Newark, NJ Driving Tips
Be careful at red lights. Stop at all stop signs.
Newark, NJ Buying Tips
There are a few car dealerships along McCarter Highway. Craig'slist is not the way to go because you don't know if the car is stolen or not. I'd actually suggest going to an auction out of state for a car.
Favorite Driving Memory
I don't know if it was a highlight but this was one of the few funny moments I had driving in Newark. Years ago driving down Bloomfield Avenue and saw this beautiful Hispanic woman walking on the other side of the street. So beautiful every dude in their car had to turn and look. Being me, I made a
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U-turn to try and talk to her. There was incoming traffic so once I reached the other side of the street I couldn't stop my car and ended up having to turn on the next street. I circled the block quickly and came back around but she wasn't there. It was like she threw a smoke bomb and disappeared somewhere. She was so beautiful I even drove down the street the next day in hopes of seeing her again but I didn't. I was younger then I probably wouldn't do something like that now, lol.
Favorite Road
McCarter Highway
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It's my favorite road to drive on because you can really get a feel for the city driving down this road. It's a straight shot down if you're trying to get on 1-9. Just easy to drive. No turns. You can actually take it easy when you drive on this road.
Newark, NJ Driving Tips
There was a time when car jackings were so bad that it was common practice to leave at least half a car length of space at stop lights, so if someone attempted to jack your car, you could have enough space to drive away. That's not the case anymore. Worst thing now is no right turn on red rules. Kee
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p that in mind -- right on red is okay everywhere else but in Newark.
Newark, NJ Buying Tips
Fine place for buying a beater, but anything high end will be too much money and have hidden problems. It's real tempting when you see that 7 Series for $15 grand, but the blacked out windows and aftermarket rims mean it was beat to hell.
Favorite Driving Memory
To begin, Newark is a warren of streets. It's not laid out in a grid pattern.
Route 21 runs in a North/South direction and is a major road that gets a lot of commuter use. I used to use it frequently to get to Jersey City but sometimes I'd run late and get stuck in traffic. I learned that if I just
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went one or two blocks over there was an industrial area, largely empty, with beat up streets that still had exposed cobbles. I could fly down this stretch of road in my old beater car like a scene from Starsky and Hutch, with old newspapers flying around and the car bouncing from the crappy road.
Favorite Road
Broad Street
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The major road that everyone uses to get anywhere, it's also a great way to see what Newark is really like -- huge office towers cheek by jowl to little bodegas and storefront churches.
Newark, NJ Driving Tips
Avoid all major roads at rush hours. The city is a major transportation hub with the port nearby, exits to multiple interstate highways (at least 4) most of which lead to NYC which of course causes a lot of traffic., And Newark Penn Station which is the biggest rail station in the state and sees a l
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ot of commuter traffic to New York. So try to avoid any and all major roads.
Newark, NJ Buying Tips
Car sales in Newark proper are less than ideal. To the best of my knowledge there are zero new car dealers in the city limits. There are a lot of small, relatively shady buy-here-pay-here types, but nothing for something new. I would travel to either Route 22 in Hillside/Union/Springfield to find qu
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ality car dealerships or to Route 440 in Jersey City.
Favorite Driving Memory
My favorite memory was near the end of winter. With snow piling up and the roads left in ruins and potholes, my car would drive right through them like they didn't exist. I've never been happier.
Favorite Road
Heller Parkway
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Heller Parkway runs through the Forest Hills section of Newark, which is a nice enclave nestled with a very rough city. A lot of late 19th century and early 20th century homes in still great shape. The road also takes you right to Branch Brook Park. Branch Brook Park is one of the nicest city parks
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I have ever seen. It certainly isn't Central Park, but it feels like a sliver of Central Park dropped in the North Ward of Newark.
