Best Places to Live in Jersey City

If you are moving to Jersey City, then you need to consider moving to one of these seven best neighborhoods in Jersey City!

Jersey City is a great place to live because of its historical points of interest, such as Ellis Island, various green spaces and parks, ethnic diversity, and many business opportunities. With a population of 262,652, it is the second-largest city in New Jersey and provides its residents with a dense urban feel and many places to relax and enjoy nature.

With stunning views of the Manhattan skyline over the Hudson river and a bustling city around you full of restaurants, cafes, and entertainment, it's hard not to fall in love with this city. Before moving to Jersey City, read more about these top seven neighborhoods and what they offer! Depending upon your preferences of price, location, views, public transportation access, and more, we have you covered in finding the perfect place for you.

Check out these top places to live in Jersey City!

The Heights

This neighborhood is located in the northern part of Jersey City and features many Victorian and Edwardian homes intermixed with multicultural restaurants, cafes, shops, and more. With a population of 47,449, you get a very dense urban feel living here with access to anything you could ever want and bustling city life around you. There are also lots of stunning parks with recreational activities to escape.

The median home value in this neighborhood is around $698k, with a mix of people owning and renting their homes or apartments. The Heights is also a great neighborhood for families with parks such as Washington park close by with lots of space to run around and play and highly rated public schools.

Check out some local favorites in this great neighborhood below!

Local Favorites:

• Pershing Field Park - Both a city square and park, this space offers large open recreational fields, a pool, and natural green areas to enjoy amid the city.
• Riverview Arts District - Covering a good part of the neighborhood's eastern side, this area allows artists to live, work, and showcase their work. Many walls and sides of buildings are covered in murals, and studios will open their doors with local artists selling their medium, from paintings to sculptures.
• Jersey City Reservoir - A decommissioned reservoir with a significant water source in the middle surrounded by trees with multiple hiking trails and nature areas to walk around and enjoy.
• Dulce de Leche Bakery - A true local favorite with a bright atmosphere and Argentine lunch fare, gourmet pastries, cakes, and cookies.

Journal Square

This neighborhood is known as the business district and transportation hub in Jersey City. Located in the northwestern part of the city, this neighborhood got its name from the newspaper Jersey Journal that's headquarters were located here from 1911-2013.

The median home value in Journal Square is around $465k, but most residents rent their homes here. This neighborhood gives you the city lifestyle with buzzing streets, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and parks. This area is similar to Manhattan's financial district but on a smaller scale, with towering business buildings and residential towers mixed in with old houses and college students.

The Journal Square Transportation Center is also located within this neighborhood, offering rail lines to New York City, Newark, and many other locations for easy transportation. So, if you need to commute for work, this neighborhood would be an excellent location for you and your family.

If you want to live in a bustling city environment at a lower cost but might have to commute to other locations, this is the neighborhood for you! Check out some of the local favorites below.

Local Favorites:

• Lincoln Park - One of the best urban parks in the city spanning over 270 acres with 21 tennis courts, seven baseball/softball diamonds, two football fields, five basketball courts, two soccer fields, an outdoor track, nature trails, fishing lakes, and much more!
• Mana Contemporary - A cultural center featuring contemporary visual and performing art programs and exhibits.
• India Square - This Journal Square area has many Indian restaurants, shops, and temples to experience and try. There is also the Navaratri celebration each year, with people dancing in the streets and celebrating together.
• The Landmark Lowe's Jersey Theatre - This stunning theatre first opened in 1929 and still stands today, showcasing cinema for over 57 years. Its interior looks almost like a church, designed in a Baroque style with high ceilings and giant chandeliers.

Greenville

This neighborhood is located in the southern part of Jersey City and offers a more urban-suburban mix for residents. Known as a more residential neighborhood with a lower crime rate and a higher quality of life, this is a quiet neighborhood, great for those looking for a slower way of life in Jersey City.

The median house value in Greenville is around $475k, making it a more affordable neighborhood and great for families and young professionals that don't need the excitement of big city life. This is also a very diverse neighborhood, much like the rest of the city, with access to lots of ethnic food options, bakeries, and cafes. There are also many parks and green spaces to enjoy and relax.

Check out some local favorites in Greenville!

Local Favorites:

• Bayside Park - A great place to relax or exercise with tennis and basketball courts, paved walking paths, playgrounds, and a splash area for kids.
• Laicos - This old-time favorite is the best Italian restaurant, serving authentic cuisine paired with cocktails and wine.
• Liberty National Golf Course - Although not technically in Greenville, this golf course is just east of the neighborhood. It has a private 18-hole practice showcasing stunning views of the Manhattan skyline over the greens.

Downtown

Located at the heart of the city, the historic downtown neighborhood is the best part of the city to live in if you want the hustle and bustle of the city around you, with easy access to the best hip restaurants, fancy cafes, and trendy shops. This area is also known for its art and entertainment scene, with venues such as the Jersey City Theater Centre that feature new works by local artists.

The median home value in downtown Jersey City is around $640k, but many individuals rent in this neighborhood. Downtown offers easy access to some of the best parks in the city, with paved paths and large spaces to relax and catch some fresh air. Living here also gives you the convenience of everything you could ever need within walking distance, making it one of the best neighborhoods.

Check out some local downtown favorites to visit!

Local Favorites:

• Van Vorst Park - This neighborhood park is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city to relax in nature. Featuring a beautifully landscaped space with a gazebo, cobblestone paths, a viewing fountain, and a playground.
• Cellar 335 - Who would have thought that one of the best restaurants in downtown Jersey City was in a basement? This funky establishment has a relaxed environment and serves global plates with hand-crafted cocktails.
• Scram Bakery - A great place to liven up your morning or afternoon with delicious pastries, lunch fare, and coffee.
• Hamilton Park - This 5.4-acre park is surrounded by charming houses and eateries/shops and is a relaxing place to get away for a while. There is a playground for the kids to enjoy, sports facilities for everyone, and fun events held all year round.

McGinley Square

This neighborhood is located right near the middle of the city and is quickly gaining popularity due to many new restaurants, shops, and bars popping up. The area got its name after the builder of the St. Aedan's church, Monsignor Roger McGinley. The church still holds services for the local University and surrounding residents and is an architectural landmark for the community. You get the best of both worlds in this urban neighborhood with easy access to public transportation but a quieter location.

The median home value in McGinley is around $432k and provides residents with a dense urban feel without the craze of being downtown. Located just between Lincoln Park and Historic Downtown, you can also make the small drive or commute to some of the best parks, attractions, and more living here.

Check out some of the McGinley Square local favorites below!

Local Favorites:

• Lee Sims Chocolate - A fourth-generation chocolate shop still run by the same family and serving its community with handmade chocolates and custom designs.
• Wonder Bagels - Known as the best bagel in town, this is a spot you can't miss!
• Crema - This place has it all with ice cream in all flavors, including vegan options, coffee, pastries, and a variety of lunch toasts!
• The Clearport - This retail store is like non-other, appearing like an airport on the outside but inside, its interior is full of contemporary brands and streetwear of all sizes and styles.

Newport

Located directly across from Manhattan on the waterfront and considered part of downtown Jersey City, this neighborhood is full of hip restaurants, trendy cafes, and charming and trending shops/boutiques. Although it is full of things to do and people, this neighborhood stays relatively quiet and boasts stunning waterfront views from its parks and luxury resident or office buildings.

The median home value in Newport is around $656k, with many people choosing to rent here. Residents can enjoy dense urban living but access to many parks and green spaces, waterfront paths, community events and activities, and a walkable neighborhood that is very dog friendly.

Find out some of the local favorites in Newport below!

Local Favorites:

• Newport Centre - The premier shopping center in Jersey City with three stories of shopping stores, dining options, and entertainment.
• Newport Green Park - This urban oasis is on a sandy beach and offers a large water playground, ample green space for laying out or picnics, and a water walkway.
• Lefrak Point Lighthouse - A historical landmark in Jersey City and a beautiful area for a picnic or photo shoot with panoramic views of the New York City skyline across the water.
• Battello - A picturesque restaurant with a stunning interior with high ceilings, exposed bulbs, and lights hanging down, serving a seafood-focused Italian menu.

The Waterfront

Living on the water with breathtaking views of the New York City skyline, what can get better? The Waterfront neighborhood offers residents a dense urban feel with many bars, restaurants, coffee shops, parks, and the waterfront to enjoy. With effortless access to transportation over the water or to other areas of the city, this is the most scenic location to live in Jersey City, with unique perks.

The median home value in the waterfront neighborhood is around $855k, but many people choose to rent here. This neighborhood features luxury resident apartments towering high over the water or new contemporary homes.

Check out some of the local favorites below!

Local Favorites:

• Colgate Clock - This octagonal clock faces the Hudson river and has a diameter of 50 feet. It stands 1,300ft from where the headquarters was but is still a landmark today.
• Morris Canal Park - A small grassy park with panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline. A great place to relax, have a picnic, and take photos!
• J Owen Grundy Park - A riverfront pier featuring game tables and a pavilion where shows are healed throughout the year. Stroll up and down the waterfront on the paved path or stay here for a while and enjoy the view.
• Smorgasburg Jersey City - This iconic food court has locations in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Jersey City! This is the largest open-air market in America and has people enjoying dozens of local vendors.

Best Neighborhoods in Jersey City, NJ - Final Thoughts

A great place to live, Jersey City offers stunning views of the New York City skyline, a vibrant downtown, tons of green spaces and parks to relax in, and easy access to transportation.

If you or anyone you know is moving to New Jersey and are considering moving to one of these great neighborhoods in Jersey City, contact us here so that we can connect you with one of our Realty Specialists. We will work with you to find the perfect new home regardless of your price, location, or needs.