Not making the mistake of moving to NJ (West Caldwell, Caldwell: house, transfer)

[EB2]

Originally Posted by BrianG

Your first mistake you made was listening to all those Jersey haters
There are a lot more people like me that love jersey than there are those that hate it, take a look at the people that have moved away and are now moving back
Sure we have our problems but so does every other state
I love Ca but i would not want to miss the change of seasons , the first snowfall ect ect ect...I would not trade it for anythng
I would miss heading to the mountains for skiing in the winter, heading down to the shore in the summer for the beaches ,heading into NYC anytime i wanted for a broadway show or just for the heck of it
Your second mistake will be not taking a chance to judge for yourself...Life is all about taking chances and you will never know how it would have turned out for you..

Well put.

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by BrianG

Your first mistake you made was listening to all those Jersey haters
There are a lot more people like me that love jersey than there are those that hate it, take a look at the people that have moved away and are now moving back
Sure we have our problems but so does every other state
I love Ca but i would not want to miss the change of seasons , the first snowfall ect ect ect...I would not trade it for anythng
I would miss heading to the mountains for skiing in the winter, heading down to the shore in the summer for the beaches ,heading into NYC anytime i wanted for a broadway show or just for the heck of it
Your second mistake will be not taking a chance to judge for yourself...Life is all about taking chances and you will never know how it would have turned out for you..

Oh , I forgot to mention i took the chance and moved out from Brooklyn in 1998 and have no regrets as of yet

[mike0421]

Originally Posted by BrianG

Your first mistake you made was listening to all those Jersey haters
There are a lot more people like me that love jersey than there are those that hate it, take a look at the people that have moved away and are now moving back
Sure we have our problems but so does every other state
I love Ca but i would not want to miss the change of seasons , the first snowfall ect ect ect...I would not trade it for anythng
I would miss heading to the mountains for skiing in the winter, heading down to the shore in the summer for the beaches ,heading into NYC anytime i wanted for a broadway show or just for the heck of it
Your second mistake will be not taking a chance to judge for yourself...Life is all about taking chances and you will never know how it would have turned out for you..

I guess everyone is different. I grew up disliking New Jersey, and wanted to leave. I finally did, and the only regrets I have are loss of family communication, and the food. But again, that's just me. I guess NJ and I were not perfect together for the following: 1)"Change of seasons". That seems to be a big one for people who defend New Jersey. Almost everywhere, including where I am now, has a change of seasons. In fact, in New Mexico, we are in what is known as 'monsoon' season. These usually disappear after Labor Day, when it goes back to 80-90 with 15% humidity. Our winters (and this is the biggie) average between 50-60 degrees during December and January. I get very, very sullen when the weather gets below 40. Even more so when its 40 and damp. I don't believe human beings were physiologically designed to live in weather that cold. But, there is a change of seasons too, in New Mexico. They even change in Southern California. 2) Too many people. Again, just a personal choice. I like being able to drive around anywhere I want without having to plan my mobility around a shadow traffic report. As I continued to age in NJ, I realized this problem was becoming precipitously worse. In fact, I often thought that shadow traffic reporters should just start out the report by naming which roads were moving, rather than where the delays were. It would save a bunch of time. But, some people don't mind traffic at all, they'd rather have the shopping and perceived conveniences that goes along with a high population density. Myself, I prefer to hike and fish. Of course, the final caveat is cost of living. Many times, in order to move to a place where I live now, you need to have a good job. I am fortunate in that regard. The job offers me the ability to lead an middle/upper middle class style of life. My home cost 200k, and my property taxes (very big factor) are 1200 a year, or 100 a month. My mortgage is now halved. I think of all the factors, this one is the most important, and probably the only one that's not subject to debate. Almost everyone wants to be able to live in a nice home for 200k and pay low taxes.

So, in conclusion, I agree with Brian G, in an offbeat way. Your second mistake will be not taking a chance to judge for yourself...Life is all about taking chances and you will never know how it would have turned out for you.

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by mike0421

I guess everyone is different. I grew up disliking New Jersey, and wanted to leave. I finally did, and the only regrets I have are loss of family communication, and the food. But again, that's just me. I guess NJ and I were not perfect together for the following: 1)"Change of seasons". That seems to be a big one for people who defend New Jersey. Almost everywhere, including where I am now, has a change of seasons. In fact, in New Mexico, we are in what is known as 'monsoon' season. These usually disappear after Labor Day, when it goes back to 80-90 with 15% humidity. Our winters (and this is the biggie) average between 50-60 degrees during December and January. I get very, very sullen when the weather gets below 40. Even more so when its 40 and damp. I don't believe human beings were physiologically designed to live in weather that cold. But, there is a change of seasons too, in New Mexico. They even change in Southern California. 2) Too many people. Again, just a personal choice. I like being able to drive around anywhere I want without having to plan my mobility around a shadow traffic report. As I continued to age in NJ, I realized this problem was becoming precipitously worse. In fact, I often thought that shadow traffic reporters should just start out the report by naming which roads were moving, rather than where the delays were. It would save a bunch of time. But, some people don't mind traffic at all, they'd rather have the shopping and perceived conveniences that goes along with a high population density. Myself, I prefer to hike and fish. Of course, the final caveat is cost of living. Many times, in order to move to a place where I live now, you need to have a good job. I am fortunate in that regard. The job offers me the ability to lead an middle/upper middle class style of life. My home cost 200k, and my property taxes (very big factor) are 1200 a year, or 100 a month. My mortgage is now halved. I think of all the factors, this one is the most important, and probably the only one that's not subject to debate. Almost everyone wants to be able to live in a nice home for 200k and pay low taxes.

So, in conclusion, I agree with Brian G, in an offbeat way. Your second mistake will be not taking a chance to judge for yourself...Life is all about taking chances and you will never know how it would have turned out for you.

You will get no argument from me (this is a great post)
You made your decision based on your experience
Nj and for that matter the Northeast is not for everybody

Just as WI ,MN, IL are not for me (been there in winter) but i am sure there are a lot of people that love those area's
IF i ever get to NM you will have to show me the good fishing spots

As for The All favorite winter
Let me tell you a little story

I finished basic training in Fort dix in 1976
the last week before graduation was when we did our Bivwack
It snowed a lot that week and we had to dig 3 feet of snow before we hit ground (AND IT WAS COLD) we graduated and me and about 15 others were sent to San Antonio For our AIT training to become medics
I think it was mayber 55 or 60 degrees down there. We reported in around 10am and got our bed assignments and all and had the rest of the day to our selves, so we decided to have a softball game

It was around the 3rd or 4th inning when we noticed the bleachers and some of the stands were filling up with people wearing their heavy Fatigue jackets and gloves , Here we are playing in tee's and shorts
They must have thought we were crazy and i can tell you we thought the same about them ....but it was'nt long before a bunch ask if they could join in and since most of them were girls we said NO PROBLEM.
Those weeks down there flew bye after that .

From there a few of us got sent to Fort Polk LA for our regular duty assignment and it was the same there (weather)

I remember talking to my mom on the phone in 1977 it was around 80 % in La
and NY NJ was in the middle of another snow storm. I was at an outdoor phone booth and it started to flurry in 80 % weather (lasted a minute or two)
But that was the same day the got snow in Maimi Fla


Sorry for rampling but it brought back some memorys
Again this was a great post

[tahiti]

Originally Posted by mike0421

I guess everyone is different. I grew up disliking New Jersey, and wanted to leave. I finally did, and the only regrets I have are loss of family communication, and the food. But again, that's just me. I guess NJ and I were not perfect together for the following: 1)"Change of seasons". That seems to be a big one for people who defend New Jersey. Almost everywhere, including where I am now, has a change of seasons. In fact, in New Mexico, we are in what is known as 'monsoon' season. These usually disappear after Labor Day, when it goes back to 80-90 with 15% humidity. Our winters (and this is the biggie) average between 50-60 degrees during December and January. I get very, very sullen when the weather gets below 40. Even more so when its 40 and damp. I don't believe human beings were physiologically designed to live in weather that cold. But, there is a change of seasons too, in New Mexico. They even change in Southern California. 2) Too many people. Again, just a personal choice. I like being able to drive around anywhere I want without having to plan my mobility around a shadow traffic report. As I continued to age in NJ, I realized this problem was becoming precipitously worse. In fact, I often thought that shadow traffic reporters should just start out the report by naming which roads were moving, rather than where the delays were. It would save a bunch of time. But, some people don't mind traffic at all, they'd rather have the shopping and perceived conveniences that goes along with a high population density. Myself, I prefer to hike and fish. Of course, the final caveat is cost of living. Many times, in order to move to a place where I live now, you need to have a good job. I am fortunate in that regard. The job offers me the ability to lead an middle/upper middle class style of life. My home cost 200k, and my property taxes (very big factor) are 1200 a year, or 100 a month. My mortgage is now halved. I think of all the factors, this one is the most important, and probably the only one that's not subject to debate. Almost everyone wants to be able to live in a nice home for 200k and pay low taxes.

So, in conclusion, I agree with Brian G, in an offbeat way. Your second mistake will be not taking a chance to judge for yourself...Life is all about taking chances and you will never know how it would have turned out for you.

this is one of the most balanced posts i've read in this particular forum in a long time. what a breath of fresh air.

despite my reputation of being the board bi***, i have no qualms with people who present well thought out posts about leaving the state. it's the sweeping generalizations that drive me crazy.

+ points for you, mike.

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by tahiti

this is one of the most balanced posts i've read in this particular forum in a long time. what a breath of fresh air.

despite my reputation of being the board bi***, i have no qualms with people who present well thought out posts about leaving the state. it's the sweeping generalizations that drive me crazy.

+ points for you, mike.

Agreed
And already gave mike +

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by BrianG

Agreed
And already gave mike +

I Meant agreed with your response
not with you being the board bi***

[mike0421]

Originally Posted by BrianG

As for The All favorite winter
Let me tell you a little story

I finished basic training in Fort dix in 1976
the last week before graduation was when we did our Bivwack
It snowed a lot that week and we had to dig 3 feet of snow before we hit ground (AND IT WAS COLD) we graduated and me and about 15 others were sent to San Antonio For our AIT training to become medics
I think it was mayber 55 or 60 degrees down there. We reported in around 10am and got our bed assignments and all and had the rest of the day to our selves, so we decided to have a softball game

I remember that winter of 1976, very well. Although I was only 10 at the time, I remember that winter vividly, as I did 1977, 1978 and 1983. In 1983, we were having another major snowstorm, the date was February 11th, if I remember. The next day, my family and I were scheduled to fly to Los Angeles from JFK. I had never been to Los Angeles before, or California for that matter. In fact, up until that time, the only experience I had with traveling to southern climates occurred during spring or summer (I have family in Florida and had traveled there before). Anyway, 2 feet of snow fell that day, and the next day, our flight was obviously cancelled. I was heartbroken, I was looking forward to seeing another part of the country, and I was mentally broken by the miserable winter. The day after, my dad was lucky enough to get our family on the only plane leaving to Los Angeles that day. I remember JFK airport and people still sprawled out on the floor of that airport, dirty, miserable, tired, etc. NYC was still virtually paralyzed. The plane lifted off the runway, and I was still half thinking the pilot was going to turn it around. About 6 hours later, craning out the window seat, I remember the pilot saying we would be on the ground a few minutes later and vividly recall my first site of LA: a green interstate highway sign with the two arrows "405 South San Diego". Only then was I convinced I had finally made it out of there.

Anyway, the flight de-boards, and we retrieve our baggage at the terminal. There are the sliding glass doors nearby, and my first memory were people wearing shorts, walking in and out of the door. I ran to the door, and the warmth of the air instantly breathed psychological life into my body. I took of my jacket, a respite of 5 days not having to do so. The following day I spent at Laguna Beach. Nothing but my bathing suit, basking in the sun. I remember the song "I Love LA" by Randy Newman being one of the first songs on the radio. The windows were down, the temp was around 70 degrees, and I realized during this drive to Laguna Beach that I had to leave the northeast at some time in my life. It was later than I would have liked, but I got out of there. But again, that's just me. I couldn't (and still can not) for the life of me understand how some people would be content subjecting themselves with winters of this extreme in New Jersey, or, for that matter, anywhere in the northern climates. But to each his own

[tahiti]

Originally Posted by mike0421

I remember that winter of 1976, very well. Although I was only 10 at the time, I remember that winter vividly, as I did 1977, 1978 and 1983. In 1983, we were having another major snowstorm, the date was February 11th, if I remember. The next day, my family and I were scheduled to fly to Los Angeles from JFK. I had never been to Los Angeles before, or California for that matter. In fact, up until that time, the only experience I had with traveling to southern climates occurred during spring or summer (I have family in Florida and had traveled there before). Anyway, 2 feet of snow fell that day, and the next day, our flight was obviously cancelled. I was heartbroken, I was looking forward to seeing another part of the country, and I was mentally broken by the miserable winter. The day after, my dad was lucky enough to get our family on the only plane leaving to Los Angeles that day. I remember JFK airport and people still sprawled out on the floor of that airport, dirty, miserable, tired, etc. NYC was still virtually paralyzed.

i remember the 83 snowstorm, although we only got about a foot where i was living.

i had a similar experience in apr 82 - i was leaving on a class trip to europe and we got over a foot (remember that storm?). sat on the plane on the runway at JFK for over 5 HOURS. it was MISERY! my poor mother almost had a nervous breakdown until that plane touched down in london.

[mike0421]

Originally Posted by tahiti

i remember the 83 snowstorm, although we only got about a foot where i was living.

i had a similar experience in apr 82 - i was leaving on a class trip to europe and we got over a foot (remember that storm?). sat on the plane on the runway at JFK for over 5 HOURS. it was MISERY! my poor mother almost had a nervous breakdown until that plane touched down in london.

What part of the state were you living in Tahiti? As I recall, that was a storm that came up the coast, it was not like a lot of the storms that come from the west. I was living in West Caldwell at the time, which is in Essex County. Of course, you remember the big one of January 1996, right? It was January 7th. That was the one that really finished me off. No part of the state was spared.

The one in April of 1982, I don't think I remember. However, I do have a penchant for remembering odd weather events. The one I remember almost better than any other was in March of 1990, the 12th of March, we hit 83 degrees in Morris County NJ. What's funny is that Baltimore MD had the highest temperature in the entire country that day: 95 degrees! The next day, though, it was down to 58, and the day after that, 48.