“Parking in this town is the pits,” is a common phrase here in Hoboken. But let’s carry the commuting issue to another level and address the driving madness here, which I learned quickly upon becoming a resident. I really enjoy living here, but to get from point A to point B can be treacherous on wheels.
Almost every time I drive the measly 11 blocks either to or from Shoprite, I encounter a road closing, only to confront one-way streets going the other way, forcing me to travel in perpetual mazes leading to nowhere. Recently, I came upon a crossing guard sympathetic to my dilemma and she permitted me to enter a roadway leading into a driveway toward my destination home.
When I was new to the area, I attempted to travel uptown on Hudson Street to visit a friend, only to discover that Hudson Street is one way southbound and that northbound traffic begins at 11th Street. On another occasion, I traveled up Park Avenue and was blocked by Church Square Park.
In both instances I ended up winding around mazes again and began understanding what mice in scientific labs must go through. Another annoying and often dangerous situation is when cars are parked at the edge of an intersection, which blocks the view of oncoming traffic.
You might ask, “Why do you keep a car in this town? After all, you’re better off with mass transit.”
The truth is, with the exception of traveling to New York City, you need a car in Hoboken. Shopping is sparse and most of the newly constructed housing, particularly in the western part of the city, is in areas where stores are practically nonexistent. While Washington Street is known predominantly for real estate offices, bars, restaurants, and small eateries and confectionaries, commodities such as housewares, clothing, furniture, and accessories are in short supply.
A recent Hoboken Reporter article reported on the high rents that are forcing many “mom and pop” stores in town to close, so residents must travel to outside areas to make purchases that are not feasible to schlep to and from the PATH or Light Rail stations. Perhaps all these circumstances were intentionally designed to discourage automobile traffic in town, but, frankly, I doubt it will ever work. It looks like we motorists will have to tolerate the idiosyncrasies of driving here. – Elaine Kabat
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