A full amenities building would be more expensive in JC. 2500 for a one bedroom is the going rate for a modern building in Newark/Harrison. It gives access to the PATH train for cheaper than JC which is how they try to price.

So many train stops..but the weekend service on that line is abysmal.

Harrison added housing on former industrial sites where no one was living. There hasn't been a ton of actual gentrification of old Harrison residents getting displaced by new ones yet.

This seems like something the mods should pin.

Don't stay out in burbs. Move by the PATH train.

Downtown Newark, Harrison, Jersey City, Hoboken. You are connected to the urban part of New Jersey and can easily get to NYC as often as you want.

Thank you! This is so much more efficient than the official path app.

Are you only wanting a new construction luxury buildings? There are tons of options for less than that around Edison https://www.gardencommunities.com/Properties/NJ/Middlesex/MillBrook-Village-North.aspx

You don't want to solely rely on the Seabra in Harrison, but there is a Whole Foods in downtown Newark, it's about a 20 minute walk from where I live in Harrison.

Bayonne and Communipaw aren't path stops, you take the light rail to the path. Which might be fine for your needs, but something to keep in mind you do have to transfer if you plan to head into the city.

And there is nothing wrong with JSQ, but it is urban gentrifying area where you will see homeless people hanging around and the like. Same with Communipaw. However both neighborhoods offer more urban amenities within themselves than Harrison does.

I was in Louisville recently, I flew in and rented a car. Not owning a car doesn't mean you can't drive one, just that you can get by without one for your day to day life so why throw unnecessary money at it.

Almost being a neighborhood of NY is exactly what some people want.

If you plan to go to the NYC regularly, you want to be walking distance to the PATH train. It's the same price as the NYC subway and it runs 24/7.

If you liked the vibe of Jersey City and Hoboken and want that urban living, that's where I would pick. Look for apartments close to the Grove St, Newport, or Exchange place PATH stops in Jersey City or anywhere in Hoboken. It's all very safe.

However if those are out of budget, Harrison is also off the PATH train to give easy access to NY and Jersey City and is more affordable and safe. That's where I live because it is more affordable.

Journal Square and Newark are the other PATH stops but are a bit grungier, might not be what your girlfriend is looking for.

Plenty of people live in North Jersey close to NY and don't have a car. Just like tons people live in NY itself and don't have a car. It's very doable if you don't want to have one, which not everybody does.

I live in large amenity building in Harrison and just dealt with renewal. I was able to get them to come down some on the renewal offer. Not a ton, but I'm glad I did try.

Don't know your budget but the parts of Newark that people consider "the safest" like Downtown, Ironbound and Forest Hill are also going to be the most expensive.

Taking an abandoned lot and changing it into housing to get more people with money to move to Newark is a good thing. These projects are displacing no one, and Newark needs a stronger tax base to support the city and spend money on businesses. Downtown is still pretty dead after work hours.

Having a car is a big expense. Car payment, insurance, parking, maintenance, gas. For me the amount I spend on Ubers is cheaper than the amount of money car ownership was costing me.

I'm in Harrison and moved here with my car but ended up selling it. It's definitely doable to live in Newark/Harrison without a car. Parking requirements like this are basically encouraging every single person to have a car which is unnecessary and harmful to the city.

I'm across the river in Harrison but would definitely be interested.

Definitely check out Jersey City and NYC while you are here. The PATH train is only 2.75 and runs 24 hours.

It does suck, but less than 7% of LIRR riders are going to Brooklyn.

That matches my experience. I fly United all the time and there are frequently some delays in the process. Newark Airport accommodates more passengers and flights than it was ever built to handle. I mean the numbers are the numbers, we are literally the worst when it is tracked.

Newark Airport has real issues other than cosmetic things. It frequently has the worst on time performance.

https://www.nj.com/data/2022/09/newark-airport-ranks-worst-for-flight-delays-through-first-half-of-2022.html

When the path train goes via Hoboken, JSQ to 33rd can take a long time. It's smarter IMO to use WTC line on nights and weekends.

Journal Square is about 10 minutes to WTC. From there you can go anywhere NY. Don't be disheartened yet, if you want to hang out in NY and meet up with your old friends there are plenty of people who live off the PATH and do that.

Look on the bright side. Your apartment is more affordable than it would be in NY, and you aren't paying NYC income tax.