North Bergen & Montclair, NJ (Fort Lee, Edgewater: condominiums, neighborhoods, quality of life)

[ericka178]

Hello,

Like to inquire if anyone has information on the following condominiums:

-Insignia Gardens in North Bergen, NJ (9252 Kennedy Boulevard)
-The Siena in Montclair, NJ (48 South Park Street)

1) How are the neighborhoods – safe, quiet, clean, nice views?
2) Nearby shopping (quality stores), transportation, parks?
3) If anyone knows about these two condominiums, are they nice, good quality, well-priced?

Any information given is greatly appreciated!

[elflord1973]

Can answer on Montclair. Would take this over North Bergen -- great neighborhood, and the spot is right in the center of town.

Originally Posted by ericka178

Hello,

Like to inquire if anyone has information on the following condominiums:

-Insignia Gardens in North Bergen, NJ (9252 Kennedy Boulevard)
-The Siena in Montclair, NJ (48 South Park Street)

1) How are the neighborhoods – safe, quiet, clean, nice views?

You're right in the downtown. Definitely a nice spot, maybe not the quietest, but then the town isn't all that noisy.

2) Nearby shopping (quality stores),

Whole foods, lots of nice shops (some tea specialty shops, and independent book store, bakeries, nice variety of restaurants, etc.) Just visit the location (in person or if that's not practical, with google street view) and this will become readily apparent.

transportation,

walk to walnut st station. Parking isn't great, the town doesn't allow overnight street parking.

parks?

several.

[nykstevenyg]

Enless your in the bad area Montclair is wayy better then north bergen. No comparision

[gradstudent77]

Originally Posted by ericka178

Hello,

Like to inquire if anyone has information on the following condominiums:

-Insignia Gardens in North Bergen, NJ (9252 Kennedy Boulevard)
-The Siena in Montclair, NJ (48 South Park Street)

1) How are the neighborhoods – safe, quiet, clean, nice views?
2) Nearby shopping (quality stores), transportation, parks?
3) If anyone knows about these two condominiums, are they nice, good quality, well-priced?

Any information given is greatly appreciated!

I grew up right by insignia gardens and I used to play around on the roof and loading dock of the old factory it replaced.

1. I'd say the neighborhood is very safe, relatively quiet, and clean (by hudson county standards). Although, I'm very oblivous to the quality of life stuff that other people find so offensive in Hudson County (like that guy Todd that always used to be around here complaining about JC Heights). You can probably see hackensack, newark and the tallest buildings of manhattan just peaking over the trees of north hudson park from the top floor of this place.

2. There's plenty of nearby shopping, but for yuppie stuff, you'd have to drive down to Edgewater or Fort Lee (if that's what you meant by "quality" stores). I'd say transportation from there is absolutely excellent. A lot of the njt buses from all over suburban north jersey pass by on their way to blvd east one block away from the condos (you just walk past the dairy cream and the bus stop is right there). Also, the dollar vans run every few minutes to nyc via blvd east or to Downtown JC via bergenline. It's two blocks away from North Hudson Park, which is huge and amazing.

3. I've never been inside the condos and have no idea about their pricing.

All in all, Montclair is almost certainly the better choice if the money is equal. However, depending on the price differential, NB might make more sense for you.

[icibiu]

I opened this thread because I was intrigued why someone would put Montclair & North Bergen together. IMO the ONLY thing better about NB over Montclair is that the commute to NYC is shorter and cheaper. Other than that Montclair is the clear winner, much nicer town, better quality of life and much more to do.

[ericka178]

Thank you all very much for responding - greatly appreciated :-)