Does anyone know anything about GUTTENBERG or BERGEN? (Jersey City, Union City: apartments, condos) - New Jersey (NJ) - City-Data Forum

poloatw · 06-13-2007, 02:38 PM

Are the North Bergen/Bergen or Guttenberg areas clean/safe neighborhoods ... and if so, how is the transportation into Manhattan... very available in those areas or do you have to get yourself to Hoboken or Weehawken first?

Thanks for your help!

sunshinecities · 06-13-2007, 04:53 PM

I grew up in Bergen County - Ridgewood, NJ. It's a great town. My father commuted to New York City from there via bus. But....then he had to get a train once he got there - for where he worked on Wall St. So, I think that might be a bit far....sorry I don't know more - I'm in CT now. But in case you were ever going to consider Ridgewood it's a great town, although expensive now.

poloatw · 06-13-2007, 06:56 PM

Thanks for the help! I'll look into Ridgewood, is it good for college grads or is it more for families? Weehawken and North Bergen are high on my list, as Hoboken is probably far too expensive...

kort677 · 06-13-2007, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poloatw

Thanks for the help! I'll look into Ridgewood, is it good for college grads or is it more for families? Weehawken and North Bergen are high on my list, as Hoboken is probably far too expensive...

ridgewood is suburbia, not too much for a young single guy, north bergen and guttenberg are so so places, weehawken is hoboken without the action. if you could afford hoboken I'd think that would be the best if you don't mind a crowded urban place

poloatw · 06-14-2007, 04:43 AM

I had been looking at Hoboken a little bit, but I'm just looking for a couple of cheap alternatives to the north so my commute to Fort Lee wouldn't be as bad everyday... any opinion of Union City, Cliffside Park, or Edgewater for someone my age? I'd heard that though Hoboken is like a mecca for young people, bars and entertainment, I had heard Weehawken and maybe the above towns? had at least something to offer --- much more than the "bedroom communities" like Hackensack that I have heard a lot about.

Thanks for your advice!

kort677 · 06-14-2007, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poloatw

I had been looking at Hoboken a little bit, but I'm just looking for a couple of cheap alternatives to the north so my commute to Fort Lee wouldn't be as bad everyday... any opinion of Union City, Cliffside Park, or Edgewater for someone my age? I'd heard that though Hoboken is like a mecca for young people, bars and entertainment, I had heard Weehawken and maybe the above towns? had at least something to offer --- much more than the "bedroom communities" like Hackensack that I have heard a lot about.

Thanks for your advice!

forget union city, crowded, and almost all hispanic, unless you don't mind being an outsider
edgewater is close to fort lee and so is cliffside, but you're talking all of 10 15 minue difference, if that, in travel time difference from hoboken

poloatw · 06-14-2007, 07:00 AM

Thanks for the info, the only thing then appealing about Union City must be the prices then --- but let me just ask you: Hoboken aside, if you were to suggest a nearby town for someone my age (recent college grad, now professional), based on entertainment available, general overall community, and proximity to NYC, where would you most likely suggest?

mishi · 06-14-2007, 11:36 AM

I am young and live on Blvd East in North Bergen right next to North Hudson Park...and have previously lived in Hoboken and Jersey City...and this is what I can tell you...

Buses to NYC and Hoboken run all along Blvd East...they stop at our corner on 79th St...and then you have the light rail and ferries nearby in Weehawken...and I believe there are buses that provide transport to them on Blvd East...so the ease to get to the action isn't bad. By car...it takes me about 5 minutes to get to Edgewater...and maybe 10-15 minutes to get to Fort Lee and Hoboken...going along River Rd.

Bergenline Ave...along with some other smaller streets that run between Blvd East and Bergenline...have tons of shops and other conveniences and some great restaurants...but for nightlife we still head into Hoboken or NYC.

The living here is great though...it is safe where we are, we have a huge place with a terrace that we could never have afforded in Hoboken, indoor parking, and other amenities that come with a luxury building like a pool and a gym...and we are right next to this beautiful park. We feel like we are near the action but far enough away that we can relax.

We are also fans of Edgewater and often go there for eating, shopping, and movies...but it's more expensive. Buses also run along River Rd so I think ease of public transport would be good. If you can afford something in Edgewater I would consider looking there as well.

Also...Downtown JC is probably the most comparable to Hoboken in terms of location, conveniences, and nightlife...unfortunately the prices are also very similar.

I was originally reluctant about moving outside of Hoboken/JC area...but I didn't have enough money to live comfortably in those areas. I am comfortable living here and still so close to the action that I don't miss being in the middle of it.

poloatw · 06-14-2007, 02:33 PM

Great information! I was afraid that if I couldn't move to Hoboken, I'd be isolated among bedroom communities or impoverished areas. I obviously don't know the area very well, as I've only lived in upstate NY and Connecticut. But North Bergen sounds like it's in the middle of everything that I would possibly need access to. Might you have any suggestions as to apartments with a decent price range in North Bergen?

Thanks a lot for your help!

sarasum · 06-14-2007, 02:34 PM

I think that you will like North Bergen. There are so many nice apts/condos running along Blvd east as well as on Park avenue (the next street up from Blvd east). Look in areas closer to North Hudson Park as they are a bit less crowded (well compared to other parts of North Bergen). Also, as mishi mentioned buses run along Bergenline and Boulevard East as well as Kennedy Blvd. so you won't have any problems getting around.

Edgewater is also nice. Cliffside Park has some nice areas but I don't know that much about it. I think that with most towns in this area, you will find parts that are really nice and others that aren't so hot.

Hoboken seems like a great choice for you but it's very expensive. You might even like the Newport section of downtown Jersey City. You can even check out apts in the new Gold Coast section of North Bergen/West NY down on River Road (near the Ferry to NY). It all depends on how much you want to spend on rent. Wish you all the best in your search!