Lakewood NJ vs Mechanicsburg PA (Harrisburg: job market, college, living)

[michelef1l]

Lakewood NJ vs Mechanicsburg PA What's your opinion? Which is a better place to live all around? Lakewood NJ (and its surrounding towns--if you think a nearby town is better, why?) Or Mechanicsburg PA (and its surrounding towns as well and why)

What has more to offer, such as safety, cost of living, job market, shopping centers, entertainment????

What do you think?

[NWPAguy]

I'd probably vote for Mechanicsburg. That's near where my wife went to college and her best friend from college lives there now.

It's a nice quaint town and although it's not the cheapest PA town, it's still considered one of the nicest towns in the area and I doubt you'd need a gun to walk the streets at night. It's a suburb of Harrisburg.

Lakewood, NJ is near where I used to live. First of all, what you'll notice about Lakewood is that it has a large population of Jewish people... not that that's a bad thing... but it can be a bit of a culture shock to see tons of people out walking the streets in long black coats on Saturdays and lots of signs written in Hebrew. If you enjoy diversity, Lakewood is definitely a better choice than Mechanicsburg. However, Lakewood is generally considered a "distressed town" in central NJ... although it has some gorgeous areas, it also has (so I've been told) areas where you shouldn't go without a gun. The predominantly Jewish areas tend to be the best... they're quiet and well-maintained... at least from what I've seen.

For what you mentioned, I really think your better bet is Mechanicsburg. PA isn't great but Jersey flat-out sucks. At least if you're in Mechanicsburg, you're close to all of the amenities of Harrisburg. Lakewood is in that central Jersey mega-city where you can never tell where one town ends and another begins (but for the signs at the side of the road) and every town wants to have action but no town wants to be a big city. The nearest big city from Lakewood is at least 1 1/2 hours away without traffic.

[michelef1l]

Originally Posted by NWPAguy

I'd probably vote for Mechanicsburg. That's near where my wife went to college and her best friend from college lives there now.

It's a nice quaint town and although it's not the cheapest PA town, it's still considered one of the nicest towns in the area and I doubt you'd need a gun to walk the streets at night. It's a suburb of Harrisburg.

Lakewood, NJ is near where I used to live. First of all, what you'll notice about Lakewood is that it has a large population of Jewish people... not that that's a bad thing... but it can be a bit of a culture shock to see tons of people out walking the streets in long black coats on Saturdays and lots of signs written in Hebrew. If you enjoy diversity, Lakewood is definitely a better choice than Mechanicsburg. However, Lakewood is generally considered a "distressed town" in central NJ... although it has some gorgeous areas, it also has (so I've been told) areas where you shouldn't go without a gun. The predominantly Jewish areas tend to be the best... they're quiet and well-maintained... at least from what I've seen.

For what you mentioned, I really think your better bet is Mechanicsburg. PA isn't great but Jersey flat-out sucks. At least if you're in Mechanicsburg, you're close to all of the amenities of Harrisburg. Lakewood is in that central Jersey mega-city where you can never tell where one town ends and another begins (but for the signs at the side of the road) and every town wants to have action but no town wants to be a big city. The nearest big city from Lakewood is at least 1 1/2 hours away without traffic.

Thanks for your reply, I will say you have some good arguments!

Anyone else agree, disagree?????