ADVERTISEMENT

OT: Info re: Secaucus?

BostonNit

BostonNit

Well-Known Member
Mar 15, 2003
590
753
1
All-Knowing Board:

My son graduated PSU this weekend with a degree in broadcast journalism, and has accepted a position with MLB.com, which is located in Secaucus. Does anyone have any insight into the city? Best places to look for affordable but livable apartments? Neighborhoods to favor/avoid? How good is the public transit system? Suggest living in Secaucus or in a neighboring community? How's the nightlife for young adults? Etc. etc. (Yes, we know it's only like 15-20 mins to NYC by train).

Thanks in advance for any insights!
 
  • Like
Reactions: bison13 and hlstone
BostonNit said:
All-Knowing Board:

My son graduated PSU this weekend with a degree in broadcast journalism, and has accepted a position with MLB.com, which is located in Secaucus. Does anyone have any insight into the city? Best places to look for affordable but livable apartments? Neighborhoods to favor/avoid? How good is the public transit system? Suggest living in Secaucus or in a neighboring community? How's the nightlife for young adults? Etc. etc. (Yes, we know it's only like 15-20 mins to NYC by train).

Thanks in advance for any insights!
Click to expand...
I
BostonNit said:
All-Knowing Board:

My son graduated PSU this weekend with a degree in broadcast journalism, and has accepted a position with MLB.com, which is located in Secaucus. Does anyone have any insight into the city? Best places to look for affordable but livable apartments? Neighborhoods to favor/avoid? How good is the public transit system? Suggest living in Secaucus or in a neighboring community? How's the nightlife for young adults? Etc. etc. (Yes, we know it's only like 15-20 mins to NYC by train).

Thanks in advance for any insights!
Click to expand...
It's in New Jersey so it doesn't smell too good, that's for sure.
 
  • Haha
  • Angry
Reactions: cidsports and scbob
Not much to say about Secaucus. It is a densly populated piece of land, surrounded by polluted river and landfill marsh. It is about as close to NYC as you can get, sitting right near Lincoln Tunnel. Extremely busy roads leading to tunnel. Lots of warehouses around area. Miles of strip mall shopping, everything you could ask for, with some decent old school Italian restaurants. Lots of people like the town and I heard it is tight knit, family community. I would say it lacks character, charm or nightlife for a young adult. Jersey City might be a little cheaper than Hoboken I lived in Weehawken for 3 years and it was ok but lots of shady elements in that area.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bison13, BostonNit, lilromeo and 2 others
SLion said:
Not much to say about Secaucus. It is a densly populated piece of land, surrounded by polluted river and landfill marsh. It is about as close to NYC as you can get, sitting right near Lincoln Tunnel. Extremely busy roads leading to tunnel. Lots of warehouses around area. Miles of strip mall shopping, everything you could ask for, with some decent old school Italian restaurants. Lots of people like the town and I heard it is tight knit, family community. I would say it lacks character, charm or nightlife for a young adult. Jersey City might be a little cheaper than Hoboken I lived in Weehawken for 3 years and it was ok but lots of shady elements in that area.
Click to expand...

Is public transportation pretty good in that corridor? He has a car, but we're wondering if it's even needed in day to day life.
 
I work nearby in North Bergen... I don't think your son would want to live in Secaucus. Hoboken while more expensive is where the younger people would want to live and it's not a far drive to Secaucus.

I personally think Secaucus is a disgusting area. Pollution and traffic. There's other towns a little further from NYC that would be better IMO if you didn't want the city life of Hoboken.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BostonNit
It isn't really a city, just sort of a collection of buildings. If he worked there, he most likely would't want to live there. There isn't anything wrong with it per se, its just that there isn't much there. It is swamp land with a collection of businesses. He could live in a place like Hoboken, jersey city, Montclair, South Orange/Maplewood area and just take the train there, or drive.

Tell him to give montclair a look. There are trains and buses, there is decent nightlife, somewhere between a city and a big town. I HATE hoboken but the kids seem to like it. Jersey city is nice but I lived there and wanted out. He could also live in NYC if he wanted to do that, but he way pay. (albiet less than if it was a year ago!)

Its sort of a train hub where the hoboken trains and nyc bound trains meet.

Congrats to him!
 
  • Like
Reactions: BostonNit
cramx3 said:
I work nearby in North Bergen... I don't think your son would want to live in Secaucus. Hoboken while more expensive is where the younger people would want to live and it's not a far drive to Secaucus.

I personally think Secaucus is a disgusting area. Pollution and traffic. There's other towns a little further from NYC that would be better IMO if you didn't want the city life of Hoboken.
Click to expand...

Trying to help him find a balance of quality of life while not being "apartment poor". Cheaper is better, given how little time he'll actually be in his apartment. :)
 
BostonNit said:
Is public transportation pretty good in that corridor? He has a car, but we're wondering if it's even needed in day to day life.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately he will definitely need a car- especially since the office is in an office park off the beaten path. That will be an extra cost and/or a pain in the butt dealing with parking in Hoboken or Jersey City which are the two most likely places a young recent college grad will want to be. It appears that there are condos right down the street from MLB Secaucus which could optimize his work experience and limit driving. If he will also be spending time at the MLB Manhattan office then he may prefer to have both options- but there is a Park and Ride bus stop at the Lincoln Tunnel exit he could use. When I was in sports their office was on Park Ave in maybe the high 40s or low 50s....

I agree that "old school" Secaucus was a blue collar/tight knit place- my dad grew up in Ridgefield which is not far from there (and I lived there and Palisades Park for a few years when starting out). But with the new PATH station next to the Eastern Spur of the Turnpike there are also clusters of condos going up with easy access into NYC. Just because they are new doesn't mean that they are "nice" or even desirable for a 21/22 year old. But they are options.

Relatives lived in a similar spot in Harrison, NJ near the Red Bulls stadium. Apparently they market themselves as "mini communities" where there is a drug/convenience store, gym, social happy hours, roof top decks with grills etc. They have shuttle service to get you to the PATH train of bus route. But the reality is that you are stranded on a tidal swamp that reeks to high heaven at low tide!

It may also be an option to live in the city and reverse commute- much more excitement- but the tolls will hurt. My wife reverse commuted to Franklin Lakes, NJ when we lived on the Upper West Side and generally going against traffic is a breeze- but there are always exceptions (construction/ holidays/ I 95 volume over the GWB etc).

If he is open to a more outer rim NJ town he could consider Ridgewood- which is on the PATH Line- not sure how accessible the MLB facility is- but it is a classic upscale village with enough restaurants/bars to at least give him a social outlet and a safe place to call home. Montclair is another spot that is closer and could be appropriate. However- being young and IN MANHATTAN is an unbelievable experience (like Disney for twenty-somethings). If you are not on the island you are part of what they call "The bridge and tunnel crowd" or "B nT's" for short. It is not a kind slang term. If he could figure out how to live way West in Hell's Kitchen or South close to the Holland Tunnel he'd love it.

Congrats on the graduation! My daughter would have graduated from Wake on Sunday- but that wasn't meant to be.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BostonNit and step.eng69
87 Penn St8 said:
Unfortunately he will definitely need a car- especially since the office is in an office park off the beaten path. That will be an extra cost and/or a pain in the butt dealing with parking in Hoboken or Jersey City which are the two most likely places a young recent college grad will want to be. It appears that there are condos right down the street from MLB Secaucus which could optimize his work experience and limit driving. If he will also be spending time at the MLB Manhattan office then he may prefer to have both options- but there is a Park and Ride bus stop at the Lincoln Tunnel exit he could use. When I was in sports their office was on Park Ave in maybe the high 40s or low 50s....

I agree that "old school" Secaucus was a blue collar/tight knit place- my dad grew up in Ridgefield which is not far from there (and I lived there and Palisades Park for a few years when starting out). But with the new PATH station next to the Eastern Spur of the Turnpike there are also clusters of condos going up with easy access into NYC. Just because they are new doesn't mean that they are "nice" or even desirable for a 21/22 year old. But they are options.

Relatives lived in a similar spot in Harrison, NJ near the Red Bulls stadium. Apparently they market themselves as "mini communities" where there is a drug/convenience store, gym, social happy hours, roof top decks with grills etc. They have shuttle service to get you to the PATH train of bus route. But the reality is that you are stranded on a tidal swamp that reeks to high heaven at low tide!

It may also be an option to live in the city and reverse commute- much more excitement- but the tolls will hurt. My wife reverse commuted to Franklin Lakes, NJ when we lived on the Upper West Side and generally going against traffic is a breeze- but there are always exceptions (construction/ holidays/ I 95 volume over the GWB etc).

If he is open to a more outer rim NJ town he could consider Ridgewood- which is on the PATH Line- not sure how accessible the MLB facility is- but it is a classic upscale village with enough restaurants/bars to at least give him a social outlet and a safe place to call home. Montclair is another spot that is closer and could be appropriate. However- being young and IN MANHATTAN is an unbelievable experience (like Disney for twenty-somethings). If you are not on the island you are part of what they call "The bridge and tunnel crowd" or "B nT's" for short. It is not a kind slang term. If he could figure out how to live way West in Hell's Kitchen or South close to the Holland Tunnel he'd love it.

Congrats on the graduation! My daughter would have graduated from Wake on Sunday- but that wasn't meant to be.
Click to expand...

He will need a car if in NJ regardless, however, a lot of the businesses there have shuttles from the station to the business. So he might not need to drive.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BostonNit
GreggK said:
He will need a car if in NJ regardless, however, a lot of the businesses there have shuttles from the station to the business. So he might not need to drive.
Click to expand...
Yeah- agreed- been awhile since I was living up there- but thinking more grocery store/mall/movies or just getting around if not in Manhattan. "Cost effective" options will be limited- especially for people who don't really need access to work IN NYC. He'd be a king if he were moving to Bristol, CT w/ ESPN!
 
  • Like
Reactions: BostonNit
87 Penn St8 said:
Yeah- agreed- been awhile since I was living up there- but thinking more grocery store/mall/movies or just getting around if not in Manhattan. "Cost effective" options will be limited- especially for people who don't really need access to work IN NYC. He'd be a king if he were moving to Bristol, CT w/ ESPN!
Click to expand...
If I was just starting out and NYC wasn’t an option for whatever reason, I think I would go with Montclair in a second. College town with a good mix of stuff, although, many richies, but still cheaper than NYC and lots of nature near by.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BostonNit and 87 Penn St8
Secaucus always reminds me of a classic scene.

"What’s really funny is, the f-ing bank job is way in Secaucus. I’m in the middle of the f-ing weeds, laying down.
comes over, he says, “What are you doing?”
I said, “I’m resting.”
“Here, you’re resting?! Go to a f-ing beach or the park.” I said, “I’m resting.” I know I’m resting. I’m resting.
He pulls me in, he starts giving me all kinds of questions. You know, this and that. He says, “Oh, uh, so what are you gonna tell us, tough guy?” I said, “My usual. Zero, nothing. Why tell you?”
The F, he says, “No, you’re gonna tell me something today, tough guy.” I said, “Alright, I’ll tell you something: Go F your mother!”

 
  • Like
Reactions: PearlSUJam and 87 Penn St8
psuro said:
As others have said he does not want to live in Secaucus. Hoboken Jersey City Englewood etc. even NYC. It’s a 7 minute ride on NJ Transit from Secaucus to Penn Station/MSG.

Good luck to him
Click to expand...
Definitely not Englewood.
 
GreggK said:
Why not. It isn't Inglewood.
Click to expand...
That's the place for dinner with the family or date night when you have a sitter. It not a place where 20 somethings want to hang out. The same can be said for Ridgewood which was mentioned in an earlier post.

Montclair is a much better alternative.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BostonNit and 87 Penn St8
Lionguy32 said:
That's the place for dinner with the family or date night when you have a sitter. It not a place where 20 somethings want to hang out. The same can be said for Ridgewood which was mentioned in an earlier post.

Montclair is a much better alternative.
Click to expand...

Ah got ya. Makes sense, I thought you meant it was rough, you meant the complete opposite.
 
If he can afford it, Hoboken. There are a ton of PSU grads living in Hoboken and the PSU Northern NJ Alumni group is also run out of Hoboken and has all of the game watching parties there. You want to be able to walk out your door and walk to bars/restaurants. The bar scene is much better and much more compact than Jersey City, which is much much bigger and still has some pretty questionable areas.
Jersey City will add easily 20-30 minutes to his morning commute as you have to get past Holland Tunnel traffic and get north of Hoboken to get to Secaucus. Montclair would be a good spot for someone late 20s who’s living with their girlfriend. Much better to be 22 and single in Hoboken, plus he can take the PATH and go party in NYC on weekends.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BostonNit, kevin310, Lionguy32 and 1 other person
Appreciate all the input so far, keep it coming! Anyone have a friend or relative with a spare bedroom in the area? lol

A co-worker said when her hubby moved to MA from Wisconsin that his alumni association connected him with other recent grads in the area and he was able to split a place with someone to save some money. Great idea and we will pursue this as well, as I know there are tons of PSU grads in the NJ/NY area.
 
BostonNit said:
Is public transportation pretty good in that corridor? He has a car, but we're wondering if it's even needed in day to day life.
Click to expand...
Yes but there is no housing near Secaucus Junction. They built high end town homes years ago. What is his budget? That will determine alot. Highly expensive in Boken, JC, Montclair. Whole area, save some spots in more questionable towns in Hudson cty. FYI car insurance in Hudson county is insane. Car break-ins and accidents all time. It was 2500 year for older beater years ago. Worse now I would think
 
  • Like
Reactions: BostonNit
SLion said:
Yes but there is no housing near Secaucus Junction. They built high end town homes years ago. What is his budget? That will determine alot. Highly expensive in Boken, JC, Montclair. Whole area, save some spots in more questionable towns in Hudson cty. FYI car insurance in Hudson county is insane. Car break-ins and accidents all time. It was 2500 year for older beater years ago. Worse now I would think
Click to expand...

there is a big new condo development right there
 
  • Like
Reactions: BostonNit
BostonNit said:
Appreciate all the input so far, keep it coming! Anyone have a friend or relative with a spare bedroom in the area? lol

A co-worker said when her hubby moved to MA from Wisconsin that his alumni association connected him with other recent grads in the area and he was able to split a place with someone to save some money. Great idea and we will pursue this as well, as I know there are tons of PSU grads in the NJ/NY area.
Click to expand...

Here is a good place to start. I have seen tons of recent grads post messages over the years looking for housing as well as people posting they have available rooms.

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.
www.facebook.com www.facebook.com
 
  • Like
Reactions: BostonNit
For a recent grad either Hoboken or the west side of Manhattan if he can make it work financially.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BostonNit
That sounds like a really cool first gig. Congratulations! Once he starts and is settled in and has some power, can you get him to make MLB never have Joe Buck do anymore baseball games? :cool:

I have nothing of value to add about living in that area other then it is expensive the closer you get to NYC.

Good luck to your son!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: BostonNit
TheBigUglies said:
That sounds like a really cool first gig. Congratulations! Once he starts and is settled in and has some power, can you get him to make MLB never have Joe Buck do anymore baseball games? :cool:

I have nothing of value to add about living in that area other then it is expensive the closer you get to NYC.

Good luck to your son!!
Click to expand...
I once was in Denver on business with a colleague from our St. Louis office. The Cards were in town and we caught a game. He was buddies with Al Hrabosky who was the color guy for their local TV broadcasts who comped us seats and set an after game meeting in the team hotel lobby. In the bar the players were raging with all sorts of young women around. Looked like a frat party. We ended up having a good time with Al and his partner- but the arrogance of the partner was palpable. So finally I introduced myself to him and asked his name. He looked SHOCKED that I didn't recognize him (which of course I did). "Joe Buck" he said. "Oh, I loved your dad as a broadcaster!" says I. Cheers! : )
 
  • Like
Reactions: BostonNit, TheBigUglies and LeatherHelmets
My question is how often does he need to be in the office or will he he working mostly remotely? If he needs to be in the office every day and wants a minimal commute, then Hoboken, Weehawken, Newport, Rutherford, Lyndhurst and Journal Square should be considered. If he's going to work remotely, then consider Cliffside Park or Edgewater. Hoboken would be his best bet for social activities/meeting woman :>) but housing is stiff and parking extremely problematic.

Get out the map and go here: https://www.apartmentfinder.com/
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: BostonNit
Hugh Laurie said:
My question is how often does he need to be in the office or will he he working mostly remotely? If he needs to be in the office every day and wants a minimal commute, then Hoboken, Weehawken, Newport, Rutherford, Lyndhurst and Journal Square should be considered. If he's going to work remotely, then consider Cliffside Park or Edgewater. Hoboken would be his best bet for social activities/meeting woman :>) but housing is stiff and parking extremely problematic.

Get out the map and go here: https://www.apartmentfinder.com/
Click to expand...

He can split time between the office and working remotely. Good advice.
 
Context...I live in Montclair and have lived in Hoboken and Manhattan.

Montclair is an awesome town. We love it. Awesome restaurants and shops. There are mini-celebs all over town (Colbert, Patrick Wilson, B. Brown, Brian Kenny from MLB). There are 6 train stations and Secaucus is an easy ride on Rt. 3. There are several new apartment complexes in town (with more popping up), making it easy for commuters. The restaurants are top notch and many are launched by former staff of top chefs in NY. The town is always full of people and always bumping til midnight. For the most part though, it is a dry town from a bars standpoint. There are only so many liquor licenses, so most restaurants are BYOB. That means bottle shops are all over town and couples often bring a bottle of wine to dinner. There are only 3 or 4 traditional bars (the rest associated with restaurants), making for a weak singles scene. It is a great family town, but no way would I live here in my 20s.

Hoboken is bumping and an awesome place for the younger crowd. Bars, restaurants, proximity to Manhattan, and for the most part a really attractive population. The Path train system is cheap and enables you to get into NYC very quickly. It is packed during the rush hour, but a quick ride. Hoboken is fun. It is full of young professionals, but is expensive.

If I were single and starting out though, Manhattan is the place to be. It was the best years of my life and the energy of living in NY is awesome. There are still some affordable locations in NY...some really old walkups and places a little further from the transit. I lived downtown in one of the business buildings converted to an apartment building - the rents have since skyrocketed down there, but I still work with several fresh analysts who live in NY on starting salaries. It is possible. If okay with roommates, it is possible to make it work.

As others have said, Nutley, West Orange (other side of Montclair, but without transit), Maplewood, Milburn, Livingston, etc. are all nice towns. However, they are family towns. If cost is really a concern, Bloomfield is an option with the new apartments very close to transit. The town is a little more blue collar, but is close to Montclair for entertainment and an easier commute to NYC via NJ Transit.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BostonNit, 87 Penn St8 and GreggK
dtm149 said:
Context...I live in Montclair and have lived in Hoboken and Manhattan.

Montclair is an awesome town. We love it. Awesome restaurants and shops. There are mini-celebs all over town (Colbert, Patrick Wilson, B. Brown, Brian Kenny from MLB). There are 6 train stations and Secaucus is an easy ride on Rt. 3. There are several new apartment complexes in town (with more popping up), making it easy for commuters. The restaurants are top notch and many are launched by former staff of top chefs in NY. The town is always full of people and always bumping til midnight. For the most part though, it is a dry town from a bars standpoint. There are only so many liquor licenses, so most restaurants are BYOB. That means bottle shops are all over town and couples often bring a bottle of wine to dinner. There are only 3 or 4 traditional bars (the rest associated with restaurants), making for a weak singles scene. It is a great family town, but no way would I live here in my 20s.

Hoboken is bumping and an awesome place for the younger crowd. Bars, restaurants, proximity to Manhattan, and for the most part a really attractive population. The Path train system is cheap and enables you to get into NYC very quickly. It is packed during the rush hour, but a quick ride. Hoboken is fun. It is full of young professionals, but is expensive.

If I were single and starting out though, Manhattan is the place to be. It was the best years of my life and the energy of living in NY is awesome. There are still some affordable locations in NY...some really old walkups and places a little further from the transit. I lived downtown in one of the business buildings converted to an apartment building - the rents have since skyrocketed down there, but I still work with several fresh analysts who live in NY on starting salaries. It is possible. If okay with roommates, it is possible to make it work.

As others have said, Nutley, West Orange (other side of Montclair, but without transit), Maplewood, Milburn, Livingston, etc. are all nice towns. However, they are family towns. If cost is really a concern, Bloomfield is an option with the new apartments very close to transit. The town is a little more blue collar, but is close to Montclair for entertainment and an easier commute to NYC via NJ Transit.
Click to expand...

solid post. I second this.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BostonNit
You must log in or register to reply here.
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest posts

ADVERTISEMENT
Top Bottom
Back