One week in Charlotte, first thoughts.. (Welcome: sales, real estate, apartment)

[theLemur]

So I've been here for a week now. I moved from New Jersey in a suburb of Philadelphia. I moved into an apartment on Harris Blvd in the 28269/Mallard Creek area. Here are some thoughts:

-Aside from Harris Blvd, the traffic here is much easier to deal with, although I'm not used to so many u-turns. (NJ is all jughandles) The roads are also in much better shape, presumably due to the lack of snow and wintry conditions.

-It's very green and lush here, I like that!

-Someone made a comment on my NJ driving

-There are lots of diverse restaurants, which is important to me

-Your bad areas are not nearly as bad as Philadelphia's bad areas (north philly, camden) and I feel safe driving around in them, go figure.. I drove around freedom drive, and around the eastland mall, im assuming those are the worst spots

-There are a million and one Harris Teeter's!

-There's a lot more places for mexican food... a lot.

-Only like 25% of people seem to have souther accents

-All the illegally placed house signs are grouped together, whats with that?

-People like to put 26" rims on 1982 chevy caprices

-Greenways are awesome

-Cable internet speeds are slower here then in the northeast

-The quality of materials used in houses is much more impressive then in those in the northeast, and the colors are often more vibrant

-I have to buy liquor in these ABC stores, but as a plus I can buy beer/wine in any store, normal for you, but weird to me!

-I have to pump my own gas!! (its illegal to pump your own in NJ)

I think that's all for now

[Doorway]

Well, it sounds like you made a good move. WELCOME !!!

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by theLemur

So I've been here for a week now. I moved from New Jersey in a suburb of Philadelphia. I moved into an apartment on Harris Blvd in the 28269/Mallard Creek area. Here are some thoughts:

-Aside from Harris Blvd, the traffic here is much easier to deal with, although I'm not used to so many u-turns. (NJ is all jughandles) The roads are also in much better shape, presumably due to the lack of snow and wintry conditions.

-It's very green and lush here, I like that!

-Someone made a comment on my NJ driving

-There are lots of diverse restaurants, which is important to me

-Your bad areas are not nearly as bad as Philadelphia's bad areas (north philly, camden) and I feel safe driving around in them, go figure.. I drove around freedom drive, and around the eastland mall, im assuming those are the worst spots

-There are a million and one Harris Teeter's!

-There's a lot more places for mexican food... a lot.

-Only like 25% of people seem to have souther accents

-All the illegally placed house signs are grouped together, whats with that?

-People like to put 26" rims on 1982 chevy caprices

-Greenways are awesome

-Cable internet speeds are slower here then in the northeast

-The quality of materials used in houses is much more impressive then in those in the northeast, and the colors are often more vibrant

-I have to buy liquor in these ABC stores, but as a plus I can buy beer/wine in any store, normal for you, but weird to me!

-I have to pump my own gas!! (its illegal to pump your own in NJ)

I think that's all for now

Lemur, find yourself a circle, then rate it compared to the old Ellsburg circle. I'm dying to know.

Are the ABC stores like the State Stores in PA?

Check my circle thread...... Barkingowl gives the location of a jug handle, if you miss them.

[Ready2LeaveLI]

Congrats on moving. Best of luck to you. My husband and I hope to be there soon too.

[cball75]

It's illegal to pump your own gas in NJ? I am guessing that is not the case, but being from here, what is "normal" in NJ as far as getting gas? Also, what about the beer and wine thing? Stores can't sell it up there? Just curious, welcome to NC!

[spankys bbq]

Only 255 of the people here have southern accents because so many are bring the northern accent with them when they move here.

26" rims on '82 Caprices......this is a true mystery. Bigfoot, UFO's, Loch Ness, etc. are all minor in comparison.

The real estate signs are supposed to be picked up nightly (?) if I recall correctly. Bunching them up makes it easier to collect them all at the end of the day.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by cball75

It's illegal to pump your own gas in NJ? I am guessing that is not the case, but being from here, what is "normal" in NJ as far as getting gas? Also, what about the beer and wine thing? Stores can't sell it up there? Just curious, welcome to NC!

Yes!, NJ is one of 2 states that does not allow customers to pump their own gas.

Beer, wine & liquor are sold in liquor stores & bars, not in supermarkets or grocery stores.

[Wandering_Spirit]

Originally Posted by cball75

It's illegal to pump your own gas in NJ? I am guessing that is not the case, but being from here, what is "normal" in NJ as far as getting gas? Also, what about the beer and wine thing? Stores can't sell it up there? Just curious, welcome to NC!

I can answer this one a bit. I live near Philadelphia in one of the suburbs of Pennsylvania but originally hail from Long Island. When I first moved here the beer thing was big shock to me. But first the gas - he is right, in NJ it is full serve only. No exceptions anywhere in the state that I know of. You are not legally permitted to pump your own gas. Why? I have no idea.

Now about the beer. In NY we have liquor stores that just sell liquor. As far as I know they are still closed on Sundays. But you can buy beer almost anywhere - in the delis, the grocery stores, the mini-mart gas stations, the 7-11 stores, and of course at the distributors. Even nicer is that you can buy one bottle, a six pack, or a case. You can mix or match, whatever.

In PA you can only buy beer by the case and ONLY at the beer distributors. Obviously you can buy from the bars and pay the high cost of it. What gets me is what if you want to try a new type or brand? You have to buy the case of it and if you don't like it then you are stuck with 23 bottles that you can't do anything with. For those that say to try it at the bar it could be a variety or brand that the bar does not carry. I am really surprised at how beer is limited in sales here in PA. And from what I understand it is illegal to buy beer in one state and transport it over to here. Again, makes no sense and not sure if that is a NJ or PA law but I think it is PA. I'm not a big beer drinker these days but I just hate the restrictions placed on it. To me it's more of a matter of principle. Some of the liquor stores here are open on Sundays now. So, I hope this explains it a bit better. How are things done there?

[Doorway]

Originally Posted by cball75

It's illegal to pump your own gas in NJ? I am guessing that is not the case, but being from here, what is "normal" in NJ as far as getting gas? Also, what about the beer and wine thing? Stores can't sell it up there? Just curious, welcome to NC!

Yes, you can NOT pump your own gas in Jersey. You pull up and someone comes out and pumps it for you. Most times they will wash your windows while your waiting. It is illegal, though I think the station owner is the one who is fined, but not sure about that. Pretty strange huh? The beer and wine thing is also correct. I was blown away to find wine in the CVS here and just laughed when I saw it in gas stations. It is so nice to be able to pick up beer and wine at the supermarket and not have to make a second stop. In Jersey you have to buy it at a liquor store.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by Wandering_Spirit

I can answer this one a bit. I live near Philadelphia in one of the suburbs of Pennsylvania but originally hail from Long Island. When I first moved here the beer thing was big shock to me. But first the gas - he is right, in NJ it is full serve only. No exceptions anywhere in the state that I know of. You are not legally permitted to pump your own gas. Why? I have no idea.

Now about the beer. In NY we have liquor stores that just sell liquor. As far as I know they are still closed on Sundays. But you can buy beer almost anywhere - in the delis, the grocery stores, the mini-mart gas stations, the 7-11 stores, and of course at the distributors. Even nicer is that you can buy one bottle, a six pack, or a case. You can mix or match, whatever.

In PA you can only buy beer by the case and ONLY at the beer distributors. Obviously you can buy from the bars and pay the high cost of it. What gets me is what if you want to try a new type or brand? You have to buy the case of it and if you don't like it then you are stuck with 23 bottles that you can't do anything with. For those that say to try it at the bar it could be a variety or brand that the bar does not carry. I am really surprised at how beer is limited in sales here in PA. And from what I understand it is illegal to buy beer in one state and transport it over to here. Again, makes no sense and not sure if that is a NJ or PA law but I think it is PA. I'm not a big beer drinker these days but I just hate the restrictions placed on it. To me it's more of a matter of principle. Some of the liquor stores here are open on Sundays now. So, I hope this explains it a bit better. How are things done there?

Spirit, people in Philly make the run to NJ or DE all the time. Just keep away from the immediate border,where PA sends cops in unmarked cars.