Requesting for apartment recommendations in Jersey City

Submitted by NationalTeacher5268 t3_zykanq in jerseycity

Hi All, hope everyone is doing good. I need some suggestions from you guys to shortlist potential apartments for us.

I am from Columbus, Ohio and going to move to Jersey City on 1st Feb,23 and I am looking for one bedroom apartment for me and my gf. And we have a cat as well.

I am primarily searching in Paulus Hook, Exchange place, The waterfront, Newport, Downtown, Hamilton Park area (found out these areas are happening and safe).

I am not dead set on amenities, but I like good views specially if its Manhattan skyline or Statue of Liberty. I will work from home 4 out of 5 days a week and will travel to Midtown once a week through Path train.

My budget is 3k per month for rent and savings is more important than having a view in apartment.

I am looking into different options through Zillow. Do you think my budget is too low for having a good apartment with view? Or in general, what apartments can you suggest? I have also seen some apartments have one month rent free options, in those cases, my budget can go a little bit higher.

Do you think winter months are better to rent an apartment? How is the current rental market trend?

Apologies for writing a big paragraph. Any lead will help us a lot. Thanks.

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fuzedz t1_j26forp wrote

Youre not getting 1 beds in any luxury bldgs in those areas for that price

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NationalTeacher5268 OP t1_j26j1te wrote

Thanks for your comment. You can suggest me non-luxury buildings which have a good reputation.

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fuzedz t1_j26jnhf wrote

No ? Im not your realtor

But a five second google search wouldve shown you your budget is unrealistic unless youre okay with non luxury walk ups

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kiw14 t1_j28rbv4 wrote

“Welcome to Jersey, fuckface!”

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ceeyell t1_j26rge3 wrote

For your budget and a skyline view, you should look into Journal Square. There are tons of new luxury buildings going up within <10 minute walks to the PATH train. I'm paying $2350 for a 1BR in a new building 3 blocks from the PATH with a full skyline view from all windows in my apartment. Your budget is more than fine, but not so much for the neighborhoods you're currently looking in. Good luck!

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JournalSquire t1_j297ai7 wrote

Agreed. JSQ is incredibly convenient from a transportation perspective. Adjacent to downtown so on good days you can walk. Easily bike down the new protected bike lane to downtown in about 5 mins. Feels safe. Culturally rich and a major arts hub. Lots going on.

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Cuprunnethover2022 t1_j26udkt wrote

I'd skip Journal Square and give up the views to live in either Hamilton Park or Paulus Hook. Hamilton Park is more fun, in my opinion, and has more going on, but either is good. You should get a realtor and look in the historic brownstones, you get so much more for your money than in a huge managed building.

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Angrykittie13 t1_j270sbf wrote

Just out of curiosity…how do you know if your landlord is good about maintenance etc. when you rent a brownstone? Is it mostly word of mouth recommendations? Or is there a site to find out ratings ?

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Desi_techy_girl t1_j26u50o wrote

Try older buildings near downtown if location is really important to you. 280 marin, 270 marin, 135 montgomery may have units in your budget and some apartments have good views with balcony but they are not luxury.

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PsychologicalAd1153 t1_j294j2p wrote

Save your money, rent cheaper! No one will give a f if you are living in a hi rise straight out of Ohio.

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intergrade t1_j2743ly wrote

This is an apartment that matches your budget. The rest you will have to figure out.

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NationalTeacher5268 OP t1_j293qcb wrote

Thank you, I will check Portside apartment.

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intergrade t1_j29l949 wrote

Not sure how nice the building is tbh but there are many others in the neighborhood on Zillow.

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kjrst9 t1_j2anhb0 wrote

Have you visited? It might benefit you to walk the neighborhoods. Paulus Hook is substantially different than in vibe than, for example, Hamilton Park.

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ReeseCommaBill t1_j29k71l wrote

I have lived in Newport for 5 years, moved right before my son was born. For working professionals with young kids, Newport is great, since it is conveniently close to just about everything. But if you’re younger, childless, or single, I imagine it must be super boring. Bonus if you have a fondness for East- and South-Asian cuisine and culture.

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Economy-Cupcake808 t1_j26bnb2 wrote

Good luck. That’s about the lower end of apartments in that area for 1 bedroom

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shippfaced t1_j26w92f wrote

Download the Street Easy app and check there.

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kjrst9 t1_j28qbjo wrote

You can easily get an apartment in JC for $3k, but not a luxury building with waterfront views.

Is a luxury high rise non-negotiable? Many people prefer the neighborhood historic districts - the two have very different vibes and you need to know your preference first. Also keep in mind that if you have a vehicle, a high rise will charge an additional fee for parking.

Also, Newport is a love it or hate it place - I would not group it with the other neighborhoods you mentioned. It is very disconnected from most of Jersey City and feels like a tall suburbia with city views. On the other hand, people who are city-averse feel better there and if you have an eastern view, that's a plus.

If you are diligent you can absolutely get a downtown apartment for well below that. I had a 1.5 bedroom for $1400 and a moved to a 3 bedroom for 3k. Don't believe people when they insist otherwise.

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NationalTeacher5268 OP t1_j295ukr wrote

Thank you for explaining in such a great way. I would love to have a city view but of course its negotiable as savings is more important to me. I am sure I would love the neighborhood vibe in downtown or Hamilton Park.

I have a vehicle and all the apartments I have talked to was charging for additional 250$-300$. Is it much cheaper to park in the neighborhood areas? Is it a street parking?

I found couple of apartments in Hamiton park area through Zillow like - Revetment house, Lincoln etc which are comparably cheaper. But didn't find many brownstone options. Is it better to visit there first , get a realtor and look for those kinds of apartments? Thanks.

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kjrst9 t1_j2amm3y wrote

for clarification, downtown consists of many neighborhoods: Hamilton Park, Harsimus Cove, Paulus Hook, the Village, Powerhouse, and Van Vorst Park (plus a few more fringe blocks). Also Newport is considered part of Downtown.

Your best bet will be to look at sites like Zillow, or using a local agent like Del Forno or Howard Hanna. In NJ, unlike other places, realtors also work as renting agents. You will need to browse listings, don't rely on them to do it for you, but their websites will be useful. Everything you are mentioning (from Newport proper to Revetment House, which by the way is owned by Newport) are major corporate landlords and the prices are going to be reflective of this.

Also fyi renting is a landlord's market right now. There are literally bidding wars over apartments, with people offering more than advertised to be selected as the tenant. At least that was the case earlier in 2022, maybe it has changed. Ask a realtor about the status on that. Certainly putting in an application on a unit does not mean you will be the "winning" tenant.

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nolaughingzone t1_j2aitoh wrote

Do not go to Beacon - it’s one of the worst.

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shanes3t t1_j27khzx wrote

Your 3k goes much farther in the Heights with less amenities and a comparable (if not, better) view.

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ceeyell t1_j28p996 wrote

True, but a worse commute to midtown

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fluffyrainbowlamb t1_j26myhw wrote

if you're willing to look away from downtown, more near the hackensack waterfront area (western jersey city) there are a few luxury buildings with many amenities that fit your price point. they're farther from downtown but easily traveled to via the light rail train system.

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Supablue24 t1_j29ibm4 wrote

Greenville or Westside ave.

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Yin-Hei t1_j26iu2j wrote

If you can find something in Newport, I'd recommend it. It's like a whole city in itself. The HOA fees are typically lower by ~200 compared to exchange place.

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Cuprunnethover2022 t1_j26u61w wrote

They are not buying. HOA fees will not mean anything to them. They are renting.

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Yin-Hei t1_j26yki9 wrote

It indirectly affects OP, and rent prices in general. Property tax, electricity and gas rates, HOA fees, insurance, etc., all contribute to the rent price. There's a strict minimum and the lower this is the better for OP. HOA is one premium that fluctuates significantly building to building.

You may not be cognizant as a renter, but landlords or owners have to adjust their prices accordingly or there'll be no incentive to offer rent at that price. A difference in HOA, for example, can get him $200 lower and he would have a piece of mind knowing where that cut came from in his expectations.

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bodhipooh t1_j270m9n wrote

>Property tax, electricity and gas rates, HOA fees, insurance, etc., all contribute to the rent price. There's a strict minimum and the lower this is the better for OP. HOA is one premium that fluctuates significantly building to building.

This is only applicable if the OP is planning to rent a condo directly from an owner. Otherwise, none of this applies to the more common scenario of someone renting an apartment in a rental building.

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Yin-Hei t1_j27c4io wrote

How is an association from a rental building immune to this, they are like everyone else competing in the rental market. We also don't know from OP's initial post if he wants to rent from a rental building or individual owner, but the information is included per rental market.

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