Is Newark REALLY that bad???? (Westfield, Scotch Plains: home, public school, to live in)

[Tank1906]

Originally Posted by sandyart

Having worked in Newark, NJ for five years I did not once venture out for lunch. The city is trying to spur growth with PAC, but forget it- - Newark is a horrible city filled with drugs and crime
IMHO!

If you never went out for lunch, how do you know it's so bad?

[jons]

don't be fooled by apt ads looking nice online. they can make anything sound nice. I've seen one an apartment web site and ad for an apartment in the southside of the city I live in and they made it sound all nice and dandy, but I know better because its right next to the projects. the best way to find out about an area/apartment is to ask someone who is familiar with the area/city. an apartment ad will make any place sound 1 step short of heaven.

[DAT]

pwright1

Nice picture.

By any standard this shows a very nice place to live if you have the money to afford the 4 and 5 bedroom houses on either side of the street which you cannot see in your picture.

Sharp James and a few other lawyers live on tbis street.

I live a block away in a 4 bedroom home with 2 fireplaces. The house and area is the most comfortable place for me. Me and my brothers and sisters bought homes in this area. We are all college educated professionals and can (if we wanted to) live anywhere we want in NJ especially the towns of the folks who are posting the bad comments amount Newark. But I prefer to live in areas that are growing instead of areas that are really not of interest to anyone good, bad or indifferent.

At lease Newark is on the minds of people in this age of urban renewal.

This alone is evidence of Newarks power and influence.

In a way WE (Newarkers who are on the "in") need the good and the "bad" publicity. Both of these give us something to work with. It is a pulse.

Newark is a "big boy". He has enough going on to handle the glib bad mouthing by the frightened outsiders that post on tbis site or anywhere else. If it was up to these people America would not exist since the area at one time was too dangerous to live and raise children. This was true to a point. But life requires strong people to move mountains and create safe havens while life requires weak people to take shelter in a "safe" havens.

Weak people have that right. But these people forget that the "safe" haven was not always "safe". It took strong people to make it "safe".

Newark is great.

But it is not for the weak and the scared.

Niether is NYC..

It is a big city.

It needs big minds, with big egos, big gutts and big money.

[BobKovacs]

Originally Posted by DAT

I live a block away in a 4 bedroom home with 2 fireplaces. The house and area is the most comfortable place for me. Me and my brothers and sisters bought homes in this area. We are all college educated professionals and can (if we wanted to) live anywhere we want in NJ especially the towns of the folks who are posting the bad comments amount Newark. But I prefer to live in areas that are growing instead of areas that are really not of interest to anyone good, bad or indifferent.

What college was it that you attended, where "me and my brothers and sisters" was considered proper English? I'll have to make sure my kids avoid that school when the time comes for them to further their studies.

[66nexus]

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

What college was it that you attended, where "me and my brothers and sisters" was considered proper English? I'll have to make sure my kids avoid that school when the time comes for them to further their studies.

Oh boy

[Gravy Boat]

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

What college was it that you attended, where "me and my brothers and sisters" was considered proper English? I'll have to make sure my kids avoid that school when the time comes for them to further their studies.

Lighten up; it's a internet message board not a writing sample for school. Since you seem to post on here about every six minutes I'm sure you're not the model of "grammatical correctness." For example, "What college was it that you attended" is just a terribly constructed sentence.

[BobKovacs]

Originally Posted by Gravy Boat

Lighten up; it's a internet message board not a writing sample for school. Since you seem to post on here about every six minutes I'm sure you're not the model of "grammatical correctness." For example, "What college was it that you attended" is just a terribly constructed sentence.

True, but still not as bad as the grammar error that even my 1st-grade daughter knows not to make; and I wasn't the one touting myself as being part of some group of college educated professionals who have chosen to call a very small section of Newark home. The poster is essentially making it sound as if the "uneducated" haven't realized that Newark is shangri-la, and have instead decided to huddle in their "safe" neighborhoods rather than in Newark amongst the "enlightened".

[kungfulou]

can I tell my favorite Newark story?
I have two actually!

when I first started driving I was on 21 (I think) and I made a wrong turn. A cop pulls up along side me and tells me to roll down my window.
"what is it you think you're doing?"
"I'm lost officer"
"no sh*t?" laughing the whole time.
"I'm looking for the highway to get back to Bergen County"
"I don't want to know how you ended up here. GO straight, hang right and go about 2 miles. Do NOT, I repeat..DO NOT get out of your car, do not stop and look straight ahead. Little white kids like you get eaten alive around here"
This was a long time ago. I go to Newark now and it's definitely improved but still needs a lot of work.
my other favorite Newark story: I used to drive for a metal company. I was on my way to make a pick up off of McCarter Highway. As I pull down the side street I look to my right at the stop sign and lady looks at me, drops her pants and craps right on the pavement between her house and her neighbors.
I can laugh about it now but god damn that was gross to see!!

[66nexus]

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

True, but still not as bad as the grammar error that even my 1st-grade daughter knows not to make; and I wasn't the one touting myself as being part of some group of college educated professionals who have chosen to call a very small section of Newark home. The poster is essentially making it sound as if the "uneducated" haven't realized that Newark is shangri-la, and have instead decided to huddle in their "safe" neighborhoods rather than in Newark amongst the "enlightened".

Perhaps, but I must say this lol: I've found that college students can be the WORSE when it comes to grammatical errors (however small or slight). I believe it can be harmless as long as people don't have things like: b/c, lol, BTW, OMG in official documents or reports (I've seen it, and I'm sure you all have seen things like it)

Overall, I find that college does not equal grammar-ascension and even though people can have a degree, mistakes as such are often to be found in emails, forums, and all things like.

[BEMORE]

DAT,
That was a very good post. It is rare to see people who are sane and positive, and not filled with hate, posting about Newark.
I lived in Newark awhile back as a student. I also worked there for awhile, and although I would not personally recommed if for people with families--I know that there is a lot of truth in your post and an earlier post about the fact that most people who post on here about that city are basically toxic suburbanites who understand nothing about the complex realities--historical or immediate--of inner city life.
From what I understand, the gangs in Newark have gotten out-of-control, but there are also progressive, forward-thinking people there, like you, who are committed to making it a better place, and I truly wish residents like you and Mayor Booker all the best. The existence of bad people in an area should never overshadow the existence of good hardworking people who will ultimately succeed in effecting change while others cause trouble, and still others sit around and whine--both types of people are part of the problem. I am looking to move back to NJ, and although I will not be moving my family to Newark, I am interested in learning about organizations through which out-of-towners can assist in turning the city around. I would really like to be part of the solution. I am especially interested in mentoring. Perhaps I should start a new thread?