Consider the Hilltop/Island sections just southeast of the Journal Square PATH station. It's a short walk to Downtown and public transportation; it's quiet, safe and way cheaper than Downtown. My wife and I have lived in The Hilltop for 20+ years, without issue. It's mostly multi-family homes, but there's a smattering of smaller apartment buildings. Good luck.

Just think of delivery as the fixed rate portion of your bill. It's always about 4c per kwh. The supply portion of your bill is variable (starting at 11c per kwh) and steps up the more you use. They provide the breakdown in case you want to change your energy supplier, but it's much easier to just look at your total rate (i.e. 15c per kwh). If you're looking to cut down on your bill, you should check out some of PSEG's Community Solar partners. I've shared my experience using Solar Landscape on here a few times. The rate written into the contract is guaranteed to be 15% less than PSEGs, and you can cancel at any time.

Hoboken shelter on Bloomfield. They can use donations (not food items pre-opened). Spices and garlic are good also. And if you go to help prep food / cook, also stay to help clean. A lot of volunteers just show up to help serve the food and then leave before cleaning starts.

There are a few cool things if you call the parks department. They let you pick what you’re into. I wanted to volunteer with teens. There were a lot of events over the holidays. Be forewarned that they move pretty slow and they have to do a background check which takes a week or two. Maybe call the library too. JC seems pretty stale and there isn’t a ton going on.

Yes, i have seen those high bills in winter when I lived there. Their insulation was weak even after asking the handyman and plus adding more myself.

Maybe consider Harrison! I actually prefer Harrison over JSQ, minus the extra 15-20 minutes PATH commute.

Trader Joe and Aldi (German family owned), Whole Foods (Amazon owned), Shop and Stop(Dutch owned). Many ShopRites and Acmes in the area owned by US companies.

Hoboken has better stores. Korean stores around Fort Lee are interesting.

Do you have electric heat?

I was obviously half joking, all I’m saying is that a lot of us aren’t trying to show off or anything like that, I’ve been obsessed with cars since before I could walk so now that I have adult money to spend on the camaro I’ve always wanted, I’m enjoying myself

That would be true of nearly any place in northeast NJ that is anywhere near NYC though. Agreed about JSQ, I’ve lived here since 2020 and it’s been great. Far and away much safer and less seedy feeling than it was circa mid-2000’s the last time I was around this area, and it’s only getting better from here.

My first reaction as well. Secaucus and Rutherford fall squarely into the “nothing to do” category, not just Palisades Park. Does not sound like your realtor knows what they are talking about.

As a young woman living alone for first time after college on 57k, I’d lean more towards the Heights or BL with roommate(s) than JSQ alone though. A better realtor can help with this.

Also consider getting a bike for transportation.

Edit: yes, 30 is young!

That’s wildly high, I’ve never spent that much in my 1BR even in the dead of august when the AC is on every day and night.

Community gardens. I volunteer when I can at a garden in Bergen Lafayette in between Arlington ave and Minerva st

I’m convinced of their plan to loot us!

My broker showed me a studio for 1300 two weeks ago in McGinley sq, 10 min walk to the Path in Journal Square. PM me if you’d like her info!

Rutherford and Secaucus are more suburban and will be challenging without a car. Nice towns, but not super comparable to JC. Rutherford train runs infrequently, but they have good bus access to NYC. Journal Square is fine but doesn't have a lot of open space. The Heights is far from the Path but has great bus access.

Honestly not trying to snark, but did you try searching previous posts on the topic? I know the search function isn’t always great but there’s been a few recent threads that will be a good starting point. Check Hoboken sub as well.

To help narrow down, consider why you want to volunteer, what interests or skills you have (doesn’t necessarily have to be any special skill though. Lots of opportunities are just like, show up / be humble / be useful ) and what kind of time commitment you can make.

Good luck!

Welcome to Newport. Check with your doorman about how long the apartment has been vacant. PSEG charges everything from previous bill generation to the new tenant moving in. Call PSEG and explain them everything. They will have it adjusted in the next month's bill. Best way is to insulate your windows by yourself. Cold air leakage problem is there in every building of Newport. I have stayed in few of them and even the handyman is helpless. Moreover if you stay in those buildings other than the river front, all of them have outdated heating units which adds to the electricity consumption generating huge bills.

On a lighter note, I believe PSEG and Newport have tied up to loot us with huge electricity bills.

I'm going to call it now, Solomon will be De Blasio to Fulop's Bloomberg. He'll show you all just how good a mayor Fulop has been for JC, despite his foibles.

Only if you have inefficient heating units and your place is leaking air like sieves.

Thanks, really been wanting to go there too

How long ago did you move there?

This is the actual bill. I wasn’t aware of the delivery fee being so high , 25% of the total.

It's quite high. Are you looking at an estimated bill or an actual meter reading? Estimates can be considerably higher than actual meter readings, but they should average out over time. If it's an estimate, you can call PSEG and send them a picture of your actual meter reading or have them send someone out for one.

It's normal for electricity bills to have Supply (generation) fees and Delivery (transmission) fees. They are separate because some people opt into alternative forms of Supply (i.e. renewable). I believe these charges are also regulated differently.

Definitely going to do this. Just figured on asking for anybody with experience already.