Visited Waldorf this weekend...

[AMP]

...and though I'd see if my name a password still worked on this site. I have been back visiting several times since I moved to NJ in 2005, but this time I really looked around at all the development!! The condos off Smallwood near my old Dorchester neighborhood, all the shopping, the restaurants, the ballfield, too many to name! The Target and the Mall look dated now, but they were new when I moved there in 1994 from NJ. White Plains Livestock Farm where I boarded my horses looks...well not like it did! I visited the old owner in St Mary's Satuday, miss her to death! Board up here in NJ at the snooty barns is $800 a month. Was paying $150 in MD, cheapest I could find here is $325.

Not sure I am glad or not to be back in Jersey, but I do miss SOMD. I wish NJ tried harder to plan communities like the Waldorf area. But one of the big (and horrible) differences up here is that everything is town or city or township based, not county-based. It sucks, and NJ should take a lesson from MD on how to get organized and cut out some layers.

Nostalgia on a Monday is never good.

 

[MrX]

Glad to hear you made it out alive

 

[AMP]

Glad to hear you made it out alive

Don't miss the traffic though. Wow! Such craziness as Waldorf on a Saturday morning, about 11am, I still have never seen.

 

[Calvert newbie]

i miss somd at times but i love living in nj

 

[foodcritic]

I was born and raised in NJ and left to come to Maryland about 6 years ago. What I miss the most is the fact that everything is town based. It gave you a sense of community. You went to elementary, junior high and high school with people who lived relatively close by. You could walk or ride your bike to most everything (at least in the town I grew up). There were sidewalks everywhere and there was a town center. Down here you can meet someone at school or church and they could live 25-30 minutes away from you and kids can't walk or ride their bikes anywhere around here. I do like the fact that SMC is rural and not as crowded but I look forward to going back to NJ to visit our families for the wonderful food. Can't get decent pizza, chinese, bagels or deli sandwiches down here.

 

[NorthBeachPerso]

mominsmc:

The disconnect is relatively recent and can be tied to the rapid suburbanization of this area. What you describe was like that here, too. I'm a transplant from PA 25 years ago but found that "community sense" you describe in Calvert. It has gone away somewhat over the last 10 years. Just look at how big the Waldorf zip code is, it's not a town it a statistical area.

 

[slik]

I was born and raised in NJ and left to come to Maryland about 6 years ago. What I miss the most is the fact that everything is town based. It gave you a sense of community. You went to elementary, junior high and high school with people who lived relatively close by. You could walk or ride your bike to most everything (at least in the town I grew up). There were sidewalks everywhere and there was a town center. Down here you can meet someone at school or church and they could live 25-30 minutes away from you and kids can't walk or ride their bikes anywhere around here. I do like the fact that SMC is rural and not as crowded but I look forward to going back to NJ to visit our families for the wonderful food. Can't get decent pizza, chinese, bagels or deli sandwiches down here.

Closest I've had when it comes to NJ pizza was Calajero's in Indian Head. Reminds me of home (Tony's in Morris Plains)
Hard to find Taylor ham down here also - used to have that for breakfast atleast 3 times a week. Taylor ham, egg and cheese on a hard roll - salt, pepper and ketchup. MMmmmm......

 

[AMP]

Closest I've had when it comes to NJ pizza was Calajero's in Indian Head. Reminds me of home (Tony's in Morris Plains)
Hard to find Taylor ham down here also - used to have that for breakfast atleast 3 times a week. Taylor ham, egg and cheese on a hard roll - salt, pepper and ketchup. MMmmmm......

That's it, I'm going to my local general store (I'm in Hunterdon County) for a pork roll - egg - and - cheese with salt pepper ketchup. Nothing beats that.

 

[AMP]

I was born and raised in NJ and left to come to Maryland about 6 years ago. What I miss the most is the fact that everything is town based. It gave you a sense of community. You went to elementary, junior high and high school with people who lived relatively close by. You could walk or ride your bike to most everything (at least in the town I grew up). There were sidewalks everywhere and there was a town center. Down here you can meet someone at school or church and they could live 25-30 minutes away from you and kids can't walk or ride their bikes anywhere around here. I do like the fact that SMC is rural and not as crowded but I look forward to going back to NJ to visit our families for the wonderful food. Can't get decent pizza, chinese, bagels or deli sandwiches down here.

Wished I had moved to LaPlata instead of the Dorf. Guess you did not grow up in Piscataway, Hillsborough or Edison! I now live in High Bridge (near Clinton in Hunterdon) and what a difference from Piscataway and Waldorf - such a cute little town! While I love my small town now, I have been doing more in the local gov't and what I see could be helped if much of the services and schools were run on a county level.

Yep, definitely missed the food, but there are tradeoffs - in NJ you can't get good crabs, oysters, crabcakes, ribs or barbecue. Someone told me the bagels were different because of the water and the altitude, but I'm not sure I beleive that.

 

[foodcritic]

Wished I had moved to LaPlata instead of the Dorf. Guess you did not grow up in Piscataway, Hillsborough or Edison! I now live in High Bridge (near Clinton in Hunterdon) and what a difference from Piscataway and Waldorf - such a cute little town! While I love my small town now, I have been doing more in the local gov't and what I see could be helped if much of the services and schools were run on a county level.

Yep, definitely missed the food, but there are tradeoffs - in NJ you can't get good crabs, oysters, crabcakes, ribs or barbecue. Someone told me the bagels were different because of the water and the altitude, but I'm not sure I beleive that.

I grew up in Summit (Union County) and my husband grew up in Chatham (Morris County). We bought a house out in Phillipsburg (Warren County) because we couldn't afford to buy where we grew up. I have to admit that the taxes are really high in NJ because every town has to pay for its own services. Maybe they could go to county based and not lose the small town feeling. I'm not a big crab fan but for the person who mentioned the egg sandwiches with taylor ham you are making my mouth water. When I go up there after Thanksgiving I have to go to the diner (what MD is missing) and get one.

 

[AMP]

I grew up in Summit (Union County) and my husband grew up in Chatham (Morris County). We bought a house out in Phillipsburg (Warren County) because we couldn't afford to buy where we grew up. I have to admit that the taxes are really high in NJ because every town has to pay for its own services. Maybe they could go to county based and not lose the small town feeling. I'm not a big crab fan but for the person who mentioned the egg sandwiches with taylor ham you are making my mouth water. When I go up there after Thanksgiving I have to go to the diner (what MD is missing) and get one.

My brother lives in P'berg (actually Lopatcong) near the new golf course on Strykers. I worked in Wayne and had to buy in High Bridge because I could not afford anything up there; Morris and Union County priced me out as well. Sparta - out of the question. Montville - not what I was looking for. Refused to go back to Middlesex County. Favoured Flemington, but could not find anything there either. Hope and Belvedere and Blairstown were too far. But now I work from home and love it!

Diners rule!!! Clinton Station, Time to Eat in Somerville, and one in Somerset that rocks. Taylor ham...we always called it pork roll. At least that's what it says on the package. Recently made it for dinner last week, yum, but the sandwiches are better and easier to get out than make.

 

[ocean733]

Taylor ham...we always called it pork roll.

I was just gonna ask that.

(South East PA transplant)

 

[Rael]

This tread is making me miss good ol' Jersey, even though I like living here in Maryland a lot. I always think of how good the food is there. The hot dog trucks, the pizza, but I forgot about the egg sandwiches and taylor ham... the best! (with a cuppa cawfee...)

I like the people there, too. Automatic connection when I go back. They understand my sarcasm, and of course they would. I learned it there. You can tease local vendors when they don't even know you, and they'll play right along. My favorite (I've posted this before) is when my brother and I WALKED to a bar when I came back in town, and when we didn't receive service after a very short time, I said something like (paraphrased) "Doesn't anybody woik heah?" (Jersey for: "evenin', I'd like an MGD please") and they get it. Even pretend hurry up for ya.

 

[AMP]

(with a cuppa cawfee...)

Everyone up here seems rude, but it's a funny kind of rude that is not designed to be taken seriously. Yes, we are pushy but there are so many of us all squeezed into one little state. I do miss SOMD's softness and hospitality and pace.

I got chided for my accent when I moved to MD, and I didn't even grow up in Bayonne (think Sopranos) or the Route 1 corridor. I remember going to the Blue Dog on pool nights and people asking me to say the past tense of buy (bawt), and that big thing on the corner of Smallwood and Route 301 (mawl) and what's the name of that thing that barks (dauwg). Then they would tease me about learning how to pump gas.

Hey, you've probably seen it before, but this is for all you transplants.

You know you're from New Jersey when....

You know that the only people who call it "Joisey" are from New York (usually The Bronx) or Texas.
You don't think of citrus when people mention "The Oranges."
You know that it's called "Great Adventure," not "Six Flags."
You've ordered a hard roll with butter for breakfast.
You've known the way to Seaside Heights since you were seven.
You've eaten at a diner, when you were stoned or drunk, at 3 am.
Whenever you park, there's a Camaro within three spots of you.
You remember that the "Two Guys" were from Harrison.
You know that the state isn't one big oil refinery.
At least three people in your family still love Bruce Springsteen, and you know what town Jon Bon Jovi is from.
You know what a "jug handle" is.
You know that there are no "beaches" in new Jersey - there's "The Shore," and you know that the road to the shore is "The Parkway" not "The Garden State Highway."
You know that "Piney" isn't referring to a tree.
Even your school cafeteria made good Italian subs, and, you call it a "sub" not a "submarine sandwich" or worse yet, a "hoagy" or a "hero."
You remember the song from the Palisades Park commercials.
You know how to properly negotiate a Circle.
You knew that the last question had to do with driving.
You know that "Acme" is an actual store, not just a Warner Bros creation.
You know that this is the only "New..." state that doesn't require "New" to identify it (like, try ...Mexico, ...York, ...Hampshire (doesn't work, does it?).
You know how to translate this conversation: "Jeet yet?" "No, Jew?"
You only go to New York City for day trips, and you only call it "The City."
You know that a "White Castle" is the name of BOTH a fast food chain AND a fast food sandwich.
You consider a corned beef sandwich with lettuce and mayo a sacrilege.
You don't think "What exit" (do you live near?) is very funny.
You know that the real first "strip shopping center" in the country is Route 22
You know that no respectable New Jerseyan goes to Princeton - that's for out-of-staters.
The Jets-Giants game has started fights at your school or local bar.
You live within 20 minutes of at least three different malls.
You can see the Manhattan skyline from some part of your town.
You refer to all highways and interstates by their numbers.
Every year, you had at least one kid in your class named Tony.
You know where every "clip" shown in the Sopranos opening credits is.
You've gotten on the wrong highway trying to get out of Willowbrook Mall.
You've eaten a Boardwalk cheesesteak with vinegar fries.
You start planning for Memorial Day weekend in February.
And finally...
You've never pumped your own gas.

 

[foodcritic]

I used to think that people down here where so much nicer than people in Jersey. But the longer I live here the less I think that. They can be just as rude and snotty. I am still told I have an accent. They always ask are you from New Jersey or New York. I'm proud of it and hope I never lose it. Of course when I lived in Jersey people there told me I had an accent. I'm surprised how many people are transplanted from New Jersey on the forum.

Funny story that has to do with the "You know you are from Jersey". When we first moved here I took my kids to Petrucci's for pizza. When the waitress came I asked for a large cheese pie. She looked at my kinda funny. She said you mean a pizza because we don't have any other pies. She then proceeded to ask if I was from New Jersey. I still call them pies to this day. As much as it gets ragged on I am proud to be from JERSEY!!!!!

 

[ocean733]

Hey, you've probably seen it before, but this is for all you transplants.

You know you're from New Jersey when....

You know that it's called "Great Adventure," not "Six Flags."
You've eaten at a diner, when you were stoned or drunk, at 3 am.
Whenever you park, there's a Camaro within three spots of you.

At least three people in your family still love Bruce Springsteen, and you know what town Jon Bon Jovi is from.
You know what a "jug handle" is.
You know that there are no "beaches" in new Jersey - there's "The Shore," and you know that the road to the shore is "The Parkway" not "The Garden State Highway."

Even your school cafeteria made good Italian subs, and, you call it a "sub" not a "submarine sandwich" or worse yet, a "hoagy" or a "hero." Hoagie!

You know how to properly negotiate a Circle.
You knew that the last question had to do with driving.
You know that "Acme" is an actual store, not just a Warner Bros creation.
You know that this is the only "New..." state that doesn't require "New" to identify it (like, try ...Mexico, ...York, ...Hampshire (doesn't work, does it?).
You know how to translate this conversation: "Jeet yet?" "No, Jew?"
You only go to New York City for day trips, and you only call it "The City."
You know that a "White Castle" is the name of BOTH a fast food chain AND a fast food sandwich.
You consider a corned beef sandwich with lettuce and mayo a sacrilege.
You don't think "What exit" (do you live near?) is very funny.
You know that the real first "strip shopping center" in the country is Route 22
You know that no respectable New Jerseyan goes to Princeton - that's for out-of-staters.
The Jets-Giants game has started fights at your school or local bar.
You live within 20 minutes of at least three different malls.
You can see the Manhattan skyline from some part of your town.
You refer to all highways and interstates by their numbers.
Every year, you had at least one kid in your class named Tony.
You know where every "clip" shown in the Sopranos opening credits is.
You've gotten on the wrong highway trying to get out of Willowbrook Mall.
You've eaten a Boardwalk cheesesteak with vinegar fries.
You start planning for Memorial Day weekend in February.
And finally...
You've never pumped your own gas.

My ex-MIL never pumped her own gas. She was a lot of fun to mess with!

BTW:

Jeet yet?

 

[ocean733]

I used to think that people down here where so much nicer than people in Jersey. But the longer I live here the less I think that. They can be just as rude and snotty. I am still told I have an accent. They always ask are you from New Jersey or New York. I'm proud of it and hope I never lose it. Of course when I lived in Jersey people there told me I had an accent. I'm surprised how many people are transplanted from New Jersey on the forum.

Funny story that has to do with the "You know you are from Jersey". When we first moved here I took my kids to Petrucci's for pizza. When the waitress came I asked for a large cheese pie. She looked at my kinda funny. She said you mean a pizza because we don't have any other pies. She then proceeded to ask if I was from New Jersey. I still call them pies to this day. As much as it gets ragged on I am proud to be from JERSEY!!!!!

Some people tell me that my accent sounds like I'm gonna beat them up (born and raised in Philly).

But, since I've moved to SOMD, I HAVE actually said ya'll (instead of "youse guys")

 

[AMP]

But, since I've moved to SOMD, I HAVE actually said ya'll (instead of "youse guys")

OMG, yes, I came away with that and people here look at me funny when I say "all of ya'll need to..." or something similar.:

 

[AMP]

Hey Ocean - I am far enough west in NJ that I can say EAGLES ROCK!! We may be the rudest fans in the nation, but damn we have fun!

 

[ocean733]

Hey Ocean - I am far enough west in NJ that I can say EAGLES ROCK!! We may be the rudest fans in the nation, but damn we have fun!

I know I've said it before, but we're the only obnoxious idiots to actually beat up Santa Clause!!!