Bashing NJ I do get, but here is my question where do you go?? (Clifton: short sales, foreclosures)

[BergenCountyJohnny]

Originally Posted by mike0421

No, in reality, I think this is precisely the point, per the OP, Marilyn (stevemorse). She was inquiring about places that are within a range of a metro area outside of NJ that didn't 'suck'. I really don't know that much about Nashville, so I decided to randomly look at some of the suburbs in Google Street View. There are a number of desirable neighborhoods. I was doing the same around Memphis, which I have actually been to, and did the same, and there are some high quality areas around that city as well.

No, you're missing the other point...

The Tennessee-bashing that's going on is not an argument against Tennessee. It's a response to the irrational Jersey-bashing that a couple of NJ-to-Tennessee transplants have decided to use this thread for.

Your post speaks to someone like me, being one of the TN-bashers, as if I don't know what it's like in Nashville or the suburbs of Nashville. I do. But if people are going to bash NJ using cliches and stereotypes, I'll remind them that there are plenty of stereotypes about where they live that can be brought up, also. And just as there is some truth to some NJ stereotypes, there is some truth to Tennessee stereotypes.

That's the point you're missing.

[mike0421]

Originally Posted by BergenCountyJohnny

No, you're missing the other point...

The Tennessee-bashing that's going on is not an argument against Tennessee. It's a response to the irrational Jersey-bashing that a couple of NJ-to-Tennessee transplants have decided to use this thread for.

Your post speaks to someone like me, being one of the TN-bashers, as if I don't know what it's like in Nashville or the suburbs of Nashville. I do. But if people are going to bash NJ using cliches and stereotypes, I'll remind them that there are plenty of stereotypes about where they live that can be brought up, also. And just as there is some truth to some NJ stereotypes, there is some truth to Tennessee stereotypes.

That's the point you're missing.

Then I owe you an apology BCJ, if that was the other point! I did miss that one. I will make this distinction: that neighborhood that I was looking at in Brentwood is more or less sustained in NJ from Bergen County right down to Burlington County. I've made this point before and I'll make it again: I can't think of another place in the country, with the possible exception of the surrounding metro Boston area, from say Nashua NH, down to Western Connecticut, where you can drive through community after community of quality the likes of which you can achieve from Upper Saddle River to the Medford/Marlton area in Burlington County. You can drive through almost 100 miles straight of neighborhoods like Brentwood TN, in the state of New Jersey. That's what makes New Jersey unique, relative to the rest of the country.

[stevemorse]

I live with more Hillbilles than DIANE!!! I saw the street view , its great!! Now I am getting out of here soon , staying in NJ of course! Diane, you do live in a nice area, I have learned alot about TN, if there is a whole foods close by its a nice area!! They did the marketing and searching for me!

Diane I am one of your fans.

By the way, that town you described where you pick up the girl, sound just like Schuyler Falls.

Well this reading was interesting.

Look I guess there are great areas all over, you got to figure out what works for you. Me personally I am a creature of habit and getting too old to do this again. I am staying in NJ because IM USED TO IT. I can see why people have issues moving, you get used to your routine. My routine was bergen county for a long long time.

[mike0421]

Originally Posted by stevemorse

Look I guess there are great areas all over, you got to figure out what works for you. Me personally I am a creature of habit and getting too old to do this again. I am staying in NJ because IM USED TO IT. I can see why people have issues moving, you get used to your routine. My routine was bergen county for a long long time.

I think Marilyn just summed up the problem many have when it comes to moving, anywhere, really. We are creatures of habit, and we resist change, even if it means turning down a better career opportunity. I don't find this exclusive to NJ by the way, but I will say that there is closeness of family in NJ that I haven't seen elsewhere, and I think that ultimately leads to many resisting moving, even more than other places.

[BergenCountyJohnny]

Originally Posted by mike0421

Then I owe you an apology BCJ, if that was the other point! I did miss that one. I will make this distinction: that neighborhood that I was looking at in Brentwood is more or less sustained in NJ from Bergen County right down to Burlington County. I've made this point before and I'll make it again: I can't think of another place in the country, with the possible exception of the surrounding metro Boston area, from say Nashua NH, down to Western Connecticut, where you can drive through community after community of quality the likes of which you can achieve from Upper Saddle River to the Medford/Marlton area in Burlington County. You can drive through almost 100 miles straight of neighborhoods like Brentwood TN, in the state of New Jersey. That's what makes New Jersey unique, relative to the rest of the country.

No, no apology needed mike. I just wanted to make it clear to you that the return bashing was not done out of ignorance of how nice some of the TN burbs are, but more out of just a returning of ignorance to make a point. I, and most of us here, know very well that there are many other parts of the nation which are very nice looking. We see even in our own state how some towns are nicer and less costly than others. I think everyone understands this and also knows the concept that there is always some kind of trade-off for taking advantage of the locations that offer more for the money.

Yes, NJ is actually the very heart of the BosWash megalopolis, so you can drive through 100's of miles of towns unlike most parts of the nation. I never realized this till I was much older and had to travel for work.

I one time had to do presentations in multiple cities and one leg of my travel included stints in Philly and Boston in the same week. I had a co-worker working with me on this, also. I told her that I intended to drive from home to Philly for the first two days, and then drive to Boston from Philly, rather than fly. She wanted to join me so she could see the East Coast this way.

We finished up in Philly, and on the Wednesday that we were going to do our drive, we left very early in the morning. To avoid traffic, I got on Rt. 1. We drove through town after town in NJ, and I didn't get off Rt.1 till we got to the Parkway. This girl I was with was STUNNED. She couldn't believe how the towns never ended. Where she is from, in the Denver area, you eventually run out of towns and end up in wide open farm or wilderness. She was also blown away that we were barely 30 minutes outside of Philly yet we were in the NYC metro area. I told her that if we had a ton of time, we could actually drive through NJ and most of Connecticut, RI, and Mass. without ever leaving suburban towns. She said she wouldn't have believed it but after seeing NJ she believed it.

It is unique to this part of the nation. The only parts of the nation that I have seen which come close are Southern California and South Florida. MAYBE Northern CA also a bit, but not so much.

So, yes, it's unique here. It's overcrowded, but it's all developed. It's good and it's bad. It is what it is. Wherever you live you take the good with the bad, you always have some kind of tradeoff. You always try for the tradeoff that works best for you.

And that's why people don't like to hear how TN is "better" - we are well aware of the advantages and disadvantages of living there. The problem is that some people want to come here and talk about all the benefits of living there and none of the disadvantages, as if there are none. They get defensive if you point out the disadvantages of where they live. They try to portray a scenario whereby a person would be a fool to stay in NJ and not live where they live. They ignore entirely the issue that there is always a tradeoff of good vs. bad for every person, no matter where he chooses to live, and that tradeoff can vary by person.

So, I say it's true that for some people they get a better tradeoff by living in TN. Or NM, GA, CA, TX, NC, or wherever else. Or NJ. But it's always some kind of tradeoff and it's based on personal preferences.

[stevemorse]

When I actually moved to Schuyler Falls, I met people who were born, raised, and worked and could not leave. Some moved for a short time and then went back. Some never left despite having money and education. They were used to it. I could not get used to it. I am having issues just being 30 miles away from Paramus/Hillsdale. So yes we are creatures of habit. I know so many old people who refuse to move! They have their church, activites, neighbors and home. Despite them keeping the heat low in the winter to pay the taxes, they will stay!!

I give alot of credit to the people who moved especially over the age 40! Its not easy.

Thank you for the nice words MIKE.

[Steve_TN]

Originally Posted by Mightyqueen801

Thanks...and it's...OK. There, there....

I have never lived anywhere except New Jersey, so maybe that's why I haven't heard the term. We usually call it "the room above the garage".

That's what we called it when I lived in NJ. Guess they had to go and get fancy on us and call it a "bonus room". It's a laughable term because it sort of implies that you got it for nothing....just a free room they threw on.

[luckyshoes]

Originally Posted by Steve_TN

Then feel free to go there and chat about it.

Why don't YOU go there and chat about it?

[Steve_TN]

Originally Posted by luckyshoes

Why don't YOU go there and chat about it?

Are you BergenCountyJohnny's wife?

[Steve_TN]

Originally Posted by BergenCountyJohnny

Well, that would come in handy if there's a guy named "The Fonz" who is looking for a place to live.

lol, "bonus room"... hilarious

You can't be as stupid as you sound.