Is NJ really a very bad place for Indians?

I have lived here ever since I came to USA. I love NJ for lots of reasons. But it depends what you are looking out for !! Lots of Indians, indian art & dance , good indian groceries, and nice job opportunities. I think you can chk out plainsborough-edison-princeton belt. I think its worth settling. !! goodluck

 

K;
This is an un-organised post so pls. bear )

It is all depend on what you are looking for. I moved to edison three months back; and from the three month experience I would say that it is just like being in a city in India (and I wouldn't say being in a metro in India) )

One thing I was surprised to find in Edison is that the second generation Indians settled here (not all ofcourse); live the same way as the first generation Indians are. I mean in other places I have found; second generation Indians being much "sophisticated" and "westernised". Maybe it is because of too much Indianisation. When you live with your grandparnts; uncles and aunts in a stone throw distance from each other's house; then I guess there is not much "space" to grow.

I have a friend who has all her relatives in US; which includes the distant uncles and aunts; and their family get-together has 100 family members just in NJ area!!!!

Ahhh.. I am straying away from the subject; just wanted to let you know how dense the Indian population is)

As Mariam said it all depends upon what your needs are and what you expect. If you want a proper American life; then definetely edison is not a place to be.

But if you want a wide variety of "xclusive" Indian friends; food; groceries; festival celeberation and other stuff then edison is the place. I was surprised that I got my eyebrows threaded for $2 here; where as I used to pay $7 before moving here )) Whn a friend of mine delivered here; she didn't bring anyone from India. Got a lady for massage/baby care/cooking/laundary etc for $300 a month. A lady near our condo; supplies 5 Rotis; Dal; 3 variety subzi and rice for $10. So; I hope you get the picture; how things work in edison )))

There are towns within NJ which are very good; like south bruinswick (good school district); Cranberry; princeton areas; which are great areas. You can check citydata forum to get more ideas on the crimerates; ethinic diversity; median income and cost of house etc. It will give you a better insight.

About "dog incident" Mariam mentioned in the other thread. I understood that you were/are worried about it. I haven't seen any kids(Indian/non-indian) hitting the animals...so far in my years in US. I have a 2 year old; so much in love with dogs and cats from her first year. Every time a dog passes; she stops to pat it and hug it. Most of our evening walks have me asking permission from the owners whether my daughter could pet their "pets". So I do hope and wish that the cruel incident Mariam wittnessed be a stray incident and not a recurring one... That she can clear.

Well; all said I will have to make honourary mention of certain acts that I have "witnessed" only in edison; "line jumping" whether you are in the bill- counter of shoprite or movie-city; "reserving 5 seats by keeping purses and hanky" for the two friends who turn up 30 minutes later...why the heck should one reserve 5 seats for two friends; I still cannot understand ??????

If you ask me whether I like stayin in this place; I would say that I like it. But it has got less to do with the place and more to do with the couple of good friends I have here. I am a little more adaptable person; I somehow get adjusted wherever I am put; even you put me in Mojave desert; with food provisons and library ; I am a happy soul)

Come back to us if you want any more info. I would be happy to help you out. It would be nice if other Iltes would pitch in. There a lot of Iltes who are staying in NJ after coming from other states and many who have moved from NJ to other states. One thing I have heard from many such people; NJ (particularly edison) doesn't feel like a part of US )) and I have a few friends; who have moved from west coast;central US;Maine etc who loved the NJ life so much that have brought or searching for house in princeton/ bruinswick areas. Personally I will buy an vineyard and settle in Napa valley; one of th few dreams that will remain a dream )

All the best and again sorry for the un-organised post; I just penned down whatever came to my mind
-Nitha

 

hey Nitha....cool...I too love living in NJ for the same reasons. so how ru BTW?

 

Guys,

Can we stop this generalization? How can one conclude what is going to happen in the next 20 years. A very high crime rated town can be one of the best places in a couple of years and vice versa. They are lot of examples I can give you for that. There are many upcoming townships, growing communities and what not.

See what YOU and your family need and make the decision.

PS. This is my 12th year in this country and I can say I have pretty much gone to most of "the" places.