Jersey City Neighborhoods — Which Are the Best?

Jersey City is no stranger to development. Families that have lived in town for several generations have watched Jersey City neighborhoods fully transform over the past decade. Now at the height of its growth, with neighborhoods adapting more each year to rising rents, people are flocking to the riverside spot. Amidst all this change, is Jersey City a good place to live?

Even with its rise in popularity, Jersey City neighborhoods still offer something different for every economic level, age and preference. Unlike New York City, however, not all areas are as accessible to public transportation and important amenities like restaurants and grocery stores. Before settling on where to live in Jersey City, it’s important to know the ins and outs of the best neighborhoods today.

Overall, Jersey City neighborhoods are jam-packed with culture, with pretty much every option for genuine food selections from all over the world. With a population of 264,161 in just 21 square miles, it’s no wonder Jersey City is a bustling, active hub for art and opportunity.

Check out our Jersey City neighborhood guide as you prepare for your big move to this iconic Jersey gem.

Jersey City Layout

Perched on the western edge of the Hudson River, Jersey City neighborhoods vary from bustling corporate hubs to residential pockets of brownstones and row houses. The Path Train, with 24-hour service to Midtown, Hoboken, Newark and the World Trade Center, stops in four major hubs of JC. For the most part, the further west the train goes, the more residential the district. While some blocks host train commuters, other neighborhoods are more accessible by local bus service. Though it’s possible to live in Jersey City without a car, it is a helpful tool for grocery shopping or traveling around the state. With that said, Jersey City is notorious for having horrible parking and traffic, so keep that in mind before you decide to spring for a car!.

When choosing the best place to live in Jersey City, be sure to reference the crime rates map, as neighborhoods vary quite a bit from block to block.

It’s a good idea to first look into the most popular neighborhoods in Jersey City and then start researching from there. You should also narrow down your search to what is most important to you. Do you want an area full of nightlife or are you looking for a neighborhood that’s good for a family? Your answer will also narrow the places that would work best for you. With that said, here are some of the best neighborhoods in Jersey City.

Jersey City Education

When it comes to education, Jersey City has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in the entire state including Dr. Ronald Mcnair High school, Cornelia F. Bradford School, and Infinity Institute. With that said, it also has a number of poorly rated schools which brings the overall math proficiency down to a score of 33 percent compared to a New Jersey average of 42 percent and a reading proficiency score of 49 percent compared to the statewide average of 55 percent. With that said, there are other options including charter schools and private schools.

Jersey City Safety

In general, most neighborhoods in Jersey City are relatively safe to walk around in during the day and it has become safer as more and more people have started to move into the neighborhood. Crime rates have been trending downwards thanks to increased public safety measures, new infrastructure, and public outreach programs. And while you won’t notice too much crime in the western portion of the city, the east and south still see plenty of crime.

When choosing a neighborhood, make sure to consult a crime map to see how that neighborhood compares to other areas. On average, property and violent crime are higher in Jersey City than anywhere else in New Jersey besides Newark. This can be attributed to the gentrification of the area with many young professionals moving into lower income neighborhoods for affordable rents.

Of course, this doesn’t mean you are guaranteed to be the victim of a crime. While the crime map for Jersey City might look grim, remember that the rate of crime per resident may appear inflated when people visit during the day but don’t live there. The east side of New Jersey tends to have a lot of retail, which attracts people from NYC and other areas. Other areas that tend to have issues are parks. While there are a total of 25 in Jersey City, there are only a handful of residential buildings near these places. Before writing off a place as unsafe, make sure to check nearby destinations that people might visit.

Luckily, Jersey City is constantly looking for ways to improve public safety and in 2023 they opened up a new public safety headquarters.

Newport

With views of the NYC skyline the Newport area has developed into a full-service living experience for the corporate family. New construction of luxury sky rises within the past ten years has brought ample shopping, ice skating rinks, playgrounds and your choice of fitness centers. As with other Jersey City neighborhoods, Newport offers a boardwalk that stretches along the Hudson all the way down to Hoboken. There’s also a waterfront waterpark perfect for families who want to beat the summer heat.

While there are some who consider Newport as part of the Downtown area, it offers a different look and feel versus the more historic Downtown. Still, it’s a relatively small neighborhood comprising around 16+ high-end apartment complexes. Despite being in the heart of Jersey City, this small area manages to offer a sense of seclusion.

The Newport neighborhood also has its own mall – the Newport Mall – which boasts 1.2 million square feet of shopping and over 130 specialty shops and Path station, making this a one-stop location for both visitors and residents. Its convenient accessibility also means it is one of the least affordable neighborhoods in Jersey City. When compared to NYC though, rents are still on the more affordable side. Plus, you’re getting a lot more space and you don’t have to pay a broker’s fee. That can save you an extra $2,000-$3,000 when you move to Newport. The apartments themselves offer amazing amenities including laundry facilities, parking garages, gyms, and more. Plus you get awesome views of the Manhattan skyline if you’re able to snag a riverside apartment.

Downtown: Grove Street Area

Right next door to Newport is the Grove Street Downtown area, also with its own Path station. Reinvigorated in just the just the past several years, the popular Newark Ave pedestrian plaza transformed the way the city functioned, welcoming countless restaurants and craft bars just in the past few years. Due to its ease of access and proximity to Manhattan, it is the area that has seen the most new development.

With some of the highest rents in the city, Downtown features historic pre-war brownstones and a mix of young families and NYC professionals. The artistic energy is still reflected in the small-business focus and concentration of city-wide murals commissioned by the Mayor. There’s a good mixture of old and new apartments to choose from and the rents, while not cheap, aren’t too expensive especially if you’re moving from NYC.

Visitors come from around the city for a drink and Italian dinner at Roman Nose, a beer at Barcade or for brunch on the rooftop of Skinner’s Loft. Kids and adults alike will love Word Bookstore, a popular stopping point for Jersey City shopping and coffee. There is also a weekly music series that happens every summer where you can check out local musicians and peruse local vendors. This is one of the best neighborhoods in Jersey City for young professionals who want to have the same amenities at a somewhat more affordable price than New York City.

Paulus Hook and Van Vorst Park

Moving south of the downtown area, two neighborhoods sit in the heart of the riverside area — Paulus Hook and Van Vorst Park.  Historic brick apartments and tree-lined streets welcome young families of professionals and boast a similar vibe to Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood. Also a rather affluent area, these two spots are hubs for fine dining interspersed within quiet streets and a more residential energy.

Van Vorst offers Jersey City activities for kids on the weekend, from Farmer’s Markets to movie nights. Paulus Hook is also a short drive to nearby Liberty State Park, known for its several acres of green space, riverside walking paths and access to Ellis Island. If you don’t want to take the car out, there are plenty of other places to go including Battery Park City Parks Conservatory, Morris Square Park, and Greenwich Market Park.

There’s also very easy access to New York City via the PATH train as well as the Water Taxi making it a commuter haven. You can even access other areas in New Jersey thanks to the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail station not too far away.

Paulus Hook is the perfect place to live if you work in the financial industry as it is right next to Exchange Place, also known as Wall Street West. If your company doesn’t have an office in Exchange Place, then the Path train to downtown only takes a few minutes!

Both neighborhoods are very safe and Paulus Hook is home to one of the best public schools in Jersey City – PS16, making this one of the best Jersey City neighborhoods to live in for families.

Hamilton Park

One of the most idyllic and safest neighborhoods in Jersey City, Hamilton Park features a several-block green space that hosts a weekly farmers market and year-round events. The entire area was purchased by John B. Coles in 1804 where he eventually created a park – the Hamilton Park named after Alexander Hamilton – which was completed in 1851. The development of the area around the park happened soon after.

Of course, one of the main attractions of the area is the 5.4 acre park that offers plenty of space to run and play for children of all ages. There’s even a lovely dog park where you can let your pet run free and meet other dogs.

The south end of the park also offers more great Jersey City shopping and dining. This neighborhood is quite family-friendly but still welcomes artists and young professionals from surrounding cities. This quaint neighborhood offers an almost small-town feel with its many landmarked buildings and low-rise apartments. They also have a farmers market, Shakespeare in the park, and even an egg hunt during Easter. Travel south to go to Downtown Jersey City if you want some more things to do!

Convenient for commuters and local workers alike, Hamilton Park is an easy walk to both the Newport and Grove Street Path Stations.

Exchange Place

If you’re a professional seeking luxury residential complexes close to your office, Exchange Place is a good pick. Look out over the Statue of Liberty from one of the high rising all-inclusive developments. This neighborhood is often nicknamed Wall Street West, as it is the home to several large corporate buildings such as Chase, Royal Bank of Canada, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, and more. Plus, it offers amazing views of Manhattan’s Financial District.

Named after the 200-foot-long Exchange Place Square at the end of Montgomery Street, this Jersey City neighborhood is primarily a commercial area. There’s not much of a nightlife, making it a great neighborhood for people who want some quiet when they get home. Still, its proximity to Pauls Hook historic district means you won’t be too far from good restaurants and shopping. It is also very accessible to the World Trade Center Path Train and ferries into downtown Manhattan.

Exchange Place boasts the tallest building in the entire state of New Jersey – the Goldman Sachs Tower. There’s also easy access to the Hudson River Walkway and quick access to the 1,200-acre Liberty State Park.

The Village

Once deemed the Little Italy of Jersey City, this charming Jersey City neighborhood packs quite a lot of amenities in one location. Tucked in the westernmost section of Downtown, the area right at the base of the Newark Avenue hill features a list of hidden gems. Bars, restaurants and performance spaces sit amongst row houses and newly renovated apartment buildings. For many years, this area was considered Jersey City’s Little Italy, though today it has become more international. Still, there are some amazing Italian restaurants remaining including Gia Gelato and Cafe and Antique Bakery.

If you want to get away from all the hustle and bustle, you can head to Mary Benson Park for a quick break. Though residents have a longer walk to the train, the popular area balances a selection of cool things and a bit of quiet compared to the heart of downtown.

Journal Square

Head up the hill from the downtown area and cross into the up-and-coming Jersey City neighborhood of Journal Square. A community-focused mix of working-class residents from all around the world, Journal Square offers access to the city with a lower price tag. There’s a nice combination of historic brownstones and pre-war apartments alongside newer multi-family homes so you can decide what kind of living arrangement you prefer.

Lining the western portion of Newark Ave, Journal Square culminates in a major train station and corporate center. The area features a collection of residential homes at affordable rent prices and pockets of authentic Indian, Filipino and Italian cuisine making it one of the most diverse Jersey City neighborhoods.

Check out the stunning Landmark Lowes historic theatre for special film showings and cultural events or the weekly green market out front of the Square.

The Heights

Home to families that have lived in Jersey City for several generations, Jersey City Heights is the residential area that runs along the north side of town. Residents enjoy some of the most comparably affordable rents in the city. The area offers beautifully maintained Victorian and Edwardian homes next to newer two- and three-family homes.

Pockets of the Heights are bringing younger families to the area, such as around the popular ModCup Coffee across the street from Riverview Park. As the name suggests, the scenic green space perches on a hill looking out over Hoboken and the Hudson River.

While not close to The Path train, there are a number of NJ transit bus routes that run through the neighborhood making it easy to get around. More importantly, if you’re part of the art scene, The Heights is one of the best neighborhoods in Jersey City as it is home to many art galleries.

Greenville and Bergen-Lafayette

As one of the largest geographical and most affordable neighborhoods in Jersey City, it’s hard to ignore both the pros and cons of living in this Jersey City neighborhood. If you’re seeking diversity in a neighborhood with stable rental and home prices, Greenville and Bergen-Lafayette are a rare find in this changing city. However, more so than other neighborhoods, crime rates can change block by block. Its distant proximity to the trains can also make living in these spots quite tricky, but if you have no need to travel into Manhattan and are looking to settle in, there are great real estate finds in these areas.

Due to its affordable rents, these neighborhoods have attracted a younger demographic. Thanks to that, more amenities are popping up including coffee shops and restaurants. Of course, you should take the time to try some of the longstanding places like Neptune Bakery and Lou’s Restaurant.

Get Ready for Your Jersey City Move

NYC Great Movers welcomes new residents moving to Jersey City from all over the country. Whether you’re making the leap from New York City or joining the area from the west coast, our professional team can guide the process from start to finish. Once you’ve chosen the right Jersey City neighborhood for you, contact one of our enthusiastic team members about planning the details of your upcoming move.

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