| Author |
Message |
    
ciaopescao
Citizen
Username: Ciaopescao
Post Number: 24
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 1:03 pm: | 
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Hi there - my husband and I have been hunting for a home in Maplewood (which we love but having a hard time finding what we want). We are now expanding our search to include South Orange. I would really like honest opinions on the area (even though a war may begin - I am reluctantly doing this as my husband likes the main street better in SO and taxes are lower, etc. Two beautiful homes we are going to see say the school is South Mountain Elementary? I have never heard of this school in all of my searching, so I would like to know what you think of it? We do not have kids yet but we are looking to put down some roots. Also, a lot of these boards are screaming about crime. I want suburbia - not NYC. How close is Irvington and the other shady areas? Also how do you compare MW and SO? Any info will help. I apologize ahead of time if I have insulted anyone. That is not my intention. |
Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 9797
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 1:08 pm: |
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SO and M are similar. You will be happy in either town and you will have nice neighbors, clean streets, and lots of great places to go. And the schools are good and are supported by many involved people.
With that said, prepare for some strong political statements from varying sides and take them with a grain of salt. Just go with your gut feeling about where to buy and it will be right. |
vermontgolfer
Supporter
Username: Vermontgolfer
Post Number: 455
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 1:18 pm: |
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Ditto what Dave said. We've lived in SO for 23 years, in fact moved from SO to SO 5 years ago, but both towns are great.
Our kids went to South Mountain and got a great education. There were some issues, real or imagined with the newest pricipal, who is leaving, so hopefully whatever those issues were will go away.
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doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1496
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 1:21 pm: |
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I have lived in Maplewood (6.5 yrs) & now live in SO (not quite 1 year) - perhaps I'm delusional (some folks have strong preferences & see big differences), but I see them as mostly one big town...I certainly approach them that way.
South Mountain is one of the elementary schools that kids from both towns attend if so zoned. It's on SO Ave. at Wyoming. (k-1 is in a seperate building called the Annex, also located in SO)
Welcome! |
cmontyburns
Citizen
Username: Cmontyburns
Post Number: 1860
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 1:32 pm: |
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I don't know many people who consider them separate. I think most people looking for a home out here look in Maplewood-South Orange-West Orange, and sometimes Millburn (though homes in the latter tend, by and large, to be more expensive). Our realtor whipped us from one to the next and we were never quite sure which town we were in.
Maplewood borders Newark. South Orange borders Irvington. Both have neighborhoods that might turn off potential residents.
You're going to pay the exact same absurd taxes in both towns.
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peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 2000
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 2:23 pm: |
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Find a house in a neighborhood you like - I don't think it matters much if its SO vs Maplewood. While there are separate town governments, if you live in one town -- you really live in both! For instance -- schools, sports, etc are shared.
When you're driving around, one way to tell the difference, South Orange has gas lights in the streets, Maplewood electric. ;-)
Pete |
Nancy - LibraryLady
Supporter
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 3548
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 2:36 pm: |
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And since you don't have kids yet, it is a little premature to worry about the school district. For all you know, the school zones will be redone before your child reaches school age.
That being said, while the two towns are very much alike and most people see them as one, I think South Orange has the better library.   |
Tuxedo
Citizen
Username: Tuxedo
Post Number: 21
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 2:43 pm: |
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We love S.O., but the wheels of progress move too slowly for my taste.
There is so much potential and there is alot of money to harness to bring the town into this era, but we don't have movers and shakers in the administartion. The BOT makeup is by its nature not a good structure for the town.
In hindsight, if I had it to do over again, I might think better about Maplewood, M'burn or Short Hills, sorry.
Only my 2 cents worth. |
Kitchenguru
Citizen
Username: Kitchenguru
Post Number: 126
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 2:50 pm: |
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Maplewood has more of the "cute" factor. South Orange generally is higher priced and has more of the bigger estate type homes. Maplewood has that Main Street USA feel. I have lived in both and consider it kind of getting two very special communities for the price of one. My children are recent HS graduates fom Columbia and the youngest who is still in school is an A student in an Ivy
League school. We have been very happy with the area and will soon move to our
fifth house (one in Maplewood)here. We will move again within South Orange.
Welcome! |
Kitchenguru
Citizen
Username: Kitchenguru
Post Number: 127
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 2:53 pm: |
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Ciao,
Why does your husband like the downtown better in SO?
I prefer it myself.
K |
Pippi
Supporter
Username: Pippi
Post Number: 2327
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 2:56 pm: |
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We live in SO, across the street from the Maplewood border. I think the towns are very much one, but agree with Tuxedo that the wheels of progess are slow to turn. Due to the SO gov't, I can honestly say I wish we were across the street in Maplewood. But that's the only reason and the only distinction I would make between the two towns.
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ciaopescao
Citizen
Username: Ciaopescao
Post Number: 26
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 3:05 pm: |
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Guru- I think because it has a little bit more to it. I think both are cute - all we need is a pub or two and a few decent restaurants. Suburbia here we come! God I can't wait. So hard to go back to 700 square feet after looking at houses!!! |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 2002
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 3:11 pm: |
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Guys -- lets not "scare" Ciaopescao off here! Yes, the pace of building in downtown SO is painfully slow -- but then the pace of building and redevelopment on Maplewood's Springfield Ave isn't exactly at a lightning pace either!
In my opinion, you need to buy based on neighborhood and schools! (and of course how that relates to your commute).
Stores will come and go -- shopping areas will be torn down and (eventually) rebuilt. In reality, if you live in either of our towns -- you'll shop, eat, and spend time in many nearby towns, too -- Short Hills, Union, West Orange, Montclair, etc. or along ROute 10 or 22 for Wlamart, Target, Costco, etc.
I don't think you buy because you can dash easily into Starbucks or your favorite ice cream is nearby. That's nice, of course, but you will find the "downtowns" the shops, movie theaters, etc. you like -- whether in Maplewood, South Orange, or elsewhere.
That said, I too like downtown South Orange. On a Saturday afternoon, park the car near Floods Hill -- fly a kite, go check out the duck pond (and sit on a bench a while and enjoy being outdoors), watch the kids games, go swimming or play tennis. Then walk over to have a bite to eat (and drink) -- from sandwiches and pizza to higher end. Or get ice cream and iced coffee.
Hopefully you'll take the time to get involved in the school board, pta, and in local politics, maybe volunteer at the libaray on the rescue squad, coach sports or help lead scouts.
Much to enjoy, much to offer and give back -- in either town.
Pete |
Shanabana
Citizen
Username: Shanabana
Post Number: 515
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 3:26 pm: |
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Ciao, glad you may be joining us soon. We moved here 1.5 years ago froom Brookln and we love it. We're zoned for South Mountain School, and I can't wait for my kids to start there. (It got the highest scores for the Maplewood/South Orange district). There are some who are obsessed with this town's drawbacks, but when you look at the whole shebang, it's pretty damned gorgeous, civilized, cultivated, fun, family-friendly, cute, quaint, progressive, diversified...need I say more? Oh, and yeah, it's basically a two-towns identity around here. |
Sherri De Rose
Citizen
Username: Honeydo
Post Number: 264
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 3:35 pm: |
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HI,
Here's a voice from Millburn. There are many reasonably priced homes in Millburn and the taxes are lower than Maplewood/S.O. One of the nice things about this area is even if you live in one town, you can shop/recreate in all. You have Maplewood/S.O./Millburn/Summit/Westfield/Cranford/Fanwood all nice towns and all within 20 minutes or so of each other. Since I think I have lived in this area the longest (22 years) of most of the MOLers I'd be happy to take you on a guided and informative tour of any of these areas. Please feel free to call 973.761.1735. |
tomp
Citizen
Username: Tomp
Post Number: 56
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 3:36 pm: |
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Not that it matters particularly, but it's Maplewood that borders on Irvington (and Vauxhall and Union and Milburn) and South Orange that borders on Newark (and Orange and West Orange). That said, they really do feel like a single town, distinct in character from all of the towns that surround us. (A hundred years ago (I believe) they were still a single town.)
I have nothing substantial to add to everyone else's comments, except to say that we've been quite happy in South Orange since we moved here five years ago. Our kids aren't in school yet, so I can't speak to the quality of the schools. We're new to northern New Jersey, altogether, and haven't yet figured out whether the complaints we all have with village government are unique to South Orange, or more the norm for small New Jersey towns like these. (Some of each, I think.) It may be a grass-is-greener thing, but Maplewood does seem to be blessed with a more honest and responsive town government than we currently have. |
SOrising
Citizen
Username: Sorising
Post Number: 407
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 8:15 pm: |
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Depending on your interests, you might want to consider some of the wider issues in NJ that could affect you living here, longer term. (You could see the thread on the Fire Dept. and Police Departments, shared municipal services and property taxes.) The State has a huge deficit which may be reduced slightly by the present administration. But there are major governmental issues in NJ about how local and county governments are organized and function that are present in NJ and don't seem to be in NY or CT. It seems to be a peculiarity of NJ's particular place in its own history. Others could tell you more about all of this than I; you might want to find someone who could. Being relatively new to NJ, I've found it strangely underdeveloped in certain ways in civic laws and regulations and in what constitutes civil corporate life in general. A very long conversation, but if you are not familiar with NJ, you might want to investigate.
Having said that, the green, oxygen-producing and CO2-consuming trees in SO and Mplwd are much healthier than the particulate-matter pollution of Manhattan, for example. And growing infants and children certainly are much more vulnerable to Manhattan's pollution than adults are. |
Jersey_Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 1006
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 8:52 pm: |
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"my husband and I have been hunting for a home in Maplewood (which we love but having a hard time finding what we want). We are now expanding our search to include South Orange."
What DO you want? That might help us help you.
J.B. |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 2004
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 8:57 pm: |
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also my 2 cents -- you need a really good realtor who will work for you. When I first looked at houses (and specifically wanted MW/SO) the *first* realtor showed me houses in Summit, Montclair. Later on I realized those were houses her colleagues had listed. Second realtor was the pits -- never returned calls, didn't prepare houses for us to look at, etc. Third realtor -- did her homework, mapped out those most likely for us, pulled listing sheets, pics -- so when we got to her office could eliminate those that we didn't want to see.
Find someone who really gets what you want -- if the realtor hasn't figured that out after 2 or 3 "outings" -- you probably should work with someone else.
Pete |
happyman
Citizen
Username: Happyman
Post Number: 450
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 9:55 pm: |
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Everyone has said it well, Shanabana said it best!
We lived in Maplewood for 10 years, before moving to SO six years ago. We subscribe to the two towns, one community feeling . . . all you need are relatives to come and visit to remind us how blessed we are to live where we do (warts and all!). Feel free to private line me, I would be happy to discuss SMS, schools, communities, etc. Good luck on your search.
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Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 5322
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 9, 2006 - 2:15 am: |
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Sherrie-
My family has been here over 40 years... |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 5323
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 9, 2006 - 2:16 am: |
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tomp
South Orange borders Orange, West Orange, East Orange, Newark, and Maplewood. |
Glock 17
Citizen
Username: Glock17
Post Number: 1098
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 9, 2006 - 3:29 am: |
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SOuth mountain was great...jeez its gotta be nearing a decade since i was there.
South orange is awesome. |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3481
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 9, 2006 - 6:46 am: |
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I've been here (lived in two houses in Maplewood) 20 years, but I often feel like a newcomer when people get going on town history and memorabilia. |
Mozek
Citizen
Username: Mozek
Post Number: 78
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 9, 2006 - 1:25 pm: |
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We moved to South Orange a little under two years ago, and we love it. The commute to NYC is easy, we've met many nice neighbors, and we can walk to Flood's Hill, the pool, and restaurants and shops in town (despite downtown redevelopment being slow, we have seen many great new businesses open up in our time here).
Having said that, we love Maplewood too and have met great people there and enjoyed the restaurants and businesses along the Avenue. We do not think of them as separate towns at all, more like different areas of the same big town, wtih the same diversity and urban-transplant sensibility. It's funny, though, thinking back I remember that our realtor did see them as different and kept asking us to identify the one town we wanted to live in (Maplewood, South Orange, or West Orange...the three places we were looking). In fact, for a while, we didn't even look in South Orange because we felt pressure to narrow down the number of towns. Then one day we said to ourselves, why aren't we looking in South Orange too? It's just like Maplewood. A couple of Saturdays later we found our house (and the rest is history). Our friends around the corner had a similar experience.
So, in short, I echo just about everyone else here when I say, don't limit yourselves. Look in both towns (and perhaps West Orange too) until you find the house you love. |
SO1969
Citizen
Username: Bklyn1969
Post Number: 338
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 9, 2006 - 3:51 pm: |
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We looked mostly in Maplewood, but found the right house in South Orange and the rest is history. I had some concerns based on the stalled development appearance of the village and MOL postings, but I think we got a much better house than the comps we'd seen, so I'm glad I overcame those concerns.
I echo the 2 town community as a "consumer" of parks, restaurants, etc. I'm sure I'll feel similarly when we have kids in the schools (we're zoned for a school in MW). Friends and trades people sometimes say Maplewood in reference to where we live. It happens so much that I don't even bother to clarify it anymore, unless I'm giving directions.
The great mystery to me is how it is that Maplewood attracts and elects (importance on second part) such high caliber folks to public office? The SO/M school board also attracts good folks. The SO BOT has some talented folks, but as a body, as has been discussed widely, it is dysfunctional and the VP has GWB complex, very sure of himself in spite of not knowing (or not caring) what he's doing. Or maybe I just disagree with many of the things he wants to do.
A lot of folks have moved into SO in recent years. Many from the city and quite a few from Maplewood. I hope that the new city blood (and expectations that come with paying Midtown direct prices) and new blood from MW will drive a change at the SO ballot box.
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doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1515
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Friday, June 9, 2006 - 8:24 pm: |
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A nice evening in SO tonight: We walked down SO Ave. with the youngest on a guided tricycle and went to Ariyoshi & ate a nice family meal in one of the tatami rooms. We then walked over & got an ice cream at Cold Stone & said hi to a few folks we knew & then considered renting a movie but decided no one would make it through...we noted that in a few months we will be able to stop at the movies at SOPAC. We walked right near the pool, park & Floods Hill (scene of great music/picnics in summer & sledding in winter) on up the hill to home, not far from the elementary school my oldest walks to/from. If only we had seen fireflies... |
msuewillis
Citizen
Username: Msuewillis
Post Number: 118
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 9, 2006 - 8:40 pm: |
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Volunteers from the Community Coalition offer free personal tours that start at either the Maplewood or South Orange train station and then show every neighborhood in the two towns and every school. It's a great tour that gives you a sense of perspective about the two towns. Call 1-800-CLOSEBY to schedule. Also, take a look at the Coalition's website at http://www.twotowns.org. |
Richard
Citizen
Username: Rikky
Post Number: 88
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 9, 2006 - 11:50 pm: |
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South Orange is deteriorating, both in its schools and quality of life. Many on this board are drinking the koolaid and that's fine as they live here and surely must like it. Crime and the element of people continue to concern me and my family. There was a murder about a month ago 2 blocks from the montrose area park. My wife has now noticed a couple of nanny's don't walk there anymore but go to the duck pond. I wonder if the parents told them not to.
While I've lived in south orange for a # of years I've seen the area continue to decay even as they try to build it up via a 'revitalized' downtown, SOPAC, etc. You might want to consider Millburn, Summit, Chatham, Madison, Westfield or Cranford for alternatives. |
joel dranove
Citizen
Username: Jdranove
Post Number: 572
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, June 10, 2006 - 6:48 am: |
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Obviously, a real estate broker elsewhere.
jd |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1517
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, June 10, 2006 - 8:54 am: |
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Re. Msue's post: I took a tour by the Community Coalition 7+ years ago - it was my first trip to the area & we found it very helpful & I think it really gave us the overall view.
You might want to check with Richard/Rikky - from the sound of his (few) posts it looks like his house might be for sale soon!
Best,
Bad element & Koolaid drinker |
Soparents
Citizen
Username: Soparents
Post Number: 914
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, June 10, 2006 - 9:00 am: |
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Shanabana
Citizen
Username: Shanabana
Post Number: 543
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, June 10, 2006 - 9:56 am: |
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I prefer Gatorade. |
Josh Holtz
Citizen
Username: Jholtz
Post Number: 477
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, June 10, 2006 - 10:09 am: |
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I have lived in what seems like every town in Essex County but I am most fond of South Orange. We moved here two years ago (to the Montrose section) from Montclair. To me it's the people that make South Orange what it is. It's just nice to have that small town feeling when you walk around (strangers saying hello, etc.) but being in a somewhat urban landscape. It's a feeling that towns like Montclair have lost in their desire to be more city-like.
There are some great areas and beautiful homes in South Orange - definitely look around. As for the downtown - there are great businesses and restaurants here.
And Richard - when are you guys moving? |
Richard
Citizen
Username: Rikky
Post Number: 89
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, June 10, 2006 - 10:51 am: |
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can't have a different opinion from the collective else you're ridiculed and made fun of? last i checkd this was america. for a liberal town a few of you sure are hypocritical. the person asked a question, i responded with MY OPINION. it's as good as the rest of yours. me a realtor. LOL. |
Kent
Citizen
Username: Kentgib
Post Number: 29
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, June 10, 2006 - 12:25 pm: |
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ciao,
When you ask a question you get an ear full on MOL. I will say that we were originally looking in Maplewood, but ended up finding the house we loved in SO. We haven't lived here that long, but we have found it to be a great place to live. We live very near the Newark border and have not seen or experienced anything that has made use question our move. In short we love it here more than I expected us to, having been a dedicated manhattanite for 15 years. I will say that SO/Maplewood is a specific type of community with a very diverse population (in every sense fo the word). My point of view on the towns the Richard recommended is that they are generically nice and very white. If that is the type of community you want to live in they might be good for you. We picked South Orange because it offered a kind of community we wanted to live in and raise our (in the process of starting) family.
Good luck with your search. From recently completing the process I can only advise you to go with your gut and take all advice offered on this board with the liberal helping of salt required. |
tomp
Citizen
Username: Tomp
Post Number: 57
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 10, 2006 - 1:03 pm: |
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Our new town motto:
The Kool-Aid's great! Come on in!
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Scully
Citizen
Username: Scully
Post Number: 604
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, June 11, 2006 - 7:41 am: |
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Richard:
Sure you can have your own point of view. It's just that it always
seems so negative. That grates after a while. Maybe unfairly, whenever I see your name it's a case of 'oh gosh, what's the complaint now?'.
I live (happily) in Maplewood right on the Newark border and although I work nights and am in and out at all hours I seem to be having a way more peaceful exsistence than you and your poor wife.
Maybe it's a karma thing, but I find it sad. |
Flying_char
Citizen
Username: Flying_char
Post Number: 114
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, June 11, 2006 - 11:32 am: |
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High taxes and really really bad roads...
But if your kid goes to The Annex, which is the cutest little school, then you are lucky.
No S.O is great, personally I prefer S. O to Maplewood, why, I don't kow... |
Shanabana
Citizen
Username: Shanabana
Post Number: 559
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, June 11, 2006 - 1:36 pm: |
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I fail to see the "really Really bad roads." Mine's fine. The ones I drive on regularly are also fine. (But then again, I moved here from Brooklyn, and originate from a quake zone...) |
Fitzhume
Citizen
Username: Fitzhume
Post Number: 7
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, June 11, 2006 - 7:16 pm: |
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I grew up in Maplewood, and recently moved from NYC to South Orange with my wife. We are verry happy that we did. I think of the towns pretty much as one... as many people do. We definitely are very glad we made the move. |
Jersey_Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 1029
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, June 11, 2006 - 8:11 pm: |
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I just wrote this in the "Kinder, Gentler" thread and thought it also belonged here.
When we moved in a group of neighbors kept asking if we would be home on a certain night. They had a surprise. My wife and I were imagining some kind of neighborhood hazing ritual where we get blindfolded and dropped off at Floods hill in our underwear.
But, no, it was a group of happy people with a big gift bag that they had each put something into: a bottle of wine, some cheese, some crackers, a wind chime, etc. We invited them all in and we had an impromptu cocktail wine and cheese hour and shared stories of neighborhood history, who owned and build the houses back in the 1920s.
Another neighbor brought over homemade bread. Another brought a pie. When my wife was unloading some stuff, our toddler wiped out on the driveway while our new next door neighbor was introducting herself. They got some peroxide and a bandaid (ours were deeply packed.) There was a tender moment in the kitchen with my wife and our new neighbor bandaging his wound.
We were thrilled and were definately waiting for the AMWAY pitch, but it never came. Just REALLY nice people.
J.B.
For what it's worth, we're a White heterosexual family and only one of the people in those stories was in that same demographic. South Orange: it's a freakin' utopia!
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Venus Mui
Citizen
Username: Veehive
Post Number: 1
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 6:41 am: |
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hi fellow neighbors,
recently just bought a house in south orange and very excited to move. am a native of park slope brooklyn which we were reluctant to leave but after looking at numerous homes with our broker, we fell in love with maplewood and south orange each time we came to visit.
being a native of the brooklyn area and with all the regentrification, we feel we will see more of the same but maybe at a slower pace in south orange. but nevertheless after sopac opens, the theatre and etc, it should just be a domino effect. will any of this possibly help alleviate the property tax at all?
s.o. newcomer
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Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 9851
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 6:45 am: |
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SOPAC won't pay any taxes, so no on that point.
Also, Village President Calabrese was at a recent planning board meeting fighting for tax abatements for developers. He's confused about his job, apparently. |
Shanabana
Citizen
Username: Shanabana
Post Number: 568
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 10:09 am: |
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Bienvenu, Venus Mui!
To add a similar account to Jersey Boy's, about a week after we moved in our neighbor brought us a beautiful gift. Our "backyard" neighbor brought us some "fried turkey" on Christmas. An unidentified neighbor took his snow blower around the block in the first real snow storm that year. Real nice folk! All these random acts of kindness were very much appreciated, and will not be forgotten. (Which reminds me to practice some myself!!) |
Richard
Citizen
Username: Rikky
Post Number: 91
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 10:51 am: |
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negative? you bet. i don't like to share my streets with convicted felons and those arrested multiple times with the cops laughing about it while waiting in line at the bagel store. ever try to use a crosswalk? every 20th car might stop and let you pass, even with a baby carriage if you're lucky. what i don't understand is where are all the wonderful positive experiences you all are having in my neck of the woods? when i visit this board i feel like i'm in a stepford wives type environment and i haven't drank the koolaid yet. are you all just oblivious to some of the negatives of this area? sure seems like it except for a few.
here's a question. how many of you are in 2-income households, meaning how many are stay at home mom's? that would explain alot. |
Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 9872
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 11:05 am: |
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(ignore the troll) |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 1179
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 11:15 am: |
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Sorry to interrupt, but Richard, pls go back and read your 2 posts. You're welcome to your opinion of SO, though it does seem to indicate you'd be happier elsewhere; but then you go on (not for the first time) to make contemptuous remarks about the people who have other opinions, and then complain that they're bashing you for your opinion?? I'm getting whiplash here.
cheers -
MC |
ciaopescao
Citizen
Username: Ciaopescao
Post Number: 27
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 11:18 am: |
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Update: We have expanded our search to include SO. Getting very frustrated at the prices some people want for their homes that still need a load of work -I'm not even speaking about cosmetic improvements. I guess for some buyers who are ignorant this works, but I swear some people simply have a nerve charging what they are! And then they wonder why it sits and sits on the market.
We have loved a few different homes already, and we have lost out on a few different homes already. Preparing to bid on #4. In South Orange. Wish me luck! |
Soparents
Citizen
Username: Soparents
Post Number: 970
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 11:57 am: |
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Good luck - it's a very difficult time looking for the right house, but i'm a firm believer that all those you "miss out on" weren't the right one for you...
It's there waiting for you, just keep looking!
SOP
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Spitz
Supporter
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 1799
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 12:09 pm: |
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ciao - When you say you've lost out on a few houses, do you mean you've been outbid or the seller wasn't willing to take your offer? |
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