Newark, NJ

Newark has history that dates back to the Puritans of Connecticut, who settled there in 1666. The city was an industrial powerhouse in the 19th and early 20th centuries, but in recent decades it has undergone a drastic shift towards white-collar industries such as finance and insurance, along with education.

The Newark Museum, on Washington Street, just south of I-280 and west of the Passaic River, is fun for adults and kids alike, with artwork from across the world and an assortment of programs year-round. The arts scene is also thriving, with exhibitions commonly going on in Ironbound, and annual events such as the Portuguese Festival and Parade and McDonald's Gospelfest.

The Ironbound neighborhood in the East Ward is Newark's pulse when it comes to restaurants and nightlife. When the sun sets on Friday night, Newarkers looking for live jazz and mixed drinks in a unique setting head over to The Priory, located in a renovated section of St. Joseph's Church in University Heights. Stained glass windows and other original details remain, giving the place its signature feel, and a menu of soul food and a full bar make it the only place you need to go to start your weekend right.

Ironbound, also a popular location hub for partiers, provides all kinds of watering holes from which to choose. Catch the Devils game on the big screen at Blitz Sports Bar, sip on classy cocktails at Vibe Bar and Lounge, or grab a pint and some of the best burgers, fries and onion rings at the classic dive bar Krug's Tavern - all of which are within walking distance of each other on Wilson Avenue.

Newark has an incredible public transportation system, with nearly 50 local buses, several express buses and multiple railways systems serving two main stations - Newark Penn Station and Broad Street. The Light Rail system has even more stops within city limits. Taxis and car service companies also service the city, and Uber is becoming a more viable option as well, but call ahead instead of trying to hail a cab.

While you can surely live car-free in the "Brick City" because of its walkability in most neighborhoods and its stellar public transportation, the city is also very car-friendly because of the abundance of major roads that pass through it. The New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) and Garden State Parkway, along with I-78, I-280, US Route 1/9, US Route 22, and NJ Route 21 all cut through Newark.

Newark is also a cyclist-friendly city, with new bike lanes being added recently to parts of downtown and other neighborhoods.

Newark has two dog-friendly parks: Weequahic Park in the south and Branch Brook Park in the north. Both are free to use.

Weequahic park has a large lake in its center and an excellent jogging track as well as a golf course and fields for all kinds of sports.

Branch Brook Park is known for its abundance of cherry trees, over 4,000 in total. The park hosts a festival called Bloomfest and 10k run every year when the cherry tree blossoms come out in full bloom. A large lake, pedestrian bridges, and sports fields and courts for everything from baseball and basketball to horseshoes and tennis make this park a fun destination for the whole family.

The cost of living in Newark runs about 21 percent higher than the national average and 7 percent lower than the average in New Jersey. While Newark is the urban center of Essex County, if you wanted to go into Manhattan, you can easily take the PATH train from Newark Penn Station to the World Trade Center in 25 minutes.

The average price for a one-bedroom rental in Newark is $1,300, and the typical price for a beer runs $4 to $6, depending on whether you prefer domestic or imported suds. Gas prices typically trend 12 percent lower than the national average.

Newark offers many places to shop in and around the city - after all, you're always just a train ride away from NYC, and the Newport Mall in Jersey City, with Macy's, JCPenney, Kohl's, Forever 21, H&M, and many other shopping staples, is an even shorter ride away on the PATH train.

That said, you don't have to leave the Gateway City for superior shopping; the Sweet Retreat Boutique sells a variety of homemade cupcakes, and you can even custom order cakes for special occasions.

For food shopping, Newark has more options than you need. Supermarkets and smaller family owned mini-marts are scattered throughout the five wards, including mainstays such as Pathmark, C-Town and local favorite A&J Seabra Supermarkets. For discerning shoppers who want the freshest produce, Newark has plenty of farmers markets in warmer months. Look for them downtown in Military Park and Washington Park.

Newark Liberty International Airport, the Newark Museum, Newark Symphony Hall, City Without Walls, Gateway Project Spaces, Gallery Aferro, Summer Lincoln Park Music Festival, Cherry Blossom Festival at Branch Brook Park, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Prudential Center, Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart