Possible Move to NJ

“I am looking at a possible career move to NJ within the next 8 weeks.
What's it like on the East coast?
Hunting? Fishing? Backpacking? People?

Can a midwesterner survive the mulitudes?”

“The good news: You'll be relatively close to the Catskills and the Adirondacks, as well as various great places to hike in Pennsylvania.

The bad news: You'll be living in New Jersey.”

“Doesn't NJ have the least amount of parks in the country or something horrible like that? I seem to remember Ice Tea posting about what a miserable place it was often. On the other hand, it's pretty close to some great places. But, there probably wouldn't be anymore walking out your door and driving (or walking) three miles to hunt or fish.
You probably should just ignore whatever I have to say about NJ though; I've never even been there! ;)
last edited: 6/01/05 7:04:57 AM”

“Phantom Soul lives in Joisey. He'll see this sometime today and fill you in.”

“I highly suggest that you avoid New Jersey at all costs, it's the armpit of the universe.”

“It depends on where you go. If you go to the Secaucus area, you may still smell the slaughterhouses from years past, under the smell of all those industrial smokestacks. However, go out to NW New Jersey, near where I do my radio show from in the Blairstown area, and you will see a magnificent countryside. Then, there's south Jersey. A bit touristy and overcrowded at times, but some like it.
last edited: 6/01/05 8:18:59 AM”

“Nothern NJ is a great area.
mountains, grant it they are small but hey they are trying LOL”

“I am looking at the Denville area.”

“According to many teenagers wherever they are is the most miserable place in the country.”

“HPM speaks volumes with that one statement. Man, did you hit the nail on the head!”

“Pak, I drive through there every Saturday. Nice area. Very suburban. And like most suburban areas these days, the roads get a little crowded on heavy shopping days, etc. etc. But, it's pretty there. You are also not far from the Budd Lake/Mt. Olive/ Hackettstown area. I personally thought that it was kinda nice there. So, you are definitely away from the industrial sprawl of the NE part.
last edited: 6/01/05 8:30:19 AM”

“hey that is a very nice area.
more near the Poconos right?
you are in between NY and upstate PA
good move”

“It's not far from the Dover area, Maple! Right past where we get on 80 from 280 heading west...”

“Dude...like....where in NJ you be moving to? Unfortunately, I spent many a year living in the bloody state.....a midwesterner in NJ?...right....hunting, fishing, hiking....aahhh....not in that state dude...the people....well....East Coast has always been a narcissistic all about me sorta thing....sooooo...get ready to brag about yerself all the time bro.....sheesh....this sounds depressing....sorry to bring ya down dude....pay no never mind to me....i'm just having a little fun with this....it's all good man.....make the best of whatever it is....

Actually....the state is divided in 2....ya gots the North and the South....North is cesspool area being relative locale to NYC....and ya may as well call it New York....although if you like to party...well....the possibilities are endless....had many good memories hanging wit Stikmon in East Rutherford.....but ya might want to think about packing something....like a wooden spoon or water pistol, you'll need it....lots of hoodlums and such lurking about.....

The other half....South Jersey....well....at one time it was mostly farms....if ya like Taa-may-tahs (that's how some or most say it around these parts...but not me....) and don't forget the corn...my opinion...it's the best man! The beach....yep at one time it was cool....but has gone way down hill over the years....although there are some decent pockets of prime sand here and there....my secret places....

Hey....good luck with the move....peace out...”

“North is cesspool?

hmm not the areas I have gone to.



hunting, fishing, hiking....aahhh....not in that state dude


sorry your wronge again
fishing? hello....OCEAN
Hiking? I hate hiking in NJ but they do have it
hunting? can you say BEAR?
last edited: 6/01/05 8:46:55 AM”

“mapleleaf....whatever you say chicky....you're wisdom and intellect speak many volumes.....i'll take note of all you say......sheesh.....

North....like lets go on over to Rahway...oh..wait...maybe a stroll through Newark would suit ya....”

“newark sucks.

nuff said”

“How about the DWG area or Blairstown or Walpack? That's northern New Jersey, genius. I wouldn't call that a walk through Newark...”

“I live in West Central NJ.

Draw a 35 mile circle around Manhatten, and Philadelphia and think of the NJ part of those circles as bedrooms for the city. Not communities, their community is the city, the people just sleep there. Perhaps flop house would be a better description than bedroom.

The rest of the state is North and South, the north wooded with some hills, the south flat with some swampy areas.

Lots of hunting and fishing, most streams, and lakes are stocked, pheasant and quail are stocked, plenty of whitetail deer and wild turkey. You can hunt about 5 months of the year. All hunting is with short range equipment only, Bow, muzzleloader, or shotgun.

Trails - toughest is probably the AT section of New Jersey through the Kittatinny Mts in the North West section of the state and it is pretty easy. Easiest would be the old canal paths from New Brunswick across the center of the state to the Delaware river in the west, or down the Delaware river. There are trails along abandoned railways and alongside rivers, lots of trails.

Now cross the Delaware and you are in Pennsylvania with a whole lot of new options. 3 hours north and you are in the catskills. 5 hours north and you are in the Adirondack High peak area. Lots of accessibility.

2.5 hours North and you are in the Gunks climbing area, 1 hour west and you are in Ralph Stover Climbing area, 30 minutes from Denville and you are in either the Delaware Gap climbing area or Ricks Rocks at Blairstown. Allamuchy is 10-15 minutes from Denville.

Canoe or kayak the Delaware river, or the Raritan river, or cross over to Pa for white water at the LeHigh river, or real white water the let out of the Tohican creek twice a year. Again all within an hours travel.

Small boat sailing, NJ has lakes everywhere, by Denville is lake Hopatcong and Bud lake. Another 10- 15 minutes of travel options.

OK, now for the bad, 7 million people live in this small area, all want to drive somewhere between 7am and 9am weekday mornings and again 4-6pm. Amongst the least tolerant, worst mannered drivers anywhere. And all at once, can you spell ugly. Once separated from their cars most are OK people, but in their metal coffins with cell phones attached to their heads their stupidity knows no bounds.”

“Well put, Manuka. Nice synopsis...”

“One of my favorite haunts in NJ was Batsto and Wharton St Forrest, where the NJ Pine Barrens are rich and thick in heritage and fun. The Batona Trail is the where I learned about hiking and camping...many a tale can be told of our adventures there...some of them hysterical, others tragic. I lost a good friend in the Barrens. An early demise and a broken heart.

North West...the Vernon Valley/Great Gorge area is a wonderland of woods and gentle rolling hills. Way south is the sand and marshes where bike riding and crabbing rules the past times.

I'd say, NJ is as good as other place, if you allow yourself to embrace it and find the things to do that will allow yourself to enjoy it.

When I moved to SE Missouri, I thought I'd never find peace of mind. I hated it here, but, once I discovered its hidden jewels, and I figured how to incorporate them into my life, I was able to successfully reinvent myself and be reborn as I am now.

Have heart and fun...and follow the Dali Lhama's way..."go someplace you've never been to before and do things you've never done before, and you shall remain alive for a bit longer. The complacent are on the path to death"...or something like that.”

“oh yeah
NJ people can not drive!
they also have the worst driving signs...


LOL”

“There are some really nice areas in New Jersey and fine places to go. It looks like Denville puts you just outside of some of the most massive urban sprawl in the country (LA and Houston areas might beat it, but I'm no "connoyser" of sprawl).”

““oh yeah
NJ people can not drive!
they also have the worst driving signs...


LOL”
mapleleaf
10:46:34 AM
6/01/05
ignore this user

Ever drive in or around Boston?”

“manuka did a pretty good job but I'd say the congested parts are more like 15-20 miles around NYC and Philadelphia. Most of the population is squeezed into a few counties in the northeast and near Philly.
He also left out the fact that you've got the choice of mountains or beaches.

Denville is a decent area with plenty of outdoor stuff to do, especially if you head west.

I live in central Jersey and can walk 1/4 mile to a more than 2 mile long lake. There are dense woods starting a few houses down from us that you can walk for miles through and we are surrounded by active farms.”

“Beaches V, after being in Hawaii, and other parts of the South Pacific I have been forever spoiled with beaches.”

“what, your not into needles?”

“NW Jersey has really nice hiking, you'll be very surprized, atleast I was. The Deleware River Water Gap is awesome. Pennsylvania has awesome hiking and will likely become your outdoor home away from home.

Like Artexz said, the Dacks and Catskills aren't far and the Whites are now with in reach as well. I think you'll dig it. Just avoid the trash heap and smokestack sections. And start listening to Bruce Springstine.”

“Manuka summed it up pretty well. I was born in New Jersey and lived there for 37 years. I moved out sometime ago to a more rural environment. If you’re coming from an urban area to New Jersey it won’t seem so bad, but I could never move back to that type of living. I believe New Jersey is the only state in the nation to be classified as 100% urban. Any road you’re on in New Jersey no matter how fast you are driving someone will always be driving behind you 2 feet off your bumper, but I find that to be true most places on the east coast.

You people mention the beaches, but not a word about the horror that is the Garden State Parkway”

“Genius here....reporting for more sarcasm as usual.....go figure mate....rap on and on about Jersey this and that....it's all good man....dig it? Good...i'm glad for ya....peace, love, aahh....the fortunes of humanity....I can feel all the love goin' on around the airwaves....golly goobers....i'm all choked up....Dali Llama, Willy Wonka, whoever....show me the way!”

“golly goobers?

LMAO no man should ever utter those words sober!”

“pakratz you'll need to practice your

Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce”

“NJ - What exit ? (bad Jersey joke)”

“But seriously, Springfield here. Rumor has it that you're moving here, and I have one question for you: WHY? Most of us who do live here are working on a way to get out...

But anyway, we do most of our hiking up in New York or Pennsylvania. There's some nice hiking in Jersey too, but off the AT, camping in NJ is highly restricted -- too much hiker traffic.

So you're coming from the Midwest? Best piece of hiking advice is to get used to hills. It's not that uncommon to hit 500-1000 ft rises and dropoffs on trails around here...”

“The answer to "why" is job related.
I am an expert in the secondary computer marketplace. I have been buying and selling new and used computer equipment for 23 yrs.
I've spent the last 18 mths traveling between WI and NC. 2 weeks out, 2 weeks home. I'm tired of the traveling. I was offered a position as C.O.O for a firm in NJ, which means a LOT less traveling for me.
I am not thirlled about the prospects of moving east, but I'm (wife too) ready for a change in lifestyle.

Thanks to all who provided insights, both useful and comical. ;-)”

“Just make sure to learn the official New Jersey song before you move here: http://members.tripod.com/~mugsy11/heyrube.html”

“See I wasn't kidding, Jersey really is a horrible place...

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20050602/D8AFESCG0.html”

“State's already way too crowded with strip malls and the like. Just try driving anywhere on a Saturday afternoon...

I realize this makes it tough on the development industry, but we have to prioritize and choose our battles here. I'm sure most people who have ever been to New Jersey can agree that the preservation of any open space we may have left here is way more important than putting up some new strip mall (to make it a choice of 6 Home Depots within 10 minutes of you).”

“Still looking pakratz?

I found a nice little place for you: http://www.njrealestate.com/cf/details.cfm?listnum=2504112&id=999999”

“$40 mil and all you get is 7 acres...what a waste...you could get your own island for that”

“Only a 15 car garage? Pu-lease.....”

“The house is as big as many islands - 60,000 sq ft.”

“Violin, why are you selling?”

“What a dump!”

“Ewk - I just need someplace bigger for me and my 87 kids.

You should try getting them all out the door in the morning with only 17 bathrooms.”

““Violin, why are you selling?”
Ewker
4:33:27 PM

So he can put gas in the H2.”

“You should build a much fancier kidspace in the backyard, violin.

The one you showed me may be bringing down your property value.”