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Patrick14
Citizen
Username: Patrick14
Post Number: 1
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 15, 2005 - 7:52 am: | 
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My wife and I live in Hoboken and we're in contract to buy a house in South Orange. Our great two bedroom condo just won't be big enough when the boy comes in a few months - original story right? We've loved our Hoboken years. How will we find the transition?
I know life changes with a baby - I'm wondering about our community change only. I gather one or sixteen of you have made a similar transition in the last few years from the HOB, NYC, Brooklyn, etc. |
cmontyburns
Citizen
Username: Cmontyburns
Post Number: 929
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 15, 2005 - 8:59 am: |
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Patrick:
You'll love it here. Great houses, beautiful neighborhoods, friendly people. At least half the people you meet will be recent transplants from Manhatten, Brooklyn, Hoboken or Jersey City. If you live in Hoboken you have resigned yourself to misery when it comes to cost of living. I find arranging delivery of a handle of gin on the day the tax bill comes to be quite refreshing. |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 2525
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 15, 2005 - 9:39 am: |
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Patrick,
We made that transition 6 years ago. We love having a house, a yard and PARKING. 
However, we miss being able to walk everywhere, having places open late, outdoor dining, waterfront access and the energy of Washington Street. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 7586
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 15, 2005 - 11:45 am: |
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You say you know life will change when the baby comes, but you have no idea. It will be far more significant than your move. It will be life-altering, permanently. Congratulations on both your move and your baby, especially the baby. And welcome! |
juju's petals
Citizen
Username: Jujus_petals
Post Number: 85
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 15, 2005 - 12:10 pm: |
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Ah yes, the Hoboken years. You can swap stories and fond memories with lots of us in South Orange and Maplewood. But I haven't yet run into someone who says they miss double-parking to lug groceries up three flights to their walk-up.
You do, however, run into friends around town and get to know your local merchants well, just like Hoboken. The parks are good, just like Hoboken. The local politics are quirky, but not "just like" Hoboken. Hoboken Italian delis and bakeries, however, are still in another league.
And here's an interesting observation, if you commute on the train to NYC, you actually commute with people older than you. My first train rides after moving here felt like I was finally sitting at the "adult table" for Thanksgiving.
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happyman
Citizen
Username: Happyman
Post Number: 341
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 15, 2005 - 2:08 pm: |
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Wow Patrick-
You brought back such fond memories. We too moved from Hoboken (209 14th Street- two bedrooms) pregnant with our first son ...however, that was 15!!! years ago!
The changes are many, the adjustments - a few, the regrets. . . none!
juju-
"you actually commute with people older than you. My first train rides after moving here felt like I was finally sitting at the "adult table" for Thanksgiving."
That is one of the great MOL quotes! Thanks 
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Old and Gray
Citizen
Username: Pastmyprime
Post Number: 126
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 15, 2005 - 5:09 pm: |
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You will like it...just be aware that you might have your headlights stolen or your car stolen...and its almost as tough to get a parking space as Hoboken...but not that tough. |
Spitz
Supporter
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 1164
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 15, 2005 - 5:59 pm: |
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juju - That is indeed a classic.
A physician who lives in Montrose told this to me several years ago: The thing about South Orange is that it's never your house until you move. Up till then, you always refer to it as "so and so's house." How true. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1400
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 15, 2005 - 11:46 pm: |
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Wow Spitz can I relate! We still refer to the houses by the people who lived in them when we first moved here 41 years ago!
Patrick- what part of South Orange are you moving to? Welcome! |
GlassJoe
Citizen
Username: Glass_joe
Post Number: 13
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 16, 2005 - 12:55 pm: |
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Welcome to the Hoboken to South Orange club. I lived on First & Park for years. You will love it here. Sorry, no more late night Spa Diner. |
shoshannah
Citizen
Username: Shoshannah
Post Number: 902
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 16, 2005 - 1:46 pm: |
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I never lived in Hoboken and I don't live in S. Orange, but my biggest adjustment to the suburbs was the laundry routine -- I could only do one load at a time!! Loved being able to wash and dry four loads at once in my building's basement laundry room. To this day I maintain that having my own private laundry facilities does not outweigh the convenience of doing four loads at once. |
Neen
Citizen
Username: Neen
Post Number: 141
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 16, 2005 - 2:20 pm: |
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Shoshannah, I totally agree. It used to be one big night of washing and folding, now it takes all week! |
Matt Foley
Citizen
Username: Mattfoley
Post Number: 255
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 16, 2005 - 10:43 pm: |
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Welcome to South Orange. Please wipe your feet. Don't mind the dog, he humps because he's excited. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 7628
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, June 16, 2005 - 11:09 pm: |
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No, I think having my own washer and dryer is one of the best things about suburban life. I can do a load any time, so I don't mind that I can't get it all done at once. In fact, I prefer it that way.
I lived in an apartment in Edison before Maplewood. It had a TINY washer and dryer, and I never really minded that. |
phyllis
Citizen
Username: Phyllis
Post Number: 391
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 - 7:19 am: |
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We came to Mpwd from Hoboken 6 years ago. I loved Hoboken, but it never felt like home like this does. One of the perks is that you can hop on the train and get to Hoboken pretty quickly - so we've done that (even with the kid) to the Arts and Music festivals, for dinner, etc.
Penn Station is a pain to deal with but we love our backyard and our driveway. |
sullymw
Citizen
Username: Sullymw
Post Number: 638
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 - 9:11 am: |
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8 yrs now since Hoboken to Maplewood. If you have a child, there is no better place to be. When we need out Hoboken fix, it's either a train ride or short drive away. Good luck |
jrg
Citizen
Username: Jrg
Post Number: 21
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 - 10:03 pm: |
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Patrick -
Congrats on the big move and the new delivery. You'll love it here. You were very smart to pick this town. It's the best town in NJ. I lived in HOB back in the day, corner of 4th and Bloomfied. I miss 7 Star pizza, it was all I could afford back then.
TDB 4EVER |
phyllis
Citizen
Username: Phyllis
Post Number: 392
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 - 10:45 pm: |
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Pre-kid, working INSANE hours... I think 7 Star pizza was my dinner 4 out of 7 nights a week - on my way home to 4th and Park. |
DeborahG
Citizen
Username: Deborahg
Post Number: 1464
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 18, 2005 - 10:54 am: |
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I lived at 10th and Garden, 11th and Willow, and Garden bet. 1 and 2nd. Moved out here in 2000 -- best thing we ever did. Plus, every single one of the people I was closest to in Hoboken ended up moving out -- mostly to Maplewood/South Orange/West Orange border.
Hoboken is an amazing place, but I don't miss it (except for La Isla -- that roast chicken, I miss)!
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Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 1125
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 20, 2005 - 1:01 pm: |
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Patrick, moved from Jersey City (Hamilton Park) to Maplewood 7 years ago this August, six weeks shy of the birth of my first son. As so many others have said, it's really the best thing we ever did. I LOVE it here. Still has a very "urban" feel, even though you've got plenty of grass and trees and your own driveway to park in! We make frequent trips back to Hoboken for our two favorite restaurants, Amanda's and Ali Ba Ba (haven't found any middle eastern here, unfortunately). The people are fantastic, friendly, intelligent, open-minded, ethnically/culturally diverse. You could't have chosen a better place to move. I hope I never have to leave! Congratulations on the new house and the new baby. |
Dignan Fu
Citizen
Username: Diggyfu
Post Number: 13
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 9:24 am: |
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3rd and Park here. And moved to SO about a year ago.
7 Star tasted real good until about 2 hours later?
Anyone go to that Mexican place between 7 Star and ONeils?
I do miss the food options of Hoboken but SO aint that bad.
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Dignan Fu
Citizen
Username: Diggyfu
Post Number: 14
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 9:25 am: |
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The folks around Park and downtown in Hoboken - did anyone have a landlord there named Mr. Mody?
A true Hoboken legend. |
Patrick14
Citizen
Username: Patrick14
Post Number: 2
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 10:07 pm: |
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Wow – thanks for all the well wishes. From the majority of the responses received, it sounds like we picked the right spot. (What’s up with buzz kill Old & Gray?)
We're certainly going to miss our favorite restaurants and spots around town (as most of you seem to), but I bet my wife will enjoy walking 4 steps rather than 4 blocks after parking the car. I'm also eagerly awaiting my first grill.
The “adult table” at Thanksgiving...That's the post sticking with me most and I'm still trying to figure out if that will appeal to me. I assume it will not at first, but maybe I'll change my tune when my few grays turn to many shortly after the baby.
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