Nana Thai is very good. It's somewhat shocking that it's not as packed as should be. My guess is Central Ave is more catored towards Latin food. In fact, when Nana first opened, they had a duo menu of Thai and Spanish food. I came from Oregon, and go figure, one of the best Thai restaurants I've tried was in Eugene, OR. The Vietnamese food however, is kick-ass in Portland. The onesin China Town, NYC pale in comparison.

Newish to the Heights, and because of this thread, I've just began to notice these sprinkled around nearly every other block. Is it one particular developer choosing this strange, salmon-colored brick facade? And what's with the chrome railings?

I moved to Sherman Place over a year ago. It's more on the west side of town. Choc o pain, Wonder Bagels, and Guitar Bar are rumored to come to Palisades sometime this year. I think it's a good move. I think these few years is a good time to buy as there are still reasonable prices around. Join a Facebook group called Jersey City Heights United. That's how I find out about everything going on. Be prepared for raging parking conversations. They're obsessed with their parking. Seems a fair chunk are upset over the entrance of Citibike on their streets.

Yes, this just happened to me last Friday too. I've only taken the van once from the Heights to downtown about 4 months ago without a hitch, but this time the driver kicked me out at Journal Square. I ended walking on Newark towards Grove St. It's weird considering the sign on the van says Journal Square/Newport.

Yeah, I feel like this park is at half it's potential. I mean, you can't beat that million dollar view, but the pavilion is just sad looking, and the park overall looks rather sparse. Needs more trees, foliage, etc.? Also, other than Mod Cup, it needs more good-looking shops on Palisades instead of hodge-podgy nice homes mixed with dated, vinyl siding houses. The Heights can't transform quick enough.

Yeah, I think it's a vocal minority that poo poos the Heights. Heights is fine and pretty safe. It's getting a steady infusion of new people and if you look on the map, it's only a mile or so away from downtown or Path. It's not like it's in another township like Edgewater or something. I think some people's description are a tad hyperbolic. Right now Journal Square has the most buzz, and that's probably a good bet, real estate wise. Good luck.

I took the elevator down a couple days ago. What you'll first see when you cross the light rail tracks is The Tilted Kilt below some newer condos. Look around and it's mostly converted warehouses to new condos, yuppies with strollers, and there's a big empty lot cleared for new construction. I Googled for Hoboken projects and I believe they are indeed on Jackson Ave. on 3rd to 5th? The elevator is on 9th. But really, Hoboken is so small compared to JC, that a large chunk of the mile square city is a stone's throw from section 8 housing. That fact however, hasn't stopped Hoboken's popularity nor it's property values. And yes, even on it's west side.

Alright, a mini conversation about the Heights; I've got to chime in! I have to say, I've been here verging on exactly a year and I have noticed the incremental changes in some businesses as well as people moving here. I know anecdotally people from Hoboken have been looking and have moved here as well as my New York colleagues who are intrigued by how little I paid for an actual house. I Don't think the Heights will explode like Downtown did nor potentially JSQ, but I think you find a steady stream of people like myself (former Hobokenite and Weehawkenite) coming here and eventually wanting better services.
And Lack of a train isn't that much of a deal changer. I know it's the New York model to surround train hubs with development but that's not necessarily true where I originally came from--Portland, OR which is a car/bus/bike culture. The increments I notice here are the same as I noticed in some Portland nabes. When I lived in Hoboken it was a trek to the Path that I ended up just taking the bus anyway. In fact, a lot of others did as well. Speaking of Hoboken, I'm not so sure where these "projects" are by the elevator. I'm not doubting it, it's just that Hoboken has become so developed, it's hard to spot such housing.
I'm excited for JSQ. I like new development and changes overall, and it's good for the city. I like walking there during warmer days. I hope it doesn't become like Newport or Fort Lee which I find a rather strange mish mash of low rise juxtaposed against the high.
So, in the end, I sort of view the Heights comparable to RedHook, Brooklyn where there's no train nearby, but it still enjoys the popularity surge that the rest of the borough has. Even if nothing great comes to the Heights I'm still happy with it. I find it extremely livable and safe.

I always thought that the artists, creatives, and gay community was just a shortened, simplified explanation for what causes gentrification. For myself, I never thought these groups were the causes, but rather these groups might be amongst the first to "re-enter" an area and bring attention to it. Artists need a large space to work (and cheap.) While gays are more mobile and don't necessarily have safety and school concerns that heteros (with children) would have. At least, this was one theory that was explained to me a decade or so ago. It feels like the landscape has changed now that developers are more active in seeking out that new "hip" area to build. It feels and looks less organic these days.

Hello! I'm very new to this forum, but this topic does seem relevant to my personal experience. Ah, poor Heights, it seems few people have faith in it's livability status. Having myself moved in earlier in the year, I count as a fresh face, and maybe I'm naive, but I feel like in the little time I've moved here, three nice businesses have opened up: Mod Cup, Yoga in the Heights, and 942 Summit. Does it count as up and coming? I think so, at the very least, I like the direction it's going. I lived in Hoboken and moved up here on the buzz of former Hobokenites. It's just anecdotal, but I personally know several families from there that have moved here also.

Count yourself lucky if you live near an underground train line [Path]. The benefits are obvious. I know the jitneys are not for everyone, but I find them incredibly convenient and it takes me half an hour from the Western Slope to mid-town. Of course, I start my work day at 7:00 AM so traffic is very light at that hour. I don't mind walking to Journal Square either and I can't wait to get a bike to get around in a pinch.

As far as safety, I haven't felt threatened at all. I love my street (Sherman Place), and enjoy the low-key vibe of it. I originally grew up in Portland, OR, and some of the changes happening here remind me of the things that happened there as well. Portland doesn't have a subway, but that didn't stop it from becoming interesting. I'll point to Red Hook as well. Nowhere near a train, but still considered desirable. I don't think the Heights will ever become as "hot" or a hangout like DTJC, but I bet it will eventually have some good joints the locals will enjoy, as well as others will like to visit.

Journal Square looks very promising as well. I agree with what others have said. The Path is a great option, but I think you'll have to wait a little for more businesses to come.

That's great news, selfishly, for me at least. I've been in the Heights for a little over half a year and can say it's pretty much a blank slate for any business model. I think it's a good strategy to choose Summit as 942 Summit [artisan tea, pastries, soap store] just opened a few blocks north. That way you'll likely benefit from the same pool of customers.
I suppose you could do a sit-down coffee shop as it's different from Mod Cup as they don't really have a sit down feel to their space. And, they're on Palisade Ave. However, those guys are some seriously good coffee makers, so I don't know if you'd want to take them on in that regard. The organic grocery element isn't too shabby of an idea. Those types of items simply don't exist around here. Again, it's so open for anything, whatever you choose, you'll bound to be the first to do it. Personally I'd love a bookstore on par with Word in DTJC, but that's just me. Good luck!

Hi JListers,

I'm brand new here, though I've lurked for a little while. It's fun to pop in--such lively debates! Anyhow, I was curious for your opinions on rentals and real estate. Firstly, this past spring, my wife and I bought a house up in the Heights on Sherman Place. We love the neighborhood and in particular our street. I was pleasantly surprised by the colors and beauty that this fall has brought to our corner of the hood. We're also extremely excited about Mod Cup as well as the recent opening of 942 Summit.
However, with this said, I'm slightly kicking myself for not looking further around or near Journal Square as it seems the next logical real estate boom for Jersey City. So, my query is JListers, would a modest 1 bedroom condo around or near Journal Square, perhaps McGinnley Square even, be a worthy investment? It would serve as a rental income, and I'm aiming for a 10 to 15 minute distance to the Path. My hope is to make a move in the next 2 to 3 years. Decent idea or waste of time, thoughts? Thanks for reading.