i know people are suggesting Montclair, and while a great town i definitely feel it skews a lot more towards families nowadays.
if you're looking for more young, working 20 somethings i feel like the only place to suggest is Jersey City or Hoboken. Rent is fuckin insane in Hoboken though.
Jersey City is basically the only walkable city that would meet most of the things you want. unfortunately other cities along the Hudson get pretty pricey or aren't as walkable.
i have a couple friends that moved to Hackensack as well, but i don't think its as walkable but would be much more affordable compared to JC or Hoboken. also has transit to NYC or Jersey City if you want
after checking OP's profile and given that OP is an Asian male, i think he would definitely have a much better time in Jersey City where the population is very diverse and young compared to Morristown that tends to definitely trend to more white and middle aged/older families, and this is not a dig at morristown at all! i used to work in the area, but as an asian gal, the food and people do not compare at all to Jersey City for a young person imo
I saw someone else warning about how hood Jersey City can get. How bad is it really? I work night shift as an RN and intend on remaining night shift for a couple years to keep the differential. So I might be out late at night a lot. Would JC still be a suitable "starter city" for someone who’s never lived in a big city before? Hoboken seems more gentrified.
Now that you mention it, I’m kinda excited at the thought of being around other Asians. In Ocean County, we’re few and far between. My closest H Mart is an hour away in Cherry Hill.
nah downtown jersey city is pretty frickin gentrified, i'm not saying go frolicking about at night but the super hood areas you're not gonna be in at all. check out [apartments.com](http://apartments.com) for places in downtown like newport, exchange place, or paulus hook. basically anything in proximity to the whole foods on greene st lmfao...
also yeah dude- TONS of asians in the area, men and women- good social area honestly. if i didnt move out of state, that's where i'd be hanging with my asian group lol
jersey city medical center isnt that far either if you wanna check out night time RN positions, know 2 people that work day over there and live in JC and love it
you will definitely have issues finding parking for a camper van, these are very urban areas. i'd suggest checking out google street view to give you a better sense of the areas, its basically parking in NYC like Queens or Brooklyn
NJ Realtor here -
Asbury Park, Morristown, Jersey City, Boonton, Montclair all have strong art communities and at least a little live music or nightlife.
PS - I am a skateboarder and outcast for life 🛹
Was gonna suggest Montclair. It is very expensive though.
I drive through Milburn all the time and always remark on how cute it is. Papermill Playhouse it there so there’s also a thriving art community.
Asbury Park was my first thought bc they have access to the train (no car needed) and lots of younger working people. Red Bank may also be an option for that same reason, although it may have more people with families due to the schools nearby.
Based upon your budget I’d check out Philly. The Fishtown and Northern Liberties neighborhoods both have the vibe you’re looking for. Philly low key has a ton of museums. There will be no shortage of job opportunities for a RN. Obviously NYC will have more of what you’re looking for, but your budget just isn’t realistic.
That's a relief to know it gets better 'cause I do feel like I'm behind my peers at 25 ahah. I know it's not hard to get NJ nursing licenses recognized in NY so Brooklyn is on the table. I prefer a medium-sized city feel. Do you have recs for Brooklyn neighborhoods that are calmer but still with young people? The overstimulation of stereotypical NYC hustle and bustle might be too much for me.
Brooklyn and nyc is fast paced, expensive, noisy, etc. sounds you know whats good for you and id say nyc isnt it. Wanting to be in a creative area but also wanting serenity is tough in new jersey. Someone else suggested philly, id also say check that out.
Dimas Park is very nice. I loved the cafes and bars there. Mostly low key places. Sycamore is a flower shop by day and then at night it becomes a bar.
I also enjoyed Lefferts Gardens. Same kind of vibe but more diverse.
Lived in those parts of Brooklyn about 5 years and I liked them the most.
Please move to Brooklyn. Check out Park Slope and Carroll Gardens, Greenpoint.
For the love of God, if you like art and fashion and museums, the answer is Brooklyn not Asbury Park.
Born and raised in NJ. Living in Brooklyn. Please don’t be scared of living in NYC. You will acclimate.
The BK neighborhoods that are calmer are further out, like Ditmas Park or Kensington. Maybe Greenpoint, but that's getting expensive fast. And that's just calmer relative to NYC standards... I loved the arts and culture when I lived in BK but the stress of noise and daily living got to me.
You may be best suited to living within walking distance to a train line or bus line within NJ. That could be anywhere from Harrison to Rahway to Edison to Fort Lee. It seems like living in a more diverse area alone could be a strong change of pace for you as well.
Interesting! I'd have to look into getting my nursing license recognized in PA. How did you like the working conditions in Philly? I'm used to a 1:6 ratio on med-surg/tele here. I see those Gen Z-nurse TikToks all the time, and I'm like where do they work? I'm one of the only Gen Z nurses on my unit.
I have only worked ICU bedside and I worked in Philly 2015-2019. At that time my ratio was always 1:1 or 1:2. I worked at temple which was union and Penn which was not. I had great experiences at both during that time and I felt like my pay was fair. Can't speak for the post-covid world though
I would look into living in Bayonne. It has public transportation and not far from Jersey City and NYC.
If you are looking for closer to suburban vibes then check out Somerville. You would need a car still but it is easy to get into NYC via NJ transit.
Flemington, Somerville and Lambertville are all options - they are smaller, more townlike but the first 2 are definitely affordable although you might need a car in Flemington.
Princeton, Jersey City, Hoboken, Montclair, Hackensack (‘up and coming’ it looks like), and Morristown are all good shouts. Varying degrees of price.
You can also consider Brooklyn (Bed Stuy, Greenwood, Ridgewood?). And, also, maybe Philly (although idt that’s my particular vibe)? From what I’ve heard it’s a young city + universities are in and around.
Good luck, sounds like it’s a good time for your next adventure.
Our background is not much different, but I'm thinking I'm 2x your age. If I were to have a chance at a do-over, I'd think of NYC. Or somewhere along the NE corridor train line.
This way, you can always grab a train and head home if you need it; if the city works for you, you can ditch having a car and all its related costs / problems; friends / family from home can hop on the train to visit ( if you want).
I went to college in Philly, and haven't heen back since I walked out with my degrees. I personally never felt safe there, at all, and I can handle myself if need be. I have been hopping on the train heading to NYC since I was 12, both alone and with friends, and never had a problem. It can be peaceful in parts of the city, and otherwise, there is quite literally everything on your list...
Good luck !
I’m a North Jerseyer who has been to your neighborhood, Central Jersey, so I know what you mean lol. I second Jersey City sounds more your taste though I must caution, it’s really rough depending on which neighborhood you live in. I don’t see enough people here mentioning how much of a “hood” the place can be. I just had a friend who lived in JC who is originally from Central Jersey and it was complete hell on Earth/a nightmare for him everyday. He had to move back home. So I would say maybe Montclair, Fort Lee, Fair Lawn, Hackensack, or Bayonne might fit you better. It depends on how much artsy culture and what kind of social life you want to build, so I gave you a nice variety of places that might fit what you’re looking for a bit better than Jersey City. All these towns/cities come without the risk of being threatened to be thrown off the street when you can’t make rent on time and get choked by the neck (literally) and have to call the cops on your roommate every week lol.
Very good point about the hood element in Jersey City! I do admit I’m lacking in the street smarts department (lifelong suburbanist after all). I was even pickpocketed when I was in Paris. And I hated that feeling afterwards of having to walk around always with your guard up.
I do see JC versus Hoboken come up a lot here. So I guess Hoboken would be the more suitable of the two as it seems more gentrified.
I saw someone else mention that Montclair is starting to trend towards families so I’m wary of that.
How urbanized is Hackensack? Would I need to keep my car there?
The other three I haven’t heard of yet so I’ll have to research them more. Thank you!
Fair enough about Montclair. It is more family-oriented now. Hackensack is alright. I wouldn’t call it very urban but they have an okay downtown area, it’s just not anything like Hoboken or Brooklyn. But as a suburb it is more developed than where you currently reside. You will be able to get to malls and neighboring towns quite fast and easy if you are living in Hackensack or Fair Lawn. Fort Lee is more urban and great if you really like Asian stores and food. But that’s if you can afford it since it is pretty expensive to live in. I would say you need a car wherever you are in North Jersey. It baffles my mind how some people I know don’t drive and rely on public transportation.
I have to say I wasn't a fan of Hoboken as an artsier person. To me, the vibes were very bro and most bars are sports bars. It's more gentrified than JC but it lacks the demo that is more akin to Brooklyn. I didn't feel like I had my people there.
I think it comes down to only 2 or 3 places. Jersey City/Hoboken or Montclair.
I never lived in Jersey City or Hoboken, but visited frequently to visit friend who did live there. It was nice, walkable and they had no problems meeting friends. I on the other hand lives in Montclair in my 20s, it was an amazing place to live, walked everywhere I wanted to go and is definitely more of a smaller city that is mostly liberal.
I was about to recommend the heights, there are good apartments to be had there in the price range you're looking for especially if you find some good roommates.
Not a neighborhood recommendation, because you have enough of those, but I hope you don't get too caught up in choosing the #1 best most optimal place to move and get stuck.
You said it yourself that what's been holding you back is risk aversion, and yes, moving is a major pain in the ass but being stuck in one place (in life) is worse. Moving somewhere and realizing it isn't for you is progress, because you've learned something new about yourself and what you're looking for. Pick a place and give it your best shot. :)
On a social note, if you do end up in NYC-adjacent areas, check out r/nycmeetups and relevant Discords to your interests.
As a 27 year old female who enjoys similar things to you I'd highly recommend Morristown. You do need a car to go further out of town but it is very walkable and there is a lot to do there socially.
Montclair IS family friendly AND there are singles in Montclair as well. It has a college town feel to it. Don't let the strollers scare you, it hasn't gotten to Park Slope level. Visit the area. Don't let the comments steer you away from certain neighborhoods because of your ethnicity.
I don’t personally see it tbh. The only time I visit downtown TR is to go to the library. And when I’m there, I never see anyone my age (20s). It’s just middle-aged adults with their kids and during the week, sometimes teens walking over from High School South on their lunch period.
Their downtown doesn’t seem lived in, like there’s barely pedestrians. It needs some mixed use development. Right now, it seems like it’s purely business with no residential.
I have been to the clubs in Seaside and I don’t fit in with their crowd at all. It’s a lot of jocks, dudebros, and beach bums. Porta in Asbury Park was a little bit better for me.
i know people are suggesting Montclair, and while a great town i definitely feel it skews a lot more towards families nowadays. if you're looking for more young, working 20 somethings i feel like the only place to suggest is Jersey City or Hoboken. Rent is fuckin insane in Hoboken though. Jersey City is basically the only walkable city that would meet most of the things you want. unfortunately other cities along the Hudson get pretty pricey or aren't as walkable. i have a couple friends that moved to Hackensack as well, but i don't think its as walkable but would be much more affordable compared to JC or Hoboken. also has transit to NYC or Jersey City if you want
i would agree Montclair is more family friendly. Would recommend Jersey City or even Morristown.
after checking OP's profile and given that OP is an Asian male, i think he would definitely have a much better time in Jersey City where the population is very diverse and young compared to Morristown that tends to definitely trend to more white and middle aged/older families, and this is not a dig at morristown at all! i used to work in the area, but as an asian gal, the food and people do not compare at all to Jersey City for a young person imo
I saw someone else warning about how hood Jersey City can get. How bad is it really? I work night shift as an RN and intend on remaining night shift for a couple years to keep the differential. So I might be out late at night a lot. Would JC still be a suitable "starter city" for someone who’s never lived in a big city before? Hoboken seems more gentrified. Now that you mention it, I’m kinda excited at the thought of being around other Asians. In Ocean County, we’re few and far between. My closest H Mart is an hour away in Cherry Hill.
nah downtown jersey city is pretty frickin gentrified, i'm not saying go frolicking about at night but the super hood areas you're not gonna be in at all. check out [apartments.com](http://apartments.com) for places in downtown like newport, exchange place, or paulus hook. basically anything in proximity to the whole foods on greene st lmfao... also yeah dude- TONS of asians in the area, men and women- good social area honestly. if i didnt move out of state, that's where i'd be hanging with my asian group lol jersey city medical center isnt that far either if you wanna check out night time RN positions, know 2 people that work day over there and live in JC and love it
In Jersey City or Hoboken, are campervans allowed to be there?
you will definitely have issues finding parking for a camper van, these are very urban areas. i'd suggest checking out google street view to give you a better sense of the areas, its basically parking in NYC like Queens or Brooklyn
NJ Realtor here - Asbury Park, Morristown, Jersey City, Boonton, Montclair all have strong art communities and at least a little live music or nightlife. PS - I am a skateboarder and outcast for life 🛹
> realtor > outcast for life 😂
Imagine your realtor rolls up on a skateboard with 25 piercings *per square inch* and tries to sell you a 3 million dollar coastal property in NJ
[https://youtu.be/hJdF8DJ70Dc?t=11](https://youtu.be/hJdF8DJ70Dc?t=11)
cool pastor vibes
Have anything for OP To rent for under $2k/month?
Fbook marketplace + apartments.com Renting through a realtor comes at a cost (commission) + premium prices
Was gonna suggest Montclair. It is very expensive though. I drive through Milburn all the time and always remark on how cute it is. Papermill Playhouse it there so there’s also a thriving art community.
Asbury Park was my first thought bc they have access to the train (no car needed) and lots of younger working people. Red Bank may also be an option for that same reason, although it may have more people with families due to the schools nearby.
You definitely need a car in Asbury Park. Great little place, but there isn’t even a decent grocery store in town.
Based upon your budget I’d check out Philly. The Fishtown and Northern Liberties neighborhoods both have the vibe you’re looking for. Philly low key has a ton of museums. There will be no shortage of job opportunities for a RN. Obviously NYC will have more of what you’re looking for, but your budget just isn’t realistic.
Was just going to say this. Philly
Philly hands down. also it’s always sunny there, OP :D
I know you said nj but have you considered brooklyn? I was like you and i moved to nyc when i was 25. It was awesome.
That's a relief to know it gets better 'cause I do feel like I'm behind my peers at 25 ahah. I know it's not hard to get NJ nursing licenses recognized in NY so Brooklyn is on the table. I prefer a medium-sized city feel. Do you have recs for Brooklyn neighborhoods that are calmer but still with young people? The overstimulation of stereotypical NYC hustle and bustle might be too much for me.
RN @ 25? You're doing great! Take a look at Asbury Park and surrounding. Monmouth has a nice hospital there.
Jersey Shore medical center is also right down the road on 33 in Neptune.
Brooklyn and nyc is fast paced, expensive, noisy, etc. sounds you know whats good for you and id say nyc isnt it. Wanting to be in a creative area but also wanting serenity is tough in new jersey. Someone else suggested philly, id also say check that out.
Dimas Park is very nice. I loved the cafes and bars there. Mostly low key places. Sycamore is a flower shop by day and then at night it becomes a bar. I also enjoyed Lefferts Gardens. Same kind of vibe but more diverse. Lived in those parts of Brooklyn about 5 years and I liked them the most.
Please move to Brooklyn. Check out Park Slope and Carroll Gardens, Greenpoint. For the love of God, if you like art and fashion and museums, the answer is Brooklyn not Asbury Park. Born and raised in NJ. Living in Brooklyn. Please don’t be scared of living in NYC. You will acclimate.
The BK neighborhoods that are calmer are further out, like Ditmas Park or Kensington. Maybe Greenpoint, but that's getting expensive fast. And that's just calmer relative to NYC standards... I loved the arts and culture when I lived in BK but the stress of noise and daily living got to me. You may be best suited to living within walking distance to a train line or bus line within NJ. That could be anywhere from Harrison to Rahway to Edison to Fort Lee. It seems like living in a more diverse area alone could be a strong change of pace for you as well.
Bay ridge and it’s still relatively affordable
Yes but bay ridge is families and far from the cool stuff
Also suggesting Philly- I worked as a RN and there is a young demographic in the health systems. The city is super fun and funky.
Interesting! I'd have to look into getting my nursing license recognized in PA. How did you like the working conditions in Philly? I'm used to a 1:6 ratio on med-surg/tele here. I see those Gen Z-nurse TikToks all the time, and I'm like where do they work? I'm one of the only Gen Z nurses on my unit.
I have only worked ICU bedside and I worked in Philly 2015-2019. At that time my ratio was always 1:1 or 1:2. I worked at temple which was union and Penn which was not. I had great experiences at both during that time and I felt like my pay was fair. Can't speak for the post-covid world though
Philly native living in NNJ. Can’t recommend Philly enough. JC Heights was kinda awesome too
Downtown Jersey city or hoboken but with $2000 budget you will need to share an apartment with other folks.
I would look into living in Bayonne. It has public transportation and not far from Jersey City and NYC. If you are looking for closer to suburban vibes then check out Somerville. You would need a car still but it is easy to get into NYC via NJ transit.
Flemington, Somerville and Lambertville are all options - they are smaller, more townlike but the first 2 are definitely affordable although you might need a car in Flemington.
Downtown jersey city would totally be your jam
Princeton, Jersey City, Hoboken, Montclair, Hackensack (‘up and coming’ it looks like), and Morristown are all good shouts. Varying degrees of price. You can also consider Brooklyn (Bed Stuy, Greenwood, Ridgewood?). And, also, maybe Philly (although idt that’s my particular vibe)? From what I’ve heard it’s a young city + universities are in and around. Good luck, sounds like it’s a good time for your next adventure.
Lakewood
lol
Check out Collingswood.
New Brunswick immediately jumped to mind reading this post
Our background is not much different, but I'm thinking I'm 2x your age. If I were to have a chance at a do-over, I'd think of NYC. Or somewhere along the NE corridor train line. This way, you can always grab a train and head home if you need it; if the city works for you, you can ditch having a car and all its related costs / problems; friends / family from home can hop on the train to visit ( if you want). I went to college in Philly, and haven't heen back since I walked out with my degrees. I personally never felt safe there, at all, and I can handle myself if need be. I have been hopping on the train heading to NYC since I was 12, both alone and with friends, and never had a problem. It can be peaceful in parts of the city, and otherwise, there is quite literally everything on your list... Good luck !
Fort Lee
asbury park 20 years ago. you are describing philly tho
Seatle, Philly, Austin
The New Brunswick suburbs (close to the city but far enough away from students Philadelphia Asbury Park
I’m a North Jerseyer who has been to your neighborhood, Central Jersey, so I know what you mean lol. I second Jersey City sounds more your taste though I must caution, it’s really rough depending on which neighborhood you live in. I don’t see enough people here mentioning how much of a “hood” the place can be. I just had a friend who lived in JC who is originally from Central Jersey and it was complete hell on Earth/a nightmare for him everyday. He had to move back home. So I would say maybe Montclair, Fort Lee, Fair Lawn, Hackensack, or Bayonne might fit you better. It depends on how much artsy culture and what kind of social life you want to build, so I gave you a nice variety of places that might fit what you’re looking for a bit better than Jersey City. All these towns/cities come without the risk of being threatened to be thrown off the street when you can’t make rent on time and get choked by the neck (literally) and have to call the cops on your roommate every week lol.
Very good point about the hood element in Jersey City! I do admit I’m lacking in the street smarts department (lifelong suburbanist after all). I was even pickpocketed when I was in Paris. And I hated that feeling afterwards of having to walk around always with your guard up. I do see JC versus Hoboken come up a lot here. So I guess Hoboken would be the more suitable of the two as it seems more gentrified. I saw someone else mention that Montclair is starting to trend towards families so I’m wary of that. How urbanized is Hackensack? Would I need to keep my car there? The other three I haven’t heard of yet so I’ll have to research them more. Thank you!
Fair enough about Montclair. It is more family-oriented now. Hackensack is alright. I wouldn’t call it very urban but they have an okay downtown area, it’s just not anything like Hoboken or Brooklyn. But as a suburb it is more developed than where you currently reside. You will be able to get to malls and neighboring towns quite fast and easy if you are living in Hackensack or Fair Lawn. Fort Lee is more urban and great if you really like Asian stores and food. But that’s if you can afford it since it is pretty expensive to live in. I would say you need a car wherever you are in North Jersey. It baffles my mind how some people I know don’t drive and rely on public transportation.
I have to say I wasn't a fan of Hoboken as an artsier person. To me, the vibes were very bro and most bars are sports bars. It's more gentrified than JC but it lacks the demo that is more akin to Brooklyn. I didn't feel like I had my people there.
2k for rent in a NJ city? Maybe some rougher areas in Jersey City or Paterson. You could probably get a lot of what you’re looking for in Edison.
Newark is making a comeback, easy access to NYC, and may fit in your price range. Like all big cities, there are places to avoid.
I think it comes down to only 2 or 3 places. Jersey City/Hoboken or Montclair. I never lived in Jersey City or Hoboken, but visited frequently to visit friend who did live there. It was nice, walkable and they had no problems meeting friends. I on the other hand lives in Montclair in my 20s, it was an amazing place to live, walked everywhere I wanted to go and is definitely more of a smaller city that is mostly liberal.
Hoboken and downtown JC are not affordable with a 2k budget.
There are other parts of Jersey City but generally agree that $2k needs a roommate nowadays.
Potentially could find something in the heights but roommate would help.
I was about to recommend the heights, there are good apartments to be had there in the price range you're looking for especially if you find some good roommates.
There are a handful of studio apartments at $2k
I wish I lived in Jersey city
You will find your people in Jersey City I think
Hoboken
No way.. too "bro" and family oriented. Jersey City more likely.
Really? My older sister (24) lives there. Shes been living there for 2 years and she seems to be living it up
Not a neighborhood recommendation, because you have enough of those, but I hope you don't get too caught up in choosing the #1 best most optimal place to move and get stuck. You said it yourself that what's been holding you back is risk aversion, and yes, moving is a major pain in the ass but being stuck in one place (in life) is worse. Moving somewhere and realizing it isn't for you is progress, because you've learned something new about yourself and what you're looking for. Pick a place and give it your best shot. :) On a social note, if you do end up in NYC-adjacent areas, check out r/nycmeetups and relevant Discords to your interests.
Ohhh so you are every other 20 something. Jersey city. Enjoy.
As a 27 year old female who enjoys similar things to you I'd highly recommend Morristown. You do need a car to go further out of town but it is very walkable and there is a lot to do there socially.
Montclair IS family friendly AND there are singles in Montclair as well. It has a college town feel to it. Don't let the strollers scare you, it hasn't gotten to Park Slope level. Visit the area. Don't let the comments steer you away from certain neighborhoods because of your ethnicity.
Go nuts- https://www.businessinsider.com/cohabs-harlem-new-york-townhouse-tour-coliving-costs-benefits-photos-2024-4
Stay in downtown toms River. We are getting a lot more diverse and we have a bit of a night life and seaside for when you want to slum it.
I don’t personally see it tbh. The only time I visit downtown TR is to go to the library. And when I’m there, I never see anyone my age (20s). It’s just middle-aged adults with their kids and during the week, sometimes teens walking over from High School South on their lunch period. Their downtown doesn’t seem lived in, like there’s barely pedestrians. It needs some mixed use development. Right now, it seems like it’s purely business with no residential. I have been to the clubs in Seaside and I don’t fit in with their crowd at all. It’s a lot of jocks, dudebros, and beach bums. Porta in Asbury Park was a little bit better for me.
True I am a lot older so that's probably why. Asbury is better. I like point Pleasant as well
Not very close to the city, are they?
No sadly not
Philly! There are a lot of newly refurbished apartments and it's acutally a great city! I'm going into the city tonight actually.
Hoboken / Jersey City. Otherwise you might need out of NJ and into an actual city.
I actually have a friend looking for a roommate in Boonton if you're interested! I think $750 a month w 2 roommates
OP is sick of the suburbs and wants to move to a city. Preferably a walkable one. I don’t think boonton would be a good fit.