I work for the government and live on the jersey shore (belmar area). 5 weeks off per year, work 7:30 - 4 and make enough to go anywhere I want on my vacation. Not a bad setup if you can deal with the cold but the psycho II comes in handy for that...
Originally Posted by aka pumpmaster
It's okay, our lineups are full right now anyway. We don't need any more people.
Ah, yeah I did think about it, but figured it suffered the same problems I spoke of for NYC and DE. But sure, I've definitely seen some pics of Jersey going off. Not sure about the jobs though and it's a little north of the mason dixon line...for me.
But yeah, it doesn't seem like the cities in the East are as convenient locations for Surfing and having a prominent career (again depending on your profession and logistics flexibility) as well as being an environment for raising a family, as opposed to the West Coast where cities are exactly where they need to be and most of the cities are booming with a variety of industries. Obviously crowding is a problem though.
Again, I'm only speaking for myself. A single guy with no family tie-downs and a different profession from me may be able to get by without things I can't.
Just an FYI, I wasn't cutting on CA but I got done reading some stats about the economy out there and it was depressing.It's okay, our lineups are full right now anyway. We don't need any more people.
Yeah, it has its problems, but I think statistics for a state with over 33 million people gets blurred a little bit. San Fran, LA and San Diego have tons of jobs still and the real estate market is reasonable again... Although I am probably going to move back east sometime soon to start the family, but I am very tempted right now to get a condo. There are 2bdrm condos in my neighborhood about 8 blocks from the beach that are under $200K. First time since 2000 or something that its happened that way. There is a condo across the street from me going for $169K and 2 years ago, I looked at the Exact unit and it was on the market for $295K... And california is all relative. If any of you live like a few blocks from the beach, then yes, a place just like that out here will be pretty outrageous. But most people I know from back home live at least a few miles from the beach where they surf. So, if that is the setup you have now, you might as well move somewhere in california and buy a nice house 5 minutes inland. Literrally all the houses here drop in price the second you go 1 mile east of the ocean. So, I know guys that live in North Park and Normal Heights who have nice homes with yards and sh** that they got for $200-$250. So, that is the same as you will pay in Jersey for sure. So it all depends on how you look at it. Most people that move out here want to live like ON THE SAND. So, they pay top dollar, then move back east a year later complaining about the high cost of living. Yeah, I paid an arm and a leg for my ocean view pad on sunset cliffs. Then I got smart and got a reasonable place a few blocks in.
But like he said, the line-ups here are crowded enough =) I am just not trying to deter people from following their dreams and all of the other cliches.
I live in the AC area NJ,
I have a BS in Environmental .
First i like the area, and hour drive north or south covers 90% of the breaks in NJ.
commutes are possible from Philly or NY, but i never will..
Second, you wont make any money in the field research field unless you have a Masters or greater.
I have also worked for a shaper making surfboards.
better water time, but scrapping by. You have to love it.
I have also worked construction in the shore towns.
Lots of water time, I used to bring my board and suit, paddle out for lunch.
i always had one eye on the waves, sneek off early if it got good.
Not much money, but if you own your business, how much you make is up to you(or the economy)
Well it depends what town you reside in...but for much of the greater area, the surf sucks. I don't care what anyone says about AC... yes IT can and maybe will get good..but it still sucks!!!
no way, man. i went to stockton and scored countless times at ac. and if the direction wasn't good, it was a quick drive to lbi or sometimes ocean city.
ac has the most rippable left i've ever surfed.
what about VA Beach. I know people there and even if the waves arnt the greatest its 2 hours from great breaks in North Carolina. Norfolk may not be the best area but if you make good money send your kids to private school or live in the actual town of Virginia Beach. Its not far from Richmond and for career wise it may be the beast "surf and career" town. The only thing that blows is the tunnel from V.A. Beach into Newport News and Hampton which are some other towns close by
making very good money and having the ability to surf whenever is pretty much impossible. if any of you know how, let me know
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