Please tell me about New Jersey??

[blaue_augen]

So it looks like we are very likely moving to New Jersey this summer for my husband's job. I have never been to New Jersey and until recently my opinion of the state has been based on stereotypes. (I know stereotypes aren't true and beauty is found everywhere.) I grew up in Ohio and have lived in Nashville, Chicago, Melbourne, and most recently Colorado. Despite that, the east coast still sounds a bit like a foreign country to me.

Can anyone in the know please tell me some good things about New Jersey?! (You can tell me the bad things too.) I think we will be trying to look in the Basking Ridge or Morristown areas?? I am kind of worried about housing costs there, but hopefully we'll figure that out. We have three kids (12, 9, and 6) and I have already heard that the schools are good there.

Thanks!!

 

[NewfieMama]

We lived there for 6 years in Bloomfield and Montclair, both good commuter locations to Manhattan. Commuting will be key and NJ traffic can be a nightmare or it can be fairly easy if you plan well.

Property taxes were high in my county. Insurance rates were also high, but gas was cheap and all full-serve.

 

[NewfDad]

Check out the forum www.city-data.com great way to get the low down on an area. The good thing about Jersey though is that you are near good cheesesteaks!

 

[Milliejb]

I have lived in Jersey all my llife and its not all that bad. Its one of the few states that you can live 40 minutes to the mountains, 40 minutes to the city and 40 minutes to the beach! I do ... When you have an idea on where you are looking to move to, feel free to pm me. I can even give you my private email or number so I can answer any questions you have.
And yes cost of living is ridiculous.... But so are the surrounding states. Best of Luck

ps.. and don't forget... there are lots of Jersey newfs on here that love beach play dates!!!!

I just realized you named Morristown and Basking Ridge. Both very nice towns.

 

[DAWNMERIE]

Stereotype people from Jersey....say it isn't so! lol, can't understand that one-lol

 

[Tula]

My daughter moved from Cincinnati to New Providence, NJ last October. I had my eyes covered as we drove into her town. I'm not sure what I was expecting....but it was utterly charming! I've since returned to visit her and taken the train into NYC. I look forward to my next visit! Kim

 

[Leonard and his bud Snuffles]

I won't give my opinion, but both my brothers live in NJ and if they want to see me, they have to come to IL. LOL It must be in the blood, though both were born in NYC, they moved here before starting school. But both out of college, moved back to NJ.

 

[chumleysma]

I lived in Toms River, N.J. a long time ago. Too much has changed since then so I can't really pro or con it, but I do remember the locals using the derogatory term "BENNIES" in reference to vacationers coming into their area from the cities up north: Bayonne, Elizabeth, Newark, and New York.

 

[blackberry6]

Born and raised in NJ. It's a great state depending where you go. Just like EVERY other state, they have great area's and bad. I lived 5 minutes from the ocean and loved it! Don't let those stupid shows fool you. Real Jersey people are not like that.

 

[charlieinnj]

I think you'll like NJ but hey.....I'm a bit partial. ; )

 

[blaue_augen]

Thanks everyone for all the responses, they've helped a lot. Newf Dad that website has a lot of information! NewfieMoma, luckily, we won't have to commute into Manhattan ... my husband will only need to get to the airport or into Basking Ridge ... I think. lol

I have a lot of mixed emotions about moving. Colorado is a really great place to live, but it doesn't feel like home to us anymore. So I'm hoping New Jersey can feel a little more like home, since that's where we're going! lol.

So what do you call someone from NJ? a new jersian? a new jersyite? That second one kind of sounds like a religious group ....

I think property taxes are going to be about 4 times as high as here. But full service gas stations will make up for that! lol

Thanks again!

 

[Bojie]

I'm from NJ! I just moved to Colorado 2yrs ago. I lived there for 34yrs. I grew up in a very nice town, and despite all the stereotypes, NJ is beautiful. Morristown is lovely. Great choice. I have some great training schools that I'd be happy to tell you about that I used to bring Bojie to if you are interested. NewPenDel and Bear Mountain Newf clubs are VERY active clubs out there, and the members are wonderful and very welcoming. The beaches are fantastic. Dogs are allowed on all beaches before Memorial day and after Labor day. And during the summers there are specific dog beaches that you can go to. (Sandy hook is one of them). You really get the best of all worlds out there. New York City is just a train ride or short drive away, the food out there can't be beat. You will have to start using tick/flea meds regularly as Lymes is very common, and ticks are out early and stay out late, so start applying frontline or whatever you use before you leave CO. If you get out there early enough, you can go to NewPenDel's paws and claws. A day of swimming and learning water work for the puppies. And GREAT food and company for the humans.
Weekend trips from NJ are easy to make all over the west coast (my favorite trips were up to Newport RI). I'd be happy to help you however I can, but I'm so sad you are leaving

 

[NessaM]

Holla! We live in NJ. Think Meg (Bojie's mom) lived in the Morristown area!

Whoops! There you are, Meg. Sorry didn't see your comment.

 

[jane]

I'm very familiar with NJ...Like any place you go...You have great areas, nice areas, and not so nice areas. I myself, love northern jersey. My sister live's in southern jersey and it's very nice there too.

Since I'm upstate NY...The best thing about jersey is that I can jump off the thruway 2 seconds, be in jersey and pay about 40 cents less for gas!!!!

 

[blaue_augen]

Thanks everyone! I'm enjoying reading everyone's comments. It's been really helpful to me. My husband has a meeting with HR next week and we should hear something about whether we are staying or going then!!

 

[BoundlessNewfs]

Good luck on your move! As one who just took a leap of faith and landed in a state I'd never been to, I can tell you to enjoy the new adventure! I have been very pleasantly surprised at how much I like this new place.

My hubby is from NJ, and we used to go vacation with his grandmother, who lived in Toms River, on the Barnegut Bay. Many fond memories.

 

[KodysGrandma]

Many years ago I lived in Mountain Lakes, NJ, which is north end of Morris Cty. just off Rte 46? Loved it. Was a great place for kids, so very much for them to do, swimming, boating, dozens of different activities all the time. School system super, but you will pay for it. Sold my house in '69 for $35,000 and paid $1500 a year in property tax. There's been an addition to the house but it is now assessed at over $1 Million. Daughter of an old friend just moved to there about 4 months ago.