10 Best Places to Live in NJ Close to NYC
- Paulus Hook, Jersey City
- Hoboken
- Teaneck
- Bayonne
- Montclair
- Weehawken Waterfront and Port Imperial
- Edgewater
- Fort Lee
- Secaucus
- Other Jersey City Neighborhoods
1. Paulus Hook, Jersey City
The best place to live in NJ that is close to NYC is Paulus Hook in Jersey City. Located near the Hudson River Waterfront, Paulus Hook is a small, historic neighborhood that will charm you with its 19th-century brownstone homes, picturesque streets, and family-friendly vibe. Residents can quickly get to the city by ferry or via the path train, which stops at the Grove Street and Exchange Place stations, which are both minutes from Paulus Hook. The commute time to the World Trade Center is less than 10 minutes while getting to 33rd Street/Herald Square is about 25-30 minutes. Another perk of living here is that you’ll enjoy incredible views of NYC from the Jersey City Esplanade, Morris Canal Park, and Liberty State Park, which are all nearby. Perhaps the only drawback of living in Paulus Hook is that it’s one of the most expensive neighborhoods on the NJ Gold Coast.
2. Hoboken
Hoboken, NJ, is another place to live in for those who want to be close to NYC. It’s long had a reputation as the most fun city on the Gold Coast, resulting in high prices and a college-town vibe as the city attracts many young professionals. Overall, there’s more to do in Hoboken than Downtown Jersey City & Paulus Hook, so if you’re looking for a lively place to live, Hoboken is a great choice. You’ll have access to more nightlife, restaurants, and bars, but that does come at a cost. Hoboken is louder and rowdier than Downtown JC and Paulus Hook, and if you’re looking for a luxury apartment that’s close to the path, you should expect to pay more in Hoboken. In terms of commute, Downtown Hoboken is very close to NYC, offering path train and ferry service from Hoboken Station. The commute time to Lower Manhattan is less than 10 minutes and about 20-25 minutes to Herald Square. If you live in Uptown Hoboken, however, your best bet will be the bus to Port Authority, which also originates at Hoboken Station and stops throughout the city on its way to NYC. All-in-all you’re looking at under a 30-minute commute.
3. Teaneck
Teaneck is also a great place to live in New Jersey near New York City. It’s a laidback town in Bergen County located about 13 miles or a 30-minute drive from Midtown Manhattan. Teaneck is a great place to live, with a rich history, good schools, and a diverse population. It’s a popular bedroom community offering reasonable rents, friendly residents, and easy access to the city. In 2023, Teaneck ranked number 23 on Fortune’s annual list of best places for families to live in America. It’s a good place for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city but still want access to essentials such as hospitals, parks, and grocery stores. Plus, Teaneck is very safe, and the violent crime rate is 44% lower than the national average.
4. Bayonne
The southern-most city on NJ’s Gold Coast is Bayonne. It’s also one of the newest cities in the area to experience an influx of new residents, as it offers less in the way of public transportation. That’s changed in recent years as the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail was expanded to Bayonne in 2011. A new ferry service from Bayonne to Manhattan is also expected to open in the fall of 2020. This means that commuting from Bayonne to Downtown Manhattan takes about 30-40 minutes or about 50 minutes to Midtown.
What makes Bayonne a great place to live in is the attractive real estate prices, which are some of the lowest you’ll find anywhere on the New Jersey Gold Coast, its family-friendly atmosphere, and the many wonderful parks in the city. Best of all, Bayonne is a very safe area and has also been experiencing a development boom. Numerous residential buildings are under construction, and many new businesses have opened their doors in the city, including Costco.
5. Montclair
Montclair is also a great place to live in New Jersey near New York City. Positioned atop the cliffs of the Watchung Mountains, Montclair is a major cultural center for New Jersey and a popular bedroom community of New York. It’s located about 18 miles or a 34-minute drive from Midtown. Plus, New Jersey Transit trains run hourly from the Montclair Station on Watchung Ave to Penn Station. Montclair is famous for its gorgeous architecture, tree-lined streets, and ethnically diverse restaurants. It offers a great blend of serenity and excitement with frequent art festivals, trendy boutiques, and a bustling downtown area. It’s also a very safe community, and the crime rate is 73% lower than the national average.
6. Weehawken Waterfront and Port Imperial
Weehawken is located just north of Hoboken, and is another great Gold Coast City, especially if you’re in the market for luxury living and stunning views of NYC. The areas around Port Imperial Boulevard and Lincoln Harbor have experienced a ton of residential development in recent years, so you’ll find plenty of luxury apartments available. A Whole Foods Market also recently opened in Weehawken. Compared to Hoboken and Downtown Jersey City, there’s less to do in Weehawken, but prices are generally a bit lower. Additionally, the commute to Midtown/Port Authority is faster, though, albeit via bus, while if you work in Downtown Manhattan you’ll find that you’ll have a much longer commute.
7. Edgewater
Edgewater is another one of the best places to live in New Jersey that is close to New York City. Located on the Hudson River, directly across from Upper Manhattan, Edgewater is about 9 miles or a 30-minute drive from Midtown. It’s a very safe community with a crime rate that is 45% lower than the rest of the US and a violent crime rate that’s 85% lower than the national average. It has a peaceful, suburban ambiance, and there are also plenty of things to do, from shopping and dining at Edgewater Commons to hiking and boating at the Palisades Park Recreation Area. Plus, there’s a ferry that runs daily into Midtown Manhattan for more options. With breathtaking views of the city skyline, an easy commute, and a family-friendly atmosphere, Edgewater is a great place to live in New Jersey if you need easy access to the city.
8. Fort Lee
If you’re interested in a more suburban place to live that’s close to NYC, Fort Lee, NJ, is likely your best option. Fort Lee is certainly the most family-friendly place to live on the Gold Coast and is known for being a very safe area with good schools. That being said, the commute from Fort Lee to New York City will be longer and more expensive. The typical commute by bus from Fort Lee to Port Authority takes between 45-60 minutes.
9. Secaucus
Secaucus is another one of the best cities in New Jersey close to New York to live in. Situated in Hudson County on the Hackensack River, Secaucus is a quiet suburban town that is popular among commuters who work in New York. It’s an affluent bedroom community that enjoys direct access to Midtown via NJ-495 and the Lincoln Tunnel or New Jersey Transit, located about 6 miles or a 20-minute drive from Midtown. Secaucus is a calm, family-friendly community, and you won’t find much action or excitement unless you travel into the city. But if you’re looking for a safe, affordable New Jersey suburb with a fast commute to Manhattan, Secaucus is a great choice.
10. Other Jersey City Neighborhoods
Many of the best neighborhoods in New Jersey that are closest to NYC are in Jersey City. Since Jersey City is massive, there are several Downtown JC neighborhoods worth mentioning besides Paulus Hook, in addition to other up-and-coming neighborhoods. Here’s a quick rundown:
Newport: Newport is perhaps the closest NJ neighborhood to NYC, located just across the water from Manhattan. Newport offers lots of luxury apartments on the Hudson River waterfront but tends to be a less exciting commuter neighborhood with little in the way of nightlife.
Hamilton Park & The Village: These parts of Jersey City used to offer some of the best deals in Downtown Jersey City, but as demand has risen, prices have jumped and started to catch up to those in Paulus Hook, Newport, and more prime areas closer to Grove Street and Exchange Place.
The Heights: JC Heights is an up-and-coming area that offers far more affordable housing than Downtown JC in a safe, residential area. The main drawbacks are that the commute to NYC is longer, and prices have risen quite dramatically in recent years.
What Is the NJ Gold Coast?
The Gold Coast consists of the New Jersey cities that sit alongside the Hudson River, across from Manhattan. These towns are attractive places to live due to their proximity to NYC and their more affordable prices. Best of all, it’s often said that Gold Coast residents enjoy the best views in the world, as they enjoy incredible vistas of the Manhattan skyline.
Traditionally, the most popular Gold Coast NJ cities were Hoboken, Jersey City, Weehawken, Edgewater, and Fort Lee. Still, growing demand from renters and buyers has spurred new development in Union City, North Bergen, West New York, Fairview, Cliffside Park, and Bayonne.
Best Cities in NJ Close to NYC Bottom Line
Overall, while living in the Big Apple is the ultimate dream for many, NYC is notoriously expensive, and finding a place to live in NJ that is close to NYC can be a great alternative. If you work in New York City and want to live nearby, be sure to check out these great Gold Coast and North Jersey cities and neighborhoods.