| The Lay of the Land
Hoboken streets are laid out conveniently in a grid. The main drag is Washington Street, lined with businesses and restaurants. Running from south to north, streets are numbered First, Second, Third and so forth until 16th Street. Running east to west, the streets have names like River, Hudson, Washington, Bloomfield, with a row of streets on the western side named after presidents in sucession (mostly) ; Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, etc..
In the past, Hobokenites used to refer to Hoboken as either "uptown" or "downtown." However, over the years, new residents have unoficially broken up Hoboken into more distinct neighborhoods. Based on a current survey, the map below is a visual representation of the present popular view of town:
Best known for its large concentration of bars, downtown Hoboken is constantly bustling with activity. The Hoboken Terminal, Path train, major banks, main post office, pubs and restaurants, and other convenicences make the downtown area a popular spot during day and night. Considered "prime" location, it attracts the majority of young residents.
One of the major points of entry into Hoboken, the southwest area of town features many high-rise condominium complexes, some of which have only been recently built. The 2nd Street Light Rail station has attracted many residents, which in turn spurred a construction and renovation boom in the last 5 years.
Many claim that midtown is Hoboken's most traditional neighborhood, perhaps because it hasn't undergone as much change as some of the other areas. Brick and brownstone rowhouses make up most of the residences, with a few newer buildings towards the western side. Although it has its share of shops and restaurants, it midtown is less "busy" than the downtown area.
Like the southwest part of town, the 9th Street Light Rail has "opened up" western Hoboken for more residents. After remaining largely undeveloped until the late 1990's, it now hosts a large number of renovated properties and new construction buildings that cater to the growing population. Many consider it the "quiet" side of town, with very few commercial spaces.
The other main point of entry into Hoboken, uptown features a mixture of old and new. The uptown waterfront offers some of the best NYC views, and is host to new, large residential luxury buildings such as Maxwell Place, The Shipyard, Hudson Tea, and Harborside Lofts. The NY Waterway ferry at the 13th Street pier serves as the prefered commute into the city for area residents. Uptown borders Weehawken Township and Union City. |