Is leaving the right thing to do? (Camden, Passaic: neighborhood, salary)

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by TheEmissary

If I knew the answer to that one, I could probably afford to pave the streets of Scranton and Pittston with gold. It seems that everybody yearns for that "Leave It To Beaver" lifestyle that never really existed. No one wants to deal with "Lowered Expectations", but I'm afraid that's what the future holds for the area and this country in general. It seems the country and more of the world are into "Instant Gratification" and that is slowly becoming impossible to achieve. I wish I had a good answer!

Agreed. I don't have the answer either. I just hate to see so many people struggling and/or complaining no matter what they try to do. They move further from work in order to afford a decent home and then gripe about the lengthy commute. They stay put and then gripe about not being able to afford a home as nice as their peers. I just don't know what the answer is. All I know is that complaining about these issues for the past decade and likely for decades to come isn't doing much to help matters for New Jerseyans.

[nic529]

I agree NJ Kate....If/when I do move out of this state I won't be returning here to bash. In fact, I don't think I have bashed at all. Its just not necessary. We all know whats going on here, and we're all going to get through it somehow. Some of us will stay, some will go....either way...we'll always be from "joisey"

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by njkate

SWB..I'm fine in NWNJ, I like it here. My commute can sometimes $uck with all those pesky Pennsy drivers half asleep behind the wheel in the AM, but hey I need to work so I endure.

As for the naysayers..after awhile it's like a drone....goes in one ear and out the other.
For those naysayers that leave NJ..I wish them well in their new state and hopefully they will stay on their new states forum and learn instead of coming here to bash..

I wish I had as thick of a skin as you do then because I can't let bashing "go in one ear and out the other." If I lived in NJ and wanted to see it thrive and succeed, I'd be very, very peeved to see so many slamming it left and right. It would just drive me nuts! After all, what has negativity ever solved in this nation? Constructive criticism has solved plenty, but there's a fine line between that and an all-out bash-fest.

[njkate]

Originally Posted by SWB

Agreed. I don't have the answer either. I just hate to see so many people struggling and/or complaining no matter what they try to do. They move further from work in order to afford a decent home and then gripe about the lengthy commute. They stay put and then gripe about not being able to afford a home as nice as their peers. I just don't know what the answer is. All I know is that complaining about these issues for the past decade and likely for decades to come isn't doing much to help matters for New Jerseyans.

You know you can find what you descibe above just about anywhere in the world.
there are people out there you could hang with a solid gold rope and they would still gripe, whine, complain.

I just don't pay those types any serious attention

[njkate]

Originally Posted by nic529

I agree NJ Kate....If/when I do move out of this state I won't be returning here to bash. In fact, I don't think I have bashed at all. Its just not necessary. We all know whats going on here, and we're all going to get through it somehow. Some of us will stay, some will go....either way...we'll always be from "joisey"

You got that one right...can't take the joisey out of the girl

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by nic529

I agree NJ Kate....If/when I do move out of this state I won't be returning here to bash. In fact, I don't think I have bashed at all. Its just not necessary. We all know whats going on here, and we're all going to get through it somehow. Some of us will stay, some will go....either way...we'll always be from "joisey"

...you might not return here to "bash" after you relocate, but plenty of others feel it is their "civic duty" of sorts to come back onto this forum and prevent others contemplating moving here of making some sort of dreadful mistake. It happens all the time on the PA and NY forums as well---folks who live in the Sunbelt states who can't just be happy where they are now so they have to go on their native forums to bash. Why? If I were a lifelong native of Alabama who moved to MA, what reason would I have to go back onto the AL forum to say how much better MA is and how much AL sucks? Our Tri-State area is especially infected with this disease, and you see it most on the Upstate NY forum, somewhat here on the NJ forum, and to a lesser extent in PA (but existenet nevertheless). Why?

[nic529]

your absolutely right..I couldn't agree more. I'd rather spread my happiness. It just seems like you take it so personally - but your not even in NJ. Its somewhat mind boggling. If ya know what I mean....

[njkate]

Originally Posted by SWB

...you might not return here to "bash" after you relocate, but plenty of others feel it is their "civic duty" of sorts to come back onto this forum and prevent others contemplating moving here of making some sort of dreadful mistake. It happens all the time on the PA and NY forums as well---folks who live in the Sunbelt states who can't just be happy where they are now so they have to go on their native forums to bash. Why? If I were a lifelong native of Alabama who moved to MA, what reason would I have to go back onto the AL forum to say how much better MA is and how much AL sucks? Our Tri-State area is especially infected with this disease, and you see it most on the Upstate NY forum, somewhat here on the NJ forum, and to a lesser extent in PA (but existenet nevertheless). Why?

Because in reality they really really miss the place..some are MISERABLE in their new state, especially the ones foolish enough not to have researched and researched again before they made the move. They just won't admit it.

Moving to the south especially for someone from the northeast can be a huge culture shock to the old system..

You can almost pick out the ones that left and are miserable and the ones that left and are happy just want to keep a connection

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by nic529

I'm just wondering why you come into this forum if you think everyone from NJ is bitter and whiney? I personally am an optimist...tend to live by the "it can always be worse motto" - but maybe I'm not one of the norm.

I also don't see how you think traveling 1 1/2 - 2 hrs to work would be a reasonable suggestion. I wouldn't do that. People aren't not picking Scranton to come to because of you...so don't take it so personally

I do take it personally because, believe it or not, my photo tours have inspired a few folks to move here. I just spoke to one a few weeks ago as a matter of fact, and they are quite happy. Never underestimate the power that optimism and civic pride can have. Most on this forum think I'm annoying for tooting Scranton's horn so much, but for the 0.1% who find my yammering useful, then I'm providing a good service. Similarly, if more folks would post more "feel-good" threads about NJ and reasons to MOVE THERE instead of to flee, more folks might be inspired to give it a shot. This could involve more photo tours, relating positive experiences about parks/concerts/entertainment, or anything really to get people inspired by NJ again. I'd actually ask BobKovacs, Tahiti, or somebody else to consider posting a "Sticky" thread sometime on the NJ forum for only GOOD news about NJ where folks can go for a good "pick me up" with photos of children building snowmen in Sparta, stories about how much money you won in AC, the latest boutique to open in Red Bank, the deer you saw in Montague, etc. The overwhelming tone of this state forum is one of despair---that could and SHOULD be changed! Give people a reason to visit your state and stimulate its economy, not flee.

[TheEmissary]

Originally Posted by njkate

SWB..I'm fine in NWNJ, I like it here. My commute can sometimes $uck with all those pesky Pennsy drivers half asleep behind the wheel in the AM, but hey I need to work so I endure.

As for the naysayers..after awhile it's like a drone....goes in one ear and out the other.
For those naysayers that leave NJ..I wish them well in their new state and hopefully they will stay on their new states forum and learn instead of coming here to bash..

Actually, all of America can be boiled down to city (dumpy or newer), old suburbs, new suburbs, exurbs, and country. It's like that no matter where you go! (Prices may vary!)

Personally, my favorite downtown area anywhere is "Grandview" on Ghost Whisperer". It's actually the old set of "Back to the Future". It also doesn't hurt to see Jennifer Love Hewitt wandering around talking to herself!

What am I saying! I'm a trekker - Time for a drink at Quark's Bar on DS9!