Moving to Newark with your family? As the largest city in New Jersey, residents are drawn by the low cost of living, convenient public transit, lots of outdoor activities, and more. Here are the five best neighborhoods in Newark for families!
North Broadway
- Home Price: $221,443 median purchase price; $1,009 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 60% of Newark neighborhoods
If you’re looking for a laid-back, welcoming neighborhood in Newark, consider moving to North Broadway! This Newark neighborhood boasts a strong sense of community—from its local businesses and restaurants to its inviting park and playgrounds. Newark residents in this area mostly get around with their own vehicles, and McCarter Hwy provides easy access to other parts of the city. But if you don’t own a car while living in Newark, you can still get around North Broadway easily with the NJ Transit bus system, with Route 13 running through the neighborhood along Broadway Ave!
Things to Do in North Broadway
Go rock climbing, attend a yoga class, or play a game of basketball at The Waterfront. Sign yourself or your little ones up for dance classes at Smiling David’s Dance School. Get the kids involved in softball or baseball training and teams at Caribbean Baseball Academy. Stroll on walking trails, play a game of disc golf, and enjoy the scenery at Common Thread Park. Taste Chicken Stew, Romain Steak, Whole Fried Tilapia, Chicken Tamales, and more authentic Salvadoran dishes from Adriana Restaurant. Munch on a Veggie Stromboli, Eggplant Parmigiana, Tuna Sub, or a Grandma Pie at Denny’s Pizza. Grab a Cuban Sandwich, Stewed Alaskan Pollock, Mofongo, and more quick lunch items at Leo’s Cafe & El Guame Restaurant. Or g
et Puerto Rican pastries, cakes, sandwiches, and more from Borinquen Bakery.
North Ironbound
- Home Price: $220,131 median purchase price; $1,052 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 90% of Newark neighborhoods
Looking for safe neighborhoods in Newark? Located near Downtown Newark, North Ironbound is one of the best neighborhoods in Newark thanks to its low crime rate, diverse community, and high walkability. Living in this area is great for nature lovers, as it offers a picturesque location along the Passaic River. And with Penn Station located right inside this neighborhood, residents can enjoy quick commutes to work—as well as easy access to plenty of amenities, amazing restaurants, and fun things to do nearby!
Things to Do in North Ironbound
Play on the playground, walk along the Horizon Wellness Trail, or watch the sun set on the Passaic River while at the Newark Riverfront Park. Sign the kids up for skating lessons at the Sharpe James/Kenneth A. Gibson (Ironbound) Recreation Center. Get the family together for a game of basketball, soccer, or softball at Independence Park. Shop for plants or lend a hand in the community garden at Down Bottom Farms. Pick up fresh Egg Custard Tarts, custom sandwiches, and a signature Galao for breakfast at neighborhood favorite, Teixeira’s Bakery. Devour a plate of Paella Marinera, Rib Eye Texano, or Arroz De Camarao at Campino Restaurant. Try a Smoked Salmon Sandwich, Tahini Vegan Bowl, or Avocado Poached Egg Toast from Sihana Cafe. Or have a night out with margaritas, guest DJs, and savory dishes like Birria Nachos, Mexican Shrimp, Tacos De Tinga, and more at Little Tijuana.
University Heights
- Home Price: $146,370 median purchase price; $910 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 35% of Newark neighborhoods
Looking for a walkable neighborhood in Newark with plenty of amenities? Look no further than University Heights! With a https://www.walkscore.com/NJ/Newark/University_Heights”>walk score of 85, it’s easy to get to schools, parks, gyms, University Hospital, and more! This Newark neighborhood hosts Rutgers University, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, New Jersey Institute of Technology, and Essex County College, making it a great option for parents pursuing higher learning and families with college-aged children who want to live at home. University Heights is also home to one of the best high schools in Newark, Science Park High School.
Things to Do in University Heights
Escape into nature with strolls through the well-maintained green space at Veterans Memorial Park. Explore art, history,
space, and more through interactive exhibits like Animal Kingdom or Seeing America at The Newark Museum of Art. Shop for new and vintage comic books, posters, figurines, and more at a locally-owned comic book store, Fortress of Solitude. Cheer on the NJIT Highlanders (NCAA D-I) in sports like basketball, volleyball, soccer, and more at NJIT Wellness and Events Center and Mal Simon Stadium. Spend your weekend mornings savoring a Black & White Mocha, Coffee Jelly Tea, or Chocolate Croissant at Intrinsic Cafe. Try a RESA Ruben, Turkey Burger, or Vegetable Pasta Salad for lunch at Red Reisa Grill. Grab a Broccoli, French Fry, or Baked Ziti Pizza for a quick dinner from Giovanni Pizza & Grill. Or get your seafood fix with dishes like White Fish Sushi, Shrimp Teriyaki, or an Eel Bento Box from Sakura Japan.
Upper Roseville
- Home Price: $214,031 median purchase price; $956 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 70% of Newark neighborhoods
Wanting to move to a diverse Newark neighborhood with friendly neighbors? Consider living in Upper Roseville! Here, you can quickly get to know your community through local events throughout the year like the Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival or the Branch Brook Park Fishing Derby. You can also benefit from easy access to other parts of the city with Newark’s public transit—thanks to multiple bus stops, the Branch Brook Park Light Rail Station, and the Bloomfield Avenue Light Rail Station.
Things to Do in Upper Roseville
Watch your kids play baseball at Kasberger Field or attend Friday night high school football games at Newark Schools Stadium. Hike or bike the Lenape Trail, a 36-mile-long path that connects 18 Essex County parks. Soak up some sun and enjoy the fresh scent of cherry blossoms at Branch Brook Park. Grab your skates and head just outside the neighborhood to Branch Brook Park Roller Skating Center. Stop in for a sweet treat like Cherry Cheese Cobbler, Pecan Ring, or Apple Horseshoe at Calandra’s Bakery. Pick up an order of Shrimp in Garlic Sauce, Pork Chops, or Beef Ribs for a causal lunch at Bloomfield Avenue BBQ. Get Carne Apanada, Fritada, Guatita, or other Ecuadorian dishes at El Imperial Restaurant. Or sample soul food like Oxtail & Rice, Shrimp Dinner, or Peach Cobbler at The Juke Joint Soul House.
Weequahic
- Home Price: $188,375 median purchase price; $1,027 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 75% of Newark neighborhoods
If you’re looking for historic charm and modern amenities, consider moving to the Weequahic neighborhood! In this well-established neighborhood, you’ll find classic 1900s Colonials alongside stylish new-builds. Families flock to this area as it boasts a low cost of living for Newark while also being one of the safest neighborhoods in the city. Plus, this Newark neighborhood has great schools like Weequahic High School, George Washington Carver Elementary School, and KIPP Team Academy—as well as access to great healthcare at Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center!
Things to Do in Weequahic
Let the kids swing, play, and run around on the playground before cooling down on the splash pads at Saint Peter’s Park. Team up for tennis, have a family picnic, or enjoy views of the Weequahic Lake, the largest lake in Essex County, at Weequahic Park. Schedule a tee time at the Weequahic Golf Course, one of Newark’s best public golf courses. Grab Griyo, Poule Frit, and Légumes to get your fix for Haitian food in Newark at Plat Creole Haitian American Cuisine. Try an order of Jollof Rice with Turkey, Fried Rice with Chicken, Turkey Pepper Soup, Fish Stew, and more African dishes at African Pot with Temmy. Chow down Cheese Wontons, Chicken Lo Mein, India Beef, Chicken Szechuan, and more savory plates at Amin’s Chinese Halal Food. Experiment with unique bites like Grilled Fish and Plantain, Yam Porridge, Peppered Snail, and more at Iyalaje’s Kitchen. Or satisfy your sweet tooth with Apple Pie A La Mode, a Chocolate Lover’s Sundae, or a Double Scoop Cookie Sandwich at Salaam Ice Cream Parlor.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
