Is Ampere safe?
East Orange, New Jersey · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Ampere as “Caution”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Ampere
“Go with care. Ampere is a dense, working-class residential enclave that mostly caters to local residents rather than tourists. While routine daytime visits to local eateries or businesses are generally unremarkable, elevated rates of property crime and regional violent crime warrant extra situational awareness, especially after dark.”
About the area
Ampere is an urban neighborhood in northeastern East Orange bordering Bloomfield and Newark, historically named after the Crocker-Wheeler Ampere Electric Company. Today, the area is characterized by dense multi-family residential housing, local bodegas, and modest neighborhood commercial strips.
- Urban Residential
- Working-Class
- Dense Multi-Family
- Transit-Adjacent
Walking and biking in Ampere
Walk score: 78/100 · Bike score: 52/100
Ampere lacks dedicated bicycle lanes or municipal bike-share docking stations, requiring cyclists to share narrow, congested urban streets with vehicular traffic.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Quick access to regional highways like the Garden State Parkway and neighboring Bloomfield amenities
- Diverse selection of independent Caribbean, Latin American, and casual takeout spots
- Close proximity to Watsessing Park for open green space and outdoor recreation
Cons
- Property crime and violent crime rates in the broader municipality exceed national medians
- High density of rental units and elevated municipal poverty rates around 20%
- Limited visitor-focused infrastructure, dining variety, and nightlife options
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is relatively low, with occasional unhoused individuals seen near transit corridors and major intersections like Springdale Avenue. Most municipal social services and shelters are concentrated closer to downtown East Orange and Newark.
What Ampere is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Streets are busy with commuters walking to bus stops and children heading to school, with a normal neighborhood rhythm.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Moderate foot traffic and delivery activity keep the main avenues active and reasonably safe for routine errands.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Foot traffic tapers off on residential side streets; staying on well-lit main corridors is recommended.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Streets are largely empty and safety risks elevate; walking alone late at night is not advised.
Transit, parking and getting around
NJ Transit bus lines 34, 90, and 92 run directly through the neighborhood, connecting to Newark Broad Street and Newark Penn Station. While the historic Ampere train station is closed, the Watsessing Avenue and Bloomfield stations on the Montclair-Boonton Line are less than a mile north.
Street parking is notoriously tight on dense residential side streets, and East Orange strictly enforces overnight parking permit rules. Commercial streets have limited metered parking, and there are no dedicated public parking decks.
Things to do in Ampere
- Sample authentic Dominican and Caribbean comfort food along 4th Avenue
- Walk the tree-lined perimeter of nearby Watsessing Park on the Bloomfield border
- View historic early-20th-century urban residential architecture along Springdale Avenue
Local favorites
- Sunrise Caribbean Restaurant · Caribbean Restaurant · 4.1★ (185)Popular counter-service spot dishing out generous portions of jerk chicken, oxtail, and plantains.
- Ampere Deli & Grocery · Deli & Bodega · 4.2★ (75)Neighborhood corner bodega serving freshly made breakfast sandwiches, cold cuts, and daily essentials.
- El Rincon Latino · Latin American Restaurant · 4.3★ (110)Casual neighborhood eatery serving traditional Dominican plates, roast pork, and empanadas.
Neighborhoods near Ampere
Common questions about Ampere
Is Ampere safe to walk at night?
Take care after dark: stick to lit main streets or take a ride.
Is Ampere a good place to live?
On safety, Ampere scores 57/100 — below average, so visit at different times of day before deciding to move.
How walkable is Ampere?
Walk score 78/100 and bike score 52/100. Most errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Ampere are safer?
East Newark (74), University Heights (Newark) (64), Teachers Village (63) score higher nearby.
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