North Jersey vs South Jersey "The Difference"?

[cabbiegrrl]

oh ohhhhhhh grrrrrrr... i started to post then somehow deleted it all ooops

i'll sum it up:

viva los bennys de la norte!!!

[Kracer]

If you attended the University of Delaware in 1949 this is what you learned about the difference between north and south Jersey. Excerpt from "College Geography", copyright 1949.

" The backward pinebelt of NJ lies o the very border of the greatest industrial and commercial district of the US, yet most of the land is still covered with pine and brush, and the cultural landscape indicates that the people are classed among the most backward of this prosperous country.

Many inhabitants dwell in cabins that have neither have carpets or paint; most of the adult population go barefooted in the summer; and the limited agriculture development indicates a shiftlessness which is in sharp contrast to the energy displayed by farmers who cultivate intensively the well-kept truck farms located on the clay loam soils farther north. The backward conditions of the pine belt have persisted through the centuries......."

[flashrob]

First, some observations about New Jersey "in general," mostly for people, from out of state, who might be planning to move here.

NJ is one of the "most expensive states to live in." Tip: In general it is about 30% cheaper to live in the southern half of the state. The average state income - I just read on Yahoo - is about 70k. That is very high considering that there is a hefty percentage of "low wage" service jobs (fast-food, mall-clerks, etc.) throughout the state, that are averaged in and lower that number.

The schools are "excellent" statewide, with the exception of "blighted areas." These are large, but somewhat insulated (the Newark and Camden vicinities and some other mostly adjacent communities, in the Lower North-East and also, the South-West quadrant of the state, across the river from Philadelphia).

An example: I live in "a little above middle-class" Mays Landing (a real nice town/area about 12 miles west of Atlantic City... wooded/farms, etc.) - and the local grammar school, grades 2-5 - was built a few years ago at a cost of about 45 million, including "a large indoor swimming pool." (When I was a kid, my school didn't have a swimming pool! Also, some classrooms I have seen... look like the SET OF BARNEY'S... you know, the purple dragon, etc.)

In many respects, for a such a small state, NJ has it all, and this is often given as the reason why it is so often used by Hollywood production companies. You have a "condensed version" of the "best and worst" of American Life, and all in one small state. (The Sopranos, was mostly filmed in the North-East quadrant.)

I have lived in both North and South NJ for many years. In my experience, I find it helpful in characterizing NJ by mentally dividing it into "four sections."
Just imagine a "plus sign" with the intersection at the center of the state, thus dividing the state into four sections: North-West, North-East, South-East, South-West.

the North-West: mostly hilly, low mountains, still largely rural, farms, wood-bordered country roads, and in my opinion the "most beautiful quadrant of the state." (this area also extends into the North-East quadrant, ala Morris County, Morristown, etc.)

in this area are found:

the Estate Area where some of the wealthiest people in the country live (I'm talking even some billionaires, not just Hollywood level money, etc.). Towns here include Far Hills, Peapack-Gladstone, Bedminster, Bernardsville, Mendham. (The former King of Morocco had an estate in this area, as well as Jacqueline Mars of... you know "M&Ms candy." Other notables who lived in the area include John DeLorean, Jacqueline Kennedy, Mike Tyson....)

Hunterdon County in general: I think is the most beautiful county in NJ, and has many million-plus and and some multi-million dollar homes set on rolling hills, much woodland, and upscale farms.

best tourist area: Flemington, formerly, mostly a rural, above average farming community, that became the destination of many upper-middle-class types that wanted a McMansion on 5 or so acres, etc., and migrated from the overcrowded North-Eastern part of the state, and still commute to NYC jobs.

Historic Flemington is also the county seat of Hunterdon County - famous in the past for the Charles Lindbergh case. Also, there is Clinton, a beautiful town, even more historic, with it's famous "Ye olde mill water-wheel" that has graced the cover of one of the commercial atlas' a few years ago.

Flemington a large historic colonial type town, also has a 100-plus "outlet center..." and is a bit reminiscent of colonial Williamsburg in VA. There is also a historic steam-locomotive rail line for tourists that runs a few miles between Flemington and the town of Ringoes, a few miles to the south.

In general, Hunterdon County has a great deal of similarity to travelogues that you often see about "country areas in England," etc.

Another gem of a tourist area is just outside of Hunterdon County to the south. And that is one of my favorite places: PRINCETON and PRINCETON UNIVERSITY.

Princeton, ranked academically in a tie for 1st place nationally with Boston's Harvard, is my favorite destination in NJ.

This is a "sprawling classic Ivy-league University" in a "sprawling town!" It also has an "estate area." Many large homes and some mansions are just a "stones throw" from the center of town, and many more are in the beautiful park-like neighborhoods that extend for miles North-West of the downtown area.

You could spend days here, exploring the large campus (open to the public) and the square miles of university grounds that radiate in most directions from it, including the large grounds of the Institute for Advanced Study, notably frequented by Albert Einstein. The town itself is lovely, on nice days, often filled with students and tourists (reminded me of parts of Paris that I spent considerable time in, years ago - I was not a typical tourist in Paris, but that's another story, etc.)

For miles around to the south, north, and particularly to the northwest of Princeton are miles of meandering heavily wooded country roads and lanes on which to spend hours of scenic driving, and to also visit some of the rustic neighboring, mostly historic towns (Pennytown is particularly nice). There are many old middle class homes in this area, dating from the early part of the century, and before, as well as many "old-money" type homes, not just the new McMansions - though their are plenty of those, too, in newer surrounding communities. This whole area, in my opinion, is one of the best in NJ - not just a well-to-do area, but an area that was "always doing well," and is unique in NJ, especially, in that it is coupled with the Intelligencia and Prestige of one of the World's greatest Universities.

I have been there many times, and I never get tired of it... the Alchemist and Barrister Pub, and the Small World Coffee shop are two of my favorites places... plus just driving around in the area in general, etc... and being in my favorite place in New Jersey....

I'll cover more in future posts about the other quadrants in NJ, etc.

regards,

FLASHROB

[PDD]

The difference between North NJ and South NJ is very similar to the difference between North Carolina and South Carolina
North= some rednecks
South= mostly rednecks

[PalmBch]

North Jersey is more expensive, higher taxes, more "City" life, close to NYC, more job opportunities, maybe better schools, larger homes, better public transportation, more crowded, more cars, more shopping etc.

[h0tmess]

I live in Collingswood, which is nice..but it's also next to Camden, which is not nice

[millsan1]

Originally Posted by friendlyflyer

I'm curious to know first is there a difference between N.Jersey and S.Jersey

Full sets of teeth

[JefferyDollars]

I live in South Jersey, but I went to college in Norfolk, VA. When I would drive to college I didn't use 95 I used back roads and traveled down Eastern Shore Maryland and Virginia. There are stretches of road in and around the Chatworth area in Southern New Jersey that are the spitting image of Eastern Shore Virginia, open farmland and pine trees... All Chatsworth needs is some roadside fireworks stands and some cotton fields and viola you've got yourself the South. I've also heard that there are wild boar in Gloucester County now... I think someone is trying to secede us on purpose lol.