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I'm a 28 single male needing some relocation advice. I just accepted a job with an insurance company with offices at the world trade center complex. I start early next year. The time has come to do research about where to live as things are happening quickly. I'm planning a trip to NYC after Thanksgiving weekend. I was looking at Brooklyn and Queens. What's important to me is having a nearby independent coffee shop, a little nightlife and great pub culture. Safety is important too. I don't want to live in the ghetto. I could give a damn about elementary schools. I'm not planning to have kids ever. My two nephews are enough trouble! My budget is around $1,300 for rent including utilities, but I didn't see anything I really liked. I also would like to keep my car. It looks like it would be difficult to do with no free parking.
I'm intrigued now what it's like to live in New Jersey, when compared to Brooklyn or Queens. The prices seem within my budget. I live with roommates now, and I really want to get away from that situation if I can.
How is the commute into Manhattan? What's the deal with Journal Square? It looks kinda dumpy to be honest. Can I find some place for $1,300. A one bedroom or studio apartment?
Journal Square is really convenient for commuting to lower Manhattan, where you will be working. I agree it does look kind of dumpy, but there is a lot of development in the area so I would expect the overall look and amenities to improve as well, but that could take years. Downtown Jersey City, which would be a quick train or Uber ride, has a ton of nice restaurants and bars that are probably right up your alley. Hoboken is also close, so you will have plenty of dining and night life options.
Keep in mind that for your budget, the areas in Brooklyn or Queens that you might be able to afford with decent commutes to Manhattan are going to be equally, if not more, dumpy. It would probably not make sense to have a car in any of these places. You probably can't imagine not having a car since you're coming from Florida, but you will most likely not miss it at all. In fact, if the expense of owning a car is keeping you from having a higher rent budget, ditching the car is definitely your best bet.If you insist on keeping the car, look into Union City/Weehawken. Your commute will be a tad longer but you have more options for street parking. Good luck with your search!
Journal Square is really convenient for commuting to lower Manhattan, where you will be working. I agree it does look kind of dumpy, but there is a lot of development in the area so I would expect the overall look and amenities to improve as well, but that could take years. Downtown Jersey City, which would be a quick train or Uber ride, has a ton of nice restaurants and bars that are probably right up your alley. Hoboken is also close, so you will have plenty of dining and night life options.
Keep in mind that for your budget, the areas in Brooklyn or Queens that you might be able to afford with decent commutes to Manhattan are going to be equally, if not more, dumpy. It would probably not make sense to have a car in any of these places. You probably can't imagine not having a car since you're coming from Florida, but you will most likely not miss it at all. In fact, if the expense of owning a car is keeping you from having a higher rent budget, ditching the car is definitely your best bet.If you insist on keeping the car, look into Union City/Weehawken. Your commute will be a tad longer but you have more options for street parking. Good luck with your search!
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Excellent advice from HudsonCoNJ!
The OP should be aware that everything stated above is accurate and on-point, but I will go a bit further in order to say that owning a car in those areas is an actual liability, not a convenience. On the occasions when you need a car instead of public transit, you can rent a car or get one from Zipcar for the day.
The saving on insurance (which is incredibly high, as you will find out) and parking fees or fines will be considerable if you ditch your car, and when you consider the inconvenience of shifting your car around a couple of times a week for Alternate Side of the Street Parking--in an environment where there are almost no open parking spaces--all of these factors combine so that you will really get to dislike car ownership in short order in these urban areas.
The 72-story mixed residential and commercial tower that Jared Kushner will be building in Journal Square is likely the beginning of the end of the dumpiness.
The 72-story mixed residential and commercial tower that Jared Kushner will be building in Journal Square is likely the beginning of the end of the dumpiness.
The first 50 story Journal Square tower built by Jared Kusher's cousin is complete and has just started leasing. Journal Square is a great urban area, and it's going to get even better! I live just North of the affordable rents and JSQ and love it for the easy commute to work. Many people shun Jersey City because they have a bias that it's dumpy or unsafe.
The new towers are close to the PATH station, but will be crazy expensive in rent. Best best is to look on craigslist at some of the older housing stock nearby. It's possible to get a decent one bedroom for $1,100.
The first 50 story Journal Square tower built by Jared Kusher's cousin is complete and has just started leasing. Journal Square is a great urban area, and it's going to get even better! I live just North of the affordable rents and JSQ and love it for the easy commute to work. Many people shun Jersey City because they have a bias that it's dumpy or unsafe.
The new towers are close to the PATH station, but will be crazy expensive in rent. Best best is to look on craigslist at some of the older housing stock nearby. It's possible to get a decent one bedroom for $1,100.
You mean built by Trump organization? Aren't they almost the same creature.
And I don't really envy the PATH commuting experience once all these towers are full. As of right now, PATH Jersey City line is packed. After all these towers are built, there will be lines outside of the PATH stations to get in and train packers to get the trains moving.
And of course in the typical third world style, the JS City government was probably paid off by Trump/Kushner not to think about such minor issue as transportation. JS residents are used to crowds and waiting on-line so they will probably not complain too much...
In normal cities/countries developers contribute to enhancing the transportation systems as a condition for getting building permits...
For $1300 he's getting no part of Hoboken or Downtown JC without a bunch of roommates.
The OP is right, JSQ is kinda dumpy, but the commute is short and the budget is right*
Can't have it all.
*budget may get an older unrenovated unit, at least for now. The place is changing slowly but rents are rising quickly.
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