Neighborhood To Watch: Jersey City Heights, New Jersey

The success of any neighborhood depends on location and entrepreneurship. One is controllable, the other is not. The entrepreneurial spirit displayed by those residing and working in Jersey City Heights has resulted in new businesses moving into the area, an increase in home prices and an overall uptick in activity.

The search for the next affordable neighborhood with enough personality to plant roots is a perpetual quest for people in the Greater NY/NJ Metropolitan Area. Proximity to transportation generally dictates where to seek out long-term housing, but for those willing to venture off the beaten path, you can still find treasure just off the Gold Coast of New Jersey.

The Gold Coast of New Jersey has always been attractive for Manhattanites looking for real estate value and proximity to New York City. Prime areas like Hoboken have long been a draw. Now a relatively under-the-radar enclave of Jersey City called Jersey City Heights is enchanting newcomers for its charm, strong sense of community and thriving local business scene.

Over the years Jersey City Heights has morphed into a quaint enclave and remains relatively under-the-radar because it’s not in immediate proximity to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The Heights overlooks Hoboken from the Palisades, and because Hoboken is a historic district with height restrictions there are no high rises affording the Heights protected NYC views. Central Avenue and Palisade Avenue boast immaculate Manhattan skyline and Hudson River vistas.

Businesses are thriving here. Case in point is the meteoric rise of Modcup Coffee with a Punk/Rave DIY spirit. Started by Travas Clifton a decade ago, Modcop first roasted its beans illegally in a garage before selling from a cart at a weekly farmer’s market in Riverview. Then it took off. Property owners embraced the concept and welcomed a permanent location in place of an always-empty realty office.

Then the artists came, Broadway actors came, the area flourished and more businesses like Bread & Salt, a Roman-style pizza and bakery, opened. Although housing options have turned luxurious though for the metro area, real estate prices in The Heights are still approachable, selling for a median price of $710K. The area features a blend of townhouses, condos and old industrial conversions. There is no one reigning architectural style which people like Clifton find inspiring.

Several business people spoke about the allure of the “Heights.”

Diana Sutherlin, licensed real estate broker with Compass.

Demand remains strong in Jersey City Heights despite higher interest rates because you can get more for your money compared to more established areas along the Gold Coast of New Jersey. Demand is particularly strong for larger apartments with outdoor space. Many of the people who come up to the Heights are priced out of Hoboken and Jersey City. The area has always appealed to creatives and Brooklynites but lately, there is a newfound influx of former Brooklyn residents who are discovering the charm, views and liveability of Jersey City Heights along with stunning views given its location above Hoboken on the cliff.

Rising interest rates and lack of inventory actually contribute to the strong demand in Jersey City Heights. Developers continue to seek out projects and properties for an opportunity to raise the bar because of the unwavering demand. One example of new inventory is 197 New York Avenue, which offers spacious, bright loft-like apartments with high-end finishes. Prices for these homes would be significantly higher in Downtown Jersey City. The building is just a block from all the hot spots on Palisade Ave and beautiful Riverside Fisk Park with sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline and the weekend farmers market. Many love the excitement of getting into a market early with clear growth potential, and we’re seeing more investors come to the area despite high rates. A super hip, independent, artist community flocks here to plant roots.

Travas Clifton, owner of Modcup Coffee

Jersey City Heights was a great place to start Modcup Coffee and it was also the right timing. Ten years ago there was a young new mayor who actively wanted to encourage local businesses to open and prosper. He launched a press campaign called Make It Yours. The area suddenly had a newfound spirit after years of grappling with the aftermath of the Great Recession. Prior to the 2008 crash, many saw the potential of the area but nothing happened because of the downturn. Finally, a tide shift gave way to pent-up demand for new restaurants, shops and bakeries. People craved something new. The rent was cheap, inventory was high and risks were easier to take.

Now, because of the many cultural changes that have happened in the past ten years, we have an engaged, enthusiastic customer base for specialty goods and niche businesses. The is a strong desire to support young and independent businesses versus the mainstream.

Jersey City Heights retains the feeling of a small town and is very walkable. Public transport doesn’t link sections of Jersey City so people actually tend to stay close to home and they are loyal to the local businesses. Any business that develops a following becomes a big fish in a small pond in Jersey City Heights. I would describe the Heights as youthful, energetic and extremely diverse.

Michelle Berckes, owner Busy Bee Organics

Jersey City Heights has been a supportive hub for my business to flourish, thanks to its unique “suburban-urban” vibe, strong family presence, bustling farmers market/events and a close-knit community of like-minded entrepreneurs who embrace collaboration, making it the ideal place to grow together.

Jersey City Heights exudes a vibrant yet almost cozy ambiance, blending bustling city energy with a welcoming community spirit. It’s a diverse and inclusive neighborhood where local businesses thrive, accompanied by green spaces that offer a refreshing retreat from the city’s hustle and bustle. Our city views are unrivaled, thanks to the unique advantage of elevated heights that provide an unmatched vantage point to overlook and embrace the entire cityscape.

Chris Leo, co-owner, Riverview Wine & Spirits with his wife Laura Marchetti.

If you value loving where you work and live along with the people who patronize what you do, then yes absolutely Jersey City Heights is the place for you. There is so much opportunity for more of everything here. We are so far from being saturated with anything.

The charm is in its people. This is where Jersey grit comes face to face with New York City culture. People are comfortable in their own skin here and entirely unpretentious. It feels like we’re a million miles away from the machiavellian NYC alpha conqueror yet still there’s a lust for life. I know all my neighbors and say “Hi” to people on the street.