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I guess I'm desensitized because I grew up in NJ, but I always found the northeastern part where I lived a nice place, with many things, the proximity to the city (NY) was great, but didn't have the craziness of the city. Areas around Paramus, Hackensack, route 4, always seemed fine to me, and very diverse also. I don't know what people's problems is with the meadowlands or some factories in the Newark area, big deal, it's a bit of industry.
Has our State's reputation really been hit so badly by one stupid show (Jersey shore)? Though I much rather have our reputation shaped by The Sopranos (awesome series) than by that show
What else has added to this inaccurate reputation of our state? Most people I guess use the turnpike and watch an episode of Jersey shore and make up their mind....
What reputation would you want other people to have of NJ? What you think is the most accurate way people can look at NJ? Though an insider, I see NJ as a down to earth place, very diverse, very connected to the world via 2 large cities, and the list goes on.
You are correct with everything you said about the state, except the impact of the Jersey Shore Show. The show brought out in reality what is happenning there with the young people, especially on the weekends. The young people get wasted with alcohol and drugs at the beach bars, and the show brought out that reality into focus.
Recently, citizens voted to have the bars closed at 12a instead of 2a because of what is going on, but, after being passed it was taken back. I had difficulty understanding the uproar of the people when the show first aired......all they have to do is visit Belmar, Point Pleasant, and Wildwood beaches, and they get the picture.
Aside from this, it is an awesome state to live in, if they can clean up the beaches, and get rid of some of the ghettos.
You are correct with everything you said about the state, except the impact of the Jersey Shore Show. The show brought out in reality what is happenning there with the young people, especially on the weekends. The young people get wasted with alcohol and drugs at the beach bars, and the show brought out that reality into focus.
Recently, citizens voted to have the bars closed at 12a instead of 2a because of what is going on, but, after being passed it was taken back.
That's "shore", not "Jersey" specifically. If you have a shore town which young people go to, they drink, do drugs, and get rowdy. If you crack down on all that, you get rid of the young people -- and for some reason they take their money with them.
That's "shore", not "Jersey" specifically. If you have a shore town which young people go to, they drink, do drugs, and get rowdy. If you crack down on all that, you get rid of the young people -- and for some reason they take their money with them.
Exactly!
I can recall being in Nashua, New Hampshire (which is a lake resort town), and being extremely annoyed at the "anything goes" attitude of many of the local motel owners and bar owners toward rowdy behavior.
Last edited by Retriever; 06-30-2012 at 02:39 PM..
South Jersey pinelands had the reputation for a gangland and mafia burial ground.
Perth amboy was mentioned in a couple of popular war movies and it was a source of pride, not shame. "Walk in the Sun" was one of those movies.
Everyone referred to their buds in slang terms according to their ethnic background Italian, Polish, hungarian, slovak or Irish, German...no one was offended, every one was a pal. Social justice linked to federal grants grew a wedge between some groups.
Towns began to go downhill in the 60s with places like Newark and Perth Amboy losing their reputations.
You could go to an out of the way motel in maine and find bathroom fixtures that were made in Newark, NJ. That area had every sort of manufacturer you could think of.
Chickens used to be a million dollar business down south as well when rt 9 and county roads were the main north south route. It was hard to understand the spoken word in south J as it was a bit mumbley and drawlish. Forked river was considerd North J by someone from New Gretna.
As I've mention before, a 1940 college geography book from U of Deleware describes south J as the most destitute place in the US and it would be rare to see paint or carpeting in any of the homes.
South J was the ultimate retirement destination for many blue collar workers. The world of NJ was a fine place. Politics played very little part in the daily lives because the population was so small and the taxes weren't large enough to attract bottom feeding career politicians. Hard to tell a Dem from A Rep, both kept office by doing favors for constituents. A naive quid pro quo. With the increased mix of politics and money from an influx of new taxpayers from NY, things began to change.
With access to the hinterlands by interstates in 1956 as well as the outerbridge and verazano narrows bridge, NJ began to fill up with NY transplants. Industries and corporate headquarters moved from the cities to escape crumbling infrastructure and crime and take advantage of low taxes. Merck, J&J had world headquarters. Nj was the medicine chest of the country.
The media presence and political nonsense spread far and fast as politics had morphed into careers and accompanying wealth from legal and illegal means. Grace chemical company had a stream that flowed through its property to the Raritan that had an acrid odor and seemed topreclude living things along its banks. Melted hunks of plastic littered the land that became the exit and entrance ramps to the new 287. Hatco and Hayden did whay they did in the swamp land of Raritan Bay. Carburundum stretched from Keasbey into the river. these factories supported a lot of families and guys had retired form these places as they began to fade in light of the birth of the word, 'environment', environmentalist'.
NJ is a fine place to live and a literal treasure chest of cash that attracts all the slime dog bottom feeders who use many defined segments of the population as stepping stones to futher their egos and bank accounts. And the world watches.....
Are there places in NJ that stink? Of course.
Do we contain the 'not-the-best' cities in our borders? Sure.
Are we home to more reality shows than at any point in our history? Believe it.
With that said. It's retarded when people take those things are paint our ENTIRE state with them (and preach conclusions).
No, our rep (albeit improving) isn't deserved. Why? Well, listen to the gripes and pick them apart. Many folks land at Newark airport, smell the brewery and the Linden Co plant and suddenly, the entire state of NJ 'smells'. As if somehow these same industrial zones smell 'good' in other states.
Where we lack is presentation. We as NJ residents know what's here, but taking what I said above why should we expect them to gripe at their first impressions?
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