While many people love living amidst the hustle and bustle of Manhattan, other folks prefer to watch its famous skyline from afar. If you can relate, you will feel right at home in Jersey City. 

Located just across the Hudson River from New York City, Jersey City is a diverse and booming area in New Jersey. Depending on what Jersey City neighborhoods you check out, you will find a thriving Downtown or venture into quiet residential streets with great views and vast green spaces. 

If you are considering a move to JC, you may need help figuring out where to start. That is why the team at Prevu Real Estate put together a guide to the best neighborhoods in Jersey City, NJ. 

Best Neighborhoods in Jersey City

• Downtown Jersey City

• Journal Square

• Bergen-Lafayette

• Greenville

• McGinley Square

• The Heights

• Paulus Hook

Downtown Jersey City 

Down by the waterfront, you will find the downtown of Jersey City. From waterfront parks with stunning views to various places to eat, Downtown JC has it all. 

This bustling area is a mecca for foodies and folks chasing the best lunch spots. From young families, to lifetime Jersey residents, you can find them moving to the Downtown area. Places like The Kitchen Step and Uncle Momo are known for their weekend brunch crowds. 

You can find a conveniently located diverse selection of multicultural cuisines in Downtown, such as Italian, Japanese, and Indian. After grabbing a bite to eat, many folks head out to fun music venues like White Eagle Hall and The Brightside Tavern to enjoy the lively nightlife scene. 

Downtown’s outdoor attraction is Liberty State Park. Here you’ll find the Science Center, several trails to explore, a lawn for picnics, and even a ferry terminal providing easy access to the Statue of Liberty on Ellis Island. 

But what draws many people to Downtown Jersey City are the transportation options 

The PATH train, bus routes, and even a ferry connect Downtown Jersey City to Manhattan. Downtown also has a unique real estate market for aspiring buyers which includes a mix of swanky high-rise condos near the waterfront and down-to-earth brownstones in Historic Downtown. 

Journal Square

People who want to live in Jersey City, but have to travel throughout the rest of Jersey a lot, you should check out Journal Square.This neighborhood offers many public transit options, including PATH trains, NJ Transit trains, and buses at the Journal Square Transportation Center, which recently underwent renovations. 

The newly completed center offers commuters a variety of new shops, restaurants, and other conveniences. If you are looking for a quick cup of coffee, City Cafe and Bakery is an easy stop on the morning commute. For dinner, you can find a host of restaurants lining Newark Avenue. 

Like Downtown, Journal Square has plenty of new construction condominiums popping up. But the farther you go from the transportation center, the more historic multi-family walk-ups and single-family homes you’ll find. 

But you can still find pockets of old New Jersey in spots like the Landmark Loew's Jersey Theatre, a storied establishment from the 1920s where you can still catch a show. 

Bergen-Lafayette 

Only some people coming to Jersey City are looking for an easy route to Manhattan. 

Others come for the historical homes, community gardens, and a burgeoning arts scene, which are defining features of Bergen-Lafayette. Located south of Journal Square, this neighborhood has a mix of brownstone homes, new developments, and a smattering of remodeled homes. 

You can find great greenspaces like Arlington Park, Berry Lane Park, and Lafayette Park, which has a pool for locals to cool down amidst an urban landscape. Communipaw Avenue is one of Bergen-Lafayette’s main drags, where folks can grab a quick coffee or sitting down for a bite to eat at The Factory. 

Deep Space JC is the local art gallery where you can find a revolving cast of local and national artists’ work for sale throughout the year. 

Greenville 

Folks looking for a suburban lifestyle within reach of NYC should check out Greenville. Named after Revolutionary War hero Nathanael Greene, this neighborhood had an industrial history. But after zoning changes, Greenville has a more residential feel today. 

Many single-family homes and small apartment buildings available for purchase. Many houses sit on tree-lined streets that bring a bit of greenery to an otherwise urban city. And places like Columbia Park, McGovern Park, and Mercer Park provide locals with plenty of places to unwind after a busy week. 

On the weekends, you can find residents hitting the links at the Liberty National Golf Course, which has fantastic views of the New York Harbor. If golf is not your game, you can head to the RPM Raceway, where folks can hop on a go-kart to race their friends. 

Greenville may not have as many dining options as Downtown, but you can find fantastic Italian food at Laico's on Terhune Avenue. 

McGinley Square 

Located in the heart of Jersey City, McGinley Square is a happening neighborhood filled with shops, eateries, and other small businesses. Homebuyers will find a lot of character packed into this small neighborhood, which has a mix of new developments and older homes on tree-lined streets. 

McGinley Square has more public transit options than Greenville yet still retains a suburban feel. While other parts of JC, like Downtown, are known for their nightlife, McGinley Square is famous for its great food. Family-run Lee Sims Chocolate Shop is a staple in the neighborhood, providing custom confectionaries for locals. 

Another popular spot is Wonder Bagels, which arguably makes some of the best bagels in Jersey City. Shopping enthusiasts, meanwhile, should explore The Clearport. Its chic, airport terminal aesthetic comes alive as you tour the aisles, with streetwear brands and other companies on display. 

McGinley square is perfect for folks who love to be outdoors, as the expansive Lincoln Park is only a few blocks away, as is the Skyway Golf Course, on the shores of the Hackensack River. 

The Heights

If you are looking for some of the best views of the NYC skyline available in Jersey City, you should check out the homes in The Heights. 

Homes in this area of Jersey City command top dollar, as they have picture-perfect views from the top of the Palisades Cliff. Many homes are from the turn of the century, with Victorian homes, rowhouses, and brownstones dating back to the early 20th century. 

Yet homebuyers can find plenty of new construction condos with similarly striking views. Folks living in The Heights have the city at their fingertips, with easy access to public transportation and a happening restaurant scene. 

Central Avenue is the heart of The Heights, where locals shop at mom-and-pop clothing and shoe stores lining the road. But no matter which part of The Heights you live in, a coffee store or hip bar is always within reach. 

Paulus Hook 

Right across the river from Downtown Manhattan is Paulus Hook, one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Jersey City. 

The name hails from the Dutch language, with "hoeck" translating to "point of land." This is an apt description, as this elevated area near the waterfront sits above Hudson, Van Vorst, and Montgomery Streets. 

You can expect to find plenty of new construction condos dotting the streets of Paulus Hook, as the prime location makes it perfect for viewing the Manhattan skyline from big bay windows. But you can also find stunning brownstone rowhouses in the area, like on Grand Street.

When it comes to getting around, there is a light rail station on Essex Street, but the most scenic way to get around is the ferry. There is a terminal to the south at the end of Morris Street near the Morris Canal Park, and one at Paulus Hook pier, right near the Colgate Clock. 

Montgomery Street is where folks head out to dine in Paulus Hook, where there are staples like Liberty Prime Steakhouse, Milano's Deli, and Muteki Ramen.

Interested in buying a home in Jersey City? Browse listings and see how much you can save with Prevu’s Smart Buyer Rebate.