people in north jersey vs south jersey (Newark, Toms River: condos, neighborhood)

[MoorestownResident]

Originally Posted by mattjd

North Jersey vs. South Jersey...does any of this really matter? With the way things are going in 10 years we'll all be in PA, it will be Allentown vs. Bethlehem, and we'll all be talking about the new PA Governor Corzine and how we're moving to Ohio to escape the taxes and insane housing prices.

Perish the thought. I will never live in PA unless I choose to retire very early.

[MoorestownResident]

Originally Posted by subwayfan

NC is definitely a popular escape to state. Roughly a 1 hour flight, so one is still close to family left behind, better winters, lower taxes and cost of living. You can't get that anywhere in NJ.

Central NJ seems to be the place with a lot more ex Northern NJers. While there are some woodsy less densely populated areas in Mercer County and Northwest NJ that aren't what ppl think of Northern NJ, it's still different than Southern NJ.

there's also a difference to when one crosses into Burlington County. People, retail, etc. and its Philly/Southern NJ from that point forward. Over by the Shore, I know the start off is lower and Southern NJ starts in Southern Ocean County where Atlantic City regionalization starts.

Which development or town did your mother live in? Was it like Bordentown or Vincetown?

Mt.Laurel and Marlton are sprawl towns of Cherry Hill, which is Philly commuter oriented, though Marlton has a little piney in it, given that a portion borders Medford and a part of the town has Pinelands designation. Also, you have a number of ppl living in Marlton that don't commute into PA.

MoorestownResident, what do you mean by active? Like physically active - into hiking and stuff? Yes, maybe I can see that, that people living in Northern NJ (the northeast part) maybe less into outdoorsy stuff, but I bet if you consider that there is higher incomes, they may take vacations, where the Southern NJ folk may be on limited incomes, and less able to have getaways. In areas in PA, I think one can get into hiking and outdoors easy (its more accessible).

Active, physically, but not just outdoorsy. I got the impression many did not want to venture out unless it was really necessary. Possibly due to traffic, etc. South Jersey people are more on the go IMO. Vacations really have nothing to do with it. Disposable and discretionary income which drives purchases are roughly the same. SJ might have lower incomes but lower housing costs as well. And the differences aren't that great in many areas despite the perception.

[mattjd]

Originally Posted by MoorestownResident

Perish the thought. I will never live in PA unless I choose to retire very early.

Many others have said the same thing right before Corzine brought them to their knees. Wait and see if he gets reelected, then get back to me. Another couple years of even higher state taxes, higher property and school taxes, higher tolls, higher housing costs, even more illegals, and crappy schools might change your mind.

[mahrbeezer]

South Jersey is riddled with crime. The people are ignorant and the taxes are crazy. The school systems are the lowest in the nation. North Jersey is where it's at.
Kidding!!
I live in S jersey, many, many generations of my family lived here. I have come to a point where I am shy to say I live in NJ. People associate NJ as the s--t hole like it is up north. I use to live in a small town on the shore of southern NJ. When I was a kid, we didn't have police in our town. Now it's something like 80 officers. People from up north moved here in waves, attitudes and all. It's sickens me to see these people move down here and ruin the once farm riddled town.
The original south Jersey people are moving out of this state in a hurry. It's gotten so out of control down here now. Try to go somewhere on a weekend, NOT!!! Traffics lights on every corner. You can't even take your dog for a walk in the woods anymore without fear of getting a ticket. This state is all about rules and restrictions. Peace of advice if your in southern NJ, don't mention your from north Jersey!!!!!!

[MoorestownResident]

I don't think a change in my income or taxation would force me into PA unless I chose to downsize from an expensive area to retire early. But PA is really not in better shape. Rendell wants to lease the PA turnpike and get a source of revenue from local casinos and racetracks. Even with that PA will not meet its huge teacher pension problem. This is hardly what I would want going on. The bottom line is higher taxes are coming and there is nothing we can do about it. You can, however, choose to move to another country and perhaps get some relief for a time.

[GoPhils]

Originally Posted by MoorestownResident

The only areas of the shore that are expensive are the big money shore towns and property on or near water. Most of the inland towns like Toms River and others in Ocean and Altantic counties that are not that expensive.

Well aren't most areas of the shore "near" the water? I also guess it depends what you call "not that expensive." I would think that most of Ocean County is somewhat expensive, although yes there probably are some areas in Atlantic Counties that are not that expensive, as for example I mentioned Absecon in another thread, and that might be a possible choice for the OP in this thread also.

[njguy]

Originally Posted by mattjd

North Jersey vs. South Jersey...does any of this really matter? With the way things are going in 10 years we'll all be in PA, it will be Allentown vs. Bethlehem, and we'll all be talking about the new PA Governor Corzine and how we're moving to Ohio to escape the taxes and insane housing prices.

LOL! You got a great point there!

[MoorestownResident]

Originally Posted by GoPhils

Well aren't most areas of the shore "near" the water? I also guess it depends what you call "not that expensive." I would think that most of Ocean County is somewhat expensive, although yes there probably are some areas in Atlantic Counties that are not that expensive, as for example I mentioned Absecon in another thread, and that might be a possible choice for the OP in this thread also.

I was talking about property a few blocks from the ocean or with ocean views. I know it's all relative but plenty of inland towns like Toms River, Egg Harbor, etc., are not expensive. The local economies down there are seasonal and generally thought to be poor commuting locations to the major hubs. Toms River is at least near the GSP. There are a number of retirement communities in these inland locations for a reason.

[tommyc_37]

Originally Posted by MoorestownResident

I found just the opposite living and working in north jersey for 8 years. People around the Philly area are tougher and more active socially. I think northern NJ is probably ruder and less tolerant but they talk slower and are less active. South Jersey down the shore is a different story, the pace is slower but not around Philly. You also can't get good food in northern NJ or at least it's rare. Philly metro blows away north jersey for sloppy eats, pizza, etc. You'll disagree but you'd be incorrect based on my experiences, granted there might be some spots in NNJ where you can get a hoagie or cheesesteak that doesn't suck.

Wow, that's the most erroneous thing I've ever heard. I mean, I guess you're entitled to your opinion, but...really??? Pizza??? Come on.

And - when it comes to fine cuisine, North Jersey wins hands over fist. Many South Jersey people would agree. North Jersey just has more...culture. And no, ahem, cheesesteaks are NOT fine cuisine. And I've had some phenomenal cheesesteaks in North Jersey and New York. At least as good as Steve's or Jim's. Making a good cheesesteak is really not that hard, think about it. Creating a masterpiece of a dining experience IS hard to do, and North Jersey/NYC nails it...sorry.

I can respect your love for South Jersey, if that's where you're from, but sometimes you have to look at things more openly.

[MoorestownResident]

I said sloppy eats which doesn't imply fine cuisine. I ate lunch in NNJ everyday for 8 years so my opinion is pretty valid. There are good restaurants and bad restaurants in both NNJ and SJ, however, I prefer the pizza and subs I get in the Philly area. NYC doesn't do cheesestreaks like they do in Philly, kinda silly to suggest otherwise. Food network did a special on where to get the best cheesesteaks in Philly.

I used to eat at a great Chinese place in Millburn and I've been to many other places that I enjoyed in NNJ and some that frankly sucked. But the ones I've been to that I liked are not any better - and might not be as good - as the places I go currently including a Thai place in Voorhees, King of Pizza in Cherry Hill, Braddocks Tavern in Medford, and 'The Pub' which is a landmark restaurant in Pennsauken.