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New to Bayonne? Your Practical Starter Kit

Written by Sheetal Pawar

Bookmark this. Whether you’ve landed in Bergen Point, Constable Hook, or Midtown Bayonne, this page is your fast-pass to settling in. (We’ve sprinkled in links to deeper guides you can add later: parks, cafés, restaurants, and more.)

Last updated: August 17, 2025

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Table of Contents

  1. Quick-Start Checklist
  2. Parking & Permits
  3. Trash, Recycling & Bulk
  4. Parks & Playgrounds
  5. HBLR Basics
  6. Library Card & Hours
  7. Groceries: What’s Best Where
  8. Trusted Local Pros
  9. Utilities & Internet
  10. Cafés • Restaurants • Treats
  11. New‑Mover Hacks
  12. Keep This Evergreen

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Quick-Start Checklist (Do these first)

  1. Parking permit → Apply online; it’s virtual. No permit needed on weekends. (See: [/parking])
  2. Utilities & internet → Turn on PSE&G (power/gas), pick Optimum store or Verizon Fios if available. If you are moving into one of many luxury apartment buildings then power and gas is something you don't have to worry about.
  3. Trash & recycling → Note your zone + night pickup days. Bulk items need a call.
  4. Transit basics → Learn the HBLR stops (8th, 22nd, 34th) and validate/tap before boarding. Tip: For those new to HBLR, it takes a few minutes to get activated so do it a bit before you board.
  5. Library card → Fast access to books, study rooms, and hoopla e‑media.
  6. Groceries → ShopRite, Stop&Shop for one‑stop &Lidl for produce/bakery deals, Costco for bulk deals plus specialty markets around town.
  7. Local pros → Cleaners, carpet cleaning, handymen/maintenance you can actually book.

Save this: add street‑sweeping times to your calendar and set repeat reminders.

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Street Parking Bayonne

Parking & Permits (2‑minute setup)

  • Residential permits are virtual—no stickers. One permit per car, weekdays only. Most streets require moving for street‑sweeping on posted days.
  • Guest parking: most blocks allow day guests without permits, but watch posted time limits & sweep days. Note that Bayonne also has a "three-hour" rule for non-permit vehicles in residential permit zones
  • Pro tip: If you change your license plate or vehicle, you must update your virtual permit.

Apply/Manage Online: Bayonne Parking Utility portal — bayonnenjonline.parkvantage.com
City page with rules: bayonnenj.org → Departments → Parking Utility

Trash, Recycling & Bulk (set it and forget it)

  • Bayonne uses zones with night pickups (set out after 3:00 pm the day of collection). Recycling alternates each week (paper/cardboard ↔ bottles/cans/plastic).
  • Bulk items (furniture, mattresses) often require plastic wrapping and a scheduled pickup.
  • Drop‑off yard: Constable Hook (special items; check hours).

DPW phones: Sanitation (201‑858‑6123) • Recycling/Metal/E‑waste scheduling (201‑858‑6099)
PDF schedule: “Nighttime Garbage Schedule” (link in your /recycling guide)

More: (/recycling) — embed the current PDF schedule, list your zone examples, add a “What Goes Where” graphic and a bulk‑items table.

Parks & Playgrounds (add these to your weekend rotation)

  • Stephen R. Gregg Park (County Park) – waterfront paths, track, courts, playgrounds, sunset views.
  • Dennis P. Collins Park (1st St) – giant new playgrounds, splash features, dog runs, bridge views.
  • Neighborhood play spots – 22nd St area, Midtown pocket parks, and more.

HBLR Basics (Hudson‑Bergen Light Rail)

  • Bayonne has three stops: 8th St (terminal), 22nd St, 34th St.
  • Proof‑of‑payment: buy/activate in the NJ TRANSIT app before boarding, or tap your contactless card at station validators (Tap & Ride) for an adult one‑way.
  • Typical rides: to Exchange Place/Jersey City for PATH, or to Hoboken for connections. Park‑and‑ride lots at 22nd/34th (check current pricing).

Library Card & Hours (best free membership in town)

  • Main library: 697 Avenue C. Mon–Thu late hours; Fri/Sat day hours (closed Sun).
  • Phone: 201‑858‑6971
  • Card perks: print/scan, study rooms, museum passes (when offered), activities, and hoopla for ebooks, audiobooks, movies.
Dance Studio Bayonne

Groceries: What’s Best Where

  • ShopRite of Bayonne (583‑9 Avenue C @ 26th St) – full‑line supermarket: big selection, pharmacy, prepared foods; good for weekly stock‑ups.
  • Lidl – Harbor View Marketplace (20 Goldsborough Dr) – sharp prices on produce, bakery, European staples; easy quick trips.
  • Stop & Shop (1 Lefante Way Bayonne, NJ) - full-line supermarket: great grocery selection, pharmacy, starbucks counter; good for slightly upscale grocery.
  • Costco ( 21 Goldsborough Dr, Bayonne, NJ 07002) - wide range of products in bulk at discounted prices, pharmacy, optometric services, tire service center, gas station,
  • Specialty (Broadway & around):
    • Polish delis (e.g., pierogi, kielbasa, imports)
    • Halal markets & Middle Eastern grocers (fresh meats, breads, spices)
    • Desi Deli ( Indian staples )
    • Small produce markets sprinkled along Avenue C/Broadway.

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Utilities & Internet (set up once)

  • Electric/Gas – PSE&G
    Start/stop/move service online. Walk‑in center: 608 Broadway, Mon–Fri 8am–4pm.
  • Water – Veolia (Bayonne Water)
    Customer service 888‑434‑0518; start/stop via Veolia portal.
  • Internet
    Optimum store: 26 Goldsborough Dr (Harbor View).
    Verizon Fios: availability varies by building—use address check.

More: (/utilities) — include start/stop links, outage maps, and a quick Wi‑Fi setup guide.

Cafés • Restaurants • Treats (link‑outs)

  • Add your curated lists: Best Coffee to Work From, Family‑Friendly Eats, Date‑Night Spots, Desserts & Bakeries.

Explore: (/cafes) (/eat) (/treats) — stub these articles now and link from here.

New‑Mover Hacks

  • Calendar block the first street‑sweeping cycle so you learn your pattern.
  • Label‑maker trick: put your zone + pickup nights inside your front closet.
  • Kid‑friendly loop: library → Gregg Park playground → Lidl bakery → home (nap wins).
  • Neighbor intro: say hi at the dog run or playground; ask for their top contractor pick and favorite takeout.

Share this with a neighbor and be the hero of their first trash night:
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