Moving to Jersey City? A Deep Look At The Only City To Have Two PATH Stops In Its Limits

Last Modified: April 10, 2026

Are you tired of reading Jersey City moving guides that are clearly written by someone who's never even visited the Heights? Life in Jersey City can't be summarized by only looking at almanac weather data, reading up on crime rates, or asking bots about the stats on local schools. It's an experience, through and through. If you love breathtakingly glittery night skyline views, lightning-fast access to NYC, and access to incredible schools, you might be right for JC. Our no-BS, locally-made moving guide will give you the straight dope, so you'll actually know what it's REALLY like to live in Jersey City before you hop on the train.

<strong>Welcome to Jersey City</strong>, where park benches come with million-dollar views for free. Spoiler: You might need to share with the seagulls.
Welcome to Jersey City, where park benches come with million-dollar views for free. Spoiler: You might need to share with the seagulls.

Snappy Summary: Living in Jersey City is a clear tradeoff: a sky-high cost of living for things like rent, parking, tolls, and even basic necessities. However, you get what you pay for. For the price you pay, you get a ton of opportunities to have fun, unique outings that other people would only be able to have on vacation. The jobs, education, and networking opportunities are also some of the best on the East Coast. It's up to you to decide whether it's worth it.

Still deciding whether New Jersey is your speed overall? Our moving to New Jersey guide breaks down the bigger picture beyond Jersey City.

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Most Likely Personalities to Love (or Hate) Jersey City

Is Jersey City right for me? We'll be real: Jersey City is not for everyone. The traffic can be insane and many people tend to get scared of the prices. However, certain people take to this place like a duck to water.

Incredibly High Likelihood You'll Love Jersey City (80–100%)
  • Foodie 95% Uh, hello?! It's a major hotspot for all things food-related. Locals get to enjoy Razza blistered pies, tons of Latin food stops, then Cellar 335 tiki heat. The more spending cash you have the better it'll be. Fans of celebrity chef work will love Sushi By Domo, the hottest place for raw fish. While it can be harder than usual to drive to your local grocery store, it's fairly easy to get meals delivered and even easier to find gourmet shops for those special ingredients you can't always source at a Whole Foods. (Drake Pines is a great butcher shop, by the way.)
  • Coffee Snob 93% Jersey City and its neighbor, Hoboken, have a long history of coffee house culture. Expect to enjoy Modcup single origin, Lackawanna oat draft, Dames hush...the list goes on and on. Bubble tea is also hot here too.
  • Craft Beer Fan 91% Enjoy 902 rooftop pours, Zeppelin steins, Departed Soles curiosities all entice. The best might just be Wurstbar, simply because it feels like it's always Oktoberfest at that brewery!
  • Dog Momma 89% Dog moms can expect to experience Hamilton Park run drama, Hound About Town spoils, tons of pet-centric groups and boutiques. (Also, Jersey City is also home to the only cat-centric boutique in New Jersey!)
  • Tech Bro 88% Wall Street and tech bros have made JC the "sixth borough" for a reason. They seem to thrive here. Six minute PATH, Andco desks, Harborside fintech mixers, Regus Coworking spaces at fairly decent prices...Need I say more?!
  • Adventure Junkie 87% There is always something to do here, and some locals even make a living on Airbnb as adventure guides to prove it. Kayak Morris Canal, boulder The Cliffs, skyline thrills, tons of unique urban exploration-worthy areas to check out in the region.
  • Hipster 85% Certain parts of Jersey City will feel strikingly similar to Williamsburg due to the still-relevant hipster population. Artists in the hipster movement will enjoy multiple photography clubs, Fox and Crow backroom shows, or picking up local zines from Deep Space Gallery.
  • Vintage Thrifter 84% It's hard to say no to browsing Another Man's Treasure racks, warehouse popups,and local clothing swaps. The overall anti-waste, anti-fast-fashion attitude here is remarkably strong. You'll have a hard time finding locals wearing "Sheincore" here.
  • Wall Street Exec 83% You can reach the WTC five minutes, enjoy ferry flexes, and if you're a bit sordid, you can partake in a heavy sugar baby scene. There are also several bars that act as major networking points for Wall Streeters in firms like Merrill-Lynch.
  • Yoga Instructor 82% Urban Sadhu sweat, waterfront sun salutations, Equinox Gym, and plenty of "yoga moms" who are willing to spot you while you do a Scorpion Pose.
High Likelihood (60-79%)
  • College Student 78% NJCU, PATH internships, Newark Ave nightlife, museums, plenty of areas with student discounts to enjoy.
  • CrossFit Regular 76% Brazen barbell clangs, waterfront sprints, JCFit Downown
  • Minimalist 74% You get to enjoy a lot of minimalist views, amenities, and more. You can live in Newport glass boxes, Citi Bike, shrink bills thanks to easy roommate finding, or just cut budgets by opting out of a car. It's doable here.
  • Farmer's Market Regular 72% Jersey City has several Farmers' Markets throughout the warmer months of the year. There's also a growing organic, farm-to-table movement among restaurants here. For fans of "clean" soaps, you might want to check out some of the pop up shopping events. Locals bring their own soaps more often than not.
  • Gamer 70% You can hit up Barcade, find lots of local game streamers to network with, enjoy late-night Doordash options that include seriously delicious Asian options, or take a trip to nearby Edgewater for the local One Piece TCG popup at Mitsuwa.
  • DIYer 68% You can partake in LSC MakerLab classes, 12th Street Home Depot runs, or enjoy DIY craft classes aplenty. NJCU also offers free community art workshops for the folks who absolutely need to get crafty.
  • Stay at Home Mom 66% You can bring your kid to the Hamilton Park tot lot, revel in a decent school selection, or join child-friendly Choc-O-Pain bistro meetups with new mom friends. Jersey City and its neighboring city Hoboken (right on the PATH train) also have several ultra-luxe child boutiques, if your kid is a fashionista.
  • PTA President 64% "Tiger" parents can enroll kids in extracurricular-heavy schools, tap into a massive tutoring pool, or enroll children in cultural-specific schools like TongYan Chinese School.
  • Binge Shopper 62% Trust me when I say you'll never run out of shopping here. Locals get Newport Centre hauls, multiple iconic design houses, and enjoy proximity near American Dream Mall. Shopping fans also get to extend that love to specialty boutique food stores, if they're so inclined.
Moderate Chance (40-59%)
  • Retired Military 58% Veterans in the area often enjoy the quiet blocks, American Legion halls, local VFW club meetings. Much of Jersey City is known for being low in crime. Local leaders are also fairly respectful of vets, inviting them to participate in specific military holiday shows.
  • Beach Bum 49% Ease of transport to the Jersey Shore, beautiful city skylines to explore. Though there's not much "beach" in the real sense of the term, you can find tons of pools nearby and there are plenty of tanning salons available for that sun-kissed glow.
  • Garden Club Lifetime Member 46% This is a city where plants always seem to be in style thanks to tiny stoops, Hamilton Park swaps, and membership in Sustainable Jersey City. There's also a new hydroponic garden nearby.
Low Likelihood (0-40%)
  • Retired Snowbird 28% Nor'easters nip, salt slush tests ankles, slick roads, snow shovels, bad parking in snow. This is a fairly expensive city, so it's not ideal for retirees.
  • Cowboy 5% Multiple here. Sidewalk hay-free, saddle up Citi Bike instead, insane traffic, crowding often makes rural folks feel out of their element. If you want to actually ride horses, you will have to travel to an area like the Palisades or Holmdel to do so.
  • Surfer Dude 7% The Hudson is...not healthy. You have to remember, this is the river that often has jokes about mutant fish, primarily because there have been creatures that evolved to adapt to the high pollution levels here. If you swallow Hudson River water, you are not going to have a good time.
  • Homesteader 10% Compost permits, no goats, community garden waitlists, no room to farm anything but luxury apartments.
  • Budgeters 2% Jersey City's rent prices are skyrocketing and luxury development sprawl is a serious issue. If you are not ready to pay NYC-like prices for rent, you are going to be in for a word of hurt here. When you factor in spiking car insurance rates, metered parking that can exceed $50 in some garages, and ticket-crazy cops, it can be too much.
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Real Estate

A Local's Guide to Jersey City, NJ Real Estate

You've gotta live somewhere... right? From a Paulus Hook brownstone with stroller traffic gridlock to a Newport glass box condo with PATH hum lullaby, Jersey City has a variety of places and ways to make a home.

Home prices are: Brooklyn-lite expensive, still fewer organs required than Manhattan. It's getting harder and harder to keep up with pricing bloat due to runaway investors.

Homes in Jersey City are typically: narrow brownstones, quirky railroad apartments, micro yards, luxury rentals with paper-thin walls, skyline drama, all walkable to PATH. In the more industrial parts of the area, you can find single-person homes but they tend to be fixer-uppers.

The dream house would be: a brownstone with parking, roof deck, views of the Hudson sunset and a secret speakeasy basement. (Yes, some brownstones actually do overlook the river.)

The reality is that it will most likely be: one bedroom near Journal Square, amenity building, view of neighboring HVAC jungles. If you're on a budget and lucky, you might find affordable housing above a store.

I'll live anywhere except: in a newly built luxuryunit, simply because you'll pay through the nose for a shoebox with a new finish of flooring. The application process alone can be terrible and landlords tend to be very fickle here.

As long as I'm close to: a PATH stop, Riverview Park sunsets, killer coffee, and life altering Taylor ham bagels.

Stereotypical architecture is: stoop proud brownstones, converted warehouses, and mirror glass towers flexing by the Hudson.

Sought after views: Statue of Liberty photobombing One World Trade over glittery Hudson River.

HOAs around here are: amenities rich, rulesy, fond of package logs, choosy about who moves in, and mysteriously high elevator maintenance. Condo HOAs are usually the only HOAs you'll hear about here.

Compared to where I'm moving from, housings costs are: cheaper than Williamsburg, pricier than much of the rest of the country.

Commonly overlooked or misunderstood housing related cost: NJ property taxes, flood insurance, and resident parking plus guest pass headaches. Oh, and car insurance. You do NOT want to see how bad that bill gets.

Before buying a house, I wish I'd known: tax abatements end, Light Rail horns are forever, local taxes are a pain, and street cleaning tickets multiply.

Rent vs buy: rent for freedom, buy for equity, Airbnb leasing, and smug PATH commutes.

Jersey City, NJ Neighborhoods From Local Hidden Gems To Bustling Streets

Find the Jersey City neighborhood that truly feels like home — start with our Jersey City neighborhood guide to compare the neighborhood level quirks and perks. Not sure which neighborhood fits you best? Take our Jersey City neighborhood quiz to narrow it down.

Downtown Jersey City (Historic Downtown)

Downtown Jersey City (Historic Downtown) map

Downtown Jersey City (Historic Downtown), perfect for: PATH addicts and brunch maximalists

Generally defined as the area: North by 14th Street and around the Holland Tunnel approaches, east by the Hudson River from Newport Green past Exchange Place to Paulus Hook, south by the Morris Canal basin, west by Brunswick Street and the I-78 Turnpike Extension

Widely recognized as the place for: Grove Street PATH station, great coffee shops, world-class people watching, beautiful views.

You can spot a Downtown Jersey City (Historic Downtown) local by: Upscale yoga pants, a stroller with a baby or pet in it, and a coffee that's roughly the price of your dinner...if they're female. If you're seeing a guy, they'll likely have Wall Street attire or that chic "I'm a creative who gets paid way too much" look.

Locals live here because: Brownstones, tree shade, fast access to parks, no need for a car, zipping over to Midtown without ruining your hair.

Don't say we didn't warn you about: PATH crowds that turn into hourly stampedes, rents similar to New York City's, and hyper-aggressive drivers. Oh, and parking nightmares.

The overall feel is: Polished, buzzy, stroller-clogged, Manhattanish with just a pinch less of pretense.

Downtown Jersey City (Historic Downtown) neighborhood photo collage
Some of the Downtown Jersey City (Historic Downtown) hotspots include: Barcade Jersey City, Grove Street PATH Plaza, Razza Pizza Artigianale, and Whole Foods Market (Jersey City).

Read more: Compare Downtown Jersey City (Historic Downtown) to other areas in our Jersey City neighborhood guide.

Journal Square

Journal Square map

Journal Square is perfect for: PATH riders on a slightly lower budget, movie fans, luxury apartment fiends

Generally defined as the area: North by Route 139 and the Bergen Arches trench, east by Baldwin Avenue and the Palisade ridge through Five Corners, south by Montgomery Street and McGinley Square near St Peters University, west by Tonnelle Avenue and West Side Avenue wrapping Marion and India Square

Widely recognized as the place for: Loews marquee glow, crazy good hole-in-the-wall takeout venues, and India Square spice

You can spot a Journal Square local by: Bags of produce from Patel Brothers, an encyclopedic knowledge of global cuisine, college knowledge, and a slightly more artsy streak.

Locals live here because: It's more affordable than Downtown and it also tends to have better food. Also, cars are not necessary here.

Don't say we didn't warn you about: Aggressive drivers, difficult parking, towing at the drop of a hat.

The general vibe is: Starving Artist with a twist of luxury.

Journal Square neighborhood photo collage
Some of the Journal Square hotspots include: Loew’s Jersey Theatre, Mana Contemporary, and Journal Square PATH Station.

Read more: Compare Journal Square to other areas in our Jersey City neighborhood guide.

The Heights

The Heights map

The Heights, perfect for: People who want to live in Brooklyn but must stay Jersey-side.

Generally defined as the area: Palisades Cliffs and Hoboken below to the east, the Union City line along Paterson Plank Road to the north, Tonnelle Avenue and US 1/9 by the rail yards to the west, Route 139, the Bergen Arches, and Journal Square to the south

Widely recognized as the place for: Cliffside views, Central Avenue bodegas, heavily stocked smoke shops, Riverview-Fisk sunsets, backyard chickens, and heavy Latin culture.

The people that live here are generally: Multi-generational families blasting salsa, artists lugging frames uphill, up-and-coming business owners, recent immigrants to the US.

Locals live here because: Skyline views, actual porches, friendly neighbors, affordable housing, unusually convenient store locations.

The downsides are: Tons of stairs for everything, lots of cramping, near-impossible parking, especially around the park.

The vibe around The Heights is: Neighborly and homey, despite the cramping and noise.

The Heights neighborhood photo collage
Some of the The Heights hotspots include: Dulce de Leche Bakery, Corkscrew Bar & Grill, Congress Street (100 Steps), and Riverview-Fisk Park.

Read more: Compare The Heights to other areas in our Jersey City neighborhood guide.

Jersey City Waterfront

Jersey City Waterfront map

Jersey City Waterfront is perfect for: aesthetic addicts who want to live in a neo-Tokyo, fans of seeing New York without smelling New York. (Get my drift?)

Bordered by: Hoboken city line near 18th Street and Newport Green to the north, the Hudson River shoreline to the east, Liberty State Park and the Morris Canal Basin to the south, and roughly Marin Boulevard, Washington Boulevard, and the Hudson Bergen Light Rail right of way to the west

Best known for: Colgate Clock, Exchange Place suits, breathtaking churches, Grundy Pier, rooftop nightlife that rivals New York City.

You can spot a Jersey City Waterfront local by: Upscale biking outfits, a Citibike pass, a snooty appearance, paired with an unusually innate knowledge of everything that has to do with rooftop bars.

Move here if you want: sunrise runs, PATH convenience, bragging rights

The downsides are: wind tunnels, seagull heckling, PATH sardines

The general vibe is: shiny, breezy, bougie, ferry fast

Jersey City Waterfront neighborhood photo collage
Some of the Jersey City Waterfront hotspots include: Hudson River Waterfront Walkway (JC), J. Owen Grundy Park, Hudson & Co., Smorgasburg Jersey City, and Hyatt Regency Jersey City.

Read more: Compare Jersey City Waterfront to other areas in our Jersey City neighborhood guide.

Newport

Newport map

Newport is perfect for: Pierside sunsets, feeling like you're near 34th Street without being in Midtown, good walks with your dogs, or having other people walk your dogs.

Generally defined as the area: Hudson River east, Hoboken border at Weehawken Cove and 14th Street north, Marin Boulevard, Harsimus Branch Embankment, and Mall Drive East west, Harsimus Cove railyards, 6th Street, and Newport Parkway south

Best known for: Glass towers, Newport Centre cardio, yoga moms, parents who want the best school possible, the Newport Mall that seems to bring all the hooligans for no reason.

You can spot a Newport local by: Athleisure-clad finance folks chasing daycare waitlists and latte points or their teenage kids who have a part-time job at the mall. (It's a last bastion of mall rat life.)

Locals live here because: PATH's right nearby, everything is climate-controlled, and LUSH is just a hop away.

Don't say we didn't warn you about: wind tunnels, mall crowds, crazy HOA fees and restrictions, seagull "graffiti" on your car.

The general vibe is: Glass, gloss, stroller slalom frenzy

Newport neighborhood photo collage
Some of the Newport hotspots include: Newport PATH Station, AMC Newport Centre 11, Newport Centre, Chipotle Mexican Grill (Newport), and Hudson River Waterfront Walkway (Newport).

Read more: Compare Newport to other areas in our Jersey City neighborhood guide.

Paulus Hook

Paulus Hook map

Paulus Hook: sunsets, quick ferries, smug skyline selfies

Bordered by: Hudson River east, Morris Canal Basin and Liberty Harbor south, Marin Boulevard and Jersey Avenue west, Christopher Columbus Drive north

Best known for: Wall Street PATH being really close by, brownstone buildings, heavy crowding, and being a slice of upscale Brooklyn.

You'll fit in if: your family member works in finance, you love Italian food, and you are already talking about which private school you want your kid in

Move here for: Skyline homes, being able to rub elbows with the new vanguard of wealthy people.

The downsides are: Moms here are notoriously cliquey and rents will make you cry.

The general vibe is: The Upper East Side version of Jersey City

Paulus Hook neighborhood photo collage
Some of the Paulus Hook hotspots include: Liberty State Park (Paulus Hook access), The Paulus Hook Ferry, Paulus Hook Park, Light Horse Tavern, and O Haras Pub.

Read more: Compare Paulus Hook to other areas in our Jersey City neighborhood guide.

Bergen-Lafayette

Bergen-Lafayette map

Bergen-Lafayette, perfect for: Liberty State fans, artists, art lovers, neo-beatniks.

Geographically defined by: Grand Street and Montgomery Street to the north, Liberty State Park, Morris Canal and the I-78 Newark Bay Extension to the east, Caven Point Road and Claremont Avenue to the south, Bergen Avenue, MLK Drive and JFK Boulevard to the west

Best known for: Beautiful sunsets, being near Liberty State Park, being unusually car-friendly for Jersey City, once being high-crime but now being fairly safe, having good parks.

You can spot a Bergen-Lafayette local by: Well...they're all at the park. It's kind of an obsession here. Locals are also quick to defend their neighborhood's reputation.

Locals live here because: unusually spacious apartments, a slightly quieter vibe, lagging gentrification, an old school vibe.

Don't say we didn't warn you about: heavy construction with real estate investors salivating over homes, fireworks in the park, and having to deal with explaining that it's "really not the way it once was" to other newbies.

TLDR;: Gritty, cool, but sleepy.

Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood photo collage
Some of the Bergen-Lafayette hotspots include: Lafayette Park, Liberty State Park, and Liberty Science Center.

Read more: Compare Bergen-Lafayette to other areas in our Jersey City neighborhood guide.

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Things To Do

Fun Things to Do Around Jersey City, NJ

Curious about what entertainment options you have around Jersey City? If you like the idea of wandering along the waterfront, getting artsy mural spotting in Bergen Lafayette, and are daring enough to try paddling around Ellis Island, you're going to love it here.

  1. On a perfectly sunny Saturday: Liberty State Park picnic, taking photos of skyline views, ferry exploration, brunch cruises on the Hudson, or playing in the park with friends
  2. On a rainy dreary day: soak in knowledge at the Liberty Science Center planetarium, or take a walk at the Newport Mall
  3. Intellectually stimulating: Hit up the Ellis Island museum to hear stories of immigrants who passed through the area, take a weekend class at NJCU, check out the local libraries
  4. Artsy: Go to Mana Contemporary labyrinth, check out what Art House Productions is up to, do a Jersey City mural safari in between
  5. Something inside and free: Go to the Main Library reading room, check out ornate ceilings, indulge in local history gossip, visit historic graveyards for a daytime ghost hunt.
  6. Outdoorsy: Kayak Liberty State Park marshes or take a run by one of the many riverside paths.
  7. Fitness oriented: Run the waterfront to the Colgate Clock, enjoy the parks' jungle gyms, or get spicy with an Alter Ego pole dancing class. (Or, if you're more of a BBoy/BGirl, check out the local breakdancing studio.)
  8. If you're a shopaholic: Newport Centre spree, then vintage treasure hunt at Another Man's Treasure
  9. With your dog: Go to the Hamilton Park dog run, puppuccino bribe, Newport waterfront sniffari, or check out a local animal rescue
  10. Family-oriented: Check out Liberty Science Center, go to the Newport Park, or meet with other moms at a chic cafe.
  11. In need of a selfie: Pose in front of the Colgate Clock during golden hour, get fashion magazine-ready shots in front of local murals, try Freedom Tower photobombing like a pro, try out a local photo studio for rent, or go for an edgy nightlife shoot at Six26.
  12. You have to see this: Empty Sky Memorial aligning Lady Liberty, goosebumps almost mandatory as you see memorials of the Twin Towers.
  13. On a budget: India Square thali lunch, grab a mango lassi, check out a local bakery, or go to the Jersey City Night Market by the docks.
  14. For the daring and wild: Go for a jet ski tour, try a nightlife club cruise from the Jersey City piers, try urbexing at the abandoned rail station.
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Weather

Jersey City, NJ Weather: All the Facts, Without the Boring Stats

Is it going to pour, snow, or maybe something worse? The summers are sticky, ferry breeze saved and the winters Hudson wind tunnel cold. Here's what else is going on around Jersey City that will impact the time you spend outside.

  • Summer temps be like: Hotter than your favorite celebrity crush, stickier than candy, and pretty miserable. 80s to 90s with choking humidity is the norm.
  • Winter lows are: pretty bad, to be honest. Hudson wind slap (20s to teens, feels single digits when it howls). Biting cold weather, ice related accidents, and "blue alerts" are commonplace. Do not leave pets outside in this weather and be prepared to drive to work half an hour early. The icy roads and hilly terrains make for a disaster in the winter.!
  • The humidity makes me: audition as a human sponge.
  • Unique weather patterns: Nor'easters that slap sideways, Hudson River wind tunnel blocks, floods that start minor but quickly overwhelm people and make them wonder why they parked in the basement.
  • Local weather fashion tip: Keep a legit raincoat on hand, but also layer up. JC can be wet AF, so you might want to get waterproof bags. Oh, and the subways flood so make sure you have high boots if you notice a lot of rain.
  • You know it's time to get out of town when: the PATH platform feels like a dumpling steamer and the AC in your prewar sulks, which means Jersey Shore or Catskills by noon. Also, you might want to avoid the streets on New Years Eve since Jersey City catches a lot of the traffic from the Times Square Ball drop.
  • Bugs be like: Spotted lanternflies are glitter with legs, roaches in poorly-kept buildings, and waterfront mosquitoes clock in at dusk like union workers. Make sure to seal up your homes so that no crawlies get in your house!
  • You're stuck indoors again today because: flash flood watch number three this week from tropical leftovers turned Newark Avenue into a moat. Seriously, always have an alternative travel option if you can.
  • Green thumb enthusiasts love: south facing stoops that turbocharge tomatoes, basil that becomes a shrub, backyard figs wrapped in burlap that resurrect in June, containers thrive if you shield them from the Hudson gusts
  • Your friend with allergies is always saying: Trees attack in April, grass in June, ragweed in September, I can smell pollen through closed windows. Thankfully it can block out the smell of the Hudson.
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Traffic

Traffic, The Daily Grind, & Parking in Jersey City, NJ

The time I spend getting to/from work every day is: PATH minutes, Holland Tunnel hours, GWB can be a total gamble depending on the time of day.

Traffic congestion areas to avoid: Holland Tunnel approach via Marin and 12th after 3 p.m., GWB during the morning.

Ability to get around without a car: Yes, if your calves fear no hills, you can bike ride, and PATH gods smile. This is actually a fairly walkable city.

Locals dream of driving around in a: Porsche 911 that parallel parks itself in Paulus Hook and is somehow immune to the hyper-aggressive drivers in the area.

The reality is that most locals drive: A dented Civic hunting meters and empty parking spaces like truffles on Newark Avenue

Quirky local driving habit: Double parking to grab cafecito on Newark Avenue, parking in front of other peoples' garages even though it can cause an accident.

The likelihood of finding parking: Prime spots exist, like unicorns, mostly at 4 a.m. Other than that, expect to park several blocks away from your destination, especially during holidays like Christmas.

#1 driving tip:: Download ParkMobile, don't park in tow away zones, be ready for aggressive drivers, and read alternate side signs twice. Oh, and did I mention that driving here can be nerve-wracking? If you're not used to New York City-style driving, you will have a hard time here.

Parking space info:: This is a city where you will find a lot of people willing to pay money for a parking space. People get very territorial over their parking spaces, especially if they are part of their real estate. Don't gamble it. People here have no issue getting you towed if your car doesn't belong somewhere.

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Fun Facts

Fun Facts You Might Not Have Known About Jersey City, NJ

Think you really know Jersey City? It's not your average town and it has a history unlike any other. Once we school you on these near facts and figures, you might understand why some folks have a certain pride when it comes to living in the Sixth Borough.

  • Common nicknames for Jersey City: JC, Chilltown, The Sixth Borough, Wall Street West.
  • Local Reality Check: It's not just another borough. There's a distinctly Jersey vibe with lots of blue-collar families.
  • You're most likely moving from: Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Hoboken, the Jersey Shore, and priced out Bergen County suburbs.
  • Strangely large concentration of: Filipino eateries and markets around Manila Avenue and Newark Avenue.
  • Music scene: White Eagle Hall, WFMU's Monty Hall, The Ashford, plus basement vinyl parties. Close to NYC and Newark's legendary QXT's goth club.
  • You'll have to see it to believe it: Statue of Liberty skyline sunsets from Liberty State Park's picnic tables, breathtaking walks through the parks at night, the celebrity visitors at Liberty Prime Steakhouse
  • Unique Geography: Neighborhoods cascade from Palisades cliffs to tidal marshes between Hudson and Hackensack.
  • Jersey City is home to: The giant Colgate Clock by the Hudson, once among the world's largest clocks. The railroad yards are also said to be haunted, so paranormal fans can always try to catch a ghost...and a train.
  • Well known for its: Ridiculously diverse food, from momo to mutabal to mozzarella within five blocks. It's also home to exceptional Asian cuisine.
  • Fun history fact: 1998 Supreme Court ruled most of Ellis Island is New Jersey.
  • Celebrity sightings: Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix filming Joker at Journal Square and Newark Avenue. Multiple celebrities are regulars at Jersey City clubs and eateries.
  • Noteworthy Census stat: About 42 percent foreign born, giving this city top tier nationwide diversity.
  • Most interesting sub-culture within Jersey City: Pinoy karaoke nights and Jollibee superfans orbiting Journal Square might be one. The other would have to be the new wave of artists hanging around Deep Space.
  • Population: It's the 2nd largest city in NJ, and ranks in the top 100 largest nationwide. Only Newark is larger in terms of population.
  • Jersey City is roughly the same geographic size as: Alexandria, Virginia
  • Sound like a local by saying: "Taylor Ham," not pork roll, "the City" for New York City, and "bodega" for the local corner stores.

Ready to double park the skyline sunsets, PATH convenience, and diverse food and make Jersey City home? Still not sure if you're ready for wind tunnels, PATH sardines, and NJ property taxes? If you are worried about the world of owning a car here, we are here to offer the pros and cons. The good news is that driving is optional in this city. The public transit is good enough to make cars a "maybe" rather than a must.