Considering a move to Jersey City: convince me otherwise or rally me?

[senorcorazon]

We'll see if this thread crashes and burns.... I'm considering a move to Jersey City Heights from Brooklyn, and wanted to see if anyone has any pros/cons to add to the list. Yes, the Iron Monkey and all the plentiful parking garages that Tom mentioned at the Gathering are definitely selling points. I've lived in Brooklyn for 10 years and have gotten past the need to be near cool bars and galleries and the whatnot, so Maxwell's is plenty (as well as a quick PATH ride to 92Y Tribeca or UCB).

Make my life decision for me!

[gravy boat]

I lived in the Heights from 1998-2000 before moving to Brooklyn. Some of the things I did not like about the Heights may have changed -- like the lack of a good supermarket. This was also pre-"elevator" so the price differential on rent between there and Hoboken was better. I also grew up in Jersey so I may be biased. But my conclusion is to do it if you'll be saving $ on rent/living expenses.

Pros:      
Reasonable rents
More cohesive scene, down to earth people
You will be close to two cool bars -- DC's and Maxwells are in Hoboken but close enough to the  Heights-Hoboken elevator
Street parking, and having a car in general, is easier (but my car got broken into about four times so I eventually just removed anything of value and kept unlocked);
I heard Benny Tudino's opened an outpost on Central Ave.
There was a good-sized park nearby that had a nice dog-run and decent tennis courts - if you like either of those.

Cons:    
Not sure if this has improved but public transportation was not great; I was on the northern part close to Union City so it was not walking distance to the Journal Square PATH);
the majority of Hoboken's bar-dwellers; it really is a frat-type crowd;
I know you say otherwise but if you are the type that feels like you have to be at the center of "it" you will be frustrated;
No decent bookstores in the area;
No Fresh Direct or good supermarkets in walking distance (from what I remember - maybe it has changed).

Contact me directly if you want more info. And good luck with your decision.

[JonFromMaplewood]

I lived in the Heights from 1998-2000 before moving to Brooklyn.

I lived in Jersey City from 1996-1998 before moving to Brooklyn.  It was fantastic.  Do it!

[senorcorazon]

Coin flip it is!

(Thanks for the feedback)

[DoodleJump!]

I was at my school post office today mailing a letter to Jersey. The postmaster asked me if I was from Jersey and I said I'd never been there. He then began telling me how great it was. Apparently he had lived there for a really long time before he moved here.
So, Jersey City has college postmasters on its side!