New Jersey? Getting Better Or Worse!? (Elizabeth, Union: crime, house, buy)

[Niceguynj]

I am really confused lately about the "state" of the state of Nj. On one hand I read its going downhill with gang activity and of course the soprano jokes I put up with from out of towners.

On the other hand I live in Woodbridge which is a pretty awesome town. I feel safe ,there isnt much crime and the school system is pretty cool. In fact as a transport from NYC dare I say I like New Jersey.......

There are great perks to living in New Jersey and if you cant find a nice town in NJ, you should probably get a new realtor or avoid the jersey bashers.

New jersey is a pretty cool state..or to quote a song.

"gotta admit its gettin betta, gettin betta all the time"

[kort677]

Originally Posted by Niceguynj

I am really confused lately about the "state" of the state of Nj. On one hand I read its going downhill with gang activity and of course the soprano jokes I put up with from out of towners.

On the other hand I live in Woodbridge which is a pretty awesome town. I feel safe ,there isnt much crime and the school system is pretty cool. In fact as a transport from NYC dare I say I like New Jersey.......

There are great perks to living in New Jersey and if you cant find a nice town in NJ, you should probably get a new realtor or avoid the jersey bashers.

New jersey is a pretty cool state..or to quote a song.

"gotta admit its gettin betta, gettin betta all the time"

I guess you don't care about the confiscatory taxes, the crowds and despite what you say, the increasing crime throughout the state

[BobKovacs]

Having grown up in Woodbridge, I can say that it's all a matter of perspective.

If you're coming to Woodbridge from NYC, sure it seems like a good town- but if you grew up there and watched it change over the past 30 years, you look at it differently. I watched the section of Avenel that I grew up in change for the worse, watched the downtown Iselin shopping area turn into a Middle Eastern/Asian bazaar (and that's not a dig on anyone- just commenting on the fact that it's changed dramatically), and seen areas like Port Reading, Hopelawn, and Keasby turn to crap. Even downtown Woodbridge has done almost nothing to improve itself over the years.

Don't get me wrong- for the price and the convenience to NYC via train, you can't bear Woodbridge- I'd take it over Rahway, Linden, or Elizabeth anyday. But I'd say calling it "pretty awesome" is a bit of a stretch.

Bob

[tahiti]

To quote another song "We didn't start the fire" - I don't feel this state is any worse off than when I became an adult and started supporting myself. My personal situation is better over the past howevermany years, but then again, I take responsibility for my well being and making sure I have a good job with benefits, decent pay, and don't live beyond my means.

<shrug>

I've traveled this country several times over, and it ain't any better anywhere else - each state has its own pile of sh** to deal with. Depends on which sh**pile doesn't stink as much in your view.

[JoeValueNJ]

The area that I grew up in New Jersey has definitely gotten better. I grew up in Hazlet during the 80's and almost every town in that area (Hazlet, Middletown, Union Beach, Keyport, Matawan, Aberdeen ect) were lower Middle class towns. Even Holmdel was affordable then to your average business professional. Going out to dinner meant going to the diner. Nowadays there are upscale shops all around..Property values have skyrocketed and the population is mainly professional people. Downtown areas in Red Bank, Keyport and Atlantic Highlands have been revitalized. The school districts are all very good.

Looking from a strictly quality of life point of view, There have been nothing but positives in my opinion.

The issues of huge costs and the moral issues of gentrifying the areas it a totally different subject.

[kort677]

Originally Posted by JoeValueNJ

The area that I grew up in New Jersey has definitely gotten better. I grew up in Hazlet during the 80's and almost every town in that area (Hazlet, Middletown, Union Beach, Keyport, Matawan, Aberdeen ect) were lower Middle class towns. Even Holmdel was affordable then to your average business professional. Going out to dinner meant going to the diner. Nowadays there are upscale shops all around..Property values have skyrocketed and the population is mainly professional people. Downtown areas in Red Bank, Keyport and Atlantic Highlands have been revitalized. The school districts are all very good.

Looking from a strictly quality of life point of view, There have been nothing but positives in my opinion.

The issues of huge costs and the moral issues of gentrifying the areas it a totally different subject.

joe, yes the whole area has been "upgraded" but is that really a good thing? the trade of is that crime is up, traffic can be real bad, try using rt 35 through holmdel, taxes are sky high, and I don't agree with your assessment that the schools are great, check out the state report cards, most of the area high schools are well below state average

[regarese]

I like NJ too, but sshhhhhhhh, don't tell anyone

[tahiti]

Originally Posted by kort677

traffic can be real bad, try using rt 35 through holmdel,

huh? i drive through there several times a week - it's not bad at all.

[kort677]

Originally Posted by tahiti

huh? i drive through there several times a week - it's not bad at all.

it's all relative, did you ever drive through there 20 years ago? have you had the pleasure of trying to use the jughandle at laurel ave and have to wait 2 or 3 cycles to get through?

[njkate]

Originally Posted by tahiti

To quote another song "We didn't start the fire" - I don't feel this state is any worse off than when I became an adult and started supporting myself. My personal situation is better over the past howevermany years, but then again, I take responsibility for my well being and making sure I have a good job with benefits, decent pay, and don't live beyond my means.

<shrug>

I've traveled this country several times over, and it ain't any better anywhere else - each state has its own pile of sh** to deal with. Depends on which sh**pile doesn't stink as much in your view.

Have to agree...every state has it's own set of problems and to be honest some states have really quirky laws from a Jersey Girl's point of veiw LOL

Crime is everywhere unless you go to a deserted island there is no escaping it...some areas worse then others..

On the whole I don't think jersey is all that bad...I like it and when I buy our "retirement" home I do not plan on cutting ties here..still keeping my house and becoming a snow bird leaving only a few months to escape the winters....