Due to its proximity to New York, as well as its reputation for seediness and that's putting it mildly, Newark is often overlooked in favor of Goliath-like Manhattan 5 mi 8 km east as well as commuter havens Jersey City and Hoboken. The downtown area has retained much of its turn of the century architecture as seen in buildings like the recently renovated art deco Eleven80 apartments at 1180 Raymond Blvd.. Another architectural gem is the gothic Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart. The city is also a major transportation hub so there are plenty of ways to get around. While things are safer now than they were a few years ago, thanks in large part to a very committed mayor, none of this is to say Newark is Disneyland. Car thefts and muggings are still frequent occurrences in some neighborhoods more than others.
