New Jersey And Me Almost Perfect Together
Adapted from today's Two River Times: Click here: The Two River Times <http://www.tworivertimes.com/current/news5.php> ===================================================== I LIVE IN Florida most of the year, and it's not all it's cracked up to be. For one thing, it's no New Jersey. In light of a recent Monmouth University survey that shows approximately half of New Jerseyans want out of the Garden State, I reassessed my own reasons for living in an adult community in Crystal River, on the west coast of Florida, north of Tampa . We were luckier than most. In the ten years we spent traveling the country, we visited every one of the 50 states . When it came time to settle down after ten years of traveling the country as retirees, living in our recreational vehicle, we opted for Florida, not because of the lower taxes - they are - (but so are the benefits) or for the lower automobile insurance - (it is lower, but there are fewer cars on the road) - but because it was the closest warm spot to New Jersey. And that's where most of our children, some of our grandchildren, and our hearts remain.... But Florida, north of Tampa, promised warmth in winter and summer, airlines and trains that go directly between there and New Jersey, and a cost of living that was considerably less .. It wasn't long before we found out the only kind of decent bread were the loaves imported from New York or New Jersey; decent- tasting bagels were impossible to find. It wasn't long before we learned the hard-to-find restaurant on a par with the high standards of so many in Monmouth County was "too high faluting you only go there on a special occasion." We learned gasoline was at least 30 cents a gallon more and for that price, we had to pump our own! . We learned we did save money on heating bills enough to pour into the higher electric bills necessary to fuel the air-conditioning nine months a year. We learned that living with old people and there are an awful lot of them in Florida means missing the laughter of a teenager, the giggles of a six-year-old, the excitement in the eyes of a college student, and the warmth of holding a newborn close to your heart. We liked the lower taxes, but wondered about a city that cancels an election that only has one candidate because write-ins are not allowed, then appoints its choice, not until the next election, but for the full duration of a three- year-term. We wondered about beaches people said were spectacular, but which we saw as mere spits of sand compared to Sandy Hook or Atlantic City or Long Beach Island. We dutifully toured `historic' turn-of-the century homes while thinking of the entirety of Cape May being on the National List of Historic Sites. We swam with the manatees in Crystal River, but didn't see the plentitude of gulls, sandpipers or ducks we see around the Shrewsbury or Navesink. I'm one of the lucky ones. I can enjoy the warmth of Florida in the winter, and the beauty, convenience and attitude of the people of New Jersey the other three seasons. But I think those who are so eager to leave without knowing what they're getting into should step back, think long and hard, . I asked [a Charleston lady] one day how she could be so nice and courteous, and not ever say anything bad about anyone as New Jerseyans have a reputation for doing. "Why, Honey," she drawled, "we're just like you. We talk about other people we just wait until you turn your backs!" Give me the honesty of New Jerseyans any day. ======================================================== http://www.tworivertimes.com/current/news5.php <http://www.tworivertimes.com/current/news5.php>
