Moving to Jersey City (Newark, Elizabeth: transfer, neighborhoods, live)

[Matchman36]

I'm a 26 y/o male, moving from NC to work in Jersey City. I'm looking for places around Jersey City so I can commute easily by public transit and also get into NYC from time to time.

I've been looking a little and found 3 places so far, one near the Bergen/Lafayette area, one in Journal Square and one in the Heights.

Does anyone have strong feelings or thoughts about these areas?? I'm just looking for somewhere relatively quiet and safe. I've been to a bunch of cities and like walking around, so I can handle some sketchiness but I'm also not trying to get robbed or anything.

I'll also have a car so are these areas alright for street parking?

On a final note, I also saw a nice place in Elizabeth but I'm unsure about commuting there via public transit. Is public transit from Elizabeth to JC do-able?

Thanks everyone!

[Retriever]

I have never heard "Bergen-Lafayette" uttered in the same sentence as the word "safe" unless "safe" was preceded by "not".
Journal Square is definitely a step-up from B-L, but it is still a bit sketchy in some parts of the neighborhood.
Of the three neighborhoods that you mentioned, The Heights is the best--by far.

However, you might want to consider Bayonne. While it is far from exciting, it is just a bit further from NYC, while being just one town south of Jersey City. And, Bayonne--overall--is definitely safer than Jersey City.

[lammius]

1. B-L is not safe. Don't do it.
2. JSQ is safer. Grimey, not pretty, but not dangerous. Having a PATH station is a huge asset.
3. Heights feels more like a neighborhood. Stay close to Riverview Park. Buses to downtown JC and NYC, and walkable to light rail.

Street parking sucks in all three neighborhoods. If you live and work in JC, and want to spend your spare time in NYC, why do you need a car at all? Life is happier without one.

Elizabeth is no good, and the commute is longer, of course. You'll take NJT to Newark Penn and change to PATH there. During rush hour the transfer at Newark is easy. If you work late or commute during off-hours, you'll spend a lot more time sitting around Newark Penn Station waiting for trains.

Bayonne is a good suggestion, as is Weehawken/West New York along Blvd East.

[MrsPiggleWiggle]

26 year old male--want an easy commute and save money--Journal Square is the place.

Street parking is do-able if you drive often... not if you are a weekend driver due to the horrible money grab that is street cleaning 4 times a week. Rented spots are around 150 a month.

You can get decent 1bd's around 1200, or ****tier 1-2bd's for around 900. If you want a more luxurious experience, then maybe 1600-1800 for a 1bd? It's half the price of downtown.

If you want to keep your car and still have a good commute, you can go one stop out to Harrison. But don't do B-L or Elizabeth...