Is Barber safe?
Perth Amboy, New Jersey · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Barber as “Go, stay aware”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Barber
“Go with care. Barber is a working-class residential and light industrial pocket of Perth Amboy that is generally quiet during the day but sees higher rates of property crime and petty offenses than suburban Middlesex County. Visitors should remain aware of their surroundings, particularly after dark, and keep vehicles locked without valuables in sight.”
About the area
Barber is an older, historically industrial and residential neighborhood situated in northern Perth Amboy near the Arthur Kill. The area features a mix of compact multi-family homes, local bodegas, and industrial facilities with a tight-knit, predominantly Hispanic community.
- Working-Class
- Industrial Adjacent
- Dense Residential
- Lively Latino Culture
Walking and biking in Barber
Walk score: 68/100 · Bike score: 52/100
There is no local bike-share program and limited dedicated cycling infrastructure, though local streets carry moderate speeds.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Lower rates of violent crime compared to larger neighboring urban centers like Newark or Elizabeth
- Close-knit residential blocks with active daytime foot traffic and neighborhood vigilance
- Convenient highway access to Route 440 and the Outerbridge Crossing into Staten Island
Cons
- Higher property crime and vehicle theft rates than Middlesex County averages
- Household poverty rates in Perth Amboy hover around 18%, reflecting economic strain
- Industrial truck traffic and fragmented sidewalks in transition areas along industrial corridors
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in the immediate residential blocks of Barber, with occasional individuals around main retail corridors like State Street, while centralized outreach services are based further south near downtown Perth Amboy.
What Barber is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active and calm as residents commute and local corner stores open for morning breakfast traffic.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Generally safe with steady activity around local schools, shops, and automotive businesses.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Streets remain reasonably active, though side streets near industrial zones quiet down and warrant awareness.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Foot traffic drops off considerably; walking alone on poorly lit or industrial-adjacent blocks is not recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
NJ Transit bus routes 116 and 815 run along State Street and nearby corridors, while the Perth Amboy NJ Transit rail station on the North Jersey Coast Line is roughly 1.5 miles south.
Street parking is mostly free and unmetered, but spaces can be tightly packed and hard to find during evening hours along narrow residential streets.
Things to do in Barber
- Sample authentic Dominican and Puerto Rican bakeries along nearby State Street
- Visit the nearby Perth Amboy Waterfront and Promenade for views of Raritan Bay
- Explore local community sports games at nearby Washington Park
Local favorites
- Brito Bakery · Bakery · 4.5★ (180)Neighborhood bakery known for fresh Dominican pastries, bread, and espresso.
- Padrino's Deli & Grocery · Deli / Grocery · 4.3★ (95)Corner bodega offering hot sandwiches, cold cuts, and daily Latin American lunch specials.
- La Rumba Restaurant · Latin American Restaurant · 4.2★ (210)Casual, enduring spot serving hearty traditional Caribbean dishes and mofongo.
Neighborhoods near Barber
Common questions about Barber
Is Barber safe to walk at night?
Mostly, on the busier, well-lit streets. Avoid empty side streets late at night.
Is Barber a good place to live?
On safety, Barber scores 66/100 — about average for the metro — most residents get by with normal city awareness.
How walkable is Barber?
Walk score 68/100 and bike score 52/100. Some errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Barber are safer?
Tottenville-Charleston (90), Sewaren (82), Hopelawn (81) score higher nearby.
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