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Aggravating_Rise_179 t1_iwh9qdd wrote

Reply to comment by ABrusca1105 in If Newark had a downtown, we’d be goated by poete_idris

I mean, yes... their dream is to also make the urban parts of the metro area seem like natural extensions of each other where it is easy to get people to easily move from Queens or Brooklyn to JC or Newark and vice versa. It opens up their potential pool of tenants by making the areas with subway lines much more attractive, and thus allows for more people from the region (suburbs or the cities) and outside the region attracted to those neighborhoods.

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ABrusca1105 t1_iwhaf2b wrote

That's... Exactly what I want. I moved north to Woodbridge, but kinda want to move more urban. Except $$$$$ and I'm a snowflake suburbanite so don't know which areas are dangerous in Newark, JC, and NYC.

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Aggravating_Rise_179 t1_iwngw5p wrote

For the most part, in Jersey, the urban neighborhoods with a Path train in it or close to them are generally the safest parts. The more you have to rely on the buses to get around, the more likely it is the neighborhood is a bit more rundown and dangerous. So for Newark, Downtown (which includes the arena district; university heights; the government buildings; and the Commercial District); the Ironbound are generally the safest. You can also play around with the light rail a bit as those neighborhoods tend to be a bit more stable, but are spotty. JC, any place along the path is usually safe. For NYC, thats usually a toss up as good neighborhoods border sketchy ones all the time, but for the most part its all pretty safe, outside of extreme pockets in Queens; Brooklyn; and the Bronx.

Im all for urban living, you should try it out, I think you would love it.

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ABrusca1105 t1_iwnqnjt wrote

Do you recommend continuing my strategy of moving closer and closer over time or should I just... Do it. (Like moving to rahway or Elizabeth first, then JC)

I already don't own a car, only a bike, e-bike and motorcycle. I am getting a promotion to go into effect Dec and will be making fix figures and technically I can qualify for over $3k/month but I absolutely do not want to pay that. I have a small 1-bed now, but frankly I can make a small studio work if it has a separate kitchen.

My lease ends Feb, Is that even possible? Like would I even be able to get something? JC is my dream but it's just soooo expensive.

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Aggravating_Rise_179 t1_iwormn9 wrote

So... asking me isnt going to give you an objective answer as I will always go up to bat for Urban NY and NJ, I just think the neighborhoods in that collection of cities and boroughs (especially the ones with 24/7 train access) is just hands down offer the best value in the region.

With that said, I would caution against Elizabeth, not because its a bad city (its pretty fun) its just difficult to get in and out of if you are relying on public transit and want to access the rest of the urban core since the city is only connected to Newark and NYC by NJ Transit.

I would advise picking Harrison, along the path, as its super quiet to give you a more suburban lifestyle, while having 24/7 Path access to Newark/JC/Hoboken/ and 4 of the 5 boroughs. It would make it much more doable to get into Manhattan for a night out/make it easier for you if you decide you want to venture out into Queens or Brooklyn for a night out as you wont be stranded past midnight (just need to either plan ahead of time to make sure you connect easily without a huge wait or prepare for a 20 plus minute wait once you get to a path station). JC is definitely expensive, but as long as you live along the path, you can access JC and beyond without much of a hassle for about half the price.

To make a long story short, I do think moving closer will be best. Even if you arent in the center center of the action (living in manhattan south of 96th Street) so long as you have 24/7 train access you are literally living in the center of the action and can access some great neighborhoods for fun as well if you want to explore outside of your neighborhood

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