People who left NJ...and never looked back (Elizabeth, Trenton: for sale, chapel)

[Tungsten_Udder]

Originally Posted by newjitty

There are certain things I like about NJ (specifically Bergen County). I've read some stories on here about people leaving the Garden State to find themselves missing the pizza, bagels, shore, etc, and rightfully so.

Just curious to hear from anyone who are the opposite and identify leaving NJ as one of the best things they did, and never looked back. Where did you move to, and what is it you like about your location now, and what don't you miss? Thanks.

I didn't move yet, but one thing I can tell you that I won't miss is the PATH trains. I also won't miss people who walk by you on the street and won't acknowledge you, say "Hello", etc.

However, I'd never say that I'd never come back to New Jersey. I'd still especially love to have a house in northwestern Sussex County someday, and I'd consider coming back to Jersey City or Hoboken to be close to NYC.

[BrianH1970]

Originally Posted by exit18b

What do I miss?

1. Jersey shore
2. Pizza
3. NYC - I know that's not NJ
4. Philly - I know that's not NJ
5. Blue Laws
6. Family friends

Blue Laws? Really?

Originally Posted by exit18b

What do I not miss?
1. Cost of living - Car insurance, tolls
2. Traffic
3. Tolls


I never could afford to move back! Shaker Heights is very similiar to Montclair for 1/2 the price. Of course salaries are less but overall your $$ go further away from NJ unless you are in a field that pays NJ salaries.

Agree with all three of those. And tolls along the Turnpike and Parkway are set for the first of, what, two or three toll increases come Dec 1. The cost of living issue goes far beyond car insurance and tolls (even though car insurance is definitely part of the anchor weighing folks down). Our start up costs for a beautiful apartment home in North Carolina wound up being 200 dollars. In New Jersey it's something like security deposit and one-two months rent. There's just no reason why New Jersey has to be as expensive as it is. Absolutely none.

[kelsie]

We left S. NJ in 2003 for beautiful E. NC. We were both tired of "working to live". We both quit our high profile jobs, which after our move, afforded me to be able to stay at home and my husband to work a 40 hr. week in a HI store. Other then the cost of homes & taxes everything down here is as expensive as living in NJ, especially shopping for food. We live in a college town, where we have 218 restaurants, 50% of them fast food. Jersey Mike's is always packed lol. Car insurance equals out b/c when we first registered, there was $250.00 road use tax, and you are taxed yearly for personal tax.
What we love is the genuine friendships, kindness and warm people. They listen to what we say and no one is in a hurry.
Do we miss Jersey? Not really, I miss what it was like when I was a kid. The slower pace, everything closed on Sundays, the family time.
Do I miss Shop Rite & great pizza? You betcha!
What do we miss the most? Our kids and g'kids in Jersey. That being said, when we come up a couple of times a year it is the quality of time that we spend with them that reaffirms our best decision for moving out of NJ.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

[cyntmac]

Originally Posted by BrianH1970

There's just no reason why New Jersey has to be as expensive as it is. Absolutely none.

God, that sounds like something I would say as I've said it about most of the places I've lived. Everyone laughs when I say it though.

[desertsun41]

I believe no matter where you grew up, if you leave you will have feelings for that place. Being NJ born and raised is no different dispite it's numerous problems.

Anyone who says they dont miss where they grew up is lying. I miss it because the memories that go with it. Those memories are what shaped who I am today.

I was born in Jersey City (seems like everyone else was too) and at age 5 my parents were sharp enough to get us out of that rat hole. I spent some 15 years or so in Woodbridge Twsp. before moving up to Budd Lake. I have nothing really nice to say about Woodbridge either. I kind of liked Budd Lake but my friend Wiley might not agree with me. She hated it. It's not a bad little town.

My really really good memories of New Jersey:

Boating on Lake Hopatcong
Sandy Hook
Twin Lights lighthouse
Seaside Heights
Asbury Park
Delicious Orchards in Colts Neck
Freehold Raceway
Raceway Park
Running track and playing football for Colonia HS
Watchung Reservation
Pickeral fishing in the Pine Barrons
Crabbing in Tuckerton or anyplace else for that matter
Grillos Italian Ice stand in Plainfield

That should about cover it. Having lived in 3 other states and another country, and extensive travel since leaving NJ I notice the many things that makes NJ second place to other places. The worst being NJ having the highest property taxes on earth, some of the most functionally obsolete roads in America (only PA is worse), too crowded - too many people in too small of a place to name a few.

But it's still home. And its my home too.

Would I ever go back? Not a chance. Never no way.

[cyntmac]

I disagree strongly with the statement that people will always have a fondness for where they grew up.

I know countless people who because of circumstances want nothing to do with where they grew up. The circumstances could be lack of opportunity, abuse, addictions, poverty, etc.

I just consider myself lucky. If you are among the lucky you will have that fondness no matter where from.

I was not born in an urban area where there are lots of extremes and even I understand this.

[BrianH1970]

Originally Posted by desertsun41

I believe no matter where you grew up, if you leave you will have feelings for that place. Being NJ born and raised is no different dispite it's numerous problems.

Anyone who says they dont miss where they grew up is lying. I miss it because the memories that go with it. Those memories are what shaped who I am today.

I was born in Jersey City (seems like everyone else was too) and at age 5 my parents were sharp enough to get us out of that rat hole. I spent some 15 years or so in Woodbridge Twsp. before moving up to Budd Lake. I have nothing really nice to say about Woodbridge either. I kind of liked Budd Lake but my friend Wiley might not agree with me. She hated it. It's not a bad little town.

My really really good memories of New Jersey:

Boating on Lake Hopatcong
Sandy Hook
Twin Lights lighthouse
Seaside Heights
Asbury Park
Delicious Orchards in Colts Neck
Freehold Raceway
Raceway Park
Running track and playing football for Colonia HS
Watchung Reservation
Pickeral fishing in the Pine Barrons
Crabbing in Tuckerton or anyplace else for that matter
Grillos Italian Ice stand in Plainfield

That should about cover it. Having lived in 3 other states and another country, and extensive travel since leaving NJ I notice the many things that makes NJ second place to other places. The worst being NJ having the highest property taxes on earth, some of the most functionally obsolete roads in America (only PA is worse), too crowded - too many people in too small of a place to name a few.

But it's still home. And its my home too.

Would I ever go back? Not a chance. Never no way.

I could probably easily double your list just by adding the Meadowlands racetrack, Monmouth Park, Atlantic City and several other spots. There's just too much to love about New Jersey for me. I still think about summer nights in AC. I loved it there. One thing about leaving New Jersey is that it becomes a difficult state to return to. A word to New Jersey's elected officials: you've already done a wonderful job chasing almost four hundred thousand folks out of the state since 2000. If bleeding people who dearly love their home state, none loving it more than myself, you have succeeded beyond your wildest expectations, and continue to do so. Do something to lure some of us back.

State offers minimal economic relief to hard-hit New Jersey residents | mycentraljersey.com | MyCentralJersey.com

All of this is grim news for families like the Roccas in Toms River.

With Rocca's son, Michael, taking out $60,000 in student loans, with her home's market value dropping more than $100,000 last year, and with her property tax bill at $7,200 even though her husband is unemployed, Denise Rocca says her family is considering becoming part of a growing trend.

Since 2000, more than 377,000 residents have left New Jersey.

"I've lived in New Jersey all my life," she said. "I would hate to leave the state."

[Tungsten_Udder]

Originally Posted by BrianH1970

Blue Laws? Really?

Yeah, I can't imagine missing that, either. I can't believe we actually have blue laws.

[BrianH1970]

Originally Posted by Tungsten_Udder

Yeah, I can't imagine missing that, either. I can't believe we actually have blue laws.

The businesses in Bergen County would probably trip over themselves if those blue laws were ever repealed.

[Blondie621]

Born and raised in Bergen County N.J. Moved to Florida July/05.
Do I miss Jersey...you bet! Do I miss the high home prices, rent, and taxes? Also high Auto Insurance...no way. It is a cheaper way of living down here. I do not miss the cold winters either and my dogs love the weather down here. I do not have to wipe 24 paws everytime it rains or on those slushy dirty snow days. Here it rains for 10 minutes and dries up in 5. My whole family except for my Dad and son are back in Jersey. I look back but could never go back. I need to get back more often to visit my Mom though, I miss her sooo much. I also miss the restaurants, bakeries, bagel places, although I did find a decent bagel place here. I miss the Quick Checks and the Jersey people most of all. I do not like the Southerners. Most are not friendly. I kinda miss the fast pace hustle and bustle of Jersey too. I took a ride yesterday with my son and you Jersey people should see the nice homes you can get for 150,000.00 down here right now. You would not believe it. I saw a three bedroom, two bathroom fenced yard cottage on almost a half acre go for 91,000.00 and all it needed were new kitchen cabinets. Get this, the property taxes on it were $610.00 a year! There are gorgeous homes here for under 200 right now. And most have nice pools and are brand new, loaded with ammenities! Granite, alarm systems, you name it! I am here to stay! One more thing, it is hot down here for a long time before fall comes. I am in Northern Florida and the last couple of nights it went down to 38 degrees. But daytime warms up to 73. New Jersey will always be home for me though! When I go back for a visit I always tell people I am coming home or going home.