OT: 15 Reasons To Absolutely Hate New Jersey

[IMARUFAN]

Whoever said it was “the Armpit of America” was just trying to keep people away.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry...ce4b0ced23ca7a6ab?ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000067

 

[CornerTavern]

#fail it doesn't mention history, arts ... and perhaps even sports!

 

[Scarlet_Scourge]

She left out our elite sarcasm [pfftt]

 

[BROTHERSKINNY]

A real reason to hate NJ is the family courts. I was born and raised in NJ. Up until four years ago I loved my state. The moment the family courts unjustly took away my parenting time, my hate for all that is this state has intensified. Rutgers Football has been one of the pleasures of remaining in NJ. Here are some stories of others who have been ruined by the family courts. http://www.judgedanieldalessandro.org/victims.php

 

[RUScrew85]

Face it NJ is a cesspool of politics, attitude, taxes and corruption. So OK there's some nice things to visit. Overall #NJFAIL

 

[Knight Shift]

Has anyone hiked the Stairway to Heaven off of Route 94? I am intrigued. Nice hike?

For all of its warts and expenses, NJ is an outstanding place to live and raise a family. Haters going to hate.

 

[oldman87]

I have been to many places in my lifetime, the only state I prefer over NJ is California...1A-1B

 

[DJ Spanky]

I can't believe they missed out on the self-loathing in NJ!

 

[JeepGuy999]

I love NJ, I hope it never changes. Every time I here a late night talk show host or comedian make a New Jersey sucks joke I'm happy, because people believe that crap. It means less people coming here clogging up our highways and beaches.

 

[beaced]

I love NJ, I hope it never changes. Every time I here a late night talk show host or comedian make a New Jersey sucks joke I'm happy, because people believe that crap. It means less people coming here clogging up our highways and beaches.

Yeah! Definitely want to keep the highways and beaches unclogged.

 

[RUinPinehurst]

Would not trade growing up in NJ for anything. Yet I'd never return to live there. Ever. Kinda like boot camp.

 

[red sail]

If you come visit the Garden State ... just stay off my F'in lawn.

 

[RUScrew85]

I can't believe they missed out on the self-loathing in NJ!

 

[RUforester72]

Would not trade growing up in NJ for anything. Yet I'd never return to live there. Ever. Kinda like boot camp.

Amen to that. Between my Rutgers education and growing up in Union City, I was well prepared for whatever opportunities came my way. But I could never live there again. I will sneak back for the Penn State game though!

 

[IMARUFAN]

 

[RU2055]

Unless you are a retiree, NJ is bar none the best place to live in the ENTIRE United States IF you look at the totality of what it has to offer. Bar none. It's not even close.

New Jersey gets it's bad rep from pompous New Yorkers, out-of staters who live here, the NJ Turnpike and the bad surrounding towns around it and self-loathers who think the grass is always greener on the other side. In many ways, NJ is very similar to the United States on a macro level. Everybody in the world hates the good ol' US of A, but yet they all want to come and live here. Why? Because of jobs. Because of opportunity. Because here in the United States, you can simply have a better life. It's the same with NJ. People from other states can poke fun of Jersey all they want, they can complain about New Jersey till they're blue in the face, but at the end of the day - they are here because it's better to live here - it's because of LIVELIHOOD - bottom line.

 

[RUScrew85]

Unless you are a retiree, NJ is bar none the best place to live in the ENTIRE United States IF you look at the totality of what it has to offer. Bar none. It's not even close.

New Jersey gets it's bad rep from pompous New Yorkers, out-of staters who live here, the NJ Turnpike and the bad surrounding towns around it and self-loathers who think the grass is always greener on the other side. In many ways, NJ is very similar to the United States on a macro level. Everybody in the world hates the good ol' US of A, but yet they all want to come and live here. Why? Because of jobs. Because of opportunity. Because here in the United States, you can simply have a better life. It's the same with NJ. People from other states can poke fun of Jersey all they want, they can complain about New Jersey till they're blue in the face, but at the end of the day - they are here because it's better to live here - it's because of LIVELIHOOD - bottom line.

You need to get out of state more.

 

[SJScarlet]

Unless you are a retiree, NJ is bar none the best place to live in the ENTIRE United States IF you look at the totality of what it has to offer. Bar none. It's not even close.

New Jersey gets it's bad rep from pompous New Yorkers, out-of staters who live here, the NJ Turnpike and the bad surrounding towns around it and self-loathers who think the grass is always greener on the other side. In many ways, NJ is very similar to the United States on a macro level. Everybody in the world hates the good ol' US of A, but yet they all want to come and live here. Why? Because of jobs. Because of opportunity. Because here in the United States, you can simply have a better life. It's the same with NJ. People from other states can poke fun of Jersey all they want, they can complain about New Jersey till they're blue in the face, but at the end of the day - they are here because it's better to live here - it's because of LIVELIHOOD - bottom line.

You nailed it. This negative stuff about NJ always cracks me up. The state has far and away the highest population density in the country, and among the highest average household incomes. If people wanted to move away, they have the means to do so. And yet the population keeps growing.

 

[oldman87]

Screw would do very well as a Michigan recruiter.

 

[FanuSanu52]

I have been to many places in my lifetime, the only state I prefer over NJ is California...1A-1B

I notice you didn't say that you've visited a lot of states :)

 

[RU2055]

You need to get out of state more.

Born in California and have lived in five states and two countries - even lived in Africa for 4 years - I know a little Hausa. I've been around - trust me - I'm not some Jersey hick who lived in Jersey all his life.

 

[FanuSanu52]

You nailed it. This negative stuff about NJ always cracks me up. The state has far and away the highest population density in the country, and among the highest average household incomes. If people wanted to move away, they have the means to do so. And yet the population keeps growing.

They are moving out. NJ leads the nation in outward migration ... for years.

That said, it's got a nice unique mix going for it. But it's definitely 100 percent not this:

"Unless you are a retiree, NJ is bar none the best place to live in the ENTIRE United States IF you look at the totality of what it has to offer. Bar none. It's not even close."

Which is why folks that lived there and moved tend to say, "Yeah it was cool, but I'm never going back."

 

[oldman87]

I notice you didn't say that you've visited a lot of states :)

I flew over a lot of states on the way to California. :D

My first job out of college took me to many states minus the deep south.

 

[Upstream]

You nailed it. This negative stuff about NJ always cracks me up. The state has far and away the highest population density in the country, and among the highest average household incomes. If people wanted to move away, they have the means to do so. And yet the population keeps growing.

Yep. Here is an interesting chart about where people who live in NJ were born. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/...eople-in-each-state-were-born.html#New_Jersey

The profile of people living in NJ in 2012 is pretty much the same as it was in 1900.

53% of people living in NJ were born in NJ. (Was 57% in 1900.)
11% were born in NY (was 10% in 1900)
5% were born in PA (was 5% in 1900)
8% were born in other states (was 5% in 1900)
23% were born outside the US (was 23% in 1900)

 

[e5fdny]

Yep. Here is an interesting chart about where people who live in NJ were born. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/...eople-in-each-state-were-born.html#New_Jersey

The profile of people living in NJ in 2012 is pretty much the same as it was in 1900.

53% of people living in NJ were born in NJ. (Was 57% in 1900.)
11% were born in NY (was 10% in 1900)
5% were born in PA (was 5% in 1900)
8% were born in other states (was 5% in 1900)
23% were born outside the US (was 23% in 1900)

Because he's the stats guy....yeah yeah yeah...the stats guy...:)

 

[LC-88]

I grew up in what I consider NJ's Halcyon Days. 70's, 80's and early 90's. Next year I will have lived in NC as long as I did in NJ. 23 years. I'll always say I'm FROM NJ. I live in NC.

I left because of taxes, traffic, taxes, too many people, outrageous insurance costs, taxes, crappy air, and weather.

Long live Rutgers.

 

[RU2055]

They are moving out. NJ leads the nation in outward migration ... for years.

That said, it's got a nice unique mix going for it. But it's definitely 100 percent not this:

"Unless you are a retiree, NJ is bar none the best place to live in the ENTIRE United States IF you look at the totality of what it has to offer. Bar none. It's not even close."

Which is why folks that lived there and moved tend to say, "Yeah it was cool, but I'm never going back."

There's also a lot "moving in", which is why NJ remains the most densely populated state.

I also said - in totality. I challenge anybody - name a place anywhere that has what NJ has to offer. Remember, in "totality". You can find better beaches. You can find better mountains. You can find better cities. You can find better anything. But in terms of the total package? Please name a place.

Friend of mine moved to SC last year. When he came back to visit, we went to Penang then hit the bubble tea next door because he missed it so much. The next day we went to his favorite Peruvian place after which we walked over to get some Jamaican Jerky. Another friend moved to Orlando and was celebrating how he didn't have to pay property taxes any more - till he realized how much he needed to shell out for private school for his three kids. Another friend moved to Arizona and was boasting about how he didn't have to shovel snow any more. He loves outdoor sports and was raving about how he could do that all year round - only catch was you have to wait for the sun to go down before you can go outside.

Grass is always greener .........

 

[RU2055]

By the way, if job or money wasn't an issue - I would pick La Jolla California. But like I said - all factors considered.

 

[FanuSanu52]

There's also a lot "moving in", which is why NJ remains the most densely populated state.

I also said - in totality. I challenge anybody - name a place anywhere that has what NJ has to offer. Remember, in "totality". You can find better beaches. You can find better mountains. You can find better cities. You can find better anything. But in terms of the total package? Please name a place.

Friend of mine moved to SC last year. When he came back to visit, we went to Penang then hit the bubble tea next door because he missed it so much. The next day we went to his favorite Peruvian place after which we walked over to get some Jamaican Jerky. Another friend moved to Orlando and was celebrating how he didn't have to pay property taxes any more - till he realized how much he needed to shell out for private school for his three kids. Another friend moved to Arizona and was boasting about how he didn't have to shovel snow any more. He loves outdoor sports and was raving about how he could do that all year round - only catch was you have to wait for the sun to go down before you can go outside.

Grass is always greener .........

Not in the same numbers, though.

Problem is you're acting like there's a universal answer. "In totality" means different things to different people. I can 100 percent say that NJ is not the best place to live, in totality, forever, always. For me. I miss some things, but I've found others that more than replace them. Maybe your friends are different, though having to wait until the sun goes down in the summer is not such a big deal. Actually some outdoor sports are more fun at night. On a related note, it's weird you mentioned mountains - NJ doesn't have mountains, so that's not part of its totality.

The grass actually isn't always greener. NJ has very nice, green grass. But other states, like Arizona since you mentioned it, have attributes that NJ can't touch. NJ is good for few, if any, of the things that are important to me in a place to live. I have a location-neutral job, so don't need access to the job market there, and beaches, big cities and other NJ attributes are down my list of importance. Things like ridiculous prices, taxes, humidity and overcrowding, on the other hand, weigh pretty big on my "do not want" list.

In totality, NJ isn't in my top 10, not sure if it'd crack 20. No hate, just preference. It seems other folks in this thread who have moved feel it's not their number one, either.

 

[Knight Shift]

Not in the same numbers, though.

Problem is you're acting like there's a universal answer. "In totality" means different things to different people. I can 100 percent say that NJ is not the best place to live, in totality, forever, always. For me. I miss some things, but I've found others that more than replace them. Maybe your friends are different, though having to wait until the sun goes down in the summer is not such a big deal. Actually some outdoor sports are more fun at night. On a related note, it's weird you mentioned mountains - NJ doesn't have mountains, so that's not part of its totality.

The grass actually isn't always greener. NJ has very nice, green grass. But other states, like Arizona since you mentioned it, have attributes that NJ can't touch. NJ is good for few, if any, of the things that are important to me in a place to live. I have a location-neutral job, so don't need access to the job market there, and beaches, big cities and other NJ attributes are down my list of importance. Things like ridiculous prices, taxes, humidity and overcrowding, on the other hand, weigh pretty big on my "do not want" list.

In totality, NJ isn't in my top 10, not sure if it'd crack 20. No hate, just preference. It seems other folks in this thread who have moved feel it's not their number one, either.

I love Arizona. Great state in many ways. However- schools generally suck. Most of the state where the jobs/population reside is too damn hot May-October. Unbearably so. No oceans/beaches. Water/drought problems--see the severely and quickly receding Lake Mead. We have dreamed of moving to Arizona, particularly the Sedona area-but there are no jobs in Sedona unless you sell real estate or work in hotels/restaurants. Phoenix and Tuscon are too hot most of the year. Diversity of things to do versus NJ is lower.

 

[dconifer]

New Jersey is a well-kept secret. Outsiders, which I was for half my life, have no idea what a great place it is to live. Not that I had a choice, after marrying a Jersey girl...

 

[FanuSanu52]

I love Arizona. Great state in many ways. However- schools generally suck. Most of the state where the jobs/population reside is too damn hot May-October. Unbearably so. No oceans/beaches. Water/drought problems--see the severely and quickly receding Lake Mead. We have dreamed of moving to Arizona, particularly the Sedona area-but there are no jobs in Sedona unless you sell real estate or work in hotels/restaurants. Phoenix and Tuscon are too hot most of the year. Diversity of things to do versus NJ is lower.

See that really depends what it is you're interested in doing.

 

[Knight Shift]

See that really depends what it is you're interested in doing.

If you are interested of dying in the heat and playing golf, Arizona wins. :grimace:

Hiking is superb in Arizona. Can't really think of other and a number of activities where Arizona wins (except escaping cold and snow in the winter).
Access to major city with museums, plays, and first class restaurants--Arizona loses.
Access to beaches- Arizona loses.
Food options-Arizona loses.
Diversity of people-Arizona loses.

What else is "better" in Arizona?

 

[FanuSanu52]

If you are interested of dying in the heat and playing golf, Arizona wins. :grimace:

Hiking is superb in Arizona. Can't really think of other and a number of activities where Arizona wins (except escaping cold and snow in the winter).
Access to major city with museums, plays, and first class restaurants--Arizona loses.
Access to beaches- Arizona loses.
Food options-Arizona loses.
Diversity of people-Arizona loses.

What else is "better" in Arizona?

Not sure why this is even worth arguing, but off the top of my head:

Skiing, mountain biking, camping, gun shooting/laws, driving, scenery and diversity of scenery, wildlife, I assume golf ...

And Arizona isn't at the top of my list, either. The Phoenix metro is among the last places I'd ever want to live.

Like I said, it depends on what's important to you. Many of the things above are important to me. Access to NYC and beaches, not so much. I'm happy to do those on vacations or work trips, don't care if they're in my backyard or not. Which is why it's a personal decision and there's no objective answer. I would figure you the type of logical poster to realize that.

 

[Knight Shift]

Not sure why this is even worth arguing, but off the top of my head:

Skiing, mountain biking, camping, gun shooting/laws, driving, scenery and diversity of scenery, wildlife, I assume golf ...

And Arizona isn't at the top of my list, either. The Phoenix metro is among the last places I'd ever want to live.

Like I said, it depends on what's important to you. Many of the things above are important to me. Access to NYC and beaches, not so much. I'm happy to do those on vacations or work trips, don't care if they're in my backyard or not. Which is why it's a personal decision and there's no objective answer. I would figure you the type of logical poster to realize that.

Fair enough, and wasn't really arguing, and you said it--what is important for YOU (or someone else). Frankly, it is something I wrestle with--leaving NJ and going to Arizona full time when the kids are out of school. We live at the shore (not allowed to name the town :grimace:)--we like the diversity of things in our area from the beaches, boating/fishing in rivers, bays and ocean, mountain biking (Hartshorne Woods and Allaire), proximity to Asbury Park (which has an interesting musical history and continuing musical vibe, a variety of restaurants, shops and a great boardwalk), proximity to major league sports and NYC/Philly, farms and orchards in western Monmouth, and a lot of interesting towns in a 20-30 mile radius, plus proximity to Rutgers. The major negative for us in NJ is winter weather, which is why we will likely split our time between NJ and Arizona.

 

[RUfubar]

NJ equals worst place to die. ESTATE TAXES SUCK

 

[FanuSanu52]

Fair enough, and wasn't really arguing, and you said it--what is important for YOU (or someone else). Frankly, it is something I wrestle with--leaving NJ and going to Arizona full time when the kids are out of school. We live at the shore (not allowed to name the town :grimace:)--we like the diversity of things in our area from the beaches, boating/fishing in rivers, bays and ocean, mountain biking (Hartshorne Woods and Allaire), proximity to Asbury Park (which has an interesting musical history and continuing musical vibe, a variety of restaurants, shops and a great boardwalk), proximity to major league sports and NYC/Philly, farms and orchards in western Monmouth, and a lot of interesting towns in a 20-30 mile radius, plus proximity to Rutgers. The major negative for us in NJ is winter weather, which is why we will likely split our time between NJ and Arizona.

No worries, I guess "arguing" was too strong a word. It's a fun conversation.

Sounds like a good dilemma to have. Love the northern part of the shore - Highlands/AH is where I would have liked to be if I stayed in NJ.

You have a second home in Sedona right? One of the most beautiful places in the country, imo. I go back and forth on whether I like the multi-color bluff/mountain scenery in Sedona or Springdale, UT (Zion) better.

Is it warm/moderate in winter? I always forget how high some Southwestern towns, like nearby Flagstaff, are and how they get legit winters - got snowed on there last year in mid-May. Not sure the elevation in Sedona, but do recall having to drop down when coming from Flagstaff.

 

[RUinPinehurst]

Not in the same numbers, though.

Problem is you're acting like there's a universal answer. "In totality" means different things to different people. I can 100 percent say that NJ is not the best place to live, in totality, forever, always. For me. I miss some things, but I've found others that more than replace them. Maybe your friends are different, though having to wait until the sun goes down in the summer is not such a big deal. Actually some outdoor sports are more fun at night. On a related note, it's weird you mentioned mountains - NJ doesn't have mountains, so that's not part of its totality.

The grass actually isn't always greener. NJ has very nice, green grass. But other states, like Arizona since you mentioned it, have attributes that NJ can't touch. NJ is good for few, if any, of the things that are important to me in a place to live. I have a location-neutral job, so don't need access to the job market there, and beaches, big cities and other NJ attributes are down my list of importance. Things like ridiculous prices, taxes, humidity and overcrowding, on the other hand, weigh pretty big on my "do not want" list.

In totality, NJ isn't in my top 10, not sure if it'd crack 20. No hate, just preference. It seems other folks in this thread who have moved feel it's not their number one, either.

NJ has "mountains," but they're relatively timid. Spent much of my childhood weekends in the Kittatinny Mountains near Crater Lake/Lake Success, just off the AT. Shooting, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, skating, messing about the woods, etc. The area around the cabin was taken by the Feds for the Tocks Island Dam project, which never happened of course. Now part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, so it's preserved at least.

That said, the mountains here in NC are an amazing, very accessible resource. Spectacular, in fact. Beautiful sights. Waterfalls. Wildlife. Hiked around Grandfather Mountain last weekend, both western approach and eastern. Good time.

 

[Knight Shift]

No worries, I guess "arguing" was too strong a word. It's a fun conversation.

Sounds like a good dilemma to have. Love the northern part of the shore - Highlands/AH is where I would have liked to be if I stayed in NJ.

You have a second home in Sedona right? One of the most beautiful places in the country, imo. I go back and forth on whether I like the multi-color bluff/mountain scenery in Sedona or Springdale, UT (Zion) better.

Is it warm/moderate in winter? I always forget how high some Southwestern towns, like nearby Flagstaff, are and how they get legit winters - got snowed on there last year in mid-May. Not sure the elevation in Sedona, but do recall having to drop down when coming from Flagstaff.

We do have a home in Sedona but I'm trying to tone things down. We were very fortunate to pick up a foreclosure when the market hit rock bottom.
Winters are generally not too bad in Sedona. Our last trip over the Christmas break had the coldest stretch we experienced. It stayed in the mid to upper 40's during the day. Most of the time, temps in Dec-early Feb are in the mid to upper 50s. Nights do get cold (into the 20's and low 30's), but by noon, things warm up nicely. Plus, the cold is not the bone-chilling cold with high humidity in the Northeast. We have seen very little snow in the 6-7 years we have been going to Sedona. Most of the significant snow in higher elevations, and it is rare. It is cool to see commuters from Flagstaff driving into Sedona with 6-12" on the roofs of their cars. Go north 40 miles, and you can see a LOT of snow. It's all about elevation in Arizona. Sedona is at about 4500.
Highlands/AH is very close to where we are at right now. I feel like we have the best of two separate and wonderful worlds. We are blessed. A perfect life in retirement would be to spend December through April in Sedona, and May through November in NJ. That's our hope and dream.

 

[rutgersdave]

You nailed it. This negative stuff about NJ always cracks me up. The state has far and away the highest population density in the country, and among the highest average household incomes. If people wanted to move away, they have the means to do so. And yet the population keeps growing.

They move after they retire because they can't find a job in the other part of the country.