Journal Square

Journal Square has a bit of charm to it; if you are a fan of exploring other cultures there are plenty of restaurants and shops to visit. I live in the center of "little india", a section of newark ave made up of indian restaurants and specialty stores, and have been living here for over a year. The people are friendly once they get to know you. I gained a few extra pounds our first couple of weeks here because neighbors insisted on sending us delicious baked goods! There is a gym and two yoga studios nearby, a theater that hosts a film festival once a year, a church with a daily flea market, a farmers market during the spring and summer, lots of grocery stores featuring fresh produce, and several indian festivals throught the year. And being a few blocks from the path station is definitely a plus! The area is relatively safe, just practice common sense.

Well, that being said, why am I looking to leave? For starters, the traffic can get quite terrible. Finding parking during the evenings and weekend can be difficult at times. On street parking itself is a gamble, people cannot park here! I’ve lost count of the number of scrapes and bumps my bf’s car has sustained. There is no social scene; we typically go downtown or into the city. There are no parks nearby. The streets tend to get very messy. And yes some of these places have a pest issue, but do a thorough once-over should you find a suitable place.

The area is ok for some people, especially if your a daily commuter. But for me it's quickly becoming a place I'd rather just visit once in awhile.