Chances are if you’ve heard of Newark and you're from the Midwest or West Coast, it’s about the airport -- a global transportation hub and one of the most common ways folks fly to the New York metropolitan area. But Newark has a lot more to offer than just an easy way into the city. It has all of the benefits of living in a smaller community, while only being a hop, skip and jump from the Big Apple.

Newark has a historical reputation for crime that they've made remarkable progress on in recent years. Locals decry the reputation as hopelessly outdated. Where they still struggle is with the quality of the public schools. Zuckerberg gave $100 million a few years back to try to whip them into shape but as with most attempts to fix things from the outside with a giant bag of money those who live in Newark played little role in the fix and it appears to have failed. Continued progress in this area would truly elevate Newark.

Next To But Not New York 

LookyLOO Review of Newark

Newark offers much of the same as any typical city -- with the added benefit of being so close to major cities, sports teams, and transportation hubs. The danger is real, but some neighborhoods and suburbs are safer than others and families have lots of the types of activities you’d expect in a city this size.

Let's talk about three distinct Newark neighborhoods:
University Heights gets its name from the four advanced schools in the neighborhood including Rutgers. Living here means you are surrounded by 32,000 students which gives the area big youthful energy. As is always the case, this energy and reasonable housing prices are pulling in droves of young professionals.

Downtown Newark is at the center of the business, culture, and entertainment scene and for those commuting to NYC, you have instant access to the New Light Rail.

Finally, if you're looking for an escape from the NYC or Newark city scene then look at Forest Hill. This is suburbia at its finest but within the city limits. The neighborhood includes Branch Brook Park, beautiful walking trails, and pre-World War II mansions in Georgian and Tudor styles.

If you want to see what locals do in Newark check out the [**calendar of events**](https://www.newarkhappening.com/events/).

Under the Radar

Lifestyle

Newark is a lot more diverse than other cities. There’s a good nightlife and lots of things to do. And, of course, it has very easy access to New York and a great airport to get in and out of town from. The city is currently redeveloping its downtown, so it’s a great time to check it out.

Diverse Experiences

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**charlesdv10**
Living in Newark
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉


TLDR - Newark is awesome.

I’m a white, European (M), who lives and works in Newark - it’s safe, the rent is affordable (relative to NY / Jersey city), and it has amazing access to NY and EWR airport. Newark is on the up and up.

Your friend group is what you make it: Newark makes it easy for that given its diversity. In my case multiple folks with PhDs, lawyers, educators, engineers, creatives including musicians, comedians. Portuguese, Brazilian, Indian, Mexican, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Nigerian, Ghanaian, Kenyan, Haitian, and all flavors of American to name SOME of the folks here (in my friend group).

You have Rutgers Newark, NJIT, Seton Hall, all with a major presence: the corporate headquarters of prudential, Panasonic, audible, NJPAC, and the prudential center. the city has hosted the MTV VMAs, the North To Shore festival, Halsey Festival, and Newark Arts Festival.

You have the ironbound - largest Portuguese population in the US and 300+ restaurants in a 1.5square mile radius, a Whole Foods, Seabras, and too many smaller independent food establishments to list. Breweries, distilleries, places to get cocktails, and music playing outside in the summer time.

If you don’t want to enjoy these things - then don’t move here 😄

For more reviews of Newark from locals check out: [**The Reviews**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/newark/reviews)

More Than An Airport

Reviews of Newark from Locals 

**The Best Thing About Newark?** Not New York

Chances are if you’ve heard of Newark, it’s in relation to its airport -- a global transportation hub and one of the most common ways folks fly to the New York metropolitan area. But Newark has a lot more to offer than just an easy way into the city. In fact, it has all of the benefits of living in a smaller community, while only being a hop, skip and jump from the Big Apple. 

**The Worst Thing About Newark?** Schools

Newark has a historical reputation for crime that they've made remarkable progress on in recent years. Where they still struggle is with the quality of the public schools. Zuckerberg gave $100 million a few years back to try to whip them into shape but as with most attempts to fix things from the outside with a giant bag of money those who actually live in Newark played little role in the fix and it appears to have failed. Continued progress in this area would truly elevate Newark. 

**How You Living?** Under the Radar

Newark offers much of the same of any typical city -- with the added benefit of being so close to major cities, sports teams and transportation hubs. The danger is real, but there are neighborhoods and suburbs that are safer than others and families have lots of the types of activities you’d expect in a city this size.

Let's talk about three distinct Newark neighborhoods:

University Heights gets its name from the four advanced schools in the neighborhood including Rutgers. Living here means you are surrounded by 32,000 students which gives the area big youthful energy. As is always the case, this energy and reasonable housing prices is pulling in droves of young professionals. 

Downtown Newark is at the center of the business, culture and entertainment scene and for those commuting to NYC you have instant access to the New Light Rail. 

Finally, if you're looking from an escape from the NYC or Newark city scene then look at Forest Hill. This is suburbia at its finest but within the city limits. The neighborhood includes Branch Brook Park, beautiful walking trails, and pre-World War II mansions in Georgian and Tudor styles. 

**Why You Should Move Here Now?**

Newark is a lot more diverse than other cities. There’s a good nightlife and lots of things to do. And, of course, it has very easy access to New York and a great airport to get in and out of town from. The city is currently redeveloping its downtown, so it’s a great time to check it out. 


The Central Business District is where young professionals should look first. Plenty of relatively inexpensive condo and apartment living a walk from a lot of the downtown businesses make it ideal for local workers. Newark Penn Station is also located here so a commute into Manhattan is about as convenient as it can be. It’s also home to plenty of restaurants and bars for nightlife when you want to walk to go out. 
- Central Business District


Young Professionals

Central Business District

Forest Hill is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Newark and ideal for families. Large Victorian and Colonial homes are surrounded by the best public schools in the city and plenty of outdoor options like the Althea Gibson Tennis Courts or generally running around on the Branch Brook Park trails. Weequahic is another great area for families with more green space than any other neighborhood in the city and reasonable prices for single-family homes. 
- Forest Hill
- Weequahic


Families

Forest Hill 

Newark

**charlesdv10**
Living in Newark
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉


TLDR - Newark is awesome.

I’m a white, European (M), who lives and works in Newark - it’s safe, the rent is affordable (relative to NY / Jersey city), and it has amazing access to NY and EWR airport. Newark is on the up and up.

Your friend group is what you make it: Newark makes it easy for that given its diversity. In my case multiple folks with PhDs, lawyers, educators, engineers, creatives including musicians, comedians. Portuguese, Brazilian, Indian, Mexican, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Nigerian, Ghanaian, Kenyan, Haitian, and all flavors of American to name SOME of the folks here (in my friend group).

You have Rutgers Newark, NJIT, Seton Hall, all with a major presence: the corporate headquarters of prudential, Panasonic, audible, NJPAC, and the prudential center. the city has hosted the MTV VMAs, the North To Shore festival, Halsey Festival, and Newark Arts Festival.

You have the ironbound - largest Portuguese population in the US and 300+ restaurants in a 1.5square mile radius, a Whole Foods, Seabras, and too many smaller independent food establishments to list. Breweries, distilleries, places to get cocktails, and music playing outside in the summer time.

If you don’t want to enjoy these things - then don’t move here 😄

**charlesdv10**
Living in Newark
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉


Newark has past and a perception that is hard to shake off - white flight is part of the history here. There is a lot of growth and development happening in Newark: it doesn’t have volume of amenities that a NY, or Jersey city has, but they are adding all the time but I view this a net positive, let me explain:

In places like NY there is FOMO; you want to try every new place, and explore everything, which means you rarely go back to the same places. This transient aspect means everyone is anonymous, you may never see a person again after they serve you at say, the coffee shop.

Using coffee shops as an example: there is variety in black Swan, method cafe, sihana, kanela (this does not including listing Starbucks or Dunkin etc). You quickly get chatting to the people In there (all awesome), and they are all multi talented and live in the community. If you are a good human and engage with them, they start inviting you to events and giving you ideas of things to do, and you meet like minded people and there you go!

Newark has a fantastic COMMUNITY. Because of the size you can’t be a shitty person - it just won’t fly! On the flip side, if you are good person, it’s the most welcoming, engaging, diverse place you can be!

**bookishballerina**
Living in Newark
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉

I think Newark is a great place to live, it’s a city with its own identity outside of NYC but still in public transit distance of NYC. Speaking of public transit, because there is NJ Transit and PATH, (and buses and lightrail in addition to trains) the city has robust options. I’ve found great friendships in this city, thru becoming a regular at local businesses (distillery, coffee shops etc) and attending arts events. There are naysayers in the comments who are offering places that are smaller and more homogeneous; I think your original instinct that Newark is a good place to move is correct. Good luck with the move whatever you decide!

**Nwk_NJ**
Living in Newark
3mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

New Brunswick is a much better option imo, as far as amenities. They aren't THAT far off though....The train from there to NYC isn't bad either.

Newark has better train options - the PATH to WTC or even the 33rd st PATH before 23rd are options to get to lower manhattan....and it will be easy for both of you to get to work in NYC and New Brunswick. We have a cool community here, but if you love New Brunswick, than you'd probably be down there or in JC alot. Downtown Newark is spotty.

Newark is cool, and has some stuff, esp if you are from the outer boroughs it won't be culture shock, but New Brunswick is substantially ahead in terms of dining and social options, and its a bit more broadly walkable. If you in any way think NB has any seediness to it, forget Newark. If you think NB is a cake walk (like i do), Newark could be an option.

Fwiw, I regularly contemplate moving to NB, but I work further north and am kinda engrained in Newark now. Newark will suck you in, but NB is probably better for what you're looking for. Come hang in Newark a few times and see what u think. I'd also consider the ironbound close to the train and not just downtown.

Newark, New Jersey

More Than An Airport

Looklyloo Score: 87

Central Business District

Young Professionals

Forest Hill

Families