected, I'm sure there are dry streets) around her budget and old un-renovated studios in brownstones for as low as $1200. However, parking will almost definitely NOT be included in that price.

If she needs to move in quickly, give Metropolis Towers (2 giant buildings with all the balconies) by Grove Street. Their studios are decent sized, decent condition (main complaint is roaches due to over-occupancy), all utilities included and go for ~1400-1500. Parking available for $125-150. Otherwise, keep her eyes peeled on Craigslist for listings closer to the Colgate/Brunswick section of Downtown... 1bd rentals in multifamily units are cheaper there.

Thanks for the reply!

Fortunately, no need for parking and she is living with the parents so there is no urgency to move out. She's fine with old appliances and such. Roaches/vermin are obviously a problem living in cities but she might have to deal with it for now. Any way to find out if roaches/vermin are a problem? I figure you could ask the landlord but he could just lie.

[MrsPiggleWiggle]

When renting from a private owner, it's hard to tell. If she rents from a complex or highrise, she should expect roaches unless told otherwise by residents. The turnover in Downtown Jersey City apartment complexes is really high because the annual rent increases can be ridiculous (I've heard 20% from some coworkers) and with residents coming in and out, bugs move unit to unit =(

[colorfulchic83]

I have a sister who is a college student in Jersey City, and she said there are plenty of 1 brdms within your friend's price range. Some very nice ones too. Check craigslist to get an idea, but the local newspaper often has more listings. As mentioned here, there is a huge problem with rents going up pretty high every year. My other sister left Jersey City for that reason.

[The Michigan Man]

ah, thanks again guys. do you also know the rent control laws in JC? (i.e. how many units a building needs to qualify for rent control)

[colorfulchic83]

Originally Posted by The Michigan Man

ah, thanks again guys. do you also know the rent control laws in JC? (i.e. how many units a building needs to qualify for rent control)

Here's the info. on rent control. Online Help Center

[vindication15]

Originally Posted by The Michigan Man

Thanks for the reply!

Fortunately, no need for parking and she is living with the parents so there is no urgency to move out. She's fine with old appliances and such. Roaches/vermin are obviously a problem living in cities but she might have to deal with it for now. Any way to find out if roaches/vermin are a problem? I figure you could ask the landlord but he could just lie.

I don't know your sister but I think she deserves to live in a roach/vermin free environment...

[colorfulchic83]

Originally Posted by vindication15

I don't know your sister but I think she deserves to live in a roach/vermin free environment...

LOL, you unintentionally made me laugh. I read your comment and because I'm not wearing my glasses, completely missed "free". I thought, WTH dude?! Then I read it again, and laughed at myself. I'm getting my glasses.

[BrownstoneNY]

Originally Posted by MrsPiggleWiggle

When renting from a private owner, it's hard to tell. If she rents from a complex or highrise, she should expect roaches unless told otherwise by residents. The turnover in Downtown Jersey City apartment complexes is really high because the annual rent increases can be ridiculous (I've heard 20% from some coworkers) and with residents coming in and out, bugs move unit to unit =(

Depends on the building. Definitely the older buildings in Newport have a not-great reputation and are not at all worth their prices (only a small discount from the much nicer buildings). Even the fancier Newport buildings don't have infestation problems, though, and I've never heard of a problem in any of the other highrises. Rent increases were huge a few years ago, since many of the new buildings opened with big discounts and then increased their rents to what the market would bear over the next couple of years. Now I don't hear about rent hikes so much.

That said, none of the highrises are within the price range; maybe the cheapest Newport studio is around $1700-1800. But much, much cheaper can be found by contacting local landlords, maybe as low as $1000/month for a 1BR if it's a garden/basement apartment around the Hamilton Park area (cheapest part of downtown). To be honest, Craigslist really works well, though you'll have to be willing to deal with the usual Craigslist trial-by-sketchiness to find the good deals. Newspapers also advertise rentals. But you could also work with a broker; there are rental broker offices along Grove St.