ANYBODY FROM NEW JERSEY???

[Ban Hammer 13,340]

A hairdresser I used to go to before I found a (cheaper & better) walk-in place near my work) told me that "NJ was expensive for no reason".

It's expensive due to its proximity to New York City. I can't think of any other reason -- otherwise it's #######

Ironic that it's expensive DUE TO being close to a rubbishy city (and is itself also quite rubbishy)!

His view seemed to be that quality of life is more or less defined by the ability (and available opportunity) to get drunk in public - because outside of the major city there "isn't much to do". I know a fair few people living in towns around London who feel the same way.

some pretty high standards there, being able to get drunk in public

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

A hairdresser I used to go to before I found a (cheaper & better) walk-in place near my work) told me that "NJ was expensive for no reason".

It's expensive due to its proximity to New York City. I can't think of any other reason -- otherwise it's #######

Ironic that it's expensive DUE TO being close to a rubbishy city (and is itself also quite rubbishy)!

His view seemed to be that quality of life is more or less defined by the ability (and available opportunity) to get drunk in public - because outside of the major city there "isn't much to do". I know a fair few people living in towns around London who feel the same way.

some pretty high standards there, being able to get drunk in public

Well its more about 'drinking culture'. There are seriously people who would be lost for something to do on the weekend if you took their pub/bar away.

[mawilson 2,133]

A hairdresser I used to go to before I found a (cheaper & better) walk-in place near my work) told me that "NJ was expensive for no reason".

It's expensive due to its proximity to New York City. I can't think of any other reason -- otherwise it's #######

Ironic that it's expensive DUE TO being close to a rubbishy city (and is itself also quite rubbishy)!

His view seemed to be that quality of life is more or less defined by the ability (and available opportunity) to get drunk in public - because outside of the major city there "isn't much to do". I know a fair few people living in towns around London who feel the same way.

Sure - but there are a lot more things to do here besides drinking.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

A hairdresser I used to go to before I found a (cheaper & better) walk-in place near my work) told me that "NJ was expensive for no reason".

It's expensive due to its proximity to New York City. I can't think of any other reason -- otherwise it's #######

Ironic that it's expensive DUE TO being close to a rubbishy city (and is itself also quite rubbishy)!

His view seemed to be that quality of life is more or less defined by the ability (and available opportunity) to get drunk in public - because outside of the major city there "isn't much to do". I know a fair few people living in towns around London who feel the same way.

Sure - but there are a lot more things to do here besides drinking.

That's true of outer London too - some people lack imagination I think. Force of habit. Or something...

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Proximity to NYC may have been the driving factor behind NJ's growth once upon a time. Today, it is only one factor among many. Fact: I have always lived in Middlesex County and I have always worked in Somerset County. There are many like me. We go to the City rarely. Many of us have moved west, to the Lehigh Valley area in PA. They commute from there to their jobs in Middlesex/Somerset/Hunterdon counties of NJ. Look at a map, see the region from Edison to Allentown? That's going to be NJ's next big growth story. Not the so-called 'gold coast'.

JMHO of course.

[Ban Hammer 13,340]

A hairdresser I used to go to before I found a (cheaper & better) walk-in place near my work) told me that "NJ was expensive for no reason".

It's expensive due to its proximity to New York City. I can't think of any other reason -- otherwise it's #######

Ironic that it's expensive DUE TO being close to a rubbishy city (and is itself also quite rubbishy)!

His view seemed to be that quality of life is more or less defined by the ability (and available opportunity) to get drunk in public - because outside of the major city there "isn't much to do". I know a fair few people living in towns around London who feel the same way.

Sure - but there are a lot more things to do here besides drinking.

synchronized muggings?

[mawilson 2,133]

synchronized muggings?

When was the last time you were here, Charles? 1980?

[Ban Hammer 13,340]

synchronized muggings?

When was the last time you were here, Charles? 1980?

oh sorry

synchronized shootings

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

We started our house move today.

Union, right? Let me know when you find out (if you do) what that construction in front of Union Station is all about. I drove by it again and it appears to be progressing quite rapidly. It's beginning to look like residential housing but given the location I am doubtful.

I'll have a look. We're moving all our heavy furniture on tuesday, which I'm looking forward to about as much as a shot in the nuts.

Ok, I have the scoop.

Transit Village Developers LLC are building "Liberty Village" right in between Union Station and Kean University (<5 minute walk to both). Almost 500 2-br/2-car garage townhomes, lower 400s.

Strikes me as a pecular location for a residential development but New Jersey is going all out with this 'transit village' trend. Whether its a fad that dies out or not remains to be seen.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

We started our house move today.

Union, right? Let me know when you find out (if you do) what that construction in front of Union Station is all about. I drove by it again and it appears to be progressing quite rapidly. It's beginning to look like residential housing but given the location I am doubtful.

I'll have a look. We're moving all our heavy furniture on tuesday, which I'm looking forward to about as much as a shot in the nuts.

Ok, I have the scoop.

Transit Village Developers LLC are building "Liberty Village" right in between Union Station and Kean University (<5 minute walk to both). Almost 500 2-br/2-car garage townhomes, lower 400s.

Strikes me as a pecular location for a residential development but New Jersey is going all out with this 'transit village' trend. Whether its a fad that dies out or not remains to be seen.

Interesting - I've not been over there. I've been taking the bus to Port Authority instead. It sounds similar to UK residential planning. Hopefully the residential development will help regenerate the surround area, but I doubt it.

[gwen75 0]

is Montclair really as nice as they say? im thinking of moving to NJ once we're married and settled, im sick of NYC to be honest although i will still have to work here and was thinking of moving somewhere in North Jersey that's peaceful and suburban but still easily accessible to the city by bus/train

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

is Montclair really as nice as they say? im thinking of moving to NJ once we're married and settled, im sick of NYC to be honest although i will still have to work here and was thinking of moving somewhere in North Jersey that's peaceful and suburban but still easily accessible to the city by bus/train

Its definitely one of the better areas to live, but a little on the pricey side perhaps. Cheaper than Westfield...

[Caladan 19]

Proximity to NYC may have been the driving factor behind NJ's growth once upon a time. Today, it is only one factor among many. Fact: I have always lived in Middlesex County and I have always worked in Somerset County. There are many like me. We go to the City rarely. Many of us have moved west, to the Lehigh Valley area in PA. They commute from there to their jobs in Middlesex/Somerset/Hunterdon counties of NJ. Look at a map, see the region from Edison to Allentown? That's going to be NJ's next big growth story. Not the so-called 'gold coast'.

JMHO of course.

Anecdotal evidence to be sure, but my sister's an engineering student at Lehigh, and there are certainly nimble small firms around there looking to tap the talent pool that's escaping the high prices of NYC and NJ. Should be good for the area, that hasn't had much going for it since the collapse of the steel industry.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

is Montclair really as nice as they say? im thinking of moving to NJ once we're married and settled, im sick of NYC to be honest although i will still have to work here and was thinking of moving somewhere in North Jersey that's peaceful and suburban but still easily accessible to the city by bus/train

Montclair is nice. Convenient commute into Manhattan and you will find that you pay a price premium for that convenience. Westfield is an easy commute too but has somehow morphed into a 'top town' for the elites and they drive the price up. If you're willing to spend more time in a bus or train commuting to the city, you could look at a train route map on nj transits website (look below) and check out communities along the "northeast corridor" and the "north jersey coast line" or any of the other lines. Generally speaking, you will pay more for a shorter commute. You will also pay more if your neighbors are wealthy. Check out a few communities before you make a move.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Proximity to NYC may have been the driving factor behind NJ's growth once upon a time. Today, it is only one factor among many. Fact: I have always lived in Middlesex County and I have always worked in Somerset County. There are many like me. We go to the City rarely. Many of us have moved west, to the Lehigh Valley area in PA. They commute from there to their jobs in Middlesex/Somerset/Hunterdon counties of NJ. Look at a map, see the region from Edison to Allentown? That's going to be NJ's next big growth story. Not the so-called 'gold coast'.

JMHO of course.

Anecdotal evidence to be sure, but my sister's an engineering student at Lehigh, and there are certainly nimble small firms around there looking to tap the talent pool that's escaping the high prices of NYC and NJ. Should be good for the area, that hasn't had much going for it since the collapse of the steel industry.

My current employer and my previous two employers all have recently instituted brand new spanking policies to make it more convenient for their employees who have moved out to the Lehigh Valley to "work from home" a few days a week. Where you once had to get the WFH day pre-approved and you had to get reimbursement for phone minutes, now we it's on-demand and everyones on internal corporate instant message. Things are changing and much of the change is being driven by the fact that so many employees are moving out to PA.