Any places like Brooklyn in NJ? (Newark, Jersey City: real estate, to rent, crime)

[marye711]

hundreds of times..

[borat s]

Nutley and Belleville have alot of Italian Americans and are somewhat similar to Brooklyn. Garfield and Lodi might fit you as well although be aware that crime has picked up in these towns dramatically. Forget Hoboken..too expensive now loaded with yuppy scummers. Any towns in lower Bergen county might work for you as well especially Lyndhurst or East Rutherford.

[BKLYNtoNJ]

Thanks alot everybody for all of your input. I will go and check out the areas that were mentioned forget about seaside, its too far. It's not so much the fact that I want to live in an italian area but more that I would like to be in a busy place but also safe, not a lonely place where I'll be afraid to go for a walk when its dark. I am aware that that might not even exist in jersey, but I was just wondering if it did Thanks again

[homenj]

There is a "Little Italy" in Paterson on 21st Avenue. But this isn't Italian American like Nutley. This is more "authentic" like old school Itailans. Many of the Italians here don't speak English and shop owners speak Italian. I entered a cafe and the TV was playing soccer in Italian, while the customer and shop owner were speaking in Italian. I'm sure this area would be very affordable and does kind of feel like Brooklyn.

Hillcrest in Paterson (this is one of the better neighborhoods in the city) is also very Italian although I think it feels a little more like Queens than Brooklyn. But it's in Paterson so overall you have the same urban feel to it. Other areas you might want to check is Essex County. I was checking a map of the most Italian places in New Jersey and Essex County (pretty much all of NE NJ) fit the mold. Don't expect something like Bensonhurst though. Nutley has the highest percentage of Italians in the state. And not even half the residents are Italian.

[LevityNYC]

AS a Brooklyn transplant who still works in Brooklyn...theres nothing quite like Brooklyn.

[findinghope]

Originally Posted by homenj

There is a "Little Italy" in Paterson on 21st Avenue. But this isn't Italian American like Nutley. This is more "authentic" like old school Itailans. Many of the Italians here don't speak English and shop owners speak Italian. I entered a cafe and the TV was playing soccer in Italian, while the customer and shop owner were speaking in Italian. I'm sure this area would be very affordable and does kind of feel like Brooklyn.

Hillcrest in Paterson (this is one of the better neighborhoods in the city) is also very Italian although I think it feels a little more like Queens than Brooklyn. But it's in Paterson so overall you have the same urban feel to it. Other areas you might want to check is Essex County. I was checking a map of the most Italian places in New Jersey and Essex County (pretty much all of NE NJ) fit the mold. Don't expect something like Bensonhurst though. Nutley has the highest percentage of Italians in the state. And not even half the residents are Italian.

yeah maybe 25 years ago---not so much anymore. 21st ave only has a couple of italians left around there. we all moved away--too bad. it was a great area to grow up...

[HelgaB]

Check Millburn - it has a nice walkable downtown, relatively low crime, and the best public school system in NJ. A 2-bedroom apt. with a garage in a two-family house (half-duplex) rents at around $1600-$1700 per month, the same apt. without a garage in an apt. building would probably cost a few hundred dollars less. Overall, the rent is a little higher than in the surrounding area, but you get much better value for your money. And commute to Elizabeth is just 10-15 minutes. BTW, a train trip to Manhattan (NY Penn Station) is just 35-40 minutes. Good luck!

[SOULTRAIN]

Try Newark/Nork AKA Brick City Or East Orange

[fischfan13]

Originally Posted by SOULTRAIN

Try Newark/Nork AKA Brick City Or East Orange

With advice like that this person must have taken out an insurance policy on the OP.

[fiorile38]

I recently moved to Red Bank, NJ and really love it. It's got a great downtown area, low crime rate, close to the beach and mostly reasonable rent. It's about an hour train ride into nyc, and I'd say about 45min drive to Elizabeth.
If you're interested I'd suggested coming on wknd and driving and walking around. Plus it's the best way to see what's available rent wise.