MOVED TO JERSEY CITY HEIGHTS - From CALI (Union City, Union: sales, rent)

[MajesticCALIFORNIAN]

Hey everyone!!

So I had posted a while back about moving from California to NJ and most of the responses I recieved were to either move to Hoboken, Weehawken, or heights Jersey City.

I chose Jersey City Heights but not the western slope. More towards Beacon/St Pauls ave.. bought my first home here and so far here is what I found:

1. The people around here are UNFRIENDLY! my god, I dont have any friends yet lol - neighbors just nod IF u keep staring @ them to say something, I mean not even Hello! Mr. MC welcome! How do u like it? Do u need help? NOTHING.. both neighbors on both sides !!

2. The property taxes are WOOF.. I mean dont you people EVER complain to anyone about them? Over 6 grand for property taxes on a SINGLE family house?!

3. Alot of posters on here said Jersey City was a crack/crime infested town; I have found the exact opposite in the area I bought my first home; it is quiet, feel very safe, havent heard THAT many sirens, kept up with local news - nothing major around this area. I walk to bus stops and back home; no incident to report. I do however read news in Greenville section about shootings and what not.. but so far the Heights seems pretty good

4. Handyman: Ok so bought a first house that is not brand new and is old; was on a budget! craiglist has MANY suspicious handyman ads.. (for the Heights) - signed up for AngiesList; they shouldnt call themselves handyman if they will charge $300 for drain cleaning/gutters!! So I am still searching for a handyman around my area - problem is, my neighbors arent talking and I have 0 friends in this area! sigh!

5. Hospital: Had to go to Christ ER, friendly registrars - nice indian guy, smiled and registered me before the fat old nurse would even check me - sort of a surprise as in California is the other way around, UNFRIENDLY nurse! though I think just mine was, the rest appeared very nice to others (I could hear everything other nurses said to their patients...privacy issues?)

Thats it for now.. I kinda like living here, I mean its not like I regret it AS much as to move right back to Cali, just wish the people would be friendlier!!

[tommyc_37]

You didn't look into the downtown neighborhoods of Jersey City?

Also, NJ people are pretty friendly ... but in an urban environment anywhere (especially a Northeastern US city), people tend to be very rushed and may seem unfriendly.

For what it's worth, I live in a brownstone in Downtown Jersey City and my neighbors are pretty damn friendly.

[MajesticCALIFORNIAN]

I was looking to buy a house not rent; I did checkout the "good" parts of downtown jc recommended on earlier thread but the prices fluctuated past my max.. and I walked around couple of blocks downtown near subject property but did not find "home" feeling you get.. it seemed like it was an attraction or something! lol

[Yvetta]

Funny post. I'm sure everything will be ok, though.
I'm in northern Cali and have been to NJ only once, but I liked it.

If things don't work out just click your heels and keep repeating
"there's no place like home.. there's no place like home.

[NJhighTaxes]

Move to Middletown NJ. People are much friendlier

[todd72173]

I had once lived in JC Heights (Sherman place, off of Summit Ave). Needless to say I only stayed there 2 years and moved on.

I lived in a pre-war apt building so I knew my neighbors, but thats it. Get used to not knowing anyone. Hope you dont have kids as JC is not family oriented. Good luck - I do not recommend JC (anypart) to anyone.

[luckyshoes]

That's kind of rude that your next door neighbors don't even say hi. Curious, why did you buy there before renting for a year?

[nowitsshowtime]

Sorry to hear bout your neighbors. I live down the street in Union City not far from the Heights. My neighbors are all pretty awesome. Got an old italian guy, a PR guy who is great, lends me tools and espresso =] , another white guy that lets me use his driveway a couple houses down.

But I think other than that and depending on the neighborhood, don't look to far from your direct neighbors for any type of welcoming. Jersey people are for the most part *******s, thats why Vermont for example hates us. When I go out of state I'm almost shocked at why people are being so nice to me.

In terms of a handyman I got a friend that does handyman work, let me know what you need done and I'll get prices for you.

But it looks like you have some adjusting to do

[tommyc_37]

Originally Posted by nowitsshowtime

Sorry to hear bout your neighbors. I live down the street in Union City not far from the Heights. My neighbors are all pretty awesome. Got an old italian guy, a PR guy who is great, lends me tools and espresso =] , another white guy that lets me use his driveway a couple houses down.

But I think other than that and depending on the neighborhood, don't look to far from your direct neighbors for any type of welcoming. Jersey people are for the most part *******s, thats why Vermont for example hates us. When I go out of state I'm almost shocked at why people are being so nice to me.

In terms of a handyman I got a friend that does handyman work, let me know what you need done and I'll get prices for you.

But it looks like you have some adjusting to do

Why do people always paint with a broad brush? NJ people, in general, are not mean or rude. But yeah, the original poster (and you, living in Union City) live only a mile or two from Manhattan, a huge metropolis. Of course there will be rude-as-hell people. Do you think it's any different across the river in NY? A neighborhood in Brooklyn? When they travel "to Vermont", NYers are just as surprised by how nice people are. Same thing for somebody from inner-city Boston. It's a city versus suburb/rural thing. It's not just NJ.

Now, within NJ, if you go out into the nice suburbs, you will find people who are nice as pie. Neighbors who will chat with you, ask how your kids are, lend you tools, etc. JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER SUBURBAN AREA IN AMERICA.

Original poster, you're living in Jersey City, a fairly large city, that borders a huge bustling city (NYC). Some people will be rude, and some people will be nice. The common factor is that all people will seem like they are constantly in a rush. That is the culture of the immediate NYC area, and always has been. To get more "overall" friendliness, you'll just have to move about 10-15 miles north or west, to the 'burbs of NJ.

I just hate when people judge NJ based on the tiny Northeastern-most part of the state. It happens every day.

[NY Annie]

Wow, you say that your neighbors don't say hello until you stare them down. Have you considered they find you rude that you, the newcomer, don't say hello to THEM and worse, you stare at them?

Taxes - NJ has the highest taxes in the country - it's documented - it surprised you?

You live in one of the highest cost of living areas in the country, and you want cheap handyman prices? Remember, those handymen have to pay their property taxes, too. AND, if you have a 2 story house - who doesn't in JC - you want your gutters cleaned out 2 stories or 3 (attic) high? That requires special ladders. Special ladders require vans to transport them. Vans/trucks to transport the ladders and other equipment (safety harnesses, etc.) cost more money to buy and SALES TAX isn't cheap AND registration AND maintenance AND car insurance - 2nd highest in the country - only DC is higher. NJ has a great inspection system - that is another business expense. Oh, and don't forget health insurance. If a handyman is going climbing up 3 stories high, he'd better have good health insurance, just in case.

$300 - TAKE IT. Can't afford it?, do it yourself: rent the ladders (Home Depot), rent the van/truck, climb up and do it - I think you'll find $300 cheap.

I'm sorry you are having culture shock. NJ is a nice place to live - wish I could afford to live there. People ARE friendly but if you were staring me down, I'd give you wide berth. Friendly is as friendly does. You want friendly? Give friendly. Next time you see a neighbor say, "Hi. Great weather today. I hope it stays like this for a while. I am trying to fix up my house, hopefully soon it'll look as nice as yours. BTW, my name is Herman. I was trying to find someone to clean the gutters - who does yours?"

Well, that's what I do when I move to a new place and I always seem to make at least one new good friend and a bunch of regular friends.

Just a note: a friend of mine lives in Brooklyn. She's a wonderful person but she has the "city" mentality of "mind your own business - don't ask, don't tell". She lived in her last home (2 family) for 18 years and knew no one - not a single neighbor.

So that's your options - but you aren't being fair to say NJ folks are unfriendly when you haven't made the first move. Remember, you are the newcomer and your staring is not giving off the friendliest of vibes and is probably being viewed as downright UNfriendly.