Is Newark, New Jersey a Good Place to Live?

People began moving to Newark as far back as 1666 which makes it one of the oldest towns in the USA. It is the biggest and most populated city in the state of New Jersey. The city is situated at the mouth of Passaic River which makes it a perfect port city. In fact, Newark’s Port Newark–Elizabeth is the busiest seaport in the entire United States Eastern Seaboard. The city is home to corporations, universities and cultural venues. Newark has a population of about 280,000 which has a mean age of 32 years and is mostly comprised of African Americans.

Is Newark, New Jersey a good place to live? Living in Newark involves living in incredible diversity. Security is relatively good and life is not nearly as expensive as nearby New York. It is a city with great scenery and incredible amenities. There are many social places in Newark and close-knit communal ties. It is a good place to live.

Moving to New Jersey and Newark, in particular, reveals a greater city than its reputation will have you believe. A lot of the labels given to New Jersey are often in comparison to New York. However, the Garden State’s largest city is as beautiful as its residents. Located by the water, the city still has many parks and natural scenery. Living in New Jersey enables regular access to Newark’s Branch Brook Park which is the most ancient county park in the US and contains the country’s vastest collection of cherry blossom trees amounting to over 5,000

In this article you will find out:

Is Newark, New Jersey a great place to live? Prons & Cons.

Newark is a big city and like all big cities, it has elements of opulence and destitution. The city is in a constant state of flux and good neighborhoods can be run down while bad neighborhoods are revitalized. Newark is infamous for its crime and is the main criteria used to judge the neighborhoods in Newark. Good neighborhoods in Newark are North Ironbound, Lower Vailsburg, South Ironbound, Upper Roseville, Forest Hill, North Broadway, Upper Vailsburg, Weequahic, Central Business District and University Heights. Bad neighborhoods in Newark are Dayton-Weequahic Park, Springfield-Belmont, South Broad Street, Lower Clinton Hill, West Side, Lower Roseville, Fairmount, Seventh Avenue, Upper Clinton Hill and Mount Pleasant.

Most crime in Newark is restricted to its poorer sections. Despite crime steadily decreasing in Newark since the 1960s, the crime rate is still very high. The high crime rate is a result of high unemployment and poverty rates. Newark only has a safety index of 8 and has repeatedly received credit as one of the most dangerous cities in the US. The odds that you will fall victim to a crime of any sort in Newark is 1 in 29. There is an average of 100 crimes per 100,000 residents. There are also plenty of property crimes with a 2.5% chance of falling victim of property crime in Newark.

The Newark Public Schools, a state-operated school district, is the largest school system in New Jersey. The school district has 76 schools, 2800 teachers and about 35,000 students under its supervision. In addition to public schools, there are also charter schools and private schools in Newark. Less than 15% of Newark’s population has a Bachelors degree despite the presence of several higher education institutions in the city. Majority of Newark’s higher academic institutions are located in the city’s University Heights district which has over 60,000 students. Notable institutions include Rutgers University, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Seton Hall University School of Law, Pillar College and a Berkley College Campus.

Newark’s location has made it an ideal transport hub since its inception. Port Newark-Elizabeth is one of the busiest ports in the world and the biggest container port on the Atlantic Coast of the United States. Newark Liberty International Airport was the first commercial airport in the USA and is one of the busiest airports in the country today. Newark has 368 miles of highway most of which is operated by the local government. The rest is managed by Essex County, New Jersey Turnpike Authority and the New Jersey Department of Transportation. The city is served by numerous highways including interstate highways and US Routes. Due to the well managed by the mass transit system, many Newark residents don’t own cars. Newark Penn Station is the city’s main train station hosting the interurban PATH train, three NJ Transit commuter rail lines and the Amtrak intercity rail service.

The social life in Newark is vast and varied. There are theatres, museums, concert halls, art galleries, sports arenas and parks among other amenities where likeminded individuals can congregate.

Is Newark, New Jersey a good place to work?

About 100,000 people commute to Newark each workday. However, the unemployment rate in New Jersey stands alarmingly high at 10% and is double the national unemployment rate. The average salary of an individual in Newark is $18,000 dollars which are significantly below the US average salary of $31,000. Common jobs include Operations Manager, Software Engineer, Administrative Assistant and Elementary School Teacher.

Newark was previously an industrial behemoth dominated by manufacturing. However, the city has diversified its economy which now includes sectors like finance, insurance, healthcare, transport & logistics and international trade. The city is currently home to 19 Fortune 500 companies. The largest employers in Newark are Wakefern Food Corporation, Barnabas Health, United Parcel Service, Wal-Mart Stores, Verizon Communications, Meridian Health, Bank of America, Public Service Electric & Gas, Merck & Co. Inc. Pharmaceutical and Johnson & Johnson.

Is Newark, New Jersey a good place to buy a house?

The real estate market in Newark is relatively stable but is more expensive than most other areas in the country. Home ownership is low and it stands at only 25% most of them by the mortgage. It may be because the median property price is $250,000 with the median monthly rent being $1,500. The neighborhood in which you buy real estate determines its worthiness. Home insurance is recommended for every homeowner.

Good neighborhoods in Newark are North Ironbound, Lower Vailsburg, South Ironbound, Upper Roseville, Forest Hill, North Broadway, Upper Vailsburg, Weequahic, Central Business District and University Heights. Bad neighborhoods in Newark are Dayton-Weequahic Park, Springfield-Belmont, South Broad Street, Lower Clinton Hill, West Side, Lower Roseville, Fairmount, Seventh Avenue, Upper Clinton Hill and Mount Pleasant.

The average monthly rent for a one bedroom apartment in Newark is $1000. The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $1450 a month. The average rent for a three bedroom apartment is $1900 a month. The average monthly rent for a four-bedroom apartment is $2500 and the average rent for a five-bedroom apartment is $3150 a month.

The average buying price of an apartment with a single bedroom in Newark is $189,650. The average price of an apartment with double bedrooms is $253,020. The average price of an apartment with triple bedrooms is $309,490. The average price of a quadruple bedroom apartment is $357,300. The average price of an apartment with quintuple bedrooms is $406,105.

Is Newark a good place to retire?

Newark could be a pleasant retirement location. One of the reasons why is because of its incredible diversity. Located at the entrance to America’s East, the city receives visitors and residents from all over the world. If you have spent a significant portion of your life living among one group of people then Newark will liven up your retirement. Another reason to retire in Newark is its location. Most retirees want to live out their days by the beach, dipping their toes in the sand. If that is what you are looking for then Newark is perfect for you.

You won’t find many retirement properties priced differently from normal homes so the above figures can be used as a rough guide when looking for retirement options.

Is Newark a good place to visit?

If you enter the US through the Eastern Seaboard, it would be best to enter through New Jersey and tour the city. It is incredibly rich in landmarks and attractions. Some of the most popular attractions include Turtle Back Zoo, Branch Brook Park, Newark Museum, Thomas Edison National Historical Park, MetLife Stadium, Cape Liberty Cruise Port, South Mountain Reservation, Eagle Rock Reservation, Montclair Art Museum, Liberty Hall Museum, Newark Bay and Shooter’s Island.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Newark, New Jersey?

The cost of living in this city is 22% higher than the national average. Housing is the largest expense taking up to 52% of some households’ income. Taxes and utilities are the other major expenses.

Is Newark a good place to invest in property?

Newark is a densely populated area mainly made up of students and working-age residents. With such a huge employed and student population, real estate investors in Newark can be assured of demand. They will also deal in great real estate due to the city’s location. Therefore, it is a good place to invest in property.

Is Newark a good place to raise a family?

Raising a family in Newark can be challenging but there is much going for it as a child-rearing city. There is every facility you can think of so your kids will have many options. You will also have your pick of schools and religious institutions. Also, your children can play in the numerous playground which includes parks and the beach.