INTRO Perth Amboy peeks into Raritan Bay, which separates New Jersey from New York state. It’s a modest city of 55,000 residents with a waterfront downtown that sprawls out west towards more suburban terrain. The median age is 36, and leading industries include transportation, retail, health care, manufacturing and education. Rutgers University—New Brunswick and Robert Wood Johnson University hospital are top employers. Rutgers, as many locals note, has been a driver of growth in general, especially when it comes to housing. “They’ve already been revitalizing Downtown Newark,” says Thomas Mosera, a realtor with Premium One Realty, speaking of the larger city that Perth Amboy spurs off from. “We’re seeing a trend of older homes being taken down and replaced, but it’s not necessarily keeping a historic look. It’s very contemporary.” One of the latest redevelopment debates in this “City by the Bay” occurred in August 2024, when City Council tabled a $200 million project that would bring 600 apartments to the waterfront. Residents said they preferred the city to focus on townhouses, condominiums and low-rise buildings. The completion date of the Saint Demetrios Housing for Active Adults is slated for 2024 or 2025. This luxury condo development has been in the works since 2021 and features a bold and modern Spanish design. But creating a cohesive vision citywide continues to be top of mind. In spring 2024, construction began on the Gateway project near the Route 35 Victory Bridge – a key entrance to the city left to blight but now being reimagined as a mixed-use space with a public park attached. HOUSING There’s history to the buildings around Perth Amboy. During the Revolutionary War, Benjamin Franklin’s son stayed at the Proprietary House, which still stands on Kearny Avenue. But the police station on High Street was set for demolition in 2024 – originally it served as a main office for one of the most industrious chemical manufacturers in the world. “You’ll see houses in the area that are 125 years old,” says Mosera. The median price for a home is $405,000. That’s slightly less than the national median of $416,000. Homebuyers will see colonial-influenced homes placed close together, with only a sidewalk out front. But there are also Cape Cods and ranches with classic suburban lawns and neat decorative landscaping. In contrast, condominiums near the waterfront were built or remodeled in the early 2000s, showcasing the more contemporary aesthetic popping up around the city. SCHOOLS Students can begin at Edwin Patten Elementary, which covers kindergarten through 4th grade. It has a 10-to-1 student-teacher ratio and earns a C rating overall, but Niche also gives it a B in the Teachers category. McGinnis Middle receives a C-minus rating but a B-minus in the Teachers category. Perth Amboy High has an Advanced Placement program and is known for its football rivalry with Carteret High, with the annual showdown game held every Thanksgiving. The school receives a C-minus rating. Rutgers University—New Brunswick provides the community with a higher education option. It’s the oldest campus in the university’s network and enrolls nearly 44,000 students. SHOPPING AND DINING The city experienced an immigration boom during its industrial era and that cultural influence continues to be felt today in the dining scene. Dominican food is one of the city’s specialties. Paila & Lena dishes out Dominican fried rice, mofongo and steak in a bright colorful setting. Smoked cuisine gets a nod, especially at BBQ Luso. This popular takeout venue focuses on charcoal-broiled barbecue with rice or fries. “The Portuguese take on barbecue is big in this area,” says Sagrario Javier, a Realtor with EXP Realty. For a taste of Peru, residents can go to Se Salio El Pollo for dishes like calamari or whole roast chicken. The walkable downtown scene is filled with more cosmopolitan options, including Cuban, Salvadoran and Mexican restaurants. While small markets dot the landscape, most residents find it convenient to get groceries at the Shop Rite in Convery Plaza. PARKS AND REC The Sadowski Parkway Waterfront Park makes it easy to enjoy the city’s unique location on the bay. There are walkways to stroll, benches to sit on and recreational facilities like a playground and volleyball court. Bayview Park, next to the Harborside Marina, presents a more manicured experience with lawns and trees. For a slightly more urban experience towards the inland west side, Washington Park presents a skate park. It’s just a few blocks from the HMH Raritan Bay Medical Center. But residents can also make use of nearby nature to expand their horizons. “Rahway is nice for its nature preserve along the river,” says Rosmena DeSa, a Realtor with Re/Max New Millennium. “People like to go there for walks or picnics.” TRANSPORTATION The train station in Downtown Perth Amboy is a boon for commuters. Riders can also use it to cross the bay into South Amboy. Key north-south corridors include Route 9 and the Garden State Parkway, which track in parallel to each other. Drivers can reach Manhattan in about 90 minutes, and the most common way to get there is by merging onto Interstate 95 on the west end. Or, it’s possible to take the 116 bus with NJ Transit: it goes directly to New York City. CRIME In 2022, there were 990 total offenses reported by Perth Amboy police, up from 808 in 2021. Property crime rates remained nearly even during that span. Violent crime, however, was down. Learn more on the Perth Amboy city guide.