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0730x t1_j31go3w wrote

Are you able to visit these places to generate your own opinion? One way is to go to the center of the downtown area of each neighborhood, and also to visit a nearby supermarket to get a sense for the local population. Many people find JSQ to be a good convenient place to live. Others do not want to live there. It’s subjective.

What your realtor did when telling you not to live in JSQ is illegal and is called Steering.

From https://www.nar.realtor/fair-housing-corner/steer-clear-of-steering

“Steering” is the practice of influencing a buyer’s choice of communities based upon one of the protected characteristics under the Fair Housing Act, which are race, color, religion, gender, disability, familial status, or national origin. Steering occurs, for example, when real estate agents do not tell buyers about available properties that meet their criteria, or express views about communities, with the purpose of directing buyers away from or towards certain neighborhoods due to their race or other protected characteristic. If a client requests a “nice,” “good,” or “safe” neighborhood, a real estate professional could unintentionally steer a client by excluding certain areas based on his or her own perceptions of what those terms means.

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TouchPorcelain OP t1_j31hk0o wrote

I am not able to visit, no. I have to be there by the end of the month and I'm in the Pacific Northwest (so the other side of the country). So kind of relying on other peoples help to get a feel for Jersey City. I'm also from a small town of about 1400 people so that's probably why the realtor was advising me to live outside of the city, she was assuming that I would prefer other areas I suppose. Really talked up Secaucus where she lives.

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ceeyell t1_j31obtw wrote

Secaucus is best for older, retired people or young families, it’s extremely suburban and residential. Nothing going on for anyone single and/or under 60. Night and day compared to Jersey City, not to mention it’s not cheap and you’re 100% car reliant living there

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Aggravating_Sand352 t1_j31subw wrote

I've lived in Everett Washington for a summer and now live in JC.... JC is nicer and safer than Everett although that's not saying much. Do you work from home or do you need to commute every day?

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RedChairBlueChair123 t1_j32bblp wrote

My experience in journal square is that real estate agents know nothing about the area. I went through two realtors before I found one who knew journal square.

Stay on the India Square side near Kennedy and you’re fine, it’s all families.

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0730x t1_j31i6pc wrote

I agree with some other people here that mentioned finding a roommate situation. It’s usually more temporary than signing a 12 month lease and you won’t have to furnish a whole apartment. One way to judge an area is the more expensive it is the more people want to live there. Hoboken and Jersey City near the Grove, Exchange, and Newport path stations are the most expensive areas and you can probably find a room for less than $1400 which is really the max you should be spending at $57k income. Once you are more familiar with the area, you can then choose to move to a cheaper area further from a path station or whatever you’re comfortable with.

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TouchPorcelain OP t1_j31io5z wrote

$1400 including utilities or no? I've been seeing some for $1300 not including and some for $1500-$1600 that include and not sure which is the way to go.

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moobycow t1_j31s3ki wrote

Harrison might work, it doesn't have a lot going on itself, but the PATH is a quick ride to Newark, JC and NYC, and it's less expensive.

JSQ is fine (I have friends with young kids who walk around and take the train from there all the time), but you're pushing your budget a lot.

Also, I might talk to a realtor who isn't scared of cities.

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0730x t1_j31k4au wrote

One rule of thumb is your income should be 40X the rent. I like to save more conservatively and have some extra cash to spend so I would suggest that $1425 should include utilities. Most/many apartments don’t include utilities so budget $100 per month for that.

But remember that $1300 for a bedroom in a 2 or 3 bedroom apartment share will range from somewhat nice to very nice. $1300 for an entire 1BR or even a studio is not likely to be nice at all.

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TouchPorcelain OP t1_j31kgmw wrote

Ah, I see, thats probably a better way to calculate it in a city. Everything I've been seeing has been saying monthly income 3x which would put me at almost $1600 for recommended rent but saving more definitely sounds better. Thank you!

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0730x t1_j31l9or wrote

Realtors around here often go by the 3X rule. That’s because what people want to do with their savings is up to them. 40X is more for NYC. But as a renter myself I had always been more conservative so I can actually build up savings and have some money left over to enjoy the amazing restaurants and bars we have around here.

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moobycow t1_j31s8ks wrote

Depending on if you have a car or not, the calculation can be pushed a bit in the city, as it turns our cars are expensive to own/maintain.

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