[xbsd]

I just moved from CT (Fairfield/Norwalk) to NJ (Guttenberg/Weehawken). Let me begin by saying that I've always lived in CT and this is the first time I've stepped out of the state on a supposedly permanent basis.

It has been a sea change moving here in Jersey. Guttenberg, along River Road is a very fine location - you're right across the Hudson, the roads are nice, and it's fairly quiet. The problem starts once you leave this stretch of an area and go into other parts of Jersey.

For one, it is much more rushed up than CT. People seem to be thoroughly impatient, they honk at you at a green light for not stepping on the gas within a millisecond of the lights turning green. Now, in Manhattan, I understand that sentiment. In Jersey, I just look at it as the general rude nature of some NJ residents.

The highway system is good, but confusing - especially those perilous Yield and Stop signs right before you enter a major highway. I've not yet understood how they installed Stop signs at the entrance to some of the highways - almost perpendicular to the road. Anyway, I let that pass.

Next there's way too much of overcrowding. I was comfortable with the morning rush hour trains of Fairfield, with the Post Road stretch of Norwalk, and the commute from Exit 21 to Exit 7 off 95-S. But, this is a different brand of overcrowding in NJ. Perhaps my unfamiliarity with NJ is partly to blame, but you do find it awkward when motorists after motorists do not wish to give you a right off way after you have had your indicators on. So, I decide to drive like I do in Manhattan and say *******s to my humble-ness, and cut in front of the driver behind me. I'm afraid that sooner or later I'll lose all the etiquettes that I have grown accustomed to living in CT.

I do not have family here in the US, so I have a greater mobility than most of me friends. All this said, my main concern is that I'll face a gruelling commute to Weehawken if I decide to move back to CT (say Stamford, for eg.)

The train ride from STM into NYC is about 45 mins. My office is very close to the Lincoln Harbor Ferry Terminal in NJ. So, I get to GCT, catch the NY Waterway Bus to the NY Ferry Terminal and take the Ferry to Lincoln Harbor. That would probably run me about 1.5 hrs each way.

Looking for comments from people on this forum who have worked in Jersey and lived in CT. Thanks in advance for your suggestions !

[JViello]

I feel your pain with a relocation gone "wrong". But I have to be upfront with my opinoin...I think that commute from CT will be horrendous.

Perhaps you can begin a search for other employment in CT or Manhatten?