*Want to move! Hawaiians sent me here!*

[nikgrr12]

Red Bank looks pretty. Checked out the website. Has the artsy near the water thing. What about dogs? Anyone know if it's dog friendly? Is Ocean City dog friendly also?

[dmccauley]

Red Bank is pretty, very yuppie like but close to the beaches. There are neighboring towns that offer cheaper homes then Red Bank. The best thing to do is get on civil service website and look for job openings. Here is one I found.

NJCSC - JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS

[tommyc_37]

Lammius hit the nail on the head. You want to live in Red Bank, and have hubby work in Asbury Park. Does Red Bank have a paid fire department?? Red Bank is artsy, great downtown, LOTS of festivals, music, etc. And pretty darn close to the beach.

Another idea...live in Cape May (although it's pretty quiet in the winter), and work in Ocean City??? Cape May is a beautiful place.

[South Jersey Styx]

Originally Posted by nikgrr12

I posted in Hawaii that I am looking for an exciting place to live that is dog friendly, located near water and has farmer's markets and independent coffee shops. They said to check out South New Jersey. So I'm checking it out! We are a couple starting out. We want to buy a house that has a nice yard, brick home wood floors. We need something from 150,000-250,000 price range. We don't mind fixing up homes. We just need a home that suits us. Anyone? What place in South New Jersey is like this?

There is a Hawaiian-Polynesian-Pacific Islander community in Wildwood, NJ, located south of Atlantic City and north of Cape May. These folks are from Hawaii, Samoa, Tahiti, and the Philippines. Maybe they are the ones who suggested South Jersey.

Shore life in South Jersey is that --shore/boardwalk culture and not necessarily artsy-coffee shop stuff like you'd see in Seattle, parts of NYC or Philly. Instead, during the Summer months (the height of Shore life), there are lots pizza places, fudge shops (some of the oldest on the East Coast), ice cream and gelato joints, and beachwear stores. During the Winter, these places are usually dead and only has the locals living in there. Some towns have addressed the "shoulder seasons" meaning Fall and Spring when things like festivals and conferences could be held in their towns. Of course each town may have a historic or arts district but that differs per town. You'll find that the shore towns have their own "personalities" too -- Cape May is historic Cape May and lined with Victorian architecture and bed & breakfasts. Wildwood has the largest beach in NJ (2 mi long and 1/4 mi at its widest) and still does not charge for entrance to the beach. The boardwalk (an idea that comes from England) is made from reclaimed lumber used for one of the Presidential Inaugurations (can't remember which year). And Wildwood has the Doo Wop architecture (also called mid-century modern and Goggie in CA) although I heard some structures have not been preserved.

Of course Atlantic City would be nearby where there's always something to see and do.

As far as farmer's markets: plenty of them down here. NJ is known as the Garden State and everyone has, well, a garden down here. But the best farmer's markets sell a range of things including produce, fish, cheese, and baked goods. If you chance around Central Jersey and their famer's markets, there are alot of Amish groups who sell both their food products and crafts. Some farmer's markets are combined with flea markets where you can find everything from the old to the new, antiques to CDs. These markets can be huge.

Weather down at the Shore is usually more lenient (i.e., lower temperatures, less snow when it snows, etc.) than the center part of the State probably because of the ocean.

You'll find some decent housing in your price range but mostly the older homes and some fixer-uppers. However, some shore towns are overbuilt so in this economy, you may luck out. And you can get a decent lot with an older house for the dog. Be cautious of property taxes though: taxes differ per town and if you live on the water, have a pool, etc.

A drawback in living close to the beach is that you will not be near major cities (i.e., Philly) and some amenities that a city provides like varied dining and tourist sites. Also food selection is limited in SJ but getting better (lots of Italian restuarants though). Some people have commented on piney behavior and thinking but I find most people down here to be very friendly and accommodating. Altogether it is a very laid-back atmosphere with alot of forests, lakes, and the ocean. Good luck!

[STrapani1105]

farmers market? i don't know about that. anywhere in South Jersey should be to your satisfaction though. check out Cape May County. a lot of the southernmost counties (Cumberland, Salem) have a lot of farms as well. if you want to look at North Jersey, you should check out Sussex, Warren, and Hunterdon. I think you'll like Hunterdon county. i don't know South Jersey very well, but I can name some nice towns in the Northern counties.

Sussex
Sparta
Andover
Newton
Vernon
Hopatcong
Stanhope

Warren
Hackettstown/Allamuchy

Hunterdon
Flemington
Readington
Clinton
Frenchtown

[nikgrr12]

I definitely need a place with fun stuff to do. I am concerned about my dogs. I have a Husky and a Chow Chow so I need a place that is friendly to all dogs, not just little ones. Like I might be able to sit outside a cafe with my dogs and order some food and be able to just chill no hassles. You know what I mean? Like I would be able to walk around town and not have anyone look at me like the strange lady who wants to bring her dogs everywhere.

[South Jersey Styx]

Originally Posted by nikgrr12

I definitely need a place with fun stuff to do. I am concerned about my dogs. I have a Husky and a Chow Chow so I need a place that is friendly to all dogs, not just little ones. Like I might be able to sit outside a cafe with my dogs and order some food and be able to just chill no hassles. You know what I mean? Like I would be able to walk around town and not have anyone look at me like the strange lady who wants to bring her dogs everywhere.

You won't look strange at all in South Jersey. People here don't worry too much about how you look or dress or walking your dogs. In fact, when/if you do move here, you'll probably find some of us New Jerseyians alot more strange than most people and places.

[wileynj]

Originally Posted by nikgrr12

I definitely need a place with fun stuff to do. I am concerned about my dogs. I have a Husky and a Chow Chow so I need a place that is friendly to all dogs, not just little ones. Like I might be able to sit outside a cafe with my dogs and order some food and be able to just chill no hassles. You know what I mean? Like I would be able to walk around town and not have anyone look at me like the strange lady who wants to bring her dogs everywhere.

Lambertville!

[nikgrr12]

I like Red Bank. It looks great. It seems to have what we are looking for. So, anyone know what areas in Red Bank to look in? Areas I should avoid?