Hamilton Park JC - Let's Be Honest (Newark, West New York: apartment, to rent)

[NineThree]

So I'm seeing a lot of trolling and needless back-and-forths about JC neighborhoods and I'm wondering what the honest low-down is on Hamilton Park for someone who will likely do a lot of walking. I'm moving into an apartment near Jones Park and Hamilton Park and while it looked fine during the day it's sort of hard to tell how these things may change at night. I'm living in Hoboken now (which is very safe of course, but with very little unique flavor) and just previous I lived in Greenville for about a month. I know Hamilton Park is a night and day comparison to Greenville, but having lived in a crummy JC area for even a short period really convinced me that, while I'm not spooked by a good 'ol urban setting, being able to feel comfortable when I go out for a walk at night (or getting home from Manhattan in the early AM hours) is a prime factor for me.

Also, and sort of getting at the same question: Is Hamilton Park going to be a drastic step down in terms of safety? I would surf for numbers and compare Hoboken to Hamilton Park, but I can't seem to find any numbers for specific neighborhoods in JC.

[gagaliya]

Jones park is already on the edge, it is not as nice but no way close to greenville "oh sht am i going to die today" level. If you want to live in hamilton park, move closer to the east, the area between newport mall and the actual hamilton park area, is the best/safest.

If safety is really a big concern, then move to newport on the otherside of the mall all the way down to exchange place PATH along the hudson waterfront. It's the best/safest area in jc, i would even say better than hoboken due to the modern layout, transportation and shopping options.

[NineThree]

Safety is, of course, a big factor but I'm not entirely concerned about finding the safest possible arrangement. I guess what I'm most curious about is how comparable can I expect Hamilton Park to be to my current area. I live all the way south and most of the way west in Hoboken and, for my part, have worried very little about being mugged. I know Hamilton Park doesn't have the same level of overbearing homogenization (and that may or may not equate to more crime) but can you take a stroll at night without looking over your shoulder?

[ansky]

How late at night do you need to walk around? I lived right near Hamilton Park for 5 years and just recently moved out. The biggest problem I had with the area is that it is basically deserted after 11pm. The worst time is the wee hours of the morning. I used to travel a lot for work and had to leave the house around 4:30am to get to the airport. One morning there was a guy trying to break into the SUV parked in front of my house. On another occasion there was a homeless guy sitting on the hood of the car behind mine sorting through garbage. In terms of crime in general, most of it seems to be concentrated south of 6th St. as you get closer to Newark Ave.

If I were you I would just stay in Hoboken - there's a lot more to do there. Most of the time I found myself walking to the light rail and heading to Hoboken to go out.

[NineThree]

A combination of Hoboken malaise (I never spend any time in Hoboken socially and actively dislike the options for bars) and the incredible deals in JC compelled me to make the switch to HP. Won't be moving until September but it's more or less locked in at this point. I will be north of 6th St. so at least that's nice to hear.

I'm in my mid-20s so the early AM wandering is mostly going to be Newport-Pavonia PATH station to home after a night out, but Zeppelin Hall and a few of the local bars are also appealling and I'd venture a guess I'll be making that walk from time to time. Granted wandering around after drinking in the early hours isn't a great idea in any area, but should I be prepared to carry no more than $5 at a time?

Edit: I also don't own a car which seems to be a boon as I won't have to worry about break-ins.

[todd72173]

I would look into NYC (queens too) and go for a smaller place to rent. If you must go to JC, then downtown is only option.

[jmdurett]

I lived in Hamilton Park from Dec. 2005 to July 2006. Initially, I felt safer there than in other JC neighborhoods, but after my car was broken into on 10th and Jersey, I knew I wasn't cut out for JC life. In addition, living in the park pretty much means using the mall as access to the PATH, which I never felt great about late at night.

[NineThree]

Thanks for the info, guys. The other consideration here is that the apartment I'm going to be taking is a beautiful place (far nicer than anything I could afford in any other Manhattan commuter town) and from most accounts it seems to me that Hamilton Park is, at the very least, within my acceptable limits of safety; it's dancing around the lower-limit, but it'll do.

[Bob Blunt]

I live in Hamilton Park with my wife and two kids. Walk at night all the time and regularly get home late in the A.M. I grew up in West New York so maybe im just not easily spooked. Hoboken is incredibly lame. I find downtown to be great for the family and also for socializing. Plus they just renovated Hamilton Park.

[Dennis18708]

Moving to 7th and Coles in February. How is the area these days? I've walked around both day and night and seems pretty safe. Thoughts?