Jersey City quality of life — am I missing something?
Household incomes average around $94,813 in Jersey City. Median household income is $94,813, which feels pretty solid for the area. Poverty rate is 12.1%, which is around average. Homes are going for about $534,500 on average. The unemployment rate is 4.1%, which is about average. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
Pros:
- Growing food scene
- Diverse community
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons:
- Hot summers
- Cold winters
- Limited nightlife
- Far from major airports
- Not enough green space
Thoughts? Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
17 upvotes
16 Replies
lake_delilah43
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Cedar Grove. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in finance. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Definitely worth checking out..
40 upvotes
Dylan R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Fairview. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in tech. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Hope this helps!.
40 upvotes
savannah_mind
Totally agree!
40 upvotes
Vivian H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 30, moved here 13 years ago from New York. I've lived in Lakewood and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The walkability situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from New York, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
38 upvotes
Arianna Scott
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
38 upvotes
Aurora P.
as a local I can confirm
35 upvotes
austin_david
this is the way
32 upvotes
Brooklyn
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much reasonable but now it's solid.
29 upvotes
Ezekiel Miller
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
26 upvotes
Mateo Allen
Came here for cost of living and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The pet-friendliness is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
25 upvotes
Jayden G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 2 years. Moved from Baltimore for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are pretty good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Limited entertainment options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Abigail White
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Korean places. the quality of life is solid.
18 upvotes
Everly F.
Bought a house here in 2015 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
16 upvotes
Paisley S.
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
10 upvotes
cool_thomas9
literally same
3 upvotes
Matthew C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Chicago about 6 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are reasonable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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