Jersey City, NJ - Investment properties

[Ani Sanyal]

What's up everyone,

I'm a recent home buyer/investor located in Jersey City, NJ. A few months ago, I closed on a condo in the Heights neighborhood (after going through a brutal sellers market), and am currently in the process of closing my first investment property. 

I would love meet more people in the area as well as get some feedback from anyone with experience investing in the JC/Union City/Newark areas. There's definitely a lot of activity going on here and it reminds me a lot of what happened in Brooklyn, NY (lived there for the 8 years prior).

Particularly, I am curious about less touted sections of JC -- West Side Ave, Bergen-Lafayette and the areas around there. Do you see these areas being more popular for rentals now that a lot of JC has become expensive, and does anyone have experience with rental properties in and around there? I know crime and safety and still major issues in this area, which I'm sure is one of the reason why investors haven't piled in here yet. 

Look forward to hearing any thoughts/feedback. Thanks!

-Ani