how does your home town measure up?

Almost everyone I tell that I'm from NJ instantly scoffs, rolls their eyes, and then takes pity on me. It's amazing how ignorant that view is.



Based on data from a few websites (citydata, greatschools and walkscore) I challange anyone's current (or former) home town to my nj abode.



Data:



City data crime - 10 year average, 43.5 (lower better, national average around 350, Orem around 190)



Schools - elementry 9, middle 9, high 9. (Timpview 6)



Walkable - 82 out of 100 (higher better, neighborhood

around timpview, 32). And that doesn't factor in quality of services, which we have in spades, eg I have five fanstatic restaurants, store, pharmacy, park, theater, post office, etc within a couple blocks from my house.



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Just goes to show, there are even pleasant spots in an armpit.

Look, I'm sure your town is a fantastic place to live, but when you live in the state that birthed "Jersey Shore", you should expect some eye rolls.



Also, I wouldn't fault people for not knowing what it's like where you live. I grew up in rural Nevada and I would bet that you're idea of what my hometown in is like is NOTHING like reality. Even people who grew up in neighboring states have NO idea what Nevada is like outside of Las Vegas. Even their idea of what Vegas is like is warped by media.

So are you going to brag about th Salsa maded in NJ?

I think this answers a lot of questions about the home schooling thread. Leave it to NJer.

Larry, could you tell us the websites you used to make sure we can do an accurate comparison?

Schmoe, I think my town is more typical of jersey. There are some armpit areas for sure, but most of it is rather pleasant.



Tmoney, is the Jersey Shore cast even from NJ?



Scott, not sure what you're asking.



Hawk, I don't see the connection. What are you talking about?



Yndian, city-data.com, walkscore.com, greatschools.org. I like to see some comparisons, I haven't found a city in utah with lower crime rate or better schools.



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don;t you remember the Pace Picante Sauce commerical where they read the label that said made in NJ.

Scott, awesome reference--still laughing. Though in nj's defense it was made in new York city. So darling, we're just going to have to shut you down.



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here are a few other stats.



Government workers per capita in NJ. (highest in the country for the many unecessary and duplicitous boroughs and townships)

NJ State Property taxes (used to be highest in the nation)

NJ Auto Insurance (also used to be highest in the nation)

Auto-theft (newark used to be #1 in the country)

NJ Education spending per pupil (near top in the country. is it a good thing, yes...still expensive)

Number of government officials arrested per year in Camden, Newark and um..let's say East Orange...

annual cost of tolls for driving on NJ Turnpike or GSP, (toll hikes are now a regular occurence)



Those are a few reasons I left NJ.

Claw, taxes are high, but so are wages. And as you point out with education, NJ has a lot of services. For example, I have a special needs child, and she gets too notch care and services, unlike the horror stories i hear coming out of Utah.



There is too much curruption, but hopefully Christie's dealing with that.



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The school district I work for (the largest in Utah) has outstanding programs for special needs and special ed. I'm sure I'd hear horror stories, too, if I were hearing about some of the school districts in Newark.

Larrycoug wrote:
Almost everyone I tell that I'm from NJ instantly scoffs, rolls their eyes, and then takes pity on me. It's amazing how ignorant that view is.



Based on data from a few websites (citydata, greatschools and walkscore) I challange anyone's current (or former) home town to my nj abode.



Data:



City data crime - 10 year average, 43.5 (lower better, national average around 350, Orem around 190)



Schools - elementry 9, middle 9, high 9. (Timpview 6)



Walkable - 82 out of 100 (higher better, neighborhood

around timpview, 32). And that doesn't factor in quality of services, which we have in spades, eg I have five fanstatic restaurants, store, pharmacy, park, theater, post office, etc within a couple blocks from my house.



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I challenge you to name your hometown.

Hopewell. Why Sno?



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Unfortunately, my rural Arizona town is too small to measure in most categories. I really like the 30 people per square mile, though!

Larrycoug wrote:
Hopewell. Why Sno?



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How does it stack up nationally vs. other towns with <2000 residents?

Schmoe, I don't know. Can you find another small town that comes close? I looked at Manti and Delta utah but they really don't compare.



Besides, the 2000k population is a bit misleading as there's a bunch of population centers near by (eg Princeton).



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Schmoe, I don't know. Can you find another small town that comes close? I looked at Manti and Delta utah but they really don't compare.



Besides, the 2000k population is a bit misleading as there's a bunch of population centers near by (eg Princeton).



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I don't know, either, off the top of my head. I don't think I'd be too far off in assuming that most towns of under 2000 residents have lower crime statistics and higher "walkability" etc. than the larger cities in their states.

I'm a bit sympathetic to the OP, the eye roll with "Fresno, CA" has to be on par with New Jersey, but "walkability" doesn't really mean anything to me, I have 4 cars for a reason, I'd rather not be in walking distance to everything, I like living one to 3 miles away, but that's just me.



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