Are you a New Jersey resident?

Well, it is the Garden State.

Worst fucked up road system in the US. If you can go shopping on RT 22 in Union and come home alive, it's a good day.

While there are certainly many very nice parts of New Jersey, the state holds I believe the highest property tax rate in the USA.

Some folks I know who live there are paying upwards of 30K just for taxes.

Families flock there because of the school systems. Some town have very high ratings for their high schools I am told, like a 10 out of 10.

Believe it or not, NJ has been listed as one of the safest places to drive.

I guess that comes from being experienced on the highways. There certainly are enough of them.

It really depends what part of Jersey you are interested in. I lived in both Bergen and Morris counties- they are beautiful and expensive. Hoboken and Jersey City offer more urban things and is cheaper. I'm sorry to say that you don't want to live anywhere in or near Newark. Central Jersey is more affordable but as a poster mentioned the roads are a mess. It is closer to the shore though.

Having Rt. 22 as my gateway to NYC -- I avoided shopping there when I could -- made me hate driving permanently.

The jug handle thing down the shore is enough to drive you nuts.

NEWARK??? You are insane!

I lived in the state from 1962 - 1997; my dad's family had been there since it was New Netherlands. Probably the second most corrupt state after Louisiana. Wait until you try to get auto insurance! The reason it's so safe is that the population density means most trips average 25 mph. Route 22 was referred to as Death Highway in my day.

Hoboken is insanely expensive and I am able to live here only because I moved here many years ago.

People who want to live here now and want their own nice apartment or condo have to be making serious money if they don't want to be stressed out. Like well over 100k. And if you have a family well more than that.

Thank God for New Jersey.

Jersey's got some of the hottest fucking rough trade cock in the East Coast. I got stopped for DUI and speeding and the fucking kwaps roughed me the fuck up. They spat on me, called me a ph@ggot bitch, and made me suck their truncheons. I was getting fucking hard and stoked. Then they took me to the jailhouse and threw me in a cell full of hardcore tatted n!ggers and cholos. They saw a fucking white boy, so they really went to town on my cunt. The n!ggers had these really long, fucking elephant dong fucksticks, while the cholos had beercan thick throbmeats that were like proper chodes. They fucked me until my asshole was frothing cum and blood. Fuck, most of them n!ggers were poz, so they definitely charged me up. Jersey fucking rawks, brah.

R11, no one cares.

R12 Mary!

Former Westfield, NJ resident and now living in NYC. It's a beautiful state. Property taxes ARE sky high! Accessibility to beautiful beaches--I'm a big Asbury, Gunnerson, Sandy Hook, fan.

Yup! Route 22 is a pain in the ass, but you learn the back roads, or take the Parkway.

To my knowledge, there is nothing in Newark re investment. All that land is already tied up with people just waiting for the right project or price.

Hmm...a lot of good looking/hot men in Jersey too! Great diners as you noted!

Seriously, Jersey's fucking hot, man. When I walk down the Newark drag in my cut-offs and muscle shirt, and I don't know when some fucking sweaty straight wop longshoremen in wifebeaters will just drag me off to an industrial warehouse and pound my ph@ggot gash until I'm well knocked up. Or maybe I'll turn up at a bar and some fucking hard-hitting micks will take me round back to lick the sweat off their balls and hairy, nasty holes. Sometimes I get n!ggers slinging when they see my fine white ass hanging out of my low-cut cutoffs and then they be tapping my mangina with their merciless tatted fucksticks. They really know how to show a ph@ggot a good time down here.

[quote]And people drive like they mean it and I’ve never seen an accident.

Are you insane or just trolling? They have a regional reputation for being the worst drivers. "Like they mean it?" What does that even mean? "I've never seen an accident?" You don't even sound familiar with the area, so what does that mean? I've never seen a Californian have an accident either, but since Iibe 2,000+ miles from California and have only spent a lifetime total of month there that's not exactly an astute observation of anything.

Driving in Jersey is a fucking nightmare. You actually like jug handles? You're an idiot.

My experience was quite different than the gutter troll above.

In the 1970s when I was in my 20s I visited my friend in Manhattan who was singing in the chorus of a Broadway hit. We were both from California, he moved to Manhattan for his career. He had many friends in the theater and we were invited to a home in New Jersey. It was a mixed crowd of theater people, their friends and families. Maybe about 16 people attended. The host was a musical director for a television network.

I don't even know what town it was in. The home was lovely and comfortable, it looked like it was right out of a classic 1940s movie. Two stories, pretty landscaping, large rooms, big windows, and a piano in the living room. We had a lovely dinner in the formal dining room. Later, someone played the piano and we all stood around singing show tunes.

Because of that wonderful experience I have fond feelings for New Jersey that even the Real Housewives of New Jersey could not spoil.

[quote]Are you insane or just trolling? They have a regional reputation for being the worst drivers. "Like they mean it?" What does that even mean? "I've never seen an accident?" You don't even sound familiar with the area,

Well, I'm familiar with the area and can only speak from my experiences of being born in NJ and living in the state until I was 49. Yes, there are car accidents but not as many as you suggest. I've recall the times that I've driven on Long Island, and as God is my witness, every single New York licensed plate car had some sort of dent on it. You don't see this in Jersey.

[quote]Downside to NJ? What am I missing?

New Jersey has the highest total taxes paid in the nation, for starters. The state is fiscally unsound, and terminally ungovernable due to the almost cellular level corruption. The pension funds are ALWAYS seen as a source of income or patronage and for budget balancing, yet all every governor does is pretend to get it back on even footing. The biggest scoundrel/loser of all was Christine Todd Whitman, who after devastating NJ's finances, and raiding their pension funds was rewarded as EPA chief during GWB's first term, where she assured us the post 9-11 Ground Zero air was safe to breathe! Immediately, first responders started dying, and we (blessedly) haven't heard from her since.

I always wonder why she doesn't just commit suicide and do one decent thing in her shameful, dishonest, corrupt life?

If we could still WW, I would WW R19. Criminally evil Republicunt in ways Cunter, Monicunt, and Cuntyanne can only dream of.

[quote] I like the directness of NJ people

Op, meet your new neighbor at R16. Welcome to the neighborhood!

[quote] Are you insane or just trolling? They have a regional reputation for being the worst drivers. "Like they mean it?" What does that even mean? "I've never seen an accident?" You don't even sound familiar with the area, so what does that mean? I've never seen a Californian have an accident either, but since Iibe 2,000+ miles from California and have only spent a lifetime total of month there that's not exactly an astute observation of anything.

[quote] Driving in Jersey is a fucking nightmare. You actually like jug handles? You're an idiot.

Gunnison Beach at Sandy Hook is the best thing in NJ!

Been there, done that.

I live in extreme South jersey. Its kinda like living in Indiana

I live in Newark. Yes, it's cheap but I stand out like a spec of salt in a pepper mill.

Don't forget the large number of Guidos.

[quote]In the 1970s when I was in my 20s

That was 40 fucking years ago, gramps. You're an idiot.

thanks for the responses and feedback.

R16 are you free for dinner?

Newark hasn't been nice in at least 50 years and won't be nice for at least that much longer, if ever. There are areas not too far away that are nice (Montclair, Glen Ridge) but they're already expensive as hell. In general, the parts of NJ that are cheap are either extremely unsafe (Newark, Camden) or the middle of nowhere.

Camden is FAR worse than Newark, I guarantee

Gunnison Beach would turn hell into paradise.

people here are rude aggressive and have no taste.

The Governor lives in a dump called "Drumthwacket" in Princeton. Except McGreevey wanted a condo for his boy toy. Christie only comes there to eat.

Wait, 33 posts and nothing about the smell? There are certain parts of NJ that smell like the state actually died and is rotting in the sun.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, but at various times in my life have lived in South Jersey, Central and even North.

I live 5 miles from Palmyra NJ

The bridge is literally a couple of blocks from my house in Northeast Philly

I've walked over it to Jersey, a couple of times

R34, that is the EXXON dump which is currently in the news. It really isn't reflective of State EXCEPT for the corruption. I don't see how Christie feels that he could run for President with that deal overhanging his head. Simply disgraceful.

When was your last time in Newark, R29?

Recently. There are parts that are okay (the Ironbound, the area around Branchbrook Park) but they're still only nice for Newark. There's no way I'd want to live in any of them. And try walking around downtown Newark on the weekends and it's a ghost town.

[quote]They have a regional reputation for being the worst drivers.[/quote]

That reputation comes from the Philly and NYC drivers that think their stop-and-go-25MPH city driving skills are gonna cut it on the highway. The same people who do 50 in the left lane on 295.

I mentioned this on another thread but major speed traps in South Jersey (on the Turnpike). Where you can theoretically (safely) go quite fast. I think they were one of the last states to change back to 65. Very anal retentive state in terms of law and order. Don't even ask about alcohol. One (very upscale) restaurant gave my father the business for serving us (one of age, two others late teens/college age) a bottle of wine he had ordered. He told them off.

Cherry Hill is heaven!

just to add that I grew up in Bergen County and lived in Newark for 1 year in the early 1990s when I attended school in Newark (I've been in the area recently and it didn't seem that different). As someone else said, the area around Branch Brook Park in Newark isn't too awful and can be quite pretty -- it's not really an area I'd want to walk around late at night, and frankly there's nothing much to do around there, but you can get some really nice housing for a very cheap price. And it's a quick trip to either NYC or nice suburbs.

I moved from NYC to NJ (Westfield, coincidentally enough). It's OK here. I did purposefully want to live in a town like Westfield, with sidewalks and a downtown. Posters here are right about the property taxes but I rent. I have a decent place for a lot less money than I'd be putting into a mortgage and property taxes every month. I could only afford to buy in some suburban strip mall hell part of NJ. No thanks.

I do hate the driving. I was a true NYC without a license until I moved to NJ for work. Everyone is an a-hole to pedestrians!

Check out Rahway NJ. Direct Train service to NY and the shore. Best pizza. Affordable. Very gay friendly

NEWARK?!

It's called "Secaucus," r34. And "Meadowlands" is a brilliant marketing euphemism for "swamp miasma."

Been many times to the ABC Exits trifecta of Bayonne, Jersey City, and Newark, and can speak positively only about the pizza.

Westfield is nice, but nothing special.

OP, Princeton; that's it.

There's a reason many NJ people moved to PA in the booming 80's.

What are you missing? How about the worst and fattest Gov. in the US

My business is in downtown Jersey City and my partner and I live in a condo there. Very close to the PATH train and a 10 minute train ride into NYC so the property values are ridiculously high. Average 2 B/R condo is about 500K. I HATE the city. But I bought a condo in the early 90's for around 90K on the Jersey shore which I have been lucky enough to hang onto and that's my haven. The beaches and ocean are beautiful. If you're thinking Newark, think again. Think Journal Square in Jersey City which is on the same PATH train line. Easy access to NYC and reasonably priced.

I will also add that more often than not I am the only one approached for money in an enclosed area (bus/train, etc)

I will also add that more often than not I am the only one approached for money in an enclosed area (bus/train, etc). And am followed into stores.

Also, the governor closes down the bridge for no reason at all sometimes

R16 New Jersey drivers are the only sane ones from what I can tell driving throughout the Northeast. New Yorkers are nuts, Pennsyltuckians don't know what the hell they are doing. Massachusetts drivers are insane. I don't know even know what they are doing in Connecticut. I'll take driving here in Jersey any day.

If your an old lady who drives around like a scared rabbit then maybe New Jersey driving might take some getting used to but for the most part if you pay attention to where you're going and "drive like you mean it" as the original poster said, instead of like you are afraid of the road, you're fine.

It's very expensive to live in NJ but it's a great state with a lot of diversity, many very lovely areas and great beaches.

[quote]One (very upscale) restaurant gave my father the business for serving us (one of age, two others late teens/college age) a bottle of wine he had ordered. He told them off.

Your father broke the law, dipshit, and put the restaurant at risk for fines and liability concerns. You both sound like entitled assholes. Do you also enjoy berating service people trying to do their jobs?

[quote] I don't know even know what they are doing in Connecticut.

PCP.

I can't believe no one has mentioned Maplewood, which is the gay family capital of the NYC metro area. It's a very quaint little town with beautiful 1920s era houses and a direct train to NYC (30 minutes) that is where many gay and lesbian married couples go when they want to settle down and have kids. The other residents are generally very liberal and many work in the arts and media-- it seems like everyone moved there from Brooklyn. South Orange, which is just as gay friendly and pretty shares the school system. One side of town neighbors Newark and Irvington which are not so nice but the other side neighbors Millburn/Short Hills which is very posh.

[quote]Believe it or not, NJ has been listed as one of the safest places to drive.

Safest places to drive what? Cattle?

Cons for Newark: Highest carjacking and car theft rate in the country; highest murder rate in the State.

Pros for Newark: crickets chirping

Are you a New Jersey resident?

NO FANK YOU!!

Quisling Corey Booker is big there.

The Secaucus 7 was a thing or so I've heard? I never saw the thing, personally.

[quote]I can't believe no one has mentioned Maplewood, which is the gay family capital of the NYC metro area. It's a very quaint little town with beautiful 1920s era houses and a direct train to NYC (30 minutes)

Mmph! First time I have heard this. I know that the gays were trying to conquer Plainfield--and without much success, but I never knew about Maplewood. It is a really nice town, though.

Lots of gays found Asbury Park. Was dirt cheap, but no longer!

Doesn't Bruce Springsteen still live in NJ? which part? And Jon Bon Jovi? where?

I love Bergen County. Some beautiful towns there only 30 minutes from NYC.

I am in Madison, not that far from Maplewood. [55] is correct. I love where I live. Train line to NYC. Beaches not too far. I know there are crappy areas, but NJ is not a bad place to live.

I hear the rest areas are nice.

Bruce Springstein lives in the middle of the state near Freehold, NJ Bon Jovi in Red Bank I believe. Both very nice but super expensive areas. The Freehold area has lots of horses, Springsteins daughter is an equestrian.

R63 what towns are nice in Bergen County? I am house hunting.

R53 actually the law makes it illegal for underage to BUY alcohol, it says nothing about underage being served by adults who legally purchase the alcohol. Once adults buy it, it is their discretion whom they serve.

And name me one upscale restaurant that has even gotten busted, ever. The bars and tap rooms are the places that have to worry and be careful.

To tell parents who are droppog a ton of money on a restuarant not to serve a little bit of wine to their adult or nearly adult children, who are under their parents supervision, is simply not done and goes against practically every tenet of good service and hospitality.

Not to mention, as I said before, it's not illegal.

Cotributing to the delinquency of a minor laws vary.

"It is not always a crime to provide a minor with alcohol in at least 40 states. But these exceptions are narrowly defined. The following exceptions to the minimum legal drinking age may be valid defenses to CDM charges:

"Private premises with parental consent: For example, serving your teenage child a glass of wine at dinner (29 states, including New York and Texas).

"Private premises without parental consent: For example, a minor helping herself to a can of beer while home alone (six states, including Louisiana and New Jersey).

"Religious reasons: The most common example is drinking a sip of wine at church for ceremonial purposes (25 states, including Colorado and Illinois).

"Medical purposes: Tinctures and some other medications may contain alcohol (16 states, including Arizona and Washington). Government-related work: This may include participation in government research or working undercover (four states, including Michigan and Oregon).

"Educational Purposes: For example, adding wine to a sauce while attending culinary school (seven states, including North Carolina and Vermont).

"Premises selling alcohol, with parental approval: For example, a teenager has a drink with her parents at a restaurant (11 states, including Massachusetts and Nevada)."

As you can see, it is only legal in 11 states.

r48/64 are not native Garden Staters. We say the PATH and NJT go to "Manhattan."

Toxic waste dump.

Newark has one nice neighborhood, Forest Hill, adjacent to Branch Brook Park. They're so exclusive, they have distinctive street signs.

When people talk about the "revival" of Newark, they mean the downtown business district. The Central and South Wards are still run down and it's worth your life to walk in those areas after dark.

Actually, it's much better to visit Branch Brook Park to see the cherry blossom trees than Washington DC. A much larger foliage. I sometimes wonder how many residents of Newark have taken the time to go see them. I suppose it's like the many people who live in NYC but have never been to the Statue of Liberty...

Newark nightlife probably won't have that many options. Here's the performer line-up at the Prudential Center. (I did see Mana' a few years ago in another city)

I love Hobby's Deli. At Branford Place and Halsey Street for more than 90 years. T-shirts say "We've Been Here Since Before You Were Born. On the back "From Bris to Shiva and All the Bologna In Between."

Does anyone remember when the ship load of medical waste washed up on NJ shores a few years ago? Bathers were pulling hypodermic needles out of their feet at the beach for the next 10 years.

Lakewood has the best loks and bagels! OY!

Why has no one mentioned Atlantic City?

Jersey is a great state. Idyllic in parts. I grew up there. Middletown/Red Bank area.

The drawback is, since I moved it has become very expensive. Just as expensive as living in LA, believe it or not.

I'm taking about North Jersey, Eastern-central Jersey. South Jersey I know little about.

yes, i agree with the one of the posters above, NJ is a toxic waste dump. There are lots of Phrama Companies and other industries dumping shit into it. It stinks.

I would never live there. And Hoboken floods every time there is a little rain.

[quote]loks

Oy, gevalt!

Christine Ebersol lives in Maplewood and is appearing at The Paper Mill Playhouse for the first time in 17 years. She can almost walk home after the shows.

If you work in Philly Haddonfield is nice, and Collingswood is starting to get some nice restaurants

R79 what's funny is that Princeton is considered South Jersey, even thin it is smack in the middle of the state.

Basically anything 609 is considered South Jersey.

R83 Harry, you and Marie are both from New Jersey.

Where?

Haddonfield.

South Orange.

Ooooh.

(Silence)

It calls itself the Garden State. I call it the Garbage State. Has anyone driven near Elizabeth lately or gone to a NFL football game there where the stadium is built in a swamp area? IT STINKS !

R86 the turnpike represents the shittiest part of New Jersey. Everyone knows this.

Just go a couple of exits off and you'll get some very nice places.

Btw, who the fuck suggested Rahway? What's next, Linden?

Speaking of, don't ever drink the water in Middlesex County.

If you own a decent 3 bed/2.5 bath at least 2,000 sq ft house in a nice neighborhood where the schools are highly rated and you are not more than a 30-40 minute drive to NYC the monthly property taxes will be around $1,000 per month -like having two mortgages.

Add to that the cost of auto repairs especially after your wheel rim gets stuck in a pothole (and it will)and going from Point A to Point B there will be tolls, as George Carlin once said, "A toll-both every few miles means you're in a constant state of stop & go... by the time you drive from one end of the GS Parkway to the other end you need a new brake job."

Add to that high utility costs, as 300 days out of 360 days you either need the heat or the A/C on or need to run the dehumidifier... more than half the time something regulating temperature and/or climate control has to be on b/c if it's not you'll feel uncomfortable...just saying.

Things I like about Jersey (talking north Jersey, not familiar with southern):

They pump your gas and clean your windshield. When it's time to go through Holland Tunnel into Jersey City and onto the Turnpike, I never get gas in the city. I pull into one of the stations on the Jersey side and they pump it for me and clean my windshield.

INSANE PROPERTY TAX. (per a friend with a weekend house she bought as a share with a couple).

Speaking of said friend, her weekend house is in a picturesque community in Bloomingdale that appears as if it should be populated by sculptors, academics, old time actors who never made huge money but did okay - you know, lakes, homey, solid housing stock that's on good sized lots with old growth trees - but populated by the most stereotypically scary species of meathead and family you'd ever want to meet.

Did read that Johnny Weir lived in Lyndhurst because he couldn't afford to live in Manhattan in the style he wanted (this is pre-NBC).

Maybe the statistics say otherwise, but am scared of the drivers, got to say.

Good discount shopping.

Hoboken so expensive now may as well be Manhattan. Might be deals in Jersey City - certainly a fantastic location and the city center is pretty nice, plus light rail.

Oh and no sales tax for clothing, shoes, handbags, etc! Yippee!

Why wouldn't you just live in Connecticut? Taxes are lower, roads are better and you don't stink. You also don't have to say you live in Jersey.

Connecticut is the most beautiful state in the union. Harbors full little white sailboats, good schools and colleges, and a Mercedes in every garage. I miss it.

That farty,spoiled egg and suphur smell is so evident even in a pricey place like Hoboken.If you not from Jersey it is hard to get used to that stench.Long Island,Westchester,Connecticut and the nice places do not reek even remotely like Jersey.

Long Island has a lot of shit areas. Actually so does Westchester and CT is not all perfect either.

Westchester taxes are also sky high. CT's houses are more expensive so it kind of evens out.

If money were no object, I would just move to Bedford/South Salem/Katonah and be done with it. And keep a place in the city.

****BREAKING*** From Entertainment Weekly! Janet NOT RELEASING AN ALBUM THIS SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!! READ ON! She couldn't find a distributor or a recording label!!!!

************************* Posted May 11 2015 — 6:43 PM EDT

There won’t be a Janet Jackson record released this summer through Atlantic Records.

That’s news on Monday because of an article posted by Hip Hop Vibe last week which claimed Jackson was slated to release a new record on July 10. The news was based on an uncredited photo of upcoming releases the site assumed to be an Atlantic Records calendar (because the other artists listed – iLoveMakonnen, Waka Flocka Flame, Meek Mill and more – are part of the Atlantic roster). But as an Atlantic Records representative confirmed to EW (as well as other sites such as Stereogum and Fact), Jackson will not release an album on Atlantic Records this summer.

So what happened? It’s possible that the photo was of a distributor’s calendar, and Ms. Jackson will release a record this year (Walmart spoiled the Kendrick Lamar news, though the date was ultimately incorrect). But with a profile as high as hers, it’s hard to imagine we wouldn’t have heard a few more rumblings about the project before now. (Still, as Stereogum pointed out, Sia’s manager tweeted that he heard Jackson was releasing a new album this year.)

Jackson’s last release, the regrettably-named Discipline, came in 2008 via Island Records, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group. (Atlantic Records is owned by Warner Music Group.)

R94 Not really.There are areas in Jersey that are so yahooish.There is nothing like Newark on Long Island.It doesn't stink either.Unlike Jersey the road system is very easy to navigate.Try navigating the highway system when you first get into Jersey.

But they also pay NYC level salaries R88 so you end up with more money, taxes notwithstanding.

Really R97?

Actually, I don't live in NJ... I live near Piermont, NY, which is very close to the NJ border and have relatives in NJ.

I know their salaries and I would disagree that they are earning NY salaries and their salaries offset the high taxes. I personally think living in NJ is a struggle. I am self-employed, work out of home, so maybe I have a different take on it.

Real WASPy old money lives in New Jersey in the horse country area around Bernardsville and Far Hills. Beautiful estates on dozens of acres about an hour outside of NYC. That's where Jackie O. had her country house.

The WASPs who live there consider Greenwich and Bedford very nouveau. Jersey is perfect for them because the arrivistes would never think of living there and so they leave them alone.

While there are some areas where the factories and swamps smell and other areas with horrid tract houses or McMansions, much of the state is surprisingly picturesque and the people are relatively unpretentious.

its the asshole of america

R99

Arriviste Chris Christie lives in Mendham -- 'nuff said.

Long Island has a lot of shit areas. Actually so does Westchester and CT is not all perfect either.

There is no perfect place, but all three of these are better than New Jersey. LI doesn't have LOTS of shitty areas.

Come to Trenton. Eat Cluck in Bucket with Lula and I.

Morristown is also a great place to live and very gay friendly.

What Trenton makes the world takes.

[quote]they have to pump your gas by law

Who wants that? It'll just mean you have to tip the attendant.

Here in Britain there's no petrol stations that offer this service, so I can't really see why anyone would need it.

[quote] Who wants that? It'll just mean you have to tip the attendant.

If it's mandated by the state of NJ, the gas attendant can't accept gratuities.

This has nothing to do with Britain and your choice of words don't sound like they were written by a Brit. They sound like an American who wants you to believe they live in Britain.

That's so American (ie. lazy) Anyone who can't fill their own car up shouldn't be behind the wheel of one.

No, you DON'T tip the attendant!

Morristown us my home town, R104. It is a gay friendly area, although Morris County has stubbornly Republican entrenched hacks from fear that Democrats are out to steal their hard-earned money; voters are liberal on social issues.

Newark and Camden are shitholes.

R109, I envy you living in Morristown. I live about 20 minutes west of you and drive around The Green to get to work in Florham Park. Morristown proper has really turned itself into NYC West. Like NYC, outside of it the living areas are sketchy at best.

Living in Morris County IS expensive but a large part of that is due to the superior public schools. I live on the 2nd floor of a 7-condo building. I pay close to $4k in property taxes (thank GOD for the tax deduction!) but could sell in a minute because of the school system.

I'm about 90 minutes by train from NYC. I can and do take the train into NY Penn Station or Hoboken when I need to visit a client. There's also the Lakeland Bus Line which is co-owned by NJ Transit.

I moved to New Jersey from Europe as a kid, the state is like many states; there are positives and negatives. The negatives; agree about Route 22 which is a nightmare. Add Route 1 (like an identical twin to 22) Route 10 (driving that road is like being on a rollercoaster), some areas are overcrowded, traffic can be horrible, pollution in the more industrial areas (Linden for example with the refinery), very high state taxes, house and car insurance, and a governor who thinks he is a celebrity (to go with the fact that somehow New Jerseyans had the worse from both parties to choose a governor for many years). Positives; some very nice residential areas in most of the counties, easy access to the beaches, some very good universities (though that is true with most states), and if you are a shopaholic, strip malls in every damn town (for me that is not really a positive, but many do like them). More than anything, where ever you live, there are nice people. I lucked out with some nice neighbors where I reside.

Another positive. Roadside vegetable/fruit stands. There are lots of farms and its great to get fresh produce from this stands.

So funny when out of state people and those who don't live in the area think you have to tip the gas station attendant. Not only is it not allowed, they would actually be either shocked or offended (or both) if you tipped them.

It's environmental R108. You have no idea what a toxic dump most gas stations outside New Jersey and Oregon are.

[quote]That's so American (ie. lazy) Anyone who can't fill their own car up shouldn't be behind the wheel of one.

If that's how you were raised... I was born and raised in NJ. I don't know how to really pump gas. I never had to. I think I may have pumped my own gas 3 times at most in my life...

I have traveled quite a bit and have driven but mostly I have taken cabs, or there was a driver.

R116

My mom left NJ for FL a few years back and has never pumped her own gas; she pays extra for them to do it. I wouldn't know how myself.

R111

I left NJ over a decade ago, but Morris County is still "home" for me. Route 10 is not so bad, and I'm a nervous driver. You'd be amused to learn that a fellow I knew in NYC referred to hamburger as "chopped meat"; thinking that must be "regional" I asked where he was from, he replied, "Florham Park, New Jersey". I still equate steak with Arthur's in Morris Plains.

[quote]Newark and Camden are shitholes.

Well Camden is certainly a shithole.

But Newark is much more complicated.

To its credit, it at least has Forest Hill, Ironbound and parts of Weequahic - and in 10 years, maybe Society Hill and even Lincoln Park.

And it does have the following headquartered there: Prudential, Panasonic, PSE&G, New Jersey Transit, audible.com and Horizon Blue Cross.

And near all of those businesses are the colleges (Rutgers, NJIT, Seton Hall Law School, the county college and what was once UMDNJ and is now Rutgers' med school), the Prudential arena, NJPAC, the museum and the state's largest library. Plus two new hotels opened up in the area in the past couple of years. And a Whole Foods of all things is going in the decades-long vacated Hahnes Building.

So I'm not sure it's fair to equate Newark with Camden.

I absolutely love NJ, and usually don't even bother trying to convince all the H8trs otherwise.

Fine. Stay away.

I will make 3 quick observations:

1). NJ drivers are so much better than most. I've lived in the midwest, where everyone is too cautious (itself a hazard), and I currently live in Los Angeles where the drivers are demonic AND total assholes. Every last one of them.

2). Jersey Corn - not even going to elaborate, 'cuz no other state's corn comes close.

3). The Shore. When I moved to LA I was all excited about the SoCal beaches. They suck. Water is cold, filthy - and the overall experience just doesn't compare to Long Beach Island or Cape May.

Wikipedia:

Booker has never been married, and in 2013 he was named one of Town & Country’’s "Top 40 Bachelors".

He and Gayle King are besties. I’d move to Newark for him.

This week a Jersey politician said he wants to make gas stations Self-Serve. Customers are happy to not get out of the car, especially since gas in Jersey is cheaper than nearby states. In a TV report an attendant said he'd lose a job which supports his wife and kids.

When Booker went to the Senate he suddenly got a girlfriend. She's a lawyer in Hollywood, how convenient.

I thought Booker only dates in Europe.

Menendez only dates on Santo Domingo.

R101 - Lots of arrivistes live in Mendham. But Mendham is "horse country adjacent" - not the real thing.

Go to Far Hills, Peapack, Oldwick, Pottstown, Tewksbury, Bernardsville, Harding, Bedminster and you'll see the WASPs in their native habitat, hunting foxes, not showing affection and otherwise having a hoot!

HAH! Harding is infested with nouveaux! I am very familiar with the place in its heyday, as my family were some of the old guard WASPs there.

Live and learn R126 - I have not been to Harding in a while-- are the other towns still pretty WASPy or getting overrun too?

And who lives in Mendham? It's quite a hike to get to NYC from there.

Born in North Jersey ( meaning north of the Raritan bridges)... Moved to south jersey/ Jersey shore in high school....partner and I have a lovely 3 bedroom ranch with pool, etc in scenic ocean county just over the seaside bridge in Toms River....we love NJ....would have preferred to live in the gay community of Asbury Park but got more for our money here....it's only 20 minutes away so no biggy...most people judge Nj by around the airport ( which is horrendous), the cities of Newark or Camden, our big fat icky Governor etc...but there are so many beautiful areas all over the state! Btw BonJovi lives on Navesink river road across the Navesink River from Red Bank- a pricey bunch of real estate....and Bruce lives in Rumson last time I drove past his house....another crazy and beautiful expensive area...

Brookside is probably still WASP-y and quaint. Christie lives in the Borough, which doesn't have the cachet. Bernardsville itself is probably still nice, but I get the feeling Bedminster has gone the way of Harding.

R125/r126 well a lot more land up there has led to construction of big new houses out there which inevitably attracts arrivistes.

The move of Pingry from Short Hills to Bernardsville in the mid 80s kind of marked the beginning of that migration.

I'm from one of the towns in r125. It was beautiful. Several celebs had homes in the area.

Pingry was actually in Hillside, near Elizabeth (my dad went there). That whole Somerset Hills/Morristown area isn't what it was when I was a kid there in the 6Os/70s/80s.

Celebs to me mean arrivistes, though there were a few well-known figures like Malcolm Forbes.

Many folks who haven't been to the area think the whole state is what one sees from the Turnpike.

Some crime show called Bad Blood was on this morning. A policeman named Philip Castagna and a murder plot. He looks like he could be Chris Christie's cousin.

For all of those who tout that they're 'a direct train ride from New York', I live in NY and was offered a job near Morristown. I was astonished to see the monthly train pass was almost $400. Plus I'd still need my NYC MetroCard ($116) to get to Penn Station. I declined the offer.

We have friends who live in NJ and having dinner with them in the city feels like a game of Beat the Clock. They're constantly looking at their watch, trying to figure out which train they can catch ('If we skip dessert, we can catch the 9:45, otherwise, we have to wait until 10:12, and that's a local').

I grew up in a suburb of San Francisco and moved to 'the city' when I was 19 and then NYC in my 40s, and never, ever wanted to live in a suburb again. Thankfully, my partner feels the same way, and we're very happy in our little, overpriced NYC 1 bedroom apartment, with no grass to cut, leaves to rake, or snow to shovel. And, of course, no car.

I have a friend and an in-law who live in Ft Lee. It used to be suburban and a little woodsy. Now it's full-on urban, with single family homes being bought and bulldozed and replaced with multilevel, multi unit housing.

Lots of co-op complexes . The older ones aren't very expensive. The newer ones can be ridiculously expensive depending on whether or not there are river views. My SIL lives in one of the expensive coops, while my friend lives in one of the inexpensive ones. The big difference is the views and the age of the gym/pool/ gathering room that one can rent for parties. I'd live in the cheaper building, because I'm not into whether or not my gym is modern and I couldn't care less about views of the Hudson. Manhattan is too far downriver to look good from Ft Lee.

Worst thing about it is there is no train. If you're going to live in an urbanised environment so you can be close to Manhattan, there should be a train. But Ft Lee doesn't have one, so you need a car. Some of the coops have vans that drive you over the bridge to the buses and subway on the UWS. But buses and vans are scarce after 8Pm, so it's difficult getting home from the city at night without a car.

My friend works on the UWS. She was offered a job in Midtown on the east side but didn't take it because the commute would be too dreadful.

To echo an above comment, Bergen County has gotten richer, faster, and meaner in my lifetime. Wyckoff and Ridgewood were wonderful places to grow up (Franklin Lakes was always too Real Housewives, and Oakland/Mahwah a bit trashy). Ridgewood HS is a great school but also an academic pressure cooker, while Wyckoff has joined Franklin Lakes as a nouveau riche Republican haven. Ramapo HS was "just right" in the 80s and 80s, but they didn't search lockers for drugs when I was there and we still got into great colleges.

"...80s and 90s"

Montclair is still the go-to for mixed-race gay and lesbian couples in their child rearing years.

[quote]Doesn't Bruce Springsteen still live in NJ? which part?

Rumson. Not Freehold. Did you [italic]listen[/italic] to “My Hometown,” R49?

[quote] R48 and R64 are not native Garden Staters. We say the PATH and NJT go to "Manhattan."

Real “Garden Staters” say they’re going to “the city,” R70.

[quote] [R79] what's funny is that Princeton is considered South Jersey, even though it is smack in the middle of the state. Basically anything 609 is considered South Jersey.

Remember when it was just 201 and 609, R84? You knew where you lived then.

[quote] There is nothing like Newark on Long Island.

Once upon a time, there was. It was called Brooklyn. So I'd say there’s hope still for Newark.

[quote] I moved to New Jersey from Europe as a kid.

Laszlo?

More Springsteen:

[quote]Born in North Jersey ( meaning north of the Raritan bridges)

I'd not heard this distinction before, R128. Was that the line that divided 201 and 609?

[quote] Christie only comes there to eat.

So all the time then?

In the days before cable TV, try to think of it this way: take out your compass and put the arc about 40 miles or so from downtown Philadelphia - that media market's penetration into New Jersey pretty well corresponds with the old 609 area code. The Ocean County towns parallel to or slightly below that arc mark the end of the train line from New York City. Natives from Trenton will often have Philadelphia area accents as well, Princeton ... not so much, though still Mercer County.

I always thought the very existence of NJ was a mistake, R143.

201 should have been annexed to NY, 215 to Pennsylvania.

There is high tax corruption like New Jersey, and there is low tax corruption. Anyone with a brain knows that low-tax states have the worst corruption. I remember reading once that the Arizona legislators made barely more than minimum wage and could literally not live without selling their votes.

Does standing next to Chris Christie at a Bruce Springsteen concert equal a celebrity sighting? It looks awkward or maybe annoying and not something to brag about.

R14, Morgan Stanley?

it seems like the perfect state ...... Of profound misery!

OP "I looked at Newark real estate on Zillow and it seems affordable."

Yes, just make sure you pack your AK-47 when you move to the murder capital of the East Coast.

I've lived in the Garden State most of my life, and this map, although it's meant to be comedic, pretty much defines the various areas of the state.

r41 Is it still called "Hanukah Heights?"

There are four counties that you definitely do not want to move to due to the lack of jobs and industry, high crime rates, the highest rates of child and spousal abuse in the state, and the list goes on. They're the most rural of New Jersey's counties and should be avoided except as a way to get to the Jersey Shore. And these counites are: Cumberland, Salem, and Atlantic, and Cape May. If you're wealthy, a beautiful beach home is fine, because it's an entirely different world along the coastal regions of southern NJ.

[quote]Cumberland, Salem

Oddly enough, I find it relaxing to drive through this area. Empty roads, farms for miles, farm stands on the major roads.

r153 Lovely to look at, hell to live there.

Pals live in Warren County. The view of the hills, farms and forests is stunning. You'd swear you are in the set of a remake of The Sound of Music. They sometimes have to deal with wild bears, it is that rural.

R155, I live on the Pennsy side of Warren County, you might say. I much prefer Hunterdon County, with Flemington, Frenchtown, Stockton, and Lambertville.

Joan and Craig: Two lives for peace.

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

[quote]Pals live in Warren County. The view of the hills, farms and forests is stunning. You'd swear you are in the set of a remake of The Sound of Music. They sometimes have to deal with wild bears, it is that rural.

I believe a part of the Appalachian Trail crosses through this area- I know it is near the Delaware Water Gap.

[quote][R153] Lovely to look at, hell to live there.

You are right R154, the city of Salem is rough, but I can appreciate the small businesses in the city of Bridgeton trying to breathe life into the area. I imagine it would be difficult to live there, but if you had a job that was not tethered to a geographical area it might be a nice place to live. Then again, I would rather live in rural Pennsylvania, lower Delaware, or rural Maryland (my fave). I still appreciate a drive through rural southern New Jersey on a sunny early summer day.

moron at R5 Hoboken and the nice parts of Jersey City are both very expensive.

I think Cape May is charming. (And Ocean Grove as well)

I wish I could read the names of cities and towns in this map.

Other than a late night carb filled snack, what's next for Chris Christie? A career in academia?

Except for Hackettstown/Allamuchy, Warren is actually rural poor more Appalachian. Hunterdon used to be more agricultural, but is now an extension of wealthy Somerset.

I'm getting nostalgic for NJ reading all these posts: going down the shore to Asbury Park (or sometimes Cape May), taking the PATH from Harrison to the WTC, going to the OLD Atlantic City before the casinos came, etc.

R5, there's a county in New Jersey named Bergen? Interesting. I'm from the city of Bergen, Norway.

Bergen in that case is a Dutch name, not Scandinavian.

What's the area marked Jews and why isn't it Short Hills? And what area is Short Hills in anyway? I can't tell.

Anyway that map is shockingly accurate. Although it's a bit generous regarding that Berlin/Moorestown area around philly - aka Kelly Ripa territory. I would lump that in with the rest of the trash.

I'm having a hard time imagining people from Alabama being similar to that section in SW Jersey. I thought all the guys looked like the Kiss Me Guido italian or the hot guy from the hairstylist reality show (I forgot the name but there's a female named Olivia). I'm west coast so don't yell at me and stomp on my fantasy.

I'm a Philadelphian Both And raised and have a love/hate relationship with New Jersey

On one hand sone of my best childhood memories were spent at the Jersey shore, either Wildwood or Ocean City

And I go down to Atlantic City a lot

On the other hand South Jersey is definitely hick ville and people in Philly commonly refer to jersey as "dirty Jersey"

My boyfriend lives in Gloucester County and last summer I took the NJ transit bus over from 15th and Market in Philly and we drove past Camden and I couldn't believe what a shithole it was as soon as we crossed over from Philadelphia

I love NYC and recognize that we NEED Jersey to get to NYC from Philadelphia

About half of my family lives all over NJ

My sister and husband lives in South Jersey with their 2 kids

My Aunt and Uncle and cousins live dead smack in the middle of central Jersey in Hamilton Township with one cousin living in Princeton

My Aunt from my Italian Dad's side and her husband live in North Jersey, Bergen County, they moved there from Philadelphia when I was a kid about 30 years ago

And they're the stereotypical North Jersey "guidos", especially my cousins, Sal, Russell and Gina who occasionally models in NYC

I live in Camden County, in one of the many small towns, low crime rate, quiet suburbs. I am 15 minutes from philly, 50 minutes from Atlantic City & less than 2 hours from NYC. Taxes are a bitch. OP, Chrisrie is no asset to N.J. & that attitude is more North Jersey.

R170 yeah they're a little generous towards Bergen. And they actually underestimate that northwestern part.

And there are some nice, "WASPy" parts of the southern part of the shore: Spring Lake (well more Irish but classy Irish) and Bayhead. Seabright club also WASPy.

R169 South Jersey is definitely redneck territory. My boyfriend born and raised in Gloucester County proudly calls himself a "Jersey redneck" and he HATES big cities like Philadelphia and especially NYC

I remember hating Jersey as a kid growing up in the Port Richmond neighborhood of Philadelphia because ALL my friends would end up moving out of "the city" and freaking move with their families to the "New Jersey suburbs", 1 year 4 of my 5 best friends all moved to Jersey.

I also remember being a kid and my Dad taking all of us to the Atco drive in in Atco, New Jersey during the summer. It was the closest drive in from the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia and we would go to Clementine Park in Clementine, New Jersey too

This

Short Hills is in the very southeast corner of the yellow "Executives ..." area. The "Jews" area references the Orthodox town of Highland Park near New Brunswick.

I grew up in Bergen County, which is labelled as "Well to do Conservatives" in R162's map. Bergen County typically ranks among the wealthiest large counties in the country, but it's not particularly conservative. In 2009, the county supported Jon Corzine over Christie, and in 2013, when Christie ran against a nobody, Bergen was in the middle of the pack of NJ counties as far as its support for Christie. I'm pretty sure the county voted for Obama in 2008 and 2012.

I remember after my parents divorced, my Mom who was born and raised in Philadelphia like me met a guy who lived in South Jersey, Pennsauken to be exact and I would spend weekends at his house by the Pennsauken Mart. He lived on Velde Avenue and he was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey but had recently moved from North Jersey to South Jersey because of his job.

His brother and wife lived in North Jersey, Karney to be exact and we would drive up there on some weekends too.

Like I said I always had a love/hate relationship with Jersey as a Philadelphian.

I remember being a kid and thinking ONLY rich people lived in New Jersey which is hilarious when you think about it.

R176 yeah in terms of conservatives think more Far Hills hunt country -Christie Whitman territory. Bergen is surely more ethnically diverse - more Italians.

Speaking of Italians anyone ever been to The Manor in West Orange?

The drive from Bernardsville to Princeton on 206 is really pretty. I always suggest that to anyone who has the stereotypical vision of the Garden State.

And I like Frenchtown and Lambertville and all that. new Jerseyans are also very county territorial. They act like going to another county is like going to another state: "oh, that's alllll the way out in Morris county" - ok, all of 15 minutes, max.

The drivers in NJ are okay, that's not an issue. The political corruption that has saddled us with the highest property taxes in the country is the real problem.

I was very surprised the first time I went there, bu once you get past the industrial areas close to NYC, NJ can be really beautiful. I'm pretty sure that's the area marked "Executives with Mercedes" on R150s map-- lots of movie set looking suburbs and exurbs, nothing like the Sopranos. The "horse country" area (that's why my friends called it) around Far Hills and Bernardsville is really gorgeous.

I have another friend who talks about Newark too, he says it has great infrastructure, lots of beautiful old houses and brownstones, good transportation (it even has its own subway) and is ripe for a comeback.

^^Also, there's a town called Maplewood that's near Short Hills that has a very big gay population. Mostly married gays and lesbians, many with kids, who want to suburban life. Looks like a Normal Rockwell painting.

r83 Collingswood is great if you don't mind living five minutes from Camden.

r169 Visit Salem County and you'll think you're in the rural South. It's totally redneck with no economy to speak of, and farmland as far as the eye can see. The only entertainment is sitting on a bar stool in the local dive bar on a Saturday night.

New Jersey could be a perfect utopia if t weren't for the corrupt politicians.

[quote] Also, there's a town called Maplewood that's near Short Hills that has a very big gay population.

Close proximity to Bloomingdale's and Neiman-Marcus is definitely a plus, although the suburban, SUV-driving soccer moms who permeate Short Hills Mall can be insufferable

r185 Make sure you're making well over six figures before you move there.

thank GOD NO Yesrsy shore

need I say more??

tacky rich people, Mc Mansion galore landrovers on every driveway spoiled entitled children

I lived with a friend in Maplewood for 6 months. Ate breakfast at the Park Wood diner every day. Good times.

The taxes will eat your salary.

People are fleeing.

R188 is that what Billy Joel sings in Scenes from an Italian restaurant?

Or is that ParkWAY diner?

Can’t quite make out.

I always had a stereotypical view of NJ. But I’ve since seen a few nice places - like Montclair, Maplewood, Llewelyn Park - that have convinced me there are some nice places. But can’t imagine ever choosing to live there. If I’m going to,pay crazy taxes, it will be to live in NYC. And property taxes are nothing in comparison. Of course, if you have kids, NJ makes sense.

[175] Highland Park has about 8 or 9 Jewish institutions, of which maybe 1/3 are orthodox. The rest are conservative or reform. Also, Woodbridge ( at the intersection of the Turnpike and the Parkway) is a consolidated municipality of 10 towns and the taxes are relatively low compared to the rest of the state. If people could get over having integrated school systems (and their racist attitudes), they could consolidate, share services like any normal municipality, and lower their taxes. Like this year, Governor Murphy actually funded our town's school district at the required rate (as opposed to the past 8 shitty years of Christie) and, yes, our taxes are GOING DOWN. Affordable housing, direct train to NYC in about 40-45 minutes, peace, quiet and excellent police/fire and, hey, an environmentally-smart mayor. Not too bad for all you naysayers out there.

[175] Highland Park has about 8 or 9 Jewish institutions, of which maybe 1/3 are orthodox. The rest are conservative or reform. Also, Woodbridge ( at the intersection of the Turnpike and the Parkway) is a consolidated municipality of 10 towns and the taxes are relatively low compared to the rest of the state. If people could get over having integrated school systems (and their racist attitudes), they could consolidate, share services like any normal municipality, and lower their taxes. Like this year, Governor Murphy actually funded our town's school district at the required rate (as opposed to the past 8 shitty years of Christie) and, yes, our taxes are GOING DOWN. Affordable housing, direct train to NYC in about 40-45 minutes, peace, quiet and excellent police/fire and, hey, an environmentally-smart mayor. Not too bad for all you naysayers out there.

Jersey has changed a lot since this thread started. Taxes are horrible. We've elected another Goldman Sachs governor. (Does no one remember Corzine?} I'm a moderate gay Democrat. If you can afford the taxes, it's great. There are beaches, mountains, farms, cities and a good transport system. I love living here but I would love to retire to a cheaper state. Hate the ultra-liberal governor but not as much as I hate Cheeto. Here's the truth. Northeast New Jersey is becoming very metropolitan, depending on accessibility to NYC. Very expensive. Central Jersey is desirabe because of access to NYC and the ocean. South Jersey is full of rednecks. Camden is still dangerous. Trenton is also.