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Hoboken, N.J., Is a Happening Place
8/19/2016
wsj.com
ENLARGE
A man enjoys the view of the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline from a bench at Maxwell Place Park in Hoboken. Photo: Claudio Papapietro for The Wall Street Journal
Kate Miller first moved to Hoboken, N.J., in 1997, right out of college.
“It was the place to be,” said Ms. Miller, a vice president at Scripps Networks Interactive in Chelsea. “It was young and hip. There were bars everywhere.”
Twice she left for nearby suburbs and twice she came back to this city on the banks of the Hudson River.
“It always called me back,” said Ms. Miller, who now owns a two-bedroom condominium in uptown Hoboken. “The commute can’t be beat. It’s a cool town with lots to do. I’m from New Jersey—I never wanted to take the leap to Manhattan because I’m always visiting family.”
Known as the Mile Square City, Hoboken has 1.275 square miles of land, incredible views of Manhattan and about 53,000 residents, according to census data.
“It feels like one big neighborhood—very safe, and it’s very walkable,” said Farah R. Alli, managing director of sales and relocation at Berkshire Hathaway Hudson River Properties in Hoboken.
Washington Street serves as the main commercial strip, with lots of shops, restaurants and bars.
“I would say that the Hoboken market is booming, and it’s been strong for a number of years,” Ms. Alli said.
Through July this year, 321 apartments were sold in Hoboken, with a median price of $625,000, compared with 309 sales and a median price of $565,000 for the same period last year, according to figures from the Hudson County Multiple Listing Service.
Washington Street is the main commercial stretch in Hoboken. Photo: Claudio Papapietro for The Wall Street Journal
Homes on Hudson Street at the intersection of Ninth Street. Photo: Claudio Papapietro for The Wall Street Journal
A typical one-bedroom apartment rents for about $2,500, and two-bedrooms start around $3,200, Ms. Alli said. As far as studio rentals, “if you can find one for $2,000, that would be great.”
Known as the birthplace of Frank Sinatra, Hoboken was an industrial hub in the late 1800s and for much of the 20th century.
Many residents still remember the constant smell of coffee in the air because Maxwell House had a factory here until 1992. The Lipton tea company also had a factory in the city that has since been converted to high-end apartments.
In recent years, the city has become a magnet for young professionals.
“The majority of the buyers I’m seeing are ones who have been priced out of New York City,” said Paul de Zagon, an agent with Berkshire Hathaway Hudson River Properties. “They’re moving to Hoboken to get a much bigger bang for their buck than what they can find in the city.”
Jen Bulvanoski, a vice president at A+E Networks, moved to Hoboken in 2001, when she was a few years out of college.
“It was the perfect place for me,” she said. “I didn’t see going anywhere else. I couldn’t afford anything else.”
Addison Zenk, 18 months old, with her grandmother Susanne Hillier at Elysian Park. Photo: Claudio Papapietro for The Wall Street Journal
Now she and her boyfriend, Travis Kahn, are raising two children, 2 and 4 years old. As they have outgrown their one-bedroom and then two-bedroom Hoboken apartments in recent years, she and Mr. Kahn have been debating the merits of staying in the city (her choice) versus a house with a yard in the suburbs (his preference).
“I desperately want to stay in Hoboken,” said Ms. Bulvanoski, who likes her relatively easy commute to the East Side of Manhattan. “It’s a lovely community we’ve become a part of.”
For now, they have decided to stay in Hoboken for at least a few more years, and they just bought a three-bedroom condo in downtown Hoboken.
“I think the real estate is the biggest change I’ve seen over the last 20 years,” Ms. Miller said. She remembers abandoned buildings that were torn down and replaced with “these sleek, super-modern buildings, sometimes sandwiched between two old brownstones.”
“You’ve got a really great mix of old and new now,” she said. “It’s the real Hoboken, it’s really cool.”
Tracee Kimbell and her husband, Matt Kimbell, have an early dinner at Anthony David's. Photo: Claudio Papapietro for The Wall Street Journal
Schools: The Hoboken school district has three elementary schools, and the Joseph F. Brandt Primary School offers preschool and kindergarten. The Hoboken Junior Senior High School has students in grades seven through 12. According to Niche.com, a rating site, 53% of students in Hoboken schools are considered proficient in math, and 54% in English. The city is also home to the Stevens Institute of Technology, which offers undergraduate and graduate programs.
Transportation: Commuters have a wealth of ways to get into Manhattan. PATH trains run from Hoboken Terminal to 33rd Street in about 14 minutes and to the World Trade Center station in about 10 minutes. NY Waterway operates ferries from two terminals in Hoboken. NJ Transit has bus service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal. The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail makes three stops in Hoboken. Drivers can choose between the Holland Tunnel in Jersey City and the Lincoln Tunnel in Weehawken. The Hoboken Terminal is a regional hub for many suburban train lines, with service into New York Penn Station.
Parks: The waterfront Pier A Park has a large lawn and a gazebo. There is a lighted soccer field and outdoor amphitheater at Sinatra Park. Pier C Park has a fishing pier, promenade and water play area. Maxwell Place Park has a beach area with free kayaking on weekends and a waterfront walkway. Columbus Park has basketball, tennis and a playground. There is a baseball field at Stevens Park. Elysian Park has basketball and a dog run.
Dining: The Elysian Cafe, said to be the oldest continually operated bar and restaurant in Hoboken, has a French bistro-style menu. Anthony David’s serves Italian classics and seasonal fare. Carlo’s Bake Shop, featured on the TLC show “Cake Boss,” is known for its pastries and cakes.
Entertainment: This year’s Hoboken Fall Arts & Music Festival will be held on Washington Street on Sept. 25. In summer, there are free outdoor concerts in Sinatra Park and free outdoor movies in Pier A Park. Pier 13 Hoboken has beer, food trucks, movie nights and live music. A Harvest Festival will be held on Oct. 22 in Pier A Park. The Hoboken Historical Museum, in the former Bethlehem Steel shipyard, offers exhibits, tours and lectures.
If You're Browsing for a Home...
$575,000
228 Jefferson St., Apt. 2
This fully renovated two-bedroom, one-bathroom condo is in a four-unit self-managed building. The kitchen has stainless-steel appliances, granite counters, subway tile backsplash and modern cabinetry. Open floor plan with separate dining area. The large master bedroom has two closets and exposed brick.
This fully renovated two-bedroom, one-bathroom condo is in a four-unit self-managed building. The kitchen has stainless-steel appliances, granite counters, subway tile backsplash and modern cabinetry. Open floor plan with separate dining area. The large master bedroom has two closets and exposed brick.
Year Built: 1901
Square Footage: :897
Property Plus: Hardwood floors throughout, washer/dryer and central air-conditioning
Property Minus: Parking isn’t included.
Listing Date: Aug. 5
Listing Agent: Richard Turnbull of Keller Williams City Life Realty
Open House: By appointment
Square Footage: :897
Property Plus: Hardwood floors throughout, washer/dryer and central air-conditioning
Property Minus: Parking isn’t included.
Listing Date: Aug. 5
Listing Agent: Richard Turnbull of Keller Williams City Life Realty
Open House: By appointment
$699,000
1500 Washington St., Apt. 6C
This one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo is in the waterfront Hudson Tea Building, once a Lipton tea factory. It has 13- to 14-foot ceilings and faces south, with great sunlight. Building amenities include 24-hour concierge service, fitness center, children’s playroom, on-site dry cleaner and private shuttle to PATH train.
This one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo is in the waterfront Hudson Tea Building, once a Lipton tea factory. It has 13- to 14-foot ceilings and faces south, with great sunlight. Building amenities include 24-hour concierge service, fitness center, children’s playroom, on-site dry cleaner and private shuttle to PATH train.
Year Built: 1916
Square Footage: 895
Property Plus: The building is very close to the ferry to Manhattan.
Property Minus: The kitchen and bathroom haven’t been renovated.
Listing Date: Aug. 4
Listing Agent: Paul de Zagon of Berkshire Hathaway Hudson River Properties
Open House: By appointment
Square Footage: 895
Property Plus: The building is very close to the ferry to Manhattan.
Property Minus: The kitchen and bathroom haven’t been renovated.
Listing Date: Aug. 4
Listing Agent: Paul de Zagon of Berkshire Hathaway Hudson River Properties
Open House: By appointment
$998,800
87 Park Ave., Apt. 2B
This two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment has an open floor plan, with hardwood floors throughout. It has a gas fireplace in the living room and California closets. It is a corner unit with lots of light. Garage parking spot.
This two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment has an open floor plan, with hardwood floors throughout. It has a gas fireplace in the living room and California closets. It is a corner unit with lots of light. Garage parking spot.
Year Built: 1997
Square Footage: 1,504
Property Plus: It is a short walk to the PATH station.
Property Minus: The unit is up two small flights of stairs.
Listing Date: July 7
Listing Agent: Ingrid Hart of Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
Open House: By appointment
Square Footage: 1,504
Property Plus: It is a short walk to the PATH station.
Property Minus: The unit is up two small flights of stairs.
Listing Date: July 7
Listing Agent: Ingrid Hart of Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
Open House: By appointment
Photos: Dean Pellicano; H5 Property; Jump Visual
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if you have questions about what you see here, contact
Stephen M. Flatow, Esq.
Vested Land Services LLC
165 Passaic Avenue, Suite 101
Fairfield, NJ 07004
Tel 973-808-6130 - Fax 973-227-0645
E-mail sflatow AT vested.com
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