Moving to or from Elizabeth?
New Jersey's fourth-largest city and one of the oldest English settlements in America — sitting between Newark Airport and Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal, with the nation's largest retail outlet center at The Mills at Jersey Gardens and one of the most diverse populations in the Northeast.
- 130,000 City population
- 20,000,000 Metro area
- 1664 Founded
- Union County / Northern New Jersey Region
Why people move to Elizabeth.
- Being New Jersey's fourth-largest city and one of the oldest English settlements in America
- Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal — one of the largest container ports on the East Coast
- Being directly adjacent to Newark Liberty International Airport
- The Mills at Jersey Gardens — New Jersey's largest outlet mall
- Highly diverse population with significant Hispanic, Portuguese-American, Haitian, and South American communities
- Being the original New Jersey colonial capital
Elizabeth is one of the oldest English-named settlements in America — founded in 1664 and named for Queen Elizabeth I's ally Sir George Carteret's wife. The city served as New Jersey's first capital (1664-1790), making it older than the United States itself. The Boxwood Hall Historic Site, where Alexander Hamilton's bride Elizabeth Schuyler spent time and where George Washington briefly stayed, preserves the colonial era.
Where people live in Elizabeth.
A quick guide to Elizabeth's most moved-to neighborhoods.
-
Midtown / Downtown
Dense urban core with mix of residential and commercial
-
North Elizabeth
Portuguese-American community heritage with traditional restaurants
-
Elizabethport
Historic waterfront district with rowhouses and port proximity
-
Elmora
Residential neighborhood with mix of housing types
-
Westfield-adjacent
Borders more suburban Westfield; residential with single-family homes
-
Union / Hillside
Adjacent towns with similar character and more suburban feel
Where people spend their time in Elizabeth.
- The Mills at Jersey Gardens Elizabeth
- Boxwood Hall Historic Site Downtown
- Thomas Jefferson Park Central Elizabeth
- Liberty Hall Museum (nearby Union) Union
- Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal viewing Elizabeth Marine Terminal
- Hillside Cemetery (historic) Hillside
Planning a Elizabeth move.
- Elizabeth has dense urban housing with multi-family buildings and narrow streets; specialized movers handle these best
- Newark Airport noise affects specific neighborhoods under flight paths; research before buying
- Property taxes are high (typical of NJ); factor into total housing cost calculations
- NYC access via NJ Transit and PATH is excellent; Manhattan is 30-45 minutes away
Moving in Elizabeth: FAQ.
Is Elizabeth safe?
Crime rates vary significantly by neighborhood and have improved over the past two decades. Westfield-adjacent areas and Elmora are generally stable; some older urban neighborhoods have higher crime rates. Research specific addresses carefully. Elizabeth is a dense urban environment with real urban-suburban crime gradients — not unlike the rest of urban northern New Jersey.
How's the commute to NYC?
Excellent. NJ Transit Northeast Corridor trains stop at Elizabeth station with frequent service to NYC Penn Station (30-45 minutes). The PATH isn't directly accessible from Elizabeth but nearby Newark Penn Station connects. Port Authority buses also serve commuters. Many Elizabeth residents work in NYC daily.
What's the Portuguese-American connection?
Significant and longstanding. North Elizabeth (specifically Peterstown and parts of adjacent areas) has been a major Portuguese immigration destination since the 1960s. Ferry Street and Peterstown Avenue have Portuguese restaurants, bakeries, bars, and civic organizations. The Portuguese-American community shapes parts of Elizabeth's culture, food, and civic life. Ironbound in neighboring Newark is even more Portuguese-centric.
Should I worry about airport or port traffic noise?
Depends on specific location. Newark Liberty Airport flight paths affect some Elizabeth neighborhoods with real noise exposure. Port traffic affects roads near the Marine Terminal. Eastern Elizabeth (closer to the airport and port) has more noise exposure than western Elizabeth. Research specific addresses and, if possible, visit in different conditions before committing.
Let's find the right mover for your Elizabeth move.
Free advice from people who know the Elizabeth market. No obligation, no spam, no sales pressure.
Replies within 1 hour during business hours, 9am to 5pm ET, Mon-Fri.