In the pioneering days of Downtown Jersey City, there were relatively few young married couples with children living here.  I moved here in the early 1990’s and there were mostly adventurous single working people looking to make a life out of the raw environment of vacant lots, abandoned buildings and lack of retail services, i.e. schools, day care centers, cleaners, etc.  Now after nearly 20 years the various neighborhoods of Downtown Jersey City have blossomed into a mecca of young couples looking to make a life here and to raise their children.  Everywhere you look you will find children and strollers and the parks are filled with kids and their parents.  But with Jersey City’s plans for a revaluation, this desirable demographic trend may be put at risk.  Because property values in Downtown Jersey City have risen more rapidly than elsewhere in Jersey City, the revaluation will likely result in the shifting of more of the city’s tax burden on the residences of Downtown Jersey City.  I have spoken to numerous couples with children and many of them are considering leaving Jersey City after potentially being confronted with more tax increases.  The cost of living here is already very high compared to many suburban communities.  Day care is typically double the cost, homeowners insurance can be triple the cost, the public school system can be questionable and a family of 3, 4, or 5 require a lot of space to grow, thus translating into a costly proposition for raising a family. Eventually Downtown Jersey City may turn into exclusively a transient community of young professional couples, with no children, on their way to suburban America.

Article: Hudson Reporter, ”Afraid of the Reval”.

West Village near Bleeker Street.

An abondoned building up for renovation.

On Bleeker Street some old vinyl records available for sale.

Soho looking west on Prince Street.

Tribecca / Soho just north of Canal Street off West Broadway.

PS105 student artistic impression of urban tenement living.

Downtown Jersey City historic districts are Paulus Hook Historic District, Hamilton Park Historic District, Van Vorst Park Historic District, Harsimus Cove Historic District.  For a brief description and history: ”Brownstones and unusual buildings, Downtown Jersey City shows off its historic districts”, Hudson Reporter.

2F on approximately 17’ by 58’ lot sold for $765k, corner of Ninth Street and Jersey Avenue.

A Greek Revival Brick Row House for sale at 103 Grand Street, Downtown Jersey City, just off the corner of Grand Street and Washington Street.  This appears to be a FSBO row house. Looks like a nice one from the outside and the inside.  Great location for a professional business. Grand and Washington are busy streets for auto traffic more than for foot traffic because of the significant number of commuters attempting to reach the water front on their way to and from work.

Two renovation projects Downtown Jerser City, on Erie Street and adjoining Erie Street.

Fourth Street between Erie St and Grove Street.

Snow and wind in Downtown Jersey City, Paulus Hook, Feb 16.

A truck in lower Manhattan adorned in color, Union Square North at 16th Street and Broadway.

The line extends around the corner at Magnolia Bakery with eager customers waiting patiently for their popular cupcakes. 

Washington Square North and the far West Village during February 10th’s snowstorm (below).

Couple of row houses under renovation in downtown Jersey City.  Brick row house on Bright Street and frame row house on Seventh Street (below).

The Power House Art District (PAD) in Downtown Jersey City, the old Hudson & Manhattan Power House and a rendering of what it might look like in the future (below).

Some aesthetically pleasing materials for historic renovation / restoration.  RestoreDirectory.com.  The top two retail for $28 a square foot and the bottom two retail for $38 a square foot.