alysonm

Since I'm the first/only review, I guess I'll give you a long one!

My parents grew up in East Orange when it was once one of the most affluent suburbs in America. Beautiful, large Victorian homes; tree-lined streets; a vibrant sense of community. There's also a legacy of black excellence who have come out of the city, including Dionne Warwick, Althea Gibson, Cicely Tyson, John Amos, Whitney Houston, Monte Irvin, and The Fugees. There's always been a rich history here but my family moved to Maplewood after the city started going downhill.

I lived in Bed-Stuy for over a decade and quite reluctantly moved here a few years ago when I finally got priced out. (You'll actually find a lot of NYC ex-pats here.) As a twenty-something single professional w/no kids, EO definitely doesn't compare to Brooklyn. But you can live well on little here, rent-wise, and you can't beat the proximity to NYC. (There are two train stations that take you directly into NYC in under 25-mins.) Most of the luxury buildings on S. Harrison, where I live, provide a shuttle to the Brick Church station. There isn't much to do here, at least yet, but it's a less than a 10-min drive to Downtown Newark or 15-mins to Montclair/S. Orange for food and entertainment. In terms of safety, I've never had an issue with crime or feeling unsafe. No one bothers you, regardless of who you are. Having lived in various parts of Brooklyn and Harlem, it's literally paradise here. (I wasn't here at its peak crime period but I do take reviews w/a grain of salt bc know native NJeans used to suburban living can be pretty judgy about urban areas.) However, I do hear all the time how much the city has changed/is changing. The people are changing too. I hope to see it follow in Jersey City's footsteps.