Jersey City, NJ Area Guide

In the 1630s, New Amsterdam was the new frontier. The area that is now New Jersey attracted fur trappers, farmers, and Dutch investors. It didn't take long for the Jersey City area to become a transportation hub, and in 1838 Jersey City became a separate municipality, home to railroad terminals, ports, and factories. Today, so many businesses and financial companies have moved to Jersey City that it has earned the nickname, "Wall Street West."

Being so close to Manhattan, Jersey City is close to some of the world's top restaurants. But you don't have to head out of the neighborhood -- just stroll up the block! Jersey City's food scene ranges from fine dining to taverns to pizza joints, and they are all fantastic. After choosing your New Jersey rental, find your favorite new hotspot at one of these top locations: Liberty House Restaurant, Lighthorse Tavern, Stage Door Deli, Skinner's Loft, or Razza.

Jersey City is a hub of transportation options. The Journal Square area is the motherboard of mass transit. Journal Square has trains that take passengers to 33rd St in New York, Newark, and other major cities. There are buses that can take passengers to the far reaches of Northern Jersey. If mass transit is not a preferred method, there are taxis lined up outside of the train station prepared to take city goers to their desired destinations.

Jersey City is home to more than 60 parks with facilities ranging from city pools to ball fields to tennis courts. If you are moving to Jersey City with a pet, Jersey City offers five dog parks, so be sure to choose your rental within pet-walking distance of Lincoln Park Dog Run, Van Vorst Park Dog Run, Hamilton Park Dog Runs, Sgt. Anthony Dog Park, and Newport Dog Run.

Of course, the most famous of all Jersey City parks is Liberty State Park. This park provides ferry service to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and is home to the Liberty Science Center, the Interpretive Center, the Liberty Landing Marina, picnic pavilions, fishing and crabbing areas, and a boat launch.

While rentals in Jersey City are a little less than Manhattan, the rents are still up there -- ranging from $2,500 to well over $8,000 per month. But considering the location, the nightlife, the restaurants, the businesses, and the museums -- and the fact that you won't need a car to get around -- you'll discover it's well worth it.

Once you've chosen your Jersey City rental, you won't have to go far to find places to shop. Filled with corner markets and locally-owned shops, Jersey City has just about everything. And when you want a mall to explore, Jersey City provides plenty of those, too! Be sure to explore Newport Centre, Hudson Mall, and Newport Plaza to discover stores from Coach to Zumiez.