What Do You Love Most/Miss About NJ? (Newark, East Orange: condo, mortgage)

[topster7]

I've noticed alot folks that post here are FORMER residents of New Jersey, like me. So reading what you guys that still live there have to say is a real pleasure. I was 18 years old when I left, so of course I still have strong memories.

I travelled throughout the United States through 23 years in the Service, and whenever I met a fellow Garden Stater it was always a treat as we shared memories. And I gotta tell you, there really is a "Jersey Attitude" that took me far in life. So, being honest, what I miss the most is the people. With all it's rich differences and diversity. Jersey was a true melting pot where I grew up. And maybe it's cause I can't get it any more, but that good New Jersey food!

Taylor Ham and egg on a Kaiser. Crumb Buns each Sunday after Mass. Any diner, any dish. Italian food, Italian Hot Dogs, and the best pizza in the world. I had Chinese food in Hong Kong and Singapore; Jersey's is better! Jewish Deli food.

But, again. It was the folks. For those of you that may have never left for an extended period, you should appreciate how unique you really are. The salt of the earth, by and large. I know things are tough there right now what with taxes and the economy. Got a son in Hackettstown I talk to often, so I have a small idea of what's going on. But "youse guys" will get through it. You always do.

[shannybannany]

Yep!

I returned a year ago TODAY after 12+ years in the San Francisco Bay area.

I'm lovin' my food and people here are so great!

Is it expensive? you bet but you get what you pay for , imo

Shanny

[clevedark]

Oh, yeah, the people and the food. I've been in New England for eight years now and sorely miss both!

[mike0421]

Originally Posted by shannybannany

Yep!

I returned a year ago TODAY after 12+ years in the San Francisco Bay area.

I'm lovin' my food and people here are so great!

Is it expensive? you bet but you get what you pay for , imo

Shanny

Shanny,

Expensive, yes. San Francisco expensive? No! Seeing you are in Cherry Hill, I'd say it's a safe wager coming from the Bay Area you were probably able to buy a pretty nice home in CH, outright, with no mortgage payments!

And as for what I miss, I'm right with you on that second line. That's what I miss, but I've answered this type of thread too often that the regular posters know how I feel about the great Garden State. Now, do I miss the weather? Hell no!

[shannybannany]

To be honest Mike, our taxes here on a $170k house is $6400 (went up $900) in the year we were here. Our house in the San Francisco Bay area which was sold for $610,000 last year, our taxes were just over $7k.

However....THANK GOD, we got out. The house we sold is now valued at $355k....that is if you could sell it. I sure hope the people that bought our old house stay for awhile because, I mean...my gosh!

I agree with you on the weather but today it was 69 degrees and lovely...ok a tad windy but still.

[topster7]

Originally Posted by mike0421

Shanny,

Expensive, yes. San Francisco expensive? No! Seeing you are in Cherry Hill, I'd say it's a safe wager coming from the Bay Area you were probably able to buy a pretty nice home in CH, outright, with no mortgage payments!

And as for what I miss, I'm right with you on that second line. That's what I miss, but I've answered this type of thread too often that the regular posters know how I feel about the great Garden State. Now, do I miss the weather? Hell no!

We don't miss the weather, either, LOL! I live in Riverside County, California now. Moved here from Carlsbad, California recently to be near 2 of the 11 grandkids.

Four years ago we sold a condo in Carlsbad because my mother-in-law was battling breast cancer in New Jersey and moved back for awhile. Since we had first bought in 1995 we made a pretty penny. Anyhoo, she came through fine. Then come around October, we started to feel the chill. The wife and me decided to come back to Cali. But we had stayed for four months; long enough to appreciate how wonderful our home state is.

The towns we knew; East Orange, Newark, Irvington, etc. were different then when we had left in 1970. And the truth is, we were wrapped up in our own lives in Hackettstown. But no matter where we went, I revelled in the certain "feel" a homesick guy gets being back in Jersey.

[Rapture]

My friends, my favorite restaurants, being so close to NYC, food, diversity, people that tell it like it is, concert venues, several stores, being around mostly people that don't hunt - rather than the other way around, good doctors - ok, I better stop now I'm getting depressed. : (

[JG183]

the food, # 1 reason

the variety (shore, mountains, swamps)

the sports

[topster7]

Originally Posted by JG183

the food, # 1 reason

the variety (shore, mountains, swamps)

the sports

"The sports", HA! And here I sit, awash in a sea of Eli Manning hating Chargers fans. Too bad, San Diego. How many Super Bowls did YOU win?

[sligogirl]

OP

Will probably miss the intelligent banter, from the most educated people on the East Coast.
And, of course, the food Italian, Jewish, Chinese, Spanish, Portugese.

Sligogirl