@Dave Taylor
And I still drive to Paramus at least one day a week, NYC at least once every two weeks. Both two hours each way leaving my house at non-peak hours (living at appx milemarker 52 on the Parkway). At one point I drove to the Financial District in Philly daily - at a loss - all to pay my dues and try to get a seat in the industry I work in - easily 70 hour work weeks plus commute.
I grew up in Sea Girt - my neighbors were a dance instructor, plumber and a hot dog stand owner. None of those people live there anymore as the price of housing has grown at impressive rates. At least a third of the single story houses I knew as a child were torn down to build three story homes that maximize the lots they were on. A 1200 sq. Ft. Ranch is now over $1MM - in fact, I do not think you can buy a home in Sea Girt for less than a million - all this PRIOR to COVID. Most of us remember the simpler times when our families did live there. - but are thankful for the evolution and the opportunities the growing real estate market afforded us. It is part of the new Montauk.
Life does not stand still - it is fluid. You are enjoying higher salaries afforded by a growing/thriving metropolitan market. Beyond salaries there are wonderful amenities we can offer our families that come from living in such an area. If you did not believe this and are only worried about money then I invite you to look into government contracting jobs in offshore/remote locations where welders are in demand - I am not sure you would want to move your family there if you are used to the east coast job market. Welding jobs in US territories such a Guam and offshore posts such as Wake Island offer serious money and the ability to disconnect from people - that comes at a cost in the form of not being near the Metropolitan market.
We reside in a suburb of arguably the largest/most important city in the US/arguably the world. It will not stand still - when it does we should all be worried. For someone that is so vocal on investing/the economy I am at a loss for what I can only see as your inability to grasp this. This is often touched upon on the call/annual reports of companies that operate in our market. If you are a shareholder/investor these reports are available to you.
My job puts me directly in line with the people who develop NJ daily. If you think it is bad now - wait until you see it 20-30 years from now. History tends to repeat itself - for fun take the family to a museum in Frederick and see what it looked like 50-100 years ago. Have you ever done this for Monmouth county? Just imagine what it will look like 50 years from now - I think a safe bet (if you want humanity to thrive) will be much busier.
NJ is an incredible State - I do not always agree with its politics, and that will not change even if the person I vote for is in office. But we are a State of profound diversity and people who are driven to prosper. I am in awe daily that I am part of the history and have the ability to learn from the people thatmake up its population - my neighbors and the visitors of this website.
Maybe it is so simple to see the glass is half full rather than empty?
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