Month: February 2022

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Why You Should Live in Newark, NJ – Complete Guide

Living in Newark, NJ Complete Guide

Are you dreaming of living near NYC, but prefer to keep your rent prices down? Then look no further than Newark, NJ. This bustling city offers plenty of amenities so you can easily live, work, and play here. Of course, if you ever want to visit New York City, it’s a quick train ride away, which means you’ll always have something to do. If you’re interested in moving to Newark, NJ, read the below guide to see if it’s the right city for you.

Important Things to Know About Newark

Busiest City in NJ

Newark is the most populous city in New Jersey with a population of around 311,000. Measuring a total of 25.89 square miles, it has the third-smallest land area among the 100 most populous cities in the US. Its large population is due to the abundance of jobs due to being one of the nation’s major air, shipping, and rail hubs as well as its proximity to New York City.

One of the Oldest Cities in the U.S.

Settled in 1666 by Connecticut Puritans led by Robert Treat, Newark was created to be a theocratic assembly of the faithful. This didn’t last long as new settlers arrived bringing different ideas. Eventually, in 1693 it was organized as a township and granted a charter in 1713. It eventually was incorporated in 1798.

In addition to being one of the oldest cities, Newark is also home to the oldest municipal commercial airport – Newark Liberty International Airport. Built in 1928, it was the first municipal airport in the nation and was the busiest in the world until LaGuardia was built in 1939.

Moving to NYC Made Easy

If you get tired of Newark, New York City is just around the corner. Newark is serviced by NJ Transit and can get you to Penn Station in under 30 minutes. While NJ Transit is more expensive than taking the PATH train, it’s still cheaper than taking a taxi or Uber. The trains run every 10 minutes during rush hour and every 20-30 minutes during off-peak times.

If you’re not close to the train station, there are also many bus stops in Newark that will take you to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in NYC. While not quite as fast as the trains, it can often be more convenient as you can request the bus to stop at specific locations.

While there’s currently no ferry that takes you to Newark, there has been talk from the Hudson County Planning Department to expand service to Port Newark, though this hasn’t been approved yet. If you really want to travel by water, you can take a boat to Paulus Hook ferry stop, but you’ll need to take a taxi from there to Newark, which takes around 15-20 minutes.

Prefer to drive? It’s almost a straight line from Newark to the Holland Tunnel, which connects to Downtown Manhattan. If you work in Midtown, then you’ll need to travel a bit further north to access the Lincoln Tunnel. Either way, driving can take almost three times as long as taking public transportation so you might want to leave the car at home.

Development of Newark

Newark earned a reputation for being a dangerous city. However, since the 1990s it has transformed due to infrastructure investments from Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group and Prudential Financial. The mayor has also worked hard to ensure healthy and sustainable growth while managing gentrification. One such project includes the Teacher’s Village, a hybrid development complex with schools, a community learning center, retail, and affordable apartments.

Newark hasn’t stopped there. In addition to revitalizing the business sector, there is also a push to enable residents to become homeowners at more affordable costs dubbed the Homeownership Revitalization Program. Residents who have lived in the area for 5+ years could buy a house for as little as $1 with a few key restrictions including:

  • Qualified buyers must live in the house for at least 10 years
  • The property must be used for construction of a one, two, three, or four bedroom house
  • Buyers can only purchase one property

So if you’re looking to move to Newark, then now is the time!

Official Wards of Newark

Newark is New Jersey’s largest and second-most racially diverse city. It consists of five official wards, though residents have broken these wards into smaller neighborhoods.

  • North Ward – home to the historic district of Forest Hills, the North Ward contains many older mansions and colonial homes. It is also home to the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart and to Branch Brook Park, which has the largest collection of cherry blossoms. In fact, it has 600 more than in Washington, D.C!
  • South Ward – If you’re in the healthcare profession, the South Ward is the place you want to live as it is home to the city’s second-largest hospital – Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. It’s also great for families as there are a total of 17 public schools just in this area alone.
  • Central Ward – home to around 55,00 residents, it also boasts many historical sites such as Kreuger mansion, Eberhardt Hall, and the Abyssinian Baptist Church. It’s also the hub for Newark’s higher education as you will find Berkeley College, NJIT, Rutgers, Essex County College, and Seton Hall University School of Law here.
  • East Ward – known as the Ironbound, it’s perfect for foodies as you’ll find more than 170 restaurants, wine shops, and specialty food stores. If you get tired of eating, you can walk around and enjoy the wide variety of local stores.
  • West Ward – once predominantly an Irish-American, Polish, and Ukrainian neighborhood, over the years the demographic has become more diverse as more Latinos, African Americans, and Caribbean Americans have moved in. The West Ward offers some lovely historic sites such as the Fairmount Cemetery and the lovely Ivy Hill Park.

Largest Schools and School System in Newark

Newark’s public school district is the largest school system in New Jersey with over 60 schools ranging from elementary to high school. While Newark’s public school might not rank as the best in New Jersey, there are some great options such as Science Park High School ranked in the top 100 of the 322 schools statewide. There are also several private schools that serve children from pre-k to high school giving you plenty of options.

When it comes to higher education, Newark is home to multiple first-rate colleges and universities, most notably Rutgers University-Newark and Seton Hall University School of Law. While it might not fall into the Ivy League category of schools, Rutgers offers competitive undergraduate and graduate degree programs. For those looking to get into law, Seton Hall University School of Law is the top-ranked law school in New Jersey and ranked in the top 100 in the nation.

Largest Employment Sectors in Newark

More than 100,000 people commute to Newark every day, making it New Jersey’s largest employment center. There are plenty of jobs available regardless of what industry you want to join. And while it may no longer be the thriving industrial complex it used to be, there is still a decent amount of industry and light manufacturing.

Newark is most known for being the third-largest insurance center in the United States only behind New York City and Hartford, CT. Some of the largest companies originated in the city including:

  • Prudential Financial
  • Mutual Benefit Life
  • Fireman’s Insurance
  • American Insurance Company

It is also home to 19 Fortune 500 companies including Merck & Co Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Verizon Communications, Bank of America, and more.

Newark has also quickly become a hub for technology ever since Audible moved its headquarters to Newark in 2007. Since then other companies have followed suit including Panasonic and WebMD. One notable technology company that garnered attention was AeroFarms. This aeroponics company eventually built the world’s largest indoor vertical farm in a Newark warehouse. You don’t have to be a big tech company to do well in Newark, though. The city has attracted venture capitalists and startup accelerators, making it one of the best places to launch your next tech startup.

Of course, many people also commute out of Newark for work. With NYC only 30 minutes away, you have practically unlimited options. Plus, if you work in NYC you’re getting NYC pay without having to pay NYC taxes. Heck, your income tax is lower in NJ as well. Just make sure that when you file your taxes you complete your NY one first. Then NJ will provide you with a tax credit for anything you paid over the NJ income tax amount.

Living in Newark Is Cheaper or Not?

When compared to a place like New York City, Newark is significantly cheaper. With that said, there are a couple of areas where living in New Jersey might be slightly more expensive. Perhaps the biggest drawback is the high property tax. New Jersey has the highest property tax of any state at 2.42 percent compared to the national average of 1.07 percent. Newark itself has an even higher average property tax at around 3 percent. Transportation is another area where you might end up spending more. While Newark does have excellent public transportation options if you want to have flexibility in where and when you travel you will want to own a car, which ultimately means gas, insurance, and maintenance payments.

However, the savings you receive likely outweigh what you might spend on transportation and even property taxes. The latter you really don’t need to worry about unless you buy a home. And since the majority of Newark residents are renters, you probably won’t have to worry about property taxes at all. At first glance, housing costs might look expensive. The average rent for an apartment is around $1,500 though this varies depending on the location, size, and quality of the apartment. However, when you compare the costs of rent to NYC, you get more bang for your buck. For the cost of a small studio apartment in NYC, you can get a nice two-bedroom in Newark.

When it comes to general living expenses, you’ll find you’re spending much less money on groceries, entertainment, and shopping. In fact, if you shop in the parts of Newark that are a part of the Urban Enterprise Zone, you can take advantage of the reduced sales tax of 3.3125 percent compared to the standard 6.778 percent.

Safety Issues and Crime Alerts

Newark earned a bad reputation for being a dangerous place. Much like other large cities, Newark definitely has unsafe areas. However, thanks to the strides it has made in developing and transforming the city, it has become much safer overall. Your best bet is to avoid walking around by yourself late at night.o, but that’s generally good advice anywhere you decide to live.

If you’re raising a family, some of the safest neighborhoods are found in the North Ward. You’ll want to avoid areas in south neighborhoods as you have a 50 percent chance of being a victim of crime compared to the 3 percent chance in north neighborhoods. Your best bet is to use your judgment and avoid places that give you a bad feeling.

Newark’s Population Overview

Newark has a population of around 311,549 making it the 62-most populous municipality in the United States. The median age is 34.4 years old and despite being home to several universities, only around 11 percent of the population has earned a Bachelor’s degree.

Newark has a relatively diverse population though the majority of residents are African American. White people make up around 26.3 percent and Hispanic or Latino make up 33.8. Asians make up a small portion of the population at 1.6 percent. It’s the second most racially diverse city in New Jersey second only to Jersey City.

Is the Climate Hot or Cold?

Newark’s climate lies between a humid subtropical and humid continental climate. That translates to cold winters and hot, humid summers. In general, Newark doesn’t suffer too much from extreme weather, but the most common issue the city experiences is both inland  and coastal flooding.

Other common natural disasters that occur include:

  • Tropical storms and hurricanes
  • Drought
  • Landslides
  • Winter Storms

Amazing and Fun Activities to Do in Newark

As the largest city in New Jersey, there’s plenty to do in the area whether you’re a nature lover or into the performing arts. 

  • Performing Arts – You don’t need to head into NYC to enjoy some amazing performing arts programs. Newark is home to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark Symphony Hall, and New Jersey State Opera.
  • Museums – Newark is home to New Jersey’s largest museum – The Newark Museum of Art. Its collection is ranked 12 among art museums in North America and highlights American and Tibetan art.
  • Newark Murals – Since 2009, the city of Newark has sponsored Newark Murals, a series of outdoor murals about various people, places, and events in the city. The largest mural is The  Portraits mural which is the length of 25 football fields and is the longest continuous mural on the East Coast and second longest in the country.
  • Experience the Cherry Blossom Festival – While Washington, D.C.’s Cherry Blossom Festival attracts people from around the country, Newark’s Branch Brook Park actually has the largest collection of cherry blossom trees in the United States. With over 5,000 trees in more than eighteen varieties, you can enjoy the soft pink hues that usher in the spring.
  • Eat at Diverse Restaurants – Newark is a great place for foodies. It is home to one of the busiest airports in the nation, and as such has cuisines from all over the world. Venture into the Ironbound, Newark’s top dining destination, and enjoy food from Portugal, Spain, Italy, and more.
  • Walk along the waterfront – Once you’ve enjoyed all that Newark has to offer, enjoy a relaxing stroll along the chain of parks along the Passaic River. During the summer, you can even take kayaking or riverboat tours and enjoy a different view of the city.

Moving to Newark, NJ

If you want to stay in a relatively busy city but don’t want to pay NYC prices, then Newark has a lot to offer. In fact, you might never need to step foot in NYC if you don’t want though the option is always there. Once you’ve weighed the pros and cons of living in Newark, NJ, call up trustworthy NJ movers like us!

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What You Need to Know Before Moving to NJ from New York

What You Need to Know Before Moving to NJ from New York

There’s a certain excitement to New York City that many other cities simply can’t replicate. There’s always something happening regardless of the time of day and regardless of what niche interests you might have, chances are you’ll find your people. NYC’s diversity is what often draws people to it. Still, while 150,000 people move to the city every year around 100,000 people move out for a variety of reasons.

If you’re considering a New Jersey move, there are a few things you should consider before taking the plunge. You’ll want to set some expectations beforehand so you’re not disappointed after moving to NJ. Once you have all the information and are ready, make sure to give us a call!

Tax Differences Between Two Cities

One of the biggest differences between New York City and New Jersey is the taxes. New York might have the highest state and local taxes combined at 12.7%, but New Jersey isn’t too far behind at 12.2%. More importantly, you’re not making the extra New York City tax even if you end up living in New Jersey but working in the city. Depending on your salary, you could be saving thousands of dollars at the end of the year. Yes, you’ll have to file in both states, but New Jersey lets you take the tax you already paid as a credit against your New Jersey tax liability.

Shopping is also less expensive in New Jersey. Regardless of what borough you live in, you will have to pay an extra 8.875% in sales tax. In comparison, New Jersey’s statewide sales tax is 6.625%. Some areas are even lower if they are in designated enterprise zones. For example, if you shop in Jersey City, the sales tax is only 3.5%!

The one area where New Jersey beats New York when it comes to taxes is property tax. In fact, New Jersey has the highest property tax in the country at 2.4%. Even in New York City, property tax reaches a max of around 1.925%. Still, considering how much you’re saving in other areas, it might be worth it to pay higher property taxes since you’ll be bringing more money home.

Commuting System: Which Is Better?

While NYC has excellent public transportation options, New Jersey isn’t too shabby either. The state has a low rate of car ownership at 29 cars per 100 people and you really don’t need a car as you can get pretty much anywhere via the PATH train, Amtrak, and NJ Transit. You can easily access NYC and Philadelphia with no issues.

If you live in Jersey City or Hoboken, NYC is a short 15 to 20 minute train ride away on the PATH. Cost-wise, you pay the same amount of money as you would for a one-way Metro Card. However, you do not get free transfers like you would if you were riding the subway. If you plan on taking the subway anywhere else, you’ll have to pay the cost of another ride.

When it comes to taking the NJ Transit or Amtrak, prices increase drastically as it is directly tied to the distance you travel. You’ll need to plan out your trip carefully as well as the trains don’t come as often as the PATH with some arriving once an hour.

As good as NJ public transportation is, it’s hard to stack it up against NYC since the subways run 24/7 and if one of the train lines goes down, you have other options to choose from. Of course, you’re comparing the transit system for a city versus an entire state so there are going to be differences when it comes to convenience and reliability. If you want to get around the state easily, your best bet is to get a car. Just remember that owning a car means extra costs such as gas, insurance, tolls, etc.

Affordable Housing Comparison Between Two Cities

Even in expensive cities like Hoboken and Jersey City, apartment costs are significantly lower when compared to NYC. The prices might look similar, but instead of only paying for a one-bedroom for $3,000/month, you’re getting a two-bedroom. The extra space is one of the major reasons many people move to New Jersey despite working in NYC.

If you’re looking to expand your family, buying a house is much more affordable than trying to buy an apartment in NYC. Sure, some locations aren’t cheap, but you’re getting an entire house versus an apartment in a building. You’ll have more space to work with and, depending on the area you choose, some nice yardage where you can relax and enjoy the weather. Plus, you’re building equity. Unlike apartments where your monthly rent doesn’t pay for anything, your mortgage payments go towards paying off your home. Eventually, you’ll own the house completely and can pass it on to your children. Even better, you’re able to deduct the interest you paid on your mortgage up to $1 million in mortgage debt.

Of course, being a homeowner also means you are responsible for everything. If something doesn’t work in your NYC apartment or the roof leaks, you just need to call the super or building manager and they will send someone to fix it. You don’t have to worry about paying for it since maintenance is included in your rent. When it comes to a home, you’re responsible for everything. That also means paying all the bills including heating, water, taxes, and even trash collection in some places. And that’s on top of potential repairs and maintenance. It can definitely add up so make sure you factor in these monthly costs to see if you’re truly ready for homeownership.

Check the Weather in Both Cities

While NYC has its fair share of extreme weather events, New Jersey hasn’t escaped unscathed either. In many cases, New Jersey often faired worse than NYC when it came to catastrophic weather due to its geography. Being located along the ocean means there are great beaches, but also extreme weather patterns you’ll need to contend with. You’ll be in the range of hurricanes and nor’easters. If you’re thinking about moving to Hoboken, consider finding a place on higher ground as Hoboken has a habit of flooding.

When you’re not dealing with storms or blizzards, you get to experience the full gamut of seasons and experience the beautiful and colorful display during the fall and spring seasons. Winters tend to be cold but bearable and the average summers tend to be hot and humid. Still, New Jersey has 130 miles of coastline to enjoy during the summer months.

Hire Professional NJ Movers for Your Move

It’s important to understand to pros and cons of moving to New Jersey before committing to an apartment or home. You want to be as prepared as possible before taking the plunge. Once you’ve done your research and made your decision, reach out to trusted NJ movers to help you with your relocation. We at NJ Great Movers have been working in New Jersey for over 10 years so we can help you get organized and situated. You have enough on your plate so let us take the moving part out of the equation!

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What to Do After Moving into a New Apartment

What to Do After Moving into a New Apartment

You’ve finally signed your lease, paid your deposit, and received the keys to your new place. It’s an exciting time. It might be tempting to dive into the process of unpacking and getting settled, but before you unpack your first box there are a few things you should do beforehand. These shouldn’t take too long, but by taking the time to follow this checklist you can make your first few months much easier.

As tempting as it might be to kick back and relax,  take the time to follow these new apartment tips to know what to do after moving:

Document Everything and Revisit the Apartment

If you’re renting an apartment, chances are you had to put down a security deposit. If this is your first place, a security deposit essentially is money your landlord/building owner can use to fix your apartment if there is excessive damage. Unfortunately, many landlords do their best not to pay back security deposits after a tenant moves out. If you don’t take pictures of how the apartment looked before you moved in, you could be on the hook for damages made by the previous tenant.

It might seem silly, but take the time to take pictures of absolutely everything no matter how small. Note every knick or scratch you find and create a folder on your phone and compute for later reference. You should also email these to your landlord/building manager so that you can have a paper trail in case they say that you changed the timestamp on your photos. Many bad landlords and building managers will pull every trick in the book to keep you from paying back your security deposit. Be vigilant!

While you’re documenting everything, also make a note of items that need to be fixed such as:

  • Leaky faucets
  • Clogged drains
  • Windows that won’t shut properly
  • Doors that don’t lock
  • Bug infestation
  • Broken heating system

And so on. Immediately report these to your landlord to get them fixed. If you let these issues fester until you move out, the landlord can withhold your security deposit! A more serious problem like the last two are very important to document to your landlord immediately. Should they not fix it ASAP, you can take your landlord to small claims court.

Get Friendly with Your New Neighbors When You Move

You don’t have to bring over homemade cookies to your neighbors, but it’s a good idea to say hello to them if you happen to come across any when you first move in. Simply say hello and let them know what apartment you’re in. You don’t have to chit-chat too long, but don’t just ignore them. Your neighbors can be your biggest allies and can help you out in times of need, but that’s only if they know you. You don’t need to become their best friend, but make the connection and maintain it for as long as you are living in your new apartment. You never know when you might need help.

Better yet, people are less likely to be jerks to neighbors when they know them. If your neighbors are loud, they are more likely to turn down the volume if they know the person complaining. After all, no one wants to be considered a jerk by people they know! This goes both ways, of course. You must be also a good neighbor. Even if you’re a night owl, avoid doing loud things like hanging paintings or vacuuming late at night. Your neighbors are just trying to enjoy their lives as they normally do so save the extra noisy stuff for earlier in the day.

Organize Your Belongings by Priority

You don’t need to unpack everything yet, but if you went the DIY moving route then you should at least move all the boxes into the appropriate rooms. You can even organize the boxes by order of importance in the rooms so you can focus on unpacking essential items first. So whether you unpack all at once or over the course of a few weeks, it’s much easier to do so room by room than darting between the different rooms. If you hire professional movers you should direct them where to put the boxes so you don’t have to do the work afterwards.

Speaking of unpacking, make sure to take out and arrange your daily items. This includes items such as:

  • Toiletries
  • Towels
  • Coffee-making supplies
  • Cooking utensils
  • Bedsheets
  • Pillows
  • Clothes for the next few days

And so on. Even if it’s only a handful of things, organizing and placing these items can really make your apartment feel more like a home and encourage you to keep unpacking. Plus, you won’t have to worry about digging through boxes to find your toothpaste or hairbrush before going to bed the first night in your new apartment. Speaking of, you should also take some time to pick up some essentials you might have tossed for the move such as body wash, soap, hair care products, and so on.

Update Your Information and Note the New One

The best time to your address for various bills, insurance, etc. was before you moved. The next best time is right when you move. It’s easy to let your address change fall through the gaps especially for things like your regular mail. After all, who gets paper mail anymore? While you can set up mail forwarding with USPS, it will only continue this service for 60 days. After that, they will stop the service so it will be up to you to update your address directly with these companies.

Beyond the obvious ones such as banking institutions, insurance companies, etc. don’t forget to notify your place of employment and update your tax documents. You should also update your favorite shopping sites and medical providers. If you have kids, make sure to notify their school of the address change if you are still going to the same school.

Speaking of updating information, if you have rental insurance, you might need to adjust it. If you don’t have one, now is a great time to get it as it can protect you against fires, floods, theft, natural disasters, and more. Rental insurance costs vary based on location and amenities, but the average cost is around $180 a year.

Try to Finish at Least One Selected Room

Yes, you might be exhausted after the move, but try to set up at least one room the day of the move. Choose an important space like the living room or bedroom to tidy up. Unpack the boxes and place the items in the appropriate areas while also noting any storage solutions you might need for that space. You don’t have to hang up all the decorations at this stage, but you do at least want to get the majority of the boxes out of the way.

Don’t get too carried away! The goal is to complete a single room as much as possible. That way in the coming weeks of unpacking, you at least have one spot in your home where you can relax. As you continue to unpack, follow this same method where you unpack to completion. That way you’ll see the progress you’ve made as each room comes together in the coming weeks.

Hire the Best Professional NJ Movers

Moving apartments can be a daunting and tiring task. If you want to make it easier one yourself, why not let professional NJ movers take the load off your shoulders and do the moving part for you.  Heck, many also offer packing and unpacking services so all you need to focus on is making sure you document everything in your new apartment and updating your information. Whatever option you choose when moving, following these tips can make your life in your new place go a lot smoother.