First of all, welcome to Jersey City! You are going to love it here.
Moving to a new place can be scary, even if it is just a simple move from Hoboken to Jersey City. There are different rules for parking, different trains to take, and you have to familiarize yourself with a new grocery store. Do not fret, newcomers! We’ve compiled a list of helpful info, tips, and tricks for living in Jersey City. Keep reading to discover everything you need to know when moving to Jersey City.
The Neighborhoods
^ The view for downtown JC!
Jersey City is a large, populous city with a lot to discover in each of its neighborhoods. Although they are all a part of the same city, each neighborhood offers something different. Read on for a list of the many noteworthy neighborhoods to check out.
Historic Downtown Jersey City
If you’re looking for a night on the town, downtown Jersey City is filled with boutiques, bars, quality restaurants, and clubs to fit any vibe. It is most known for its historical architecture mixed with modern wall murals. Downtown’s residential areas are lined with gorgeous brownstones shaded by trees that change beautifully with every season. A gorgeous park to check out in Historic downtown is Hamilton Park, offering a playground for kids, dog park, and tennis courts.
Newport
Newport is technically a neighborhood within Historic Downtown JC, but it has so much to offer that we think it deserves a separate shout out. Newport is a waterfront neighborhood filled with modern high-rise apartment buildings and businesses, the Newport Centre Mall, and gorgeous views of the Hudson and New York City Skyline. Take a stroll along the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway as a scenic path for crossing into Hoboken.
Exchange Place + Paulus Hook
Exchange Place is a district of Downtown Jersey City most known for its high concentration of financial companies and offices, as well as gorgeous waterfront views of lower Manhattan. Paulus Hook is a residential community located near Exchange Place filled with restaurants, cafes, and brownstones.
Journal Square
Journal Square is located at the intersection of Kennedy Boulevard and Bergen Avenue and is a transportation hub for Jersey City. It is home to many businesses, residential neighborhoods, and restaurants. It is also known for India Square, or Little India — a district that has the highest population of Asian Indians in the Western Hemisphere and is lined with Indian grocery stores and restaurants.
The Heights
The Heights is located in the north end of Jersey City and sits atop Hoboken overlooking the Mile Square. Residents can easily access The Heights by foot from Hoboken utilizing the stairs on Paterson Plank Road behind the 2nd Street Light Rail Station, or by taking the elevator located at the 9th Street Light Rail Station.
Bergen-Lafayette
Bergen Township is a residential neighborhood located southwest of downtown and Liberty State Park. It is made up of a mix of historical and modern architecture with its Victorian houses and art deco apartments. A notable apartment in this area is The Beacon, a former medical center turned giant apartment complex atop Bergen Hill.
Greenville + Country Village
Greenville is a mostly residential area that makes up the southernmost section of Jersey City, bordering Bergen-Lafayette. Country Village is a community in the southwestern corner of Greenville.
The West Side
The West Side of Jersey City includes several neighborhoods surrounding West Side Avenue, a main shopping street in the city. It is also home to Lincoln Park, formerly known as West Side Park, which is one of the largest county parks in Hudson County, filled with athletic fields, tennis courts, children’s areas, nature trails, and a picturesque fountain at the entrance.
Read More: 10 Easy Upgrades to Make Your Rental Feel Like Home
The Grocery Stores
There is an abundance of grocery stores in every neighborhood so no need to worry about going hungry or spending too much on Uber Eats. Newport residents can stock up at both Target {100 14th Street} and ACME {125 18th Street}, which are located practically next to each other. ShopRite, also located in Newport {Luis Marin Boulevard + 6th Street}, has everything customers need, even a wine and liquor section in the back.
Key Foods is located in Harsimus Cove, an area of downtown Jersey City, at 574 Jersey Avenue. Another downtown spot is Oliva, a restaurant and marketplace serving gourmet groceries, fresh fruits + vegetables, and is located at 138 Newark Avenue. A larger downtown marketplace is Sprove, attached to the 70 Columbus apartment building located at 70 Christopher Columbus Drive.
For residents in The Heights, Stop + Shop is located at 232 Central Avenue. Journal Square residents can get everything they need at CTown Supermarkets on 885 Bergen Avenue. Extra Supermarket, located on 360 Martin Luther King Drive, has everything Bergen-Lafayette residents need and more, hence the name.
A major grocery store in Greenville is Aquí Market on 2-16 Garfield Avenue, and on the West Side of Jersey City, two major shops include Bravo Supermarkets {503 West Side Avenue} and Fine Fare Supermarkets {759 West Side Avenue}.
MVC
The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission is located in Journal Square at 438 Summit Avenue. As with any motor vehicle commission, especially one located in such a populous city, it can be filled with long lines and stressful paperwork. So whether you are getting a new license or exchanging plates, it is best to get there early and during weekdays, if possible. It opens at 8:00AM, but lines can form even before then.
Parking
For Jersey City residents that do not have the luxury of a parking garage attached to their apartment building or just don’t want to pay the extra cost for it {because let’s be honest, garages are not cheap}, then resident street parking is available for an annual fee of $15. Many areas require a resident permit if parking for over two hours. Senior citizens over the age of 65 can apply for a senior citizen parking permit which is free. Visitor permits must be applied for in-person at the Division of Parking. Applications for resident or visitor parking permits can be found here. Be sure to read the street signs, as they will indicate whether a permit is needed and if there are certain restrictions or other parking limitations such as street cleaning. Also, be sure to follow @JCParking on Twitter for events or holidays that may affect parking regulations.
Other than street parking, Jersey City has several public lots and garages spread around the city. Check out a few of them below:
- Newport River Market Garage {20 North Boulevard}
- Newport North Garage {561 Washington Boulevard}
- Newport East Hampton Garage {55 River Drive}
- Columbus Garage LLC {66 Christopher Columbus Drive}
- Propark America {198 Van Vorst Street}
- State Square Garage {2854 John F. Kennedy Boulevard}
- Journal Square Path Garage {16 Path Plaza}
- Town Square Garage {90 Town Square Place}
- North Garage {561 Washington Boulevard
- One Parking {10 Exchange Place}
- Edison ParkFast {155 Montgomery Street}
- Park@Square Ramp {801 Pavonia Avenue}
- LM Gotham, LLC {129 Montgomery Street}
- SP+ Parking {201 Morgan Street}
- SP+ Parking {600 Newark Avenue}
- Propark America {160 Morgan Street}
- River Market Garage {20 North Boulevard}
- Sylvan Sky Garage LLC {701 2nd Street}
Public Transportation
^ One of the Light Rail stops in JC!
For residents that do not have a car, there are several other modes of transportation to get around the city besides Uber or Lyft. Although the majority of downtown is walkable, residents may need to travel further distances to other neighborhoods and can utilize the following:
The Light Rail
A convenient, cheap, and easy way to travel around New Jersey without a car is the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail. The West Side Avenue to Tonnelle Avenue line starts in North Bergen and heads toward Hoboken, stopping at 11 stations in Jersey City including Newport, Harsimus Cove, Harborside, Exchange Place, Essex Street, Marin Boulevard, Jersey Avenue, Liberty State Park, Garfield Avenue, Martin Luther King Drive, and West Side Avenue. The 8th Street to Hoboken Terminal line switches at Liberty State Park and stops at Richard Street and Danforth Avenue, before heading into Bayonne. An adult one-way ticket is $2.25, and a monthly pass is $70.
Citi Bike
NYC’s bike share system, Citi Bike, also extends to Jersey City with 50 stations. Riders only need one membership that can be used in both NYC and New Jersey. It is an eco-friendly and fun way of getting around the city and is only $169 annually.
PATH Trains
Many people view the PATH as a way to get from NJ to NYC, but you can actually ride it within NJ as well. The Journal Square PATH stops at Newport, Grove Street, and Journal Square, and passengers can go even further by transferring to other PATH trains. Need to get to a Red Bulls soccer game? Simply transfer at Journal Square to the Newark bound train and get off at Harrison.
Banks
With so many financial offices, it is no surprise that Jersey City has such a plethora of banks in the area, including branches for Wells Fargo, TD Bank, M&T Bank, Santander Bank, Chase, Provident, BCB Bank, HSBC, Capital One, XCEL Federal Credit Union, Oritani Bank, and Valley Bank — so rest assured, you’ve got plenty to choose from.
City Hall
{Photo credit: Google Maps}
Getting married? Need to pay taxes? All can be done downtown at Jersey City Hall. This beautiful historic building is located conveniently in the center of it all on 280 Grove Street.
Read More: Where to Get a Marriage License in Jersey City
Home Decor
^ Inside one of JC’s home decor shops — Covetables!
Finally, it’s time for the fun part — decorating your new JC home. Get the essentials and a few finishing touches at one of the many home decor and furniture shops in the area. For furniture and decor, Pier 1 is located in Newport Plaza at 125 18th Street.
For everything that you may or may not need, head over to Target in Newport at 100 14th Street.
For tools, appliances, and other home improvement needs, Home Depot is located at 180 12th Street near the Holland Tunnel entrance.
Bedding, towels, and other home goods can be purchased at Bed Bath and Beyond located near the Newport Mall at 400 Marin Boulevard. There’s also a Home Good’s and Lowe’s off Route 440 in JC.
For some unique, one-of-a-kind finds, check out Covetables. Located at 372 Pacific Avenue, this retail boutique and art gallery sells furniture, home decor pieces, and a variety of artwork from numerous artists {some of which are local to JC}.
Another tip is using the Facebook Marketplace or Letgo to purchase pre-owned furniture and home decor. People are constantly moving in and out of the area, so there are often great finds that locals are selling on the cheap.
Insider Tips
Finally, if you’re looking for some local insider tips or just have a general question about something in Jersey City, definitely check out our Hoboken and Jersey City Insiders Facebook group run by our team. In the group, you’ll be able to connect with other locals, ask any burning questions you have about the area, and more.
Do you have any additional helpful tips for newcomers? Tell us in the comments!
