Any opinions on 'Woodlands at Upsala' in East Orange? (Newark: high crime, day care)

[cyntmac]

Does non-ethnic include everyone of European origin?

[East Orange Advocate]

[SIZE=2]In my first post I was trying to be polite. This what I mean by "Non-Ethnic people". White New Jerseyans who watch UPN 9 News and think that all people of color people are criminals that are devoid of the American work ethic, uneducated and go through life without a sense of purpose. And because of this twisted narrow mindset they believe that white is right. I hope this response gives you the fuel you need to write something disparaging about East Orange at an attempt to make you feel better about yourself at the expense of others which unfortunately and consistently appears to be "SWOP" (Standard White Operating Procedure). With that being said Happy Holidays![/SIZE]

[deja8318]

Originally Posted by East Orange Advocate

[SIZE=2]In my first post I was trying to be polite. This what I mean by "Non-Ethnic people". White New Jerseyans who watch UPN 9 News and think that all people of color people are criminals that are devoid of the American work ethic, uneducated and go through life without a sense of purpose. And because of this twisted narrow mindset they believe that white is right. I hope this response gives you the fuel you need to write something disparaging about East Orange at an attempt to make you feel better about yourself at the expense of others which unfortunately and consistently appears to be "SWOP" (Standard White Operating Procedure). With that being said Happy Holidays![/SIZE]

Are you serious the areas surrounding Upsala are enough to make a persons eyes bleed. I am ethnic who lives pretty close to Springdale ave and although they made the new condos nice to look at there is so much crime around there. Nobody is watching UPN to make this judgment. I guarantee you most know that this area is bad and pretty close to EO high school. I drive past your home everyday and if you do not see the bloods standing on the corner across from the homes your eyes are failing you. This is not about black or white. This is about red and blue and EO is a checkerboard filled of red and blue. When they get the gangs and guns out of EO maybe I would spend the money.

[krys9108]

Originally Posted by deja8318

Are you serious the areas surrounding Upsala are enough to make a persons eyes bleed. I am ethnic who lives pretty close to Springdale ave and although they made the new condos nice to look at there is so much crime around there. Nobody is watching UPN to make this judgment. I guarantee you most know that this area is bad and pretty close to EO high school. I drive past your home everyday and if you do not see the bloods standing on the corner across from the homes your eyes are failing you. This is not about black or white. This is about red and blue and EO is a checkerboard filled of red and blue. When they get the gangs and guns out of EO maybe I would spend the money.

Exactly, it doesn't matter what ethnicity anyone is. No self respecting hard working individual would want to live with the red and blue aspects.

[cyntmac]

I would have to say that I know of some hardworking types from E.O. If you are Black you might find that there are a few things happening there in a cultural sense that you might benefit from. Things that hold value for you. That would not be the case for most other groups. There is always exception to the rule with that but I am being realistic. East Orange does have good folks living there.

[East Orange Advocate]

Originally Posted by deja8318

Are you serious the areas surrounding Upsala are enough to make a persons eyes bleed. I am ethnic who lives pretty close to Springdale ave and although they made the new condos nice to look at there is so much crime around there. Nobody is watching UPN to make this judgment. I guarantee you most know that this area is bad and pretty close to EO high school. I drive past your home everyday and if you do not see the bloods standing on the corner across from the homes your eyes are failing you. This is not about black or white. This is about red and blue and EO is a checkerboard filled of red and blue. When they get the gangs and guns out of EO maybe I would spend the money.

"Significant pockets of East Orange remain perilous. But by almost any measure, the declines recorded here are substantial. From 2003 to 2006, murders declined by nearly two-thirds, rapes by nearly a third and robberies by half, according to police statistics. Property crimes have also declined, with burglaries down by more than half and car theft falling by two-thirds.
The declines are particularly striking considering the spike in crime in two of this city’s neighboring communities. In Newark, the rising murder rate has become a top priority for Mayor Cory A. Booker. And in Irvington, gang violence is so rampant that the city has sought the assistance of the New Jersey State Police.
What’s happening in East Orange is the byproduct of the work of the city’s 300-member police force, which has remained about the same size over the past few years; more than a million dollars in new electronics and surveillance equipment, most of it paid for with money seized from criminals; and a fine-tuning of the Compstat data collection program for crime statistics pioneered by the New York Police Department."

This quote is from an article written in the New York Times May of 2007. It was one of several factors that led to my decision to purchase in East Orange. Now with that being said, I am not naive enough to think that now because of this article, I can leave the front door of my home open or my car running with the keys in the ignition or start flashing gang signs on my front lawn and not expect to be a victim of good old fashion E.O crime. All I am trying to say is that some parts of E.O aren't all that bad.(like Upsala) I have visited the Upsala site at all times of the day and night. A site that is desolate for the most part, with the exception of a few families that are living there currently. In my travels I haven't been approached by any gang bangers or any crack heads and no one has tried to shoot me. I did however get a warning from an E.O police officer because I was doing 45mph in a 25mph zone on Glenwood Ave. The key is that this city is trying to change and the result is that overtime things will get better. Unless of course a great black leader is cut down in his prime by an assassin's bullet and as a result massive riots insue and the homes of Upsala are torched by black angry mobs. We as a people have been there and done that. Call me crazy but I don't see that happening in the year 2008. I have faith in my new neighbors. Besides, I have a great homeowners insurance policy with State Farm that will take care of that sort of stuff if the need ever arises.

I would however at this point share with you my others reasons for deciding to stake my claim in Upsala:

The opportunity to chose from a selection of 16 Semi custom home models ranging in size from 2500 to 3000 sq ft
Homes with 3 to 5 bedrooms (depending on the model) all w/ 2 1/2 baths of which includes a master bedroom w/Jacuzzi soaking tub.
Large parlor rooms
Separate dinning rooms
Separate family rooms , all enjoying gas fireplaces
Large basements w/9 foot ceilings which all have the potential to add anywhere from 800 to 1500 sq ft of additional living space depending on your model.
A spacious EIK (eat in kitchen) with large cabinets with crown molding standard
Marble floors in powder room
Hardwood Floors and lifetime outside decks in all models

(not mention the 10 year builders warranty that comes with each the home)

However the most important reason that I finally decided to buy was due in large part because of the quality of my neighbors. My neighbors are a group of upstanding and outstanding people who are all warm, friendly and are ready to become pioneers of the new E.O. Also all are gainfully employed in all area's . We have doctors, lawyers ,nurses, educators, men and women of the clergy of all faiths and denominations. We even have a Rabbi, Yes a Rabbi. We have business owners and even some wall street types. All I am trying to say is that whoever you are and whatever you are you can have a have a great life living in the Upsala section of East Orange.

[ALL4ONE]

Originally Posted by cyntmac

Does non-ethnic include everyone of European origin?

I agree. There is good and bad in every neighborhood. I grew up across the street from Upsala. It has definitely gotten worse. It is partly due to people who has lost faith in people. I live close to Princeton, and you can find the same elements of crime, (not to the same extent).

Purchasing a home at the old Upsala site is a show of faith for good this to come. Revitalization of a community that has soooo much to offer to its residence.

The homes that were built are beautiful, and I would purchase on if I worked closer to EO. TAKE PRIDE in your community and Your community will learn to take PRIDE in itself.

[Busch Boy]

I'm a little confused about "The Woodlands at Upsala". Is it a private gated community (with access only available to residents and their guests) with guards and checkpoints? Or is it park-like property that's open to the public? I've seen the pictures and the homes look beautiful, especially for the price. I think the developers should've built a small elementary school on the premises for the children that are going to live there. I think EO has the most potential out of all the urban communites in that area. Good luck to all of you who want to make a difference in your community!

[girl-973-908-732]

Originally Posted by Busch Boy

I think the developers should've built a small elementary school on the premises for the children that are going to live there.

Hun? are you serious? The kids can go right to the school across the street. They don't need special treatment.

[Busch Boy]

Originally Posted by girl-973-908-732

Hun? are you serious? The kids can go right to the school across the street. They don't need special treatment.

I think this would've been a good idea because it would've attracted more families to the area. I'm sure many people were interested in buying, but the public schools worried them. Paying for private school from Kg-12 is not cheap (plus college costs after that).