Newark Apartments and Rentals

As city officials work to maintain an open, accessible atmosphere in Newark, the renaissance in this once downtrodden city continues to thrive. With many family-friendly neighborhoods and business opportunities, Newark is an attractive destination for people of all ages.

The city’s 277,000 residents enjoy the best of the big city lifestyle without paying the price, as New York City is just over the bridge. However, Newark contains everything one could ever want. Though the lifestyle here is still very fast-paced, it is less hectic than Manhattan and much easier to manage. Rent a Newark apartment and experience the best of both worlds.

Newark was founded in 1666 by Robert Treat and a group of Connecticut Puritans who were forced out of the New Haven Colony for sheltering the judges who had sentenced King Charles of England to death. A settlement with strict church rules, the name Newark came from “New Work,” reflecting the task at hand. The community remained under control of the church until 1733, when Episcopalian missionaries broke up the Puritan theocracy. In the early 19th century, Seth Boyden brought leather production to Newark, which resulted in the city manufacturing 90 percent of the leather in the country and bringing in millions in revenue.

Newark remained an industrial city for decades until the riots in 1967. After a continued decline in the ‘70s and ‘80s, the city experienced a downtown revitalization in the 1990s and early 2000s. Today it is known as “The Renaissance City” as a testament to the renewal effort, drawing new residents to look for Newark apartments.

There are a number of universities located right in Newark, including Rutgers University, Berkeley College's Newark Campus, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and Essex County College, with dozens more in the vicinity. New York City, located just 11 miles away, is home to some of the most prestigious schools in the country, including New York University and Columbia University. Many students also take advantage of the small, private universities located in the area.

For those seeking work, Newark is a hub of opportunity. Prudential Financial and Public Service Enterprise Group have their headquarters in town and employ hundreds of workers. For those seeking additional Fortune 500 opportunities, Bed Bath & Beyond, Celgene, Sealed Air and Quest Diagnostics, among others, are also in the area, joining a host of enterprising business opportunities across the bridge in Manhattan. Many Newark residents also make their living in the manufacturing industry and other service positions.

Living in Newark can be pretty pricey. The city received a cost of living index score nearly 21 points above the United States average in 2012. According to U.S. Census Bureau statistics, the average rent for a Newark apartment $934 a month. Many residents here see it as a bargain because of Newark’s proximity to New York City, where statistics show the average apartment costs $1,129 a month. Whether it’s in refurbished apartments downtown, the urban eco-village of Lincoln Park or the Central Ward in the heart of the city, many neighborhoods in Newark appeal.

Newark is home to the African American Music Expo, which takes place each September in Military Park. The New York International Salsa Congress Dance & Music Festival is also nearby, spicing up the streets with Latin flair in August. Visitors can also check out the Newark Museum and Newark Bears Baseball team, as well as the infinite number of attractions available in exciting New York City.

If you are looking for an apartment for rent or a house rental in Newark, N.J., search for rental properties at Rent.com®.