jlents

What are some other more inexpensive areas besides hoboken in NJ to find an apartment. And what are the "safer" areas in brooklyn, or anywhere else for that matter. Not that it "should" matter, but we dont live in a perfect society, so it does...I am white. Thanks everyone!

nytraveler

Have you ever been to NYC? If not, then I suggest you make a trip and tour a bunch of potential areas before making any sort of decision bout where to live.

And to clarify this - for you and others who may not know - NYC is not a white city. It is incredibly diverse ethnically - and although there are some suburbs that are primarily white - almost all areas in the city proper are very diverse ethnically.

mclaurie

West New York, NJ and I guess Weehawken is an area just across the Hudson near the Lincoln Tunnel. There are a number of high rise apt buildings there, many with skyline views. There are also some lowrise older buildings. The high rises may mostly be coops now, but you can sometimes find sublets. There is van service along there into NYC. Ft. Lee is another area further north just across from the GW Bridge. Then there's the area inbetween the 2 where there's ferry service over to NYC. I think it's called Port Imperial.

Merilee_Tucker

West New York and Weehawken are culturally diverse towns in New Jersey. Boulevard East which offers panoramic Hudson River and city views begins in Guttenberg. There are many renovated older buildings and high rises along this road. There are also some very nice large older homes too. You will pay for the location and the view. It's a very convenient commute to the city on the bus or the ferry. As you move further in toward Palisade Avenue, Hudson Avenue , Bergenline Avenue and Kennedy Boulevard the population changes in that the majority of the people speak Spanish as their first language. It used to be predominantly Cuban but now there are many people from Colombia, Peru, Chile, Ecuador and Mexico. Bergenline Avenue is very lively with many shops and there are many ethnic restaurants. One of my favorites is Maria a la Brasa. Edgewater, New Jersey is growing by leaps and bounds and has many rentals. I like to go there to shop at Whole Foods Market. As another poster stated Fort Lee also has many high rises and rentals. An affordable co op in Fort Lee is Linwood Park which is adjacent to a shopping center with a Kings Market and Starbucks. This complex offers a very convenient commute to the city. The bus to the city (via Port Authority on 42nd Street) travels has a stop within the complex. Or, you can right outside the complex which will take you the Port Authority on West 181st Street at the George Washington Bridge. If you are interested in less expensive rentals try Ridgefield, New Jersey which has bus service to the city. New Milford is another affordable area in Bergen County with bus service to the city.

jlents

Yes, I have been to NY many many times, and that is why I do say that I am white. There are quite a few areas where your average white businessman/woman would not really be welcomed "as much"..(ie. Many sectors of the bronx and even parts of brooklyn and queens.) nytraveler, thanks for the rather rude assumption that I dont have a hint of what culture is in NY. Everyone else i sincerely appreciate your time.

nytraveler

Did not mean to be rude - but from the tenor of your questions it seemd like you were not familiar with NYC - was simply trying to provide info. After all, I don;t know where you;re from - and there are a lot of places that are not diverse at all. (We have had visitors from out of town who are very surprised at the diversity in some of New York's more expensive neighborhoods.)

Ryan

In terms of NYC, the city actually has a very good crime statistics website. You can check by broad category, like Manhattan South, or by precinct. Generally speaking, the higher crime areas of the city are the South Bronx, Upper Manhattan, and Flatbush, Bedford-Stuyvestant in Brooklyn.

The issues you'll have to consider when moving to the NYC area are: price you're willing to pay for an apartment and you're willingness to commute. Moving outside on Manhattan will certainly, in most instances, be more reasonable on rent. The trade-off might be the commute.

In terms of NJ, parts of Jersey City can be reasonable. But, you really need to be comfortable with the area as parts of Jersey City can be dicey. As mentioned, areas like Weehawken and Union City are reasonably close to the city. But, once you start moving to far away from the towns that are closest to the city, you're need for a car increases.

One area you might consider is Queens. Areas like Forest Hills and Astoria can have some really nice parts and their are several subway lines into New York.