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Looking to buy a home, I looked at one in South Amboy & while I wasn't crazy about the home, I was considering looking at more homes in that area. Is it a safe area? Any reason why I should avoid it?
I'm renting in South Amboy - have been here a little over 2 years. The area is definitely safe, but, according to all the life-time residents that I've met here, the neighborhood "is really changing". It's a very Irish/Polish Catholic neighborhood, with a strong presence in church every Sunday. Over the past 2 years, however, I've seen more and more black and hispanic residents moving in, so, I guess this is what the lifers are referring to when they mean that it is "changing". From what I can gather, South Amboy was a predominantly white neighborhood for many many years, and the residents liked it that way.
The main drag (Broadway) is definitely a little rundown in some parts, with a lot of the businesses either closed or only open with limited schedules. Like the Broadway Bistro, which is supposedly a diner, yet closes at like 7 PM on Friday nights. Just because it looks a little dumpy, it doesn't mean it isn't safe, though.
The waterfront was really a selling point for us when we first moved here. It had been completely redone and was beautiful, but, Sandy really destroyed a lot of it. They do have a beautiful new YMCA that overlooks the water, and has a lot of great classes and programs for kids.
In terms of overall safety, I would say that there is nothing to worry about. I've never felt threatened or concerned about leaving my wife and 4-month old home by themselves, and I feel like you can walk around the neighborhood at any time of the night. My landlord told me that he's lived here his entire life (he's in his 50s) and never locks the doors to his house or car. There are a ton of bars, so you'll get the drunks stumbling around sometimes at night, but, they are all pretty harmless.
While my wife and I really enjoyed our time renting here, we decided that we wouldn't want to buy here, so, are currently looking elsewhere.
Feel free to ask me any other questions about the area.
S. Amboy is fine. My sister has lived in South Amboy for 10 years. Never any problems
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