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NEWMARKET SERVICES

ublisher of 95 U.S. and 32 International Relocation Guides, NewMarket PServices, Inc., is proud to introduce our online version. Now you may easily access the same information you find in each one of our 127 Relocation Guides at

www.NewMarketServices.com.

In addition to the content of our 127 professional written City Relocation Guides,

the NewMarket Web Site allows us to assist movers in more than 20 countries by

encouraging you and your family to share your

moving experiences in our NewMarket Web Site

Forums. You may share numerous moving tips and

information of interest to help others settle into

their new location and ease the entire transition

process. We invite everyone to visit and add helpful www.NewMarketServices.com information through our many available forums.

Share with others your knowledge of your new location or perhaps your former

location. If you ever need to research a city for any reason, from considering a move to

just checking where somebody you know is staying, this is the site for you.

NewMarket Services looks forward to cooperating with everyone to continually

add to our base of City Specific Information along with our various moving topics to

help many of the 40 million people who have the opportunity to relocate each year.

Please do not hesitate to contact our customer service department to speak to a live

representative if we can provide any assistance. Our toll free number is (866) 595-3792.

New Jersey Information Guide [ 5 HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

The NewMarket Services Information Guide is designed as a valuable resource

tool for you, the newcomer to New Jersey. It is our intent in producing this

publication to standardize important and helpful information on your new

community in a format that is most useful to you.

Important telephone

numbers, packing and New Jersey Welcomes You!

moving suggestions, and

much, much more useful information is found throughout the Guide pages.

Selected area businesses, many offering significant savings are found in the

Business Directory Section, sorted by category.

The Guide can save you both time and money while providing you a

continuous resource tool as you become more familiar with the metroplex. We

do hope you find our Relocation Guide to be of assistance to you. If you do not

find something you need, or if you have any suggestions for future issues of the

Guide, please give us a call. We will be happy to assist in any way.

(866) 595-3792 Toll Free From everyone at NewMarket Services Welcome to New Jersey!

6 ] New Jersey Information Guide www.newmarketservices.com New Jersey Information Guide [ Volume 11 [ Number 8

LOCAL INFORMATION The State of New Jersey 8 Area Codes, Important Phone Numbers 13 Travel Information 14 Weather 14 About New Jersey 9 New Jersey History 10 Publisher: NewMarket Services, Inc. Regions and Large Cities 11, 17 Things to Do 18 President: Patrick Morgan Managing Editor: Rebecca Wallace MOVING Executive Editor: Jason Gerali Smooth Transitions 24 Choosing a Moving Company 22 Contributing Writer: Amy Tennant Packing Tips 22 Executive VP Sales & Marketing: Robert Fischer Staying Organized 25 Regional Sales Manager: Beth Hurley Settling Into Your New Home 25 What’s All the Talk About? 27 Art Department: Sprague Design Pre-Move Checklist 28 Graphic Designer: Dean Sprague Relocating Your Pet 30 NewMarket On-Line: Total Web Design, Inc. MOVING WITH CHILDREN IT and Web Development: Larry Bongiovi Reinforce the Positives 31 Research Assistant: Stephanie Cooper, Lora Price Choosing a School 31 Circulation: Little Drummer Boy Dist., Inc. Selecting Child Care 32 Education 34 Phoenix Office: PO Box 30534 FITNESS & HEALTH Phoenix, AZ 85046-0534 In the Kitchen 38 Phone: (602) 923-3415 Physical and Mental Well Being 39 Fax: (602) 923-0774 Volunteering 41 Toll Free: (866) 595-3791

Chicago Office: HOUSING 902 North Ashland Making the Right Choice 43 Chicago, IL 60622 Choosing the Right Home 45 Phone: (312) 226-6288 Housing Options For Growing Active Adults Demographics 46 Fax: (312) 226-6290 Home Inspection Checklist 48 Toll Free: (866) 595-3792 Homecare Basics for New Homeowners 49 Security 50 NewMarket currently publishes Information Take Control of Your Energy Costs 51 Guides for 95 North American and 32 Home Buyer’s Glossary 52 International Markets. To order your NewMarket Information Guides for $3.50 Who’s Who in Building 54 each, please contact NewMarket Services Selecting a Builder 55 toll free at (866) 595-3792. Selecting a Contractor 56 Banking & Mortgage Information 57 In preparing this publication, every effort has been made to assure the accuracy of the information contained herein, but BUSINESS DIRECTORY authenticity cannot be guaranteed. Listings are subject to omission, error or change Business Directory Listings 61 without notice.

All material in this publication is copyright protected and can only be reprinted with permission of the publisher.

New Jersey Information Guide [ 7 THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY

cause he championed. Later, working-class cities such as Paterson Hartford helped to drive the Industrial Revolution in the nineteenth century. Westchester County CT New Jersey’s position at the center of the BosWash megalopolis, NY Fairfield County between Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., fueled its rapid growth through the suburban The Boroughs boom of the 1950s and beyond. PA New Jersey has a temperate climate, with warm/hot humid Long Island summers and cool/cold winters. During the hurricane season, Philadelphia/ tropical cyclones can hit New Jersey, though it is uncommon for it South Jersey Manhattan NJ to remain at hurricane strength this far to the north. During the Atlantic Ocean Baltimore winter months, Nor’easters can dump up to two feet of snow at Northern/Central once. The temperatures vary greatly from the northernmost part of New Jersey to the southernmost part of New Jersey. MD New Jersey DL Wilmington The Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal is one of the world’s largest container ports although its imports are being threatened by VA the relatively low Bayonne Bridge. Newark Liberty International Airport is ranked seventh among the nation’s busiest airports and ew Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern among the top 20 busiest airports in the world. regions of the United States. The state is named after the Its agricultural outputs are nursery stock, horses, vegetables, Nisland of Jersey in the English Channel. fruits and nuts, seafood, and dairy products. In particular, New Jersey ranks ninth in the nation in population and has the cranberries and eggplant are two of the state’s largest crops. highest population density of any U.S. state, because of its Hammonton in the southern part of the state is known as the proximity to both New York City and Philadelphia but also indicative blueberry capital of the world. Its industrial outputs are of its economic importance. New Jersey is a major industrial center, pharmaceutical and chemical products, food processing, electric an important transportation corridor, and because of its long coast equipment, printing and publishing, and tourism. New Jersey’s line, a long-established destination for summer vacationers. economy has a large base of industry and chemical manufacturing. New Jersey consists of 127 miles of white sand beach, scenic Additionally, New Jersey is home to the largest petroleum mountains and parkland, colonial villages, cutting-edge technology, containment system outside of the Middle East. outstanding education, great cultural attractions, world-class New Jersey hosts several business headquarters. Fifty Fortune entertainment and stringently protected ecological resources. 500 companies have headquarters in or conduct business from Home to some of America’s greatest inventors, writers and Morris County alone. New Jersey is said to have the largest statesmen, New Jersey is a place where you can walk in George concentration of Fortune 500 companies in the world: nearly one Washington’s footsteps while creating new pathways of your own hundred companies on the Fortune 500 list have headquarters or — in work, family life and leisure. New Jersey has been dubbed conduct business from New Jersey. Paramus is noted for having “America the beautiful...only smaller,” which is just one of the one of the highest retail sales per person ratios in the nation. reasons we know you’ll feel at home here. New Jersey is infamous for its abundance of oil refineries. The Inhabited by Native Americans for more than 11,000 years, the smell given off by the refineries is common to motorists who travel first European settlements in the area were the Swedes and Dutch the New Jersey Turnpike which runs through the central industrial in the early 1600s. The British later seized control of the region, corridor of the state. New Jersey also is home to major which was granted to Sir George Carteret and John Berkeley, 1st pharmaceutical firms Merck, Wyeth, Johnson and Johnson, Baron Berkeley of Stratton as the colony of New Jersey. New Jersey Novartis, Pfizer, Hoffman-LaRoche, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and was an important site during the American Revolutionary War; Schering-Plough. It draws upon its large and well-educated labor several decisive battles were fought there. The winter quarters of pool which also supports the myriad of industries that exist today. the revolutionary army were established twice by George Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson is one of the largest theme Washington in Morristown, which was called the military capital of parks in the world. It is home to the largest wild safari outside Africa the revolution. The New Jersey Journal, a newspaper published by and is now home to the world’s tallest, fastest rollercoaster, Kingda Shepard Kollock, who established his press in Chatham during Ka. As of 2001, New Jersey makes $30 billion each year from 1779, became a catalyst in the revolution. News of events came tourism, as stated in the Star-Ledger article “The Best of New directly to Kollock from Washington’s headquarters in nearby Jersey.” New Jersey is one of the top ten most visited states in the Morristown, which he published to boost the morale of the troops nation. and their families, and he conducted lively debates about the efforts for independence with those who opposed and supported the

8 ] New Jersey Information Guide ABOUT NEW JERSEY

OVERVIEW

ew Jersey ranks ninth in the nation in population and has the highest population density of any U.S. state, because of its proximity to both New York City and NPhiladelphia. New Jersey is a major industrial center, an important transportation corridor, and because of its long coast line, a long-established destination for summer vacationers. New Jersey consists of 127 miles of white sand beach, scenic mountains and parkland, colonial villages, cutting-edge technology, outstanding education, great cultural attractions, world-class entertainment and stringently protected ecological resources. Home to some of America’s greatest inventors, writers and statesmen, New Jersey is a place where you can walk in George Washington’s footsteps while creating new pathways of your own; in work, family life and leisure. New Jersey has been dubbed “America the beautiful...only smaller,’ which is just one of the reasons we know you’ll feel at home here. North Jersey was defined as all points in New Jersey north of a line extending from Interstate 195. However, recently the region has shifted below I-195, down along the Jersey Shore, due to the large numbers of people from New York City and North Jersey that have moved down there trying to find affordable housing. A more accurate approximation for North Jersey is now sometimes considered to be anything north of a straight line connecting the cities of Trenton and Toms River, thus including the more urban and populated parts of Ocean County in the North Jersey area. The Central Jersey counties were grouped together as it was once more rural. Ironically this area is now being developed as more people move south to try to find affordable housing. Because of this transition the counties are now being grouped with the Northern New Jersey counties.

NEW JERSEY DEMOGRAPHICS

State Population: 8,717,925 Capital: Trenton Largest Cities: Newark, Jersey City, and Paterson State Slogan: Come see for yourself. Housing Units: 3,414,739 Median Value: $170,800 Median Household Income: $56,356 Time zone: Eastern: UTC-5 Daylight Savings Time: Yes Web site: www.state.nj.us

New Jersey Information Guide [ 9 NEW JERSEY HISTORY

Give History a Spin Ironworks Village A working time machine may only exist in movies and books, but Travel back to the Victorian Age and walk the gas-lit streets of traveling the paths of New Jersey’s history just might be the next Cape May, where you can hop a horse drawn carriage on the way best thing. to some of the most beautiful inns anywhere. Antiques, seafood, The Rankokus Indian reservation brings Native American life to boardwalks and specialty shops all add to the charm. There are the Delaware River Region with its festivals and cultural events and lighthouses and seafaring museums galore, as well as an entire Native American Indian heritage museum. From there, it is just a 1800s village populated with craftspeople and country shops at short hop to Trenton’s New Jersey State Museum, which houses Historic Cold Spring Village. Native American tools and silver, the handicrafts of the Cherokee, For another journey back in time, the Howell Living History Farm Ramapough, Nanticoke and Powhatan-Renape. In the Skylands in Titusville is a horse powered operation that recalls farms of the you can view Native American life first-hand at Waterloo’s Lenape early 1900s. You can be on hand to help harvest vegetables in Indian Village. season, participate in crafts programs, and even make your own Being the crossroads of the American Revolution is another of maple syrup in the fall. the Delaware River Region’s distinctions, with places like the Red Lovers of crafts and artifacts from different eras could spend day Bank Battlefield and Princeton’s Battlefield State Park. It is also after day hunting down the riches in every region of New Jersey. steeped in the American character at the Walt Whitman House and Displaying everything from Oriental rugs to presidential china and rife with glory at The Battleship Memorial and Museum, where the political cartoons of Thomas Nast, the Macculloch Hall visitors can step aboard the Battleship New Jersey, the nation’s Historical Museum and Gardens in Morristown is a great place to most decorated battleship. Right nearby is the New Jersey State start in the Skylands Region. Special exhibits of popular “Mission” Aquarium and the Camden Children’s Garden, always enjoyed by furniture are the order of the day when you visit the Stickley kids of all ages. Museum at Craftsman Farms in Parsippany. When in the Gateway Pre-Revolutionary War artifacts are found in the Skylands Region Region, be sure to take in the Woodruff House/Eaton Store at The Boonton Historic District, which includes the New Jersey Museum for a look at hundreds of products from days gone by. Firemen’s Home and Museum (1875) as well as a wealth of antique While in the Osborn-Cannonball House Museum you can see a shops. This region also is known as the Military Capital of the magnificent collection of antique clothing. The Gateway Region Revolution, the perfect place to trace the movement of General satisfies flying friends with the Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum of George Washington and his troops, beginning at the Morristown New Jersey, housing carefully preserved aircraft, rare artifacts, National Historic Park. documents and photographs. The Gateway Region is the proud home of Liberty State Park, the Statue of Liberty and the nearby Ellis Island. New Jersey’s history also includes one of America’s greatest inventors, Thomas A. Edison and the Edison National Historic Site in West Orange opens its doors just for you. Visit Thomas Edison’s laboratory and library, and see enthralling exhibits of the first light bulb, the phonograph and the dawn of early movie-making. The Shore Region has attracted visitors for more than 100 years, notably among them Presidents Ulysses S. Grant, William McKinley and Benjamin Harrison. Lovers of the sea can tour lighthouses and revel in the recreated maritime village at Tuckerton Seaport. Monmouth Battlefield State Park features its annual reenactment of the Battle at Monmouth, while Allaire Village faithfully displays the trades and treasures of a 19th-century.

10 ] New Jersey Information Guide REGIONS AND LARGE CITIES

The Gateway Region nearly 75 years, vast numbers of upscale private townhouses and Gateway Region, encompassing Hudson County, Essex County, condos are being built throughout the city. Attractive and affordable Union County, Middlesex County, Bergen County, and Passaic low-rise and low-income housing has been built by the New County. Community Corporation, and the Newark Housing Authority has As the "Gateway to Freedom" this region has become known the started replacing its high-rise buildings of the 50’s and 60’s with world over as the home of Liberty State Park and Ellis Island, the more human-scale units. "new beginning" for millions of immigrants. The people of this Newark is also the state’s most diverse city. Here you will find historic and bustling region represent the myriad of cultures that are communities flavored with people of numerous backgrounds, such represented in the museums, the arts, the restaurants and the as African-American, Latino, Brazilian, Ecuadorian, Haitian and the vibrancy of the cities and towns. You will always feel welcome in the largest Portuguese population of any city in the United States. The Gateway Region. city is divided into five political wards - North, South, East, West and Start your visit at Liberty State Park, in Jersey City, which Central - that together encompass 21 neighborhoods, each with its overlooks the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and features the own unique character and combination of housing stock, stores, Historic Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal. There are acres of institutions and, of course, people. From the Ironbound section with open park land to stroll along the Hudson River or have a quiet its world-famous Portuguese restaurants to the charming Victorian picnic. Then, you can expand your mind at the Liberty Science homes in the Forest Hill section. From the fashionable Weequahic Center with the nation’s largest IMAX Dome Theatre. and Vailsburg neighborhoods to the brownstones of Lincoln Park. Cultural diversity from art to artifact fills Tenafly’s African Art You can transition from the commercial hustle and bustle of Museum, the Zimmerli Art Museum in New Brunswick, and the downtown to the suburban Roseville section. Newark Museum. For a different display of beauty, Branch Brook Jersey City Park with its cherry blossoms and the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens Jersey City lies on the west bank of the Hudson River across from in Upper Montclair should not be missed. New York City, and is part of the New York metropolitan area. With Cheer for your favorite team at the Meadowlands, whether it be a population of over 240,000 it is the second largest city in New for the NFL Jets or Giants; the NBA’s New Jersey Nets or the NHL’s Jersey. It is the county seat of Hudson County. Jersey City consists New Jersey Devils. Don’t miss the thunderous action of the of Six Districts or Wards; Greenville, West Side, Journal Square, The thoroughbreds at the Meadowlands Racetrack. In fact, the Heights, Downtown, and Bergen/Lafayette. Each of these Districts Meadowlands Complex is full of sports and entertainment, with is comprised of smaller neighborhoods, for example the Paulus restaurants, shopping centers and activities for everyone. Hook Neighborhood of the Downtown District and the Western Slope Neighborhood of The Heights District. Jersey City is a city of The Gateway Region also offers many unique shopping neighborhoods, each with a different aesthetic and architectural possibilities. In addition to malls and outlets, many towns offer style, to some degree. traditional downtown shopping in places like Millburn, Montclair, Paterson Ridgewood, Summit, Westfield and Hoboken. Paterson is located in Northern New Jersey approximately 30 For evenings filled with music, laughter, drama and song, there’s miles west of New York City, has a population of 172,648 and is the Millburn’s renowned Paper Mill Playhouse, the New Jersey third largest city in New Jersey. The industries developed in Performing Arts Center in Newark, and Englewood’s John Harms Paterson were powered by the 77-foot high Great Falls, and a Center for the Performing Arts. New Brunswick showcases system of water raceways that harnessed the power of the falls. entertainers from all over the world at the State Theater, and the The city began growing around the falls and until 1914 the mills award-winning George Street Playhouse keeps audiences were powered by the waterfalls. The district originally included applauding. dozens of mill buildings and other manufacturing structures Newark associated with the textile industry and later, the firearms, silk, and Newark is New Jersey’s largest urban center and America’s third railroad locomotive manufacturing industries. In the latter half of the oldest major city. It is located approximately five miles west of 1800s, silk production became the dominant industry and formed Manhattan and two miles north of Staten Island (both parts of New the basis of Paterson’s most prosperous period, earning it the York City). Its location near the Atlantic Ocean on Newark Bay has nickname Silk City. The biggest industries are now the small helped make its port facility, Port Newark, the major container businesses because the factories have moved overseas. However shipping port for New York Harbor. It is the home of Newark Liberty the city still, attracts many immigrants. Many of these immigrants International Airport, which was the first major airport to serve the have revived the city’s economy especially through small New York metro area. businesses. With a population of over 275,000 neighborhoods are witnessing continued on page 17 a boom of housing. Businesses are relocating and expanding. There is tremendous growth in private housing. For the first time in

New Jersey Information Guide [ 11 NATIONAL HEALTH ORGANIZATION PHONE NUMBERS

National Health Organization Mental Health The following numbers may be reached by dialing National Alliance for the Mentally Illness (NAMI) 950-6264 1-800 and then the following numbers 1-800-*… National Down Syndrome Society 244-4444 Allergy National Mental Health Association Resource Ctr 969-6642 Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America (AFFA) 727-8462 Neurology Cancer National Alzheimer’s Association 272-3900 American Cancer Society 227-2345 Christopher Reeve’s Paralysis Foundation 225-0292 American Institute for Cancer Research. 843-8114 American Parkinson Disease Association 223-2732 Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America 955-4572 Epilepsy Foundation of America. 332-1000 National Cancer Institute (CIS) 422-6237 United Cerebral Palsy Associations (UCPA) 872-5827 Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF) 754-6490 Huntington’s Disease Society of America 345-4372 Children’s Health Brain Injury Association of America Family Hotline 444-6443 American SIDS Foundation 232-7437 National Headache Foundation 843-2256 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) 344-4823 National Multiple Sclerosis Society 344-4867 Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation 223-1138 National Stroke Association 787-6537 Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Alliance 221-7437 Patient Care National Reye’s Syndrome Foundation, Inc. 233-7393 Medic Alert Foundation U.S. 863-3425 or 432-5378 Spina Bifida Association of American 621-3141 National Hospice Organization 658-8898 Infectious Diseases Shriner’s Hospital Referral Line 237-5055 AIDS Hotline, CDC National, National STD Hotline 342-AIDS Visiting Nurse Association of America 426-2547 (Spanish) 344-7432 Physical Disabilities (Hearing Impaired) 243-7889 American Council of the Blind. 424-8666 Internal Medicine American Speech/Language/Hearing Association 638-8255 American Diabetes Association 232-3472 National Easter Seals Society 221-6827 American Heart Association 242-8721 or 968-1793 Woman’s Health American Kidney Association 638-8299 Endometriosis Association. 992-3636 American Lung Association 586-4872 Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization. 221-2141 Arthritis Foundation 283-7800 *This is a Toll-Free Number! Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, Inc. 932-2423 This is only a partial list of national health organizations. Lupus Foundation of America 558-0121 Contact the National Health Information Center (NHIC) National Kidney Foundation 622-9010 at (800) 336-4797 for a more complete list. Spondylitis Association of American (SAA) 777-8189

NOTE: This general information is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional as it relates to your specific situation.

12 ] New Jersey Information Guide IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

City Area Code(s) Government The area codes for New Jersey are: Internal Revenue Service (800) 829-1040 201, 551 Jersey City and Hackensack Social Security Administration (800) 772-1213 732, 848 New Brunswick, Long Branch Services /Support Networks 908 Elizabeth, Summit Directory Assistance 411 973, 862 Newark, Paterson Crisis Pregnancy Center (800) 395-4357 Emergency Mental Health Hotline (800) 716-9769 All Emergencies (Fire, Police, Ambulance) 911 National Runaway Switchboard (800) 621-4000 Poison Control (800) 764-7661 Teen Link (Various Topics) (800) 235-9678 Financial Services Teen Health InfoLine (800) 998-3600 Automatic Teller Information Shipping & Postal Services ATM Locator (800) 248-4286 Airborne Express (800) 247-2676 MasterCrd ATM (800) 424-7787 DHL Airways (800) 225-5345 VISA Plus System (800) 843-7587 Emery Worldwide (800) 443-6379 Lost or Stolen Credit Cards Federal Express (800) 463-3339 American Express (800) 233-5432 UPS (800) 742-5877 AT&T Universal Card (800) 423-4343 Diners Club (800) 234-6377 Discover Card (800) 347-2683 JCB (800) 736-8111 MasterCard (800) 826-2181 VISA (800) 336-8472 Lost or Stolen Travelers Checks American Express (800) 221-7282 Thomas Cook MasterCard (800) 223-7373 Travelers Check Customer Service (800) 645-6556 VISA (800) 227-6811

VOTER REGISTRATION

To register in New Jersey you must be: Applications for registration can be obtained from the Division of • United States citizen, Elections, the Commissioners of Registration office in the County where you live or from your Municipal Clerk. Registration forms are • 18 years old by the next election, also available in various State agencies and at Division of Motor • A resident of the county for 30 days before the election. Vehicle offices and can be obtained while transacting agency business. You can also print a registration application and after entering required data, mail it to the Commissioners of Registration office in the county where you reside.

New Jersey Information Guide [ 13 TRAVEL INFORMATION

Airports Aerolineas Argentina, aerolineas.com.ar (800) 333-0276 JFK Int’l Airport (718) 244-4444 Air Canada, aircanada.ca (800) 247-2262 www.panynj.com Air China, airchina.com (800) 986-1985 AirTrain JFK-Connecting rail service between the airport and New Air France, airfrance.com (800) 237-2747 York City Transit (NYCT) and Long Island Rail Road. For those who Air India, airindia.com are driving the airport is accessible via the Belt Parkway. Parking Air Jamaica, airjamaica.com (800) 523-5585 information in available on the airport’s Web page Air New Zealand, airnewzealand.com (800) 262-1234 www.kennedyairport.com or call (718) 244-4080, or (800) AIR- Alaska Airlines, alaskaair.com (800) 426-0333 RIDE. Alitalia, alitaliausa.com (800) 223-5730 Newark Liberty Int’l Airport (973) 961-6000 Asiana, us.flyasiana.com (800) 227-9262 www.panynj.com British Airways, british-airways.com (800) 247-9297 AirTrain Newark-connecting rail service between Newark Liberty Cathay Pacific, cathaypacific.com (800) 233-2742 International Airport and New Jersey Transit and Amtrak trains. The China Airlines, china-airlines.com (800) 227-5118 airport is accessible via the New Jersey Turnpike, Interstate 78 and China Eastern, chinaeastern.co.uk (800) 200-5118 Routes 1, 9 and 22. For parking information call 888-EWR-INFO Egypt Air, egyptair.com.eg (800) 334-6787 and enter 22 or (800) AIR-RIDE. El Al, elal.co.il (800) 223-6700 Philadelphia Int’l Airport (215) 937-6800 Eurofly, eurofly.it (800) 477-6492 www.philadelphia-phl.com Eva Airways, evaair.com (800) 695-1188 Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Iberia, iberia.com (800) 772-4642 provides high-speed rail service to downtown Philadelphia from the Japan Airlines, jal.co.jp/en (800) 525-3663 airport. For more information call (215) 580-7800. Ground level KLM Airlines, klm.com (800) 374-7747 parking in terminals has been discontinued due to the recent FAA Korean Air, koreanair.com (800) 438-5000 security requirements. Short Term and Long Term Parking is LACSA, centralamerica.com/cr/lacsa/lacsa.htm (800) 225-2272 available in the garages and the Economy Lot. For more information LOT Polish, lot.com (800) 223-0593 call (215) 683-9840. For those driving, the airport has easy access Lufthansa, lufthansa.com (800) 645-3880 from and to Interstate 95. Mexicana, mexicana.com (800) 531-7821 Philippine Airlines, philippineairlines.com (800) 435-9725 Airlines-Domestic Quantas, qantas.com (800) 227-4500 AirTran Airlines, airtran.com (800) 247-8726 Singapore Airlines, singaporeair.com (800) 742-3333 Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air, alaskaair.com (800) 252-7522 Skyservice USA, skyserviceairlines.com (877) 485-6060 Allegiant Air, alleginatair.com (800) 432-3810 Swissair, swiss.com (800) 221-4750 American Airlines, aa.com (800) 433-7300 TACA, taca.com (800) 535-8780 Atlantic Southeast, flyasa.com (800) 282-3424 USA 3000 Y Airlines, usa3000.com (800) 872-3000 Comair, comair.com (800) 221-1212 Continental Airlines, continental.com (800) 525-0280 Air Service (Cargo) Delta Airlines, delta.com (800) 221-1212 Overnight air cargo service is provided by three of the passenger Frontier Airlines, frontierairlines.com (800) 432-1359 airlines as well as seven air cargo carriers: Hawaiian Airlines, hawaiianair.com (800) 367-5320 Airborne Express (800) 247-2676 JetBlue Airlines, JetBlue.com (800) 538-2583 DHL Airways (800) 225-5345 Northwest Airlines, nwa.com (800) 225-2525 Emery Worldwide (800) 443-6379 Midwest Airlines, midwestairlines.com (800) 452-2022 Federal Express Corp. (800) 463-3339 SkywestAirlines, skywest.com (800) 453-9417 United Parcel Service (800) 742-5877 Southwest Airlines, southwest.com (800) 435-9792 Buses Spirit Airlines, spiritair.com (800) 772-7117 NJ Transit SunCountry Airlines, suncountry.com (800) 359-6786 Northern NJ (800) 772-2222 United Airlines, ual.com (800) 864-8331 Southern NJ (800) 582-5946 US Airways, usairways.com (800) 428-4322 Out of State (973) 762-5100 Virgin Atlantic, virgin-atlantic.com (800) 862-8621 Philadelphia Area (215) 569-3752 Airlines-International Text Telephone (800) 772-2287 Aer Lingus, aerlingus.ie (866) 886 8844 Aeroflot, aeroflot.aero/eng/ (650) 615-9278 AeroMexico, AeroMexico.com (800) 237-6639

14 ] New Jersey Information Guide TRAVEL INFORMATION

Cruises/Resorts Hotels/Motels Disney World Reservations (800) 227-1500 Best Western (800) 528-1234 Holland America Cruises (800) 426-0327 Budgetel Inns (800) 428-3438 Princess Cruises (800) 774-6237 Clarion Hotels (800) 424-6423 Royal Caribbean International (800) 327-6700 Comfort Inns (800) 424-6423 Ferry Courtyard by Marriott (800) 321-2211 Days Inn (800) 329-7466 Cape May-Lewes Ferry (609) 889-7200 Sandman Blvd. & Lincoln Dr., North Cape May Doubletree Hotels (800) 222-8733 Econo Lodges (800) 446-4777 Service between New Jersey and Delaware. Embassy Suites (800) 362-2779 Delafort Ferry at Fort Mott State Park (302) 834-7941 Fairmont Hotels (800) 527-4727 454 Fort Mott Rd., Pennsville Four Seasons (800) 332-3442 Service to three ports on the Delaware River. Operates April- Hilton Hotels (800) 445-8667 October. Holiday Inns (800) 465-4329 Liberty Park Water Taxi (201) 985-8000 Howard Johnson Motor Lodges (800) 654-2000 Liberty State Park, Audrey Zapp Dr., Jersey City Service between Hyatt Hotels (800) 233-1234 Jersey City and Manhattan. La Quinta Motor Inn (800) 531-5900 New York Fast Ferry (800) 693-6933 Loews Hotels (800) 223-6397 Service between Jersey City, Hoboken, Weekhawken, Highlands Marriott Hotels (800) 228-9290 and New York City. Meridien Hotels (800) 543-4390 New York Waterway (800) 53-FERRY Omni International (800) 843-6664 Service between Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken and Quality Inns (800) 228-5151 New York City. Radisson Hotels International (800) 333-3333 Statue of Liberty Ferry (201) 435-9499 Ramada Inns (800) 228-2828 Service from Liberty State Park, Morris-Pesin Dr., to Statue of Red Roof Inns (800) 843-7663 Liberty and Ellis Island. Ritz Carlton Hotels (800) 241-3333 Terminal Locations Sheraton Hotels (800) 325-3535 Jersey City, Port Liberte Stouffer Hotels (800) 468-3571 Chapel Ave. and Colgate Center, Exchange Place, south of Super 8 Motels (800) 800-8000 Holland Tunnel. TraveLodge Motels (800) 578-7878 Hoboken Terminal, at Hoboken Train Station Westin Hotels (800) 228-3000 1 Observer Hwy, Hoboken Port Imperial Terminal Inter-City Transportation I-495 just north of Lincoln Tunnel, Weehawken. Amtrak (800) 872-7245 Greyhound Bus (800) 231-2222 Belford Terminal 10 Harbor Way, Belford. Free parking for 500 cars. Direct service Service from City to numerous locations throughout the United to Pier 11, Wall Street. Connections to Brooklyn, Queens and States. Jersey City. Rental Cars RiverLink Ferry (215) 925-5465 Advantage, advantage.com (800) 777-5500 1 Riverside Dr., Camden Alamo, alamo.com (800) 462-5266 Service between Camden and Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia. Avis, avis.com (800) 331-1212 Terminal behind the New Jersey State Aquarium. Seasonal 3/23- Budget, budget.com (800) 527-0700 12/1 Dollar, dollar.com (800) 800-4000 Seastreak (732) 872-262 Enterprise, enterprise.com (800) 736-8222 2 First Ave., Atlantic Highlands E-Z, e-zrentacar.com (972) 574-3360 Service between Atlantic Highlands, Highlands and Fox/Payless, foxrentacar.com (800) 225-4369 New York City. Hertz, hertz.com (800) 654-3131 National, nationalcar.com (800) 227-7368 Thrifty, thrifty.com (800) 367-2277

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New Jersey Information Guide [ 15 TRAVEL INFORMATION

Toll Roads Trains Atlantic City Expressway (609) 965-6060 New Jersey Transit 44 miles from Atlantic City west to State Rt. 42 in Gloucester Northern NJ (800) 772-2222 County. Southern NJ (800) 582-5946 Out of State (973) 762-5100 Garden State Parkway (732) 442-8600 173 miles runs north and south along the state’s eastern PATCO (Port Authority Transit Corporation) (856) 772-6900 seaboard from Cape May north and ultimately connects to the New High-speed line between Southern New Jersey and Philadelphia. York State Thruway. PATH (Port Authority Trans Hudson) (800) 234-7284 New Jersey Turnpike (732) 247-0900 Service from the Newark metropolitan area to lower Manhattan. 137 miles runs from the Delaware Memorial Bridge in southern SEPTA (215) 580-7800 New Jersey to the George Washington Bridge in Bergen County. (South Eastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) EZ-PASS (888) 288-6865 Service between Trenton, West Trenton, Lindenwold and www.EZPassNJ.com Philadelphia and surrounding areas. EZ-Pass is an electronic toll collection system which takes cash, Metro-North Railroad (800) METRO-INFO coins and toll tickets out of the toll collection process. Instead, www.mta.nyc.ny.us/mnr drivers prepay tolls and attach a small electronic device to their MTA Metro-North Railroad, the second largest commuter railroad vehicles. Tolls are automatically calculated and deducted from the in the United States, provides approximately 250,000 customer prepaid accounts as EZ-Pass customers pass through the toll trips each weekday and some 73,000,000 trips per year. Total lanes. May be used on toll roads of the NJ Turnpike, Garden State square mileage of the service territory is approximately 2,701 miles. Parkway, the Atlantic City Expressway, and all Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Delaware crossings.

DRIVER & AUTO LICENSE

New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission www.state.nj.us Auto License Driver’s License Take your out-of-state title to any MVC Agency. If you have moved to New Jersey from another state where you Fill out a sales tax form. Although sales tax will not be charged, were a licensed driver, you need to purchase an examination permit this form must be completed, noting the proper exemption for a within 60 days of becoming a New Jersey resident. vehicle purchased and registered in another state before the owner Procedure to transfer your Basic Automobile License: became a New Jersey resident. Complete an application for You must purchase a permit for each class of vehicle you will be Certificate of Ownership. operating. Pay fee of $20. You will need to bring your out-of-state license, acceptable proof You will receive a receipt copy of the title information over the of age and identification and address, and proof of Social Security counter, and the title will be mailed to you from Trenton after (or exemption). The out-of-state license must be surrendered at the verification (approximately 4 to 6 weeks). Even though you do not agency upon receipt of a valid New Jersey license. receive the title at the agency, you may register the vehicle, provided it is properly insured. License plates will be issued and you may operate the vehicle while waiting for the title.

16 ] New Jersey Information Guide REGIONS AND LARGE CITIES

Elizabeth Perhaps nowhere is the primeval majesty of nature more evident Originally called Elizabethtown, named in honor of the wife of Sir than within the one million acres of the legendary Pine Barrens, the George Carteret, was established on the banks of the Elizabeth largest tract of open space on the Mid-Atlantic coast and home to River in 1665. Elizabethtown thrived with a population of 700 and more than 1,000 species of plants and animals. the City was the first capital of New Jersey. The first major industry, There’s more nature to discover at the New Jersey State the Singer Sewing Machine Company came to Elizabeth and Aquarium on the Camden Waterfront, with its 760,000-gallon open employed as many as 2,000 people. Elizabeth grew in parallel to its ocean tank. For more excitement, play ball with the Trenton sister city of Newark for many years. Thunder or the Camden Riversharks. For hard-riding excitement, The city has a population of 120,568, making it New Jersey’s take the whole family to enjoy the daredevil events at Cowtown fourth largest city. Today Elizabeth is home to the Bayway Refinery, Rodeo in Pilesgrove, the largest weekly rodeo on the East Coast. a ConocoPhillips refining facility that helps supply petroleum-based Yah-hoo! products to the New York/New Jersey area, producing Here’s a region that really puts the "garden" in the Garden State. approximately 230,000 barrels per day. You’ll find dozens of "pick-your-own farms-fill a basket or two as Delaware River Region you stroll among rows of sweet corn, blueberries, peaches or Trenton is the capital of New Jersey and the county seat of tomatoes, or experience 1900-era farming at the Howell Living Mercer County. Trenton is an anchor city for the Delaware Valley Historical Farm in Titusville. metropolitan area. Trenton and its immediate suburbs are often Skylands Region lumped together and referred to as “Greater Trenton” by locals. The Skylands Region refers to an area in Northwest New Jersey The City of Trenton is home to numerous neighborhoods and that is part of the New York - New Jersey Highlands, near the sub-neighborhoods. The main neighborhoods are taken from the borders with New York and Pennsylvania. The area features uplifted four cardinal directions (North, South, East, and West) and are often land and mountains that are elevated over much of the coastal plain the main identifying points for city residents. North Ward is an of South Jersey and Central Jersey. The area includes Hunterdon, African American community that houses numerous important sites Morris, Somerset, Sussex and Warren counties. in this predominantly African American city and its history. South For over two centuries a prolific iron industry wielded huge Ward is the most diverse neighborhood in Trenton and is home to influence over the development of the area. In particular, the forges, many residents with Latin American, Italian, Polish and Irish furnaces, and mines of Dover, Wharton and Boonton, all located ancestry as well as a sizable African American community. The along the banks of the Rockaway River, were intimately connected Chambersburg neighborhood is contained within South Ward, and from the early 1700s through the heady times of the Morris Canal is noted in the region as a destination for its many Italian and the subsequent railroads. restaurants. East Ward is the smallest neighborhood in Trenton and Although some mines operated until the mid-1900s, New is home to Trenton’s train station as well as Trenton Central High Jersey’s iron era began a frightening decline around 1876. The School. Recently, two campuses have been added, Trenton Central towns found ways to diversify into other manufacturing enterprises High School West and Trenton Central High School North, as the nineteenth century gave way to the twentieth. Some of the respectively, in those areas of the city. West Ward is the home of more successful of these ventures gave Dover, Wharton, and Trenton’s more affluent neighborhoods, including Hiltonia, Berkeley Boonton something to shout about and in some cases, world-wide Square, and the area surrounding Cadwalader Park. celebrity. Experience history first hand at the Rankokus Indian Reservation About the time iron making was slowing down, silk production in Rancocas, or in Lawnside, the state’s first African-American was gearing up. Paterson was home to several silk manufacturers, incorporated community. Tour the historic town of Batsto, a faithfully many of whom ultimately moved into Morris County. While Dover, preserved 19th century town where craftspeople still live and work. Wharton and Boonton all began developing other industries, it was Honor those who fought for liberty with a visit to the USS Battleship silk that provided the initial burst of activity, and silk that remained New Jersey at its new berth on the Camden Waterfront. active well into the 1920s. Interestingly, while Port Oram and The Arts also reign supreme in the Delaware River Region. The Boonton were closely tied through mining ventures, Dover and Port Patriots Theater at the Trenton War Memorial echoes with concerts. Oram ultimately became united through the silk industry with many Hamilton’s Grounds For Sculpture is a magical walk among stone, plants moving from one town to the other over the years. bronze, marble, steel, granite, concrete and wood forms, where live The region contains two national parks at its edges, 60,000 acres peacocks roam the grounds. Be entertained at Camden’s South of state parkland, and a diverse and beautiful geography filled with Jersey Performing Arts Center and Princeton’s Tony Award-winning lakes, rivers and picturesque hills dotted with farms. The region’s McCarter Theatre, host to drama, dance and music. Headline rustic nature is perfectly complemented by many vigorous towns entertainment reigns supreme at the Tweeter Center on Camden’s and villages that offer wonderful entertainment, shopping and dining waterfront. opportunities, fine museums, theaters and accommodations.

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New Jersey Information Guide [ 17 REGIONS AND LARGE CITIES

In the rolling hills of New Jersey’s Skylands, visitors can spy bald If it’s the call of the wild you seek, you’ll never find it wilder than eagles, retrace Washington’s footsteps and soar in a hot air balloon- the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Kittatinny all just a short drive away. Fairs and festivals are celebrated in quaint Mountains, or the Camp Taylor Campground in Columbia. Nearby, canal towns and in majestic fields. Be awestruck at the you can observe the natural habitat of wolves at the Lakota Wolf annual New Jersey Festival of Ballooning in July, when hundreds of Preserve. colorful hot air balloons fill the sky. Excitement is the watchword in Some prefer to see the Skylands on their own power-hiking Lambertville, during April’s annual Shad Fest. There are also plenty power. Wind your way through 50 miles of wilderness on the of enchanting places for the young or young at heart at the Space Sussex Branch and Paulinskill Valley trails in Sussex and Warren Farms Zoo and Museum in Beemerville or the Land of Make Believe counties, or tackle part of the 70 miles of Appalachian Trail. You can in Hope. watch winter turn to "winner" with perfect conditions for To be or not to be? That and many more questions-plus a few snowboarding, downhill or cross-country skiing at Mountain Creek, laughs-are raised in classic comedies and dramas at the New Hidden Valley and High Point State Park. Jersey Shakespeare Festival in Madison. Or catch a music festival For an underground view, the Franklin Mineral Museum affords a at the restored 19th Century Waterloo Village, where you can also unique subterranean perspective on its underground mine tour. experience a historic grist mill, apothecary shop, and a 200-year-old Brilliant fluorescent minerals are on display in Ogdensburg’s Sterling way of life. Hill Mining Museum. No visit to the Skylands would be complete without a visit to the If exploring stores is more your style, Frenchtown and Chester Morristown National Historic Park, the site of George Washington’s offer lovely old-fashioned streets lined with antique stores and headquarters in 1779-80, where his troops spent the bone-chilling galleries, while Lambertville features eclectic art and antique winter of 1779 at Jockey Hollow. galleries

WEATHER

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Average High 38.8 40.5 48.8 58.3 67.6 77.4 82.3 81.3 74.8 64.6 54.7 44.0 Average Low 22.3 24.1 31.9 40.1 49.9 59.4 65.0 64.1 57.6 46.5 37.8 28.0 Average Precipitation 3.6 3.4 4.1 4.1 4.3 3.5 4.4 4.4 3.6 3.5 4.2 4.0 Temperature in degrees F, precipitation in inches

18 ] New Jersey Information Guide THINGS TO SEE & DO

New Jersey Fun Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, and the Community Theatre in From the rolling hills of the Skylands to bustling towns along 127 Morristown. The PNC Bank Arts Center in Homdel along with the miles of beautiful Atlantic coastline, New Jersey is an ideal family Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton and the Tweeter Center in destination filled with endless excitement, education, entertainment Camden present major headliner concerts that include jazz, blues, and exploration opportunities. R&B and Rock & Roll. Mountain Creek in Vernon offers a water park, hiking areas, For fine art, some of the most acclaimed museums in the Mid winter skiing and the fabulous Kidz World. The Space Farms Atlantic region are based in New Jersey. The Newark Museum has Museum and Zoo in Beemerville is another popular stop. magnificent collections of American Art and the largest collection of Columbia’s Lakota Wolf Preserve has wolves, wolf pups, bobcats Tibetan Art and artifacts in the western world. The Montclair Art and foxes all in their natural habitats and Northlandz has the largest Museum and the Jersey City Museum also present highly regarded miniature railroad in the world. exhibitions. The Morris Museum in Morristown mounts diverse For younger children there’s the Story Land Park at Fairy Tale exhibitions and presents a full array of special performances Forest in Oak Ridge. The Liberty Science Center at Liberty State including theatre and dance. Park in Jersey City has the country’s largest IMAX(r) Dome Theater. New Jersey is the birthplace of the film industry, home to Thomas And ferry service to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island is available Edison and his Black Maria Studio and now the Fort Lee Film from the park. Commission is a center for the preservation and restoration of some In Trenton, The State Planetarium offers a look into the deeper of the greatest films ever made. regions of space and there’s the Old Barracks Museum, made Dance lovers have several companies to enjoy including the New famous by George Washington during the Revolution. The New Jersey Ballet, the American Repertory Ballet, and the Nai Ni Chen Jersey State Aquarium in Camden has more than 4,000 aquatic Dance Company. New Jersey also boosts more than 20 species and children can experience the horticultural playground at professional theatres and the New Jersey Theatre Alliance offers the Camden Children’s Garden. special promotions, calendars and information on all of them. For major theme park entertainment Six Flags Great Adventure in The Tony Award winning McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton Jackson offers the Hurricane Harbor Water Park and the Wild Safari has a complete season of plays, music, dance and special series Animal Park. The boardwalks and beach amusements along the featuring internationally renowned performers and companies. coast feature fun, food and entertainment along with the surf and Other cultural attractions in the area include the Patriots Theatre at sand. the War Memorial, the State Museum and Old Barracks in Trenton. For 24-hour gaming excitement, headline entertainment, superior restaurants and shops, there’s Atlantic City ~ “America’s Favorite And a broad array of sculpture is displayed at the 35-acre Grounds Playground.” And there’s the 4.5-mile boardwalk with the famous for Sculpture in Hamilton. Other premier performance venues Steel Pier. The area features numerous other attractions like the include The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. Ocean Life Center, Storybook Land and the Absecon Lighthouse. New Jersey’s high-quality musical organizations include The New The Southern Shore Region is a haven of special events, live Jersey Symphony Orchestra, which is a nationally recognized shows, concerts, art shows, ethnic festivals and other attractions. orchestra. The NJ Chamber Music Society, The Haddonfield The area offers merry-go-rounds, roller coasters, water parks and Symphony, Garden State Philharmonic, and Greater Trenton sky-high ferris wheels, zoos and the Forsythe’s Wildlife Refuge, Symphony are among the many professional orchestras in the state which are all big attractions. that are sure to please audiences of all ages. See for yourself why New Jersey is a favorite destination for family Visitors to the Greater Atlantic City Region will enjoy the Noyes vacations of all ages. Museum of Art in Oceanville, with its exhibitions of contemporary art The cultural life and treasures of New Jersey have never been and regional folk life. Music, theatre and dance performances at the more abundant than now, at the dawn of the 21st Century. With Stockton Performing Arts Center have become a hallmark of the more than 700 arts organizations making their home here, every region along with the annual Cape May Music and Jazz festivals. region is bursting with music, theater, dance, film, fine art and The Atlantic City Historical Museum presents exhibits like cultural exhibits. “Starshine: There’s No Business Like Show Business in Atlantic City.” Nearby at the Garden Pier, the works of immortal painters, The New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark sets the stage sculptors and photographers are on display at the Atlantic City Art for breathtaking and diverse performances by national and Center. international stars, Broadway headliners and world famous operas. Doo Wop Preservation League Museum In Millburn, the renowned Paper Mill Playhouse presents “Doo Wop” lovers of ‘50s and ‘60s pop culture will love the Doo spectacular productions of great American plays and musicals. Wop Preservation League Museum. And, don’t miss Wheaton Other premier performance venues include the John Harms Center Village in Millville, home to the Creative Glass Center of America. for the Arts in Englewood, The State Theatre in New Brunswick, the continued on page 20

New Jersey Information Guide [ 19 THINGS TO SEE & DO

The Camden waterfront is home to The Battleship Memorial and And that is just a tiny sampling of the goings on in the Greater Museum at the Battleship New Jersey, and there is also the NJ Atlantic City Region, “America’s Favorite Playground.” State Aquarium. History and culture are at the Rutgers Camden Parks For All Seasons Center for the Arts and the South Jersey Performing Arts Center. For starters, the 5,726 acres of parks, golf courses and Both feature a diverse range of acclaimed performers. New Jersey reservations in Essex County is America’s very first park system. It offers visitors a wide variety of cultural experiences. For a complete is actually comprised of 26 parks throughout the county with listing of upcoming cultural events visit www.jerseyarts.com features you will find nowhere else. And, twenty of the 26 parks and When visiting the Garden State be sure to Discover Jersey Arts reservations were designed by the renowned landscape architect, and expect the unexpected! Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. who also designed Central Park in New Two Magic Words: Atlantic City York City. Those two words in combination conjure up spectacular, history, Sure, parks are places for activities like jogging, hiking and biking, daytime thrills and nighttime excitement: simply the magic is no but that is just the beginning. Add to that 68 tennis courts, three illusion-it is real and Atlantic City’s got it all. It would be easy to public golf courses, two community centers and a zoo. There are spend an entire vacation going from casino to casino to sample the also summer camps, golf tournaments, live concerts and even hospitality, the shows, the gaming and the food. Their lure is the indoor ice-skating. stuff of legend. The boardwalk alone is world famous. But take a The Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange will challenge any step or two off the beaten path and the odds are in your favor that hiker’s mettle with its winding bridle paths and trails through forests a jackpot of fun and fascination awaits. of red oak and red maple. Make it to the top and you will be A season of dance, theatre, music and children’s programming rewarded with a spectacular view of the Manhattan skyline awaits all culture enthusiasts at the Stockton Performing Arts spanning from the George Washington Bridge to the Verrazano Center in Pomona. Pay a visit to all five of the area museums, each Narrows Bridge. You will definitely have worked up an appetite and totally unique. Ever heard of a museum with its own television the “Old Casino,” first built in 1911, is now the Highlawn Pavilion studio, car factory and hospital Emergency Room? It is all at the Restaurant, a great place to dine. Children’s Museum in Egg Harbor Township. The Atlantic City The largest parkland in Essex County is South Mountain Historical Museum is a time capsule of this exciting city’s glorious Reservation where the whole family can enjoy Turtle Back Zoo. The past and present. For a taste of the bizarre, you will do everything fun does not stop there. The reservation has 10 picnic areas, 19 from laugh to shudder at the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum at miles of trails and 27 miles of carriage roads for jogging and New York Avenue and Boardwalk. The Noyes Museum of Art in horseback riding from spring to fall. In the winter, cross-country Oceanville offers rotating exhibits and permanent collections of skiers usually take possession. There is plenty of fishing at Diamond contemporary American art, crafts and folk art, including unique Mill Pond, an archery range and two indoor ice skating rinks. All holdings of carved duck decoys. The Brigantine Sea Life Museum told, South Mountain is a park to enjoy all year round. and Marine Mammal Stranding Center is a hospital and refuge that There are the sculptured lions, a roller rink and “Cherry gives spectators a close look at rescued whales, dolphins, seals Blossomland” in Newark’s Branch Brook Park. There are the and sea turtles. If the fine arts are what you crave, the Atlantic City archery ranges and rose gardens in Brookdale Park. There is Riker Art Center always has ongoing exhibits of oil paintings, acrylics, Hill Park with its geological museum, the trail to Dinosaur Park, and watercolors, pastels, graphics, photography and sculptures. For the glass blowing, woodworking and ceramics in the Crafts Center. antiques and collectibles, Atlantic City captivates even the most discerning browser. There is rock climbing at the Mills Reservation and bocce courts and baseball fields in Vailsburg Park. Add to that, special events like The Ocean Life Center in nearby Gardener’s Basin. Courtesy of the annual Cherry Blossom Festival with more blossoms than DC, Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority. art shows and concerts, along with nearby historical sites and You may be rolling into town with a trailer, pop-up, recreational museums. For more than 100 years the Essex County Park System vehicle (RV), or motorhome. Campgrounds are ready and waiting. has been much more than “a walk in the park.” Facilities like Buena Vista, River Beach Camp II and Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park offer swimming pools, full hookups, video arcades Liberty State Park www.libertystatepark.com and more. Blueberry Hill offers all this plus a shuttle to the casino action. Take a step back into the past and tour Gardner’s Basin with On the New York Harbor, less than 2,000 feet from the Statue of antiques, eateries, boating, fisherman’s museum and ocean life Liberty, Liberty State Park has served a vital role in the development center. To capture some adventure of your own, try party boat of New Jersey's metropolitan region and the history of the nation. fishing. Bring some of the past home with you from the 60 colonial With the development of Liberty State Park came a renaissance of shops that grace the Town of Historic Smithville and the nearby the waterfront. The park was formerly opened on Flag Day, June 14, Village Green. 1976, as New Jersey’s bicentennial gift to the nation. Most of this

20 ] New Jersey Information Guide THINGS TO SEE & DO

1,122 acre park is open space with approximately 300 acres Shedding New Light On The Lighthouses developed for public recreation. New Jersey’s lighthouses are majestic beacons, silent sentinels Performing Arts that guard time and mariners alike. It’s a testament to the craftsmanship of their construction that so many lighthouses survive New Jersey Performing Arts Center today, after years of fighting the awe-inspiring forces of the sea. One Center Street Each one that remains tells its own fascinating tale of bygone Newark, NJ 07102 Box Office (888) 466-5722 seafarers and the dangers they faced. www.njpac.org As you plan your next vacation, remember to discover New The New Jersey Performing Arts Center has garnered national Jersey’s lighthouses. The 11 lighthouses that are accessible to the attention, serving as a model for its programming and audience public are located in some of the most beautiful and adventurous diversity, education initiatives, and the catalytic role it has played in settings you’ll ever encounter. Put them on your travel itinerary and returning nightlife and economic activity to New Jersey’s largest you’ll agree that New Jersey’s lighthouses are a Must-See! urban community. On its Opening Night, NJPAC became the sixth In the Shore Region, the majestic architecture of the Twin Lights largest performing arts center in the United States (based on annual of Navesink in the Highlands provides a panoramic view of New operating budget). York City. Nearby at the Sandy Hook Unit of the Gateway National Bergen Performing Arts Center Recreation Area you can visit the Sandy Hook Lighthouse-the 30 N. Van Brunt Street oldest operating lighthouse in America-that overlooks New York Englewood, New Jersey 07631 Harbor. Box office (201 2 27-1030 www.bergenpac.org The Shore Region is also home to the Sea Girt Lighthouse that’s nestled within an L-shaped Victorian building that has been The Bergen Performing Arts Center is unquestionably one of the meticulously restored and maintained. To the south on Long Beach leading cultural institutions in the state. With unparalleled vintage Island stands the 165-foot tall Barnegat Lighthouse. Climb its 217 acoustics, the auditorium hosts world-class events. steps and be treated to a spectacular view of the island, Barnegat Paper Mill Playhouse Bay and Island Beach State Park, a 3,000-acre park that is one of Brookside Drive Millburn, NJ 07041 New Jersey’s last significant remnants of a barrier island ecosystem (973) 379-3636 that once existed along much of the coast. www.papermill.org In Tuckerton, visitors can see the Tucker’s Island Light, a re- Paper Mill Playhouse was one of the first to begin the regional creation of an Atlantic Ocean lighthouse that fell into the sea in theatre movement in the United States. It has grown to be one of 1927. The recreated lighthouse now stands in Tuckerton Seaport, a the most acclaimed non-profit professional theatres in the country working maritime village. and attracts more than 425,000 people annually. In 1972, Gov. The Absecon Lighthouse in Atlantic City is one of the Greater William Cahill proclaimed Paper Mill the "Official State Theatre of Atlantic City Region’s most popular attractions. Like Barnegat New Jersey." The theatre has been cited as a State Center of Lighthouse the 171-foot tall Absecon Lighthouse offers spectacular Artistic Excellence and as a Major Impact and Distinguished Arts views of the area. The 157-foot Cape May Lighthouse at Cape May Organization by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Point State Park is another popular destination that features a 190- State Theater acre park that is mostly a natural area where visitors can observe 15 Livingston Avenue migrating birds and butterflies. New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Hereford Inlet Lighthouse in North Wildwood looks like a prime (732) 246-SHOW (7469) www.statetheatrenj.org vacation home that is surrounded by a beautiful garden. To the west in Heislerville stands the East Point Lighthouse, which stands alone The State Theatre is a magnificently renovated 1921 1800-seat in a picturesque setting on the shore of the Delaware Bay. vaudeville theater presenting a diversity of world-class events including international orchestras, Broadway musicals, jazz The Tinicum Rear Range Lighthouse in Paulsboro serves as a key productions, dance ensembles, touring operas, country music, navigation aide for ships traveling on the Delaware River to educational programs, children's events, world music, a film series, Philadelphia. and more. The concert hall attracts over 300,000 patrons each year In Pennsville, visitors can see the wrought iron open-frame Finns from all 21 counties in New Jersey as well as from Pennsylvania and Point Rear Range Light that was constructed in Buffalo, New York New York. and moved by train and mule-wagon in 1876 to its present site. To learn more about New Jersey’s lighthouses visit the New Jersey Lighthouse Society Web site at http://njlhs.burlco.org

continued on page 22

New Jersey Information Guide [ 21 THINGS TO SEE & DO

Shoppers Got a Brand New Bag Sports & Recreation For shoppers who like to “go for the gold,” shopping is a sport. One of the greatest entertainment facilities in the world, the When you need malls and lots of them, there is the Delaware River Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford is home to both Region. Market Fair in Princeton, Quakerbridge Mall and the the New York Giants and the New York Jets. And that’s just the sprawling Forrestal Village are all within minutes of one another! To beginning. The National Basketball Association’s (NBA’s) New find just about anything imaginable under one roof, check out the Jersey Nets also have a home in the Continental Airlines Arena. You Cherry Hill Mall in Cherry Hill. And, if antiques are your passion take can be there, too, to watch them battle their way to the playoffs. a trip to Haddonfield with its dozens of antique shops. “Ice on Fire” is the phrase you hear when hockey fans talk about the You may be someone for whom shopping is a hunt. You are after New Jersey Devils-the two-time Stanley Cup winners are out to the most elusive of treasures: “the find.” You decide to head for the make serious skating history this season. Giants Stadium also plays Skylands Region and Lambertville’s Golden Nugget Antique Flea host to the New York Red Bulls Soccer Team. Market, a sprawling antique jungle. You can not resist stopping at Some people like their spectator sports on the “fast track” and in the yard sales (they are everywhere!) on your way to the magical New Jersey the tracks are faster than ever. Thoroughbred and streets of Frenchtown, with its antique stores, galleries, bakeries harness racing is the name of the game at the Meadowlands and restaurants. For a memorable shopping experience visit Liberty Racetrack, which is also the setting for the legendary harness Village Premium Outlets in Flemington, the country’s first outlet racing of the famed Hambletonian Festival, or the annual Haskill village with more than 55 stores. For premium outdoor gear, there Invitational Handicap at Monmouth Park Racetrack. are two new L.L. Bean stores in Marlton and Flemington. BA Men’s Basketball — New Jersey Nets Shopping is an adventure for a lot of families. It means fun, great Continental Airlines Arena Meadowlands Sport Complex bargains, good food, maybe even a movie. The Greater Atlantic City East Rutherford, NJ 07073 Region teems with excitement. Past meets present at the colonial (201) 935-8888 Historic Towne of Smithville, where shoppers can stroll cobblestone www.njnets.com streets, marveling at the crafts shops. Close by, there’s something NFL Men's Football — New York Jets for everyone at The Village Green-21 specialty shops, train rides, Meadowlands Sport Complex paddleboats and a carousel! East Rutherford, NJ 07073 www.newyorkjets.com With so many exotic shopping excursions to choose from, NFL Men’s Football — New York Giants shopping can be a mini-vacation. You may find yourself in the Giants Stadium Gateway Region again and again. There are 175 stores at the Short East Rutherford, NJ 07073 Hills Mall, 115 at the Livingston Mall, 65 at Mill Creek. The Mitsuwa (201)935-8222 Marketplace is like being in another world with its Asian flare, www.giants.com fabulous restaurants and totally unique stores. Secaucus is a land NHL Men’s Hockey — New Jersey Devils of more than 100 name brand outlet stores, and right nearby is Continental Airlines Arena Jersey Gardens, the state’s largest outlet mall. With dozens of other Meadowlands Sport Complex East Rutherford, NJ 07073 outlets and discount stores, you may never want to go home. NJ (201) 507-8900 If you combine them all-the hobby, the hunt, the sporting spirit NY (212) 307-7171 and an adventurous vacation, then shopping is a way of life. Get a www.newjerseydevils.com group of friends (shopping “lifers” travel in packs) and cover the MSL Men’s Soccer — New York Red Bulls Shore Region’s Shoppes at Silver Sun, sail along Schooner’s Wharf, Giants Stadium plow through Freehold Raceway Mall (and ride the indoor carousel), Meadowlands Sport Complex East Rutherford, NJ 07073 score bargains at the Jackson Outlet Village and find the ultimate (201) 583-7000 antique floor lamp at the New Egypt Flea Market. And just wait until tomorrow!

22 ] New Jersey Information Guide

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SMOOTH TRANSITIONS

Choosing a Moving Company Have at least three movers come to your home and give estimates. Be sure to ask whether the estimates are binding, non-binding or guaranteed not to exceed a certain amount. Obtain each company’s assigned Motor Carrier number and call the USDOT at (202) 358-7000 to determine if they are registered and have the proper insurance on file. Ask your prospective moving company for a copy of the “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” booklet. Relocation to Your New City If you’re one of the 40 million Americans planning to move this year, you need a strategy. Starting early and staying organized is the key to a painless move. In general, follow the pre- move checklists provided. These lists will help you track the myriad details needed to facilitate your move. If you are selling your present home and/or buying a new one, refer to the home inspection checklist and the mortgage glossary. If you are planning to rent in your new city, read the article on rental tips. And, if you are undecided, we hope the article entitled “Buying vs. Renting” will help you assess the pros and cons of each. Whatever decisions you face based on your particular circumstances, stay positive, calm and organized. And, don’t forget to make some time just for yourself. It will probably save you a lot of time in the long run! Packing Tips • Sort your belongings. If you don’t use an item, dispose of it. • Label boxes indicating what they contain and in which room they should be placed. • Drain gas and oil from power tools so they will not leak; dispose of all volatile or corrosive chemicals. • After cleaning out the refrigerator and/or freezer, place pieces of charcoal in them to prevent mildew. • Pack important records in easily accessible place. Include medical, dental, school, insurance, credit card and tax records. • Use strong, clean containers with lids secured with twine or tape. • Put no more than 50 pounds in each container. • Place heavy items towards the bottom of the containers; lighter items on top. • Protect all finished surfaces from scratching by wrapping them in paper. • Use plenty of cushioning such as shredded or crumpled paper to protect belongings in boxes. Remember that newspaper ink can rub off and stain items packed with it. • Pack items tightly to avoid shifting during move. • Fragile items, like china, should be packed in reinforced boxes or in special boxes with compartments. • Individually wrap and cushion electrical appliances. • Make sure liquids and foodstuffs are placed in carefully sealed containers. Wrap and pack kitchenware tightly to prevent damage.

24 ] New Jersey Information Guide SMOOTH TRANSITION

• Chests and dressers should not be overloaded since glued where these boxes go. This way, movers will be directed to the furniture joints could collapse. correct rooms if you’re not available to tell them where to put • Unusually shaped or valuable items should be crated or moved each box. by you and not the movers. Easily crushed items should be • Make a detailed floor plan for where you want things to go in your individually boxed and cushioned. new home. Photocopy it so you can tack up copies in every room • You should not remove home fixtures such as window treatment for the movers. hardware, towel racks and electrical fixtures. Unless your sales • Take snapshots of wall units and shelves, so you know how agreement specifically states otherwise, such items are usually things were arranged on them. considered legally part of your residence. Let the moving Settling Into Your New Home company pack furniture, mirrors and artwork to prevent damage. • Start by making the beds. Bedding tends to be bulky and Stay Organized eliminating lots of boxes quickly and easily will be encouraging. Here are some basic tips to help make moving less traumatic: • Unpack and organize children’s belonging’s next. Young children • Pack an “Immediate Box” or an overnight suitcase with the will quickly become restless without familiar things. Remember to necessities you’ll be needing right away. Don’t forget to include position storage hooks and shelves that children will be using medicines and a first aid kit, toilet paper, tissue, and paper within their reach. towels. • Next, tackle the kitchen. This job will go much faster if each box • Pack an “Immediate Kitchen” box including trash bags, the has been specifically labeled as to its contents. Simply labeling coffee pot or tea kettle, toaster, plastic silverware, paper plates, “Kitchen” doesn’t help you prioritize which box to unpack first. styrofoam cups and some non-perishable snacks, such as • Stay positive. Getting settled into your new home can seem crackers, peanut butter, dried fruit. This way, there will be some overwhelming unless you look at it as a series of small projects. instant sustenance while you get organized. • Affix colored labels to the moving boxes according to destination. • Congratulate yourself! You accomplished a lot today! Put the same-color labels or signs on the door of the rooms

New Jersey Information Guide [ 25 26 ] New Jersey Information Guide WHAT’S ALL THE TALK ABOUT. YOU PACK, THEY DRIVE MOVING?

Moving Decisions Save Time and Money Are you faced with an upcoming job relocation? With so many The “you pack, they drive” moving alternative saves you the options for moving your household items, it can be a difficult trouble of driving an unfamiliar vehicle as well as the stress and decision to determine which service best fits your moving needs. difficulty during a long-distance drive. Since the estimates provided Also, with a limited relocation budget from your employer to cover for this service are based on volume (space) and not weight, you will your moving costs, finding a service that complements your avoid unexpected higher moving costs and hidden fees associated pocketbook is important as well. While hiring a professional moving with other full-service moving companies. Unlike a rental truck, the company may be time-saving, the cost for full-service moving could normal moving expenses such as fuel, taxes, tolls, and unexpected be several thousand dollars. A recent trend in the moving industry costs such as flat tires and engine blowouts are covered by the is the do-it-yourself moving option. Most people associate do-it- service provider. yourself with the truck rental option; however, the “you pack, they Loading Service Options drive” moving alternative is becoming increasingly popular. The cost savings of using the “you pack, they drive” service New Moving Alternative largely result from packing and loading your trailer. Some customers With this type of service, you are expected to pack and load your may not have the physical ability or manpower to pack and load items in an adequately-sized commercial trailer. You are given up to their own trailer. This problem is relatively easy to solve—simply two business days to pack and load your goods. The cost of the check with one of the packing and loading companies suggested move is controlled by the customer because this service allows you by the “you pack, they drive” service provider. You can locate to pay for only the spaced used in the trailer. Once you have packing and loading assistance in both your origin and destination completed the packing and loading process, the trailer is picked up cities. By combining the “you pack, they drive” service with local by the local dispatch office. The trailer is then transported by a loading and unloading assistance, you can save money versus professional driver to your destination. You will receive an estimated using a full-service moving company. arrival time for delivery of your goods and will also have the ability to The Choice is Yours track your goods during the transit of your move. Upon arrival at During your search for the best moving option for your upcoming your new home, the trailer is delivered at the appointed time and job relocation, consider the “you pack, they drive” moving option you will unpack and unload your goods. The local dispatch office and know that you are in control of every aspect of your move. You will then come and remove the empty trailer. will not only save time and money, you will experience less stress and headache during an already stressful part of your life.

New Jersey Information Guide [ 27 PRE-MOVE CHECKLIST

One Month Before Two Weeks Before

 Take Inventory. Decide what to keep and what to get rid of.  Notify Phone Company: Your new local phone company should be notified of your move no sooner than 30 business  Reserve a rental truck or select a moving company. Look for days prior to move, and no later than 5 business days before rental trucks and moving companies in local brochures, yellow moving. The service representative will run a quick credit check pages, or through your rental agent/ real estate broker. and assign you a new telephone number.  Make a moving file for important documents, such as family  Notify Utilities: The electric and gas service companies should medical and dental records, school records, legal documents be contacted at least two weeks before your move. The old and titles, banking and financial statements, stock and bond service will need your move out date and you should request certificates, tax returns, birth certificates and insurance the return of any deposits at this time. The new service will documents. Include all receipts – many expenses are tax need your move in date to determine when service will be deductible. turned on or transferred to your name. You can inquire if they  Make any car rental, airline or hotel arrangements. have a billing plan to balance out of season differences by paying a set amount each month. If moving into an apartment,  Gather moving supplies such as boxes, tape, bubble wrap and check with the property manager to see if service was left on paper for wrapping. before you call the utility companies. Write down the emergency numbers to call in event of a problem or outage.  Post Office: A week before you move, you should stop by your local post office to fill out a change of address cards.  Banks: (checking accounts, investments, etc.): Before you Correspondence cards are also available to send to various move to your new city, make sure all existing accounts in your companies such as credit card companies, magazine old bank are closed. Find a new bank to fill your personal publishers and any other organizations that should be needs and open accounts, order checks and obtain direct informed of your move. The mail will be forwarded to your new deposit forms if applicable. home for a full year. After a year, the mail will be returned to the sender with your new address stamped on it. You can get an  Find a new doctor and dentist and have your family’s medical official change form at the local post office or on the Internet at records transferred to them. www.usps.gov/movernet.  Refill any prescription medications which must be taken  Credit Card Companies: Immediately notify all your credit card regularly and arrange to have those prescriptions transferred to companies of your move. Keeping an individual file on each your new city. one makes this process much easier. We suggest using the  Arrange to register your children in their new school(s). Contact correspondence cards offered at the post office in addition to their current school(s) to have their records forwarded. requesting in writing that they send you a letter of confirmation. It is also recommended to make a follow up call.

 Purchase Insurance: If you are moving from out of state and are insured by a fairly large company, they will most likely have an office in the city you are moving to. If you need to find a new company, it is important to get homeowners insurance at least one month before the move. Those moving to an apartment need to contact the insurance company two weeks before the move. If you have large amounts of jewelry and/or furs coats it’s important to contact the agency as soon as possible since you will be needing additional coverage.

 Remember to request the return of any security deposits.

28 ] New Jersey Information Guide PRE-MOVE CHECKLIST

One Week Before Moving Day

 Confirm any travel plans or reservations.  Early on moving day, reserve a large place for the moving truck to park. Mark off an area with cones or chairs. If you need to  Finish packing and make sure all boxes are clearly labeled. obtain parking permission from your apartment complex  Subscribe to the local newspaper and visit the Chamber of manager or the city, do so in advance. Commerce in your new city for additional community  Before work starts, walk through the house with the movers information. and describe the loading order. Show them items you intend to  Change of Address Notification: You will need to notify the transport yourself. You should have these items grouped in an Postal Service that you are moving. It is now possible to do so area prior to the movers arriving. Remain on site to answer the without visiting the post office. Go to website listed above. For movers’ questions and to provide special instructions. the fee of $1.00 you may fill out the address change  Walk through your home and make sure that everything was information online and receive an email confirmation. Or you loaded. Make sure you have the keys to your new home. may choose to print the form and mail it to your local post office. US Postal Service, www.usps.com  Remember that professional movers expect to be paid in full before your goods are unloaded. Check for damage, as items  Notify IRS: You will also need to notify the IRS that you have are unloaded and report any problems right away. moved. This will ensure you receive your IRS refund and/or any other correspondence. To change your address with the IRS,  Unless the company’s policy prohibits the acceptance of complete a Form 8822 (PDF), Address Change Request. This gratuities, it is customary to tip each mover. $20 is a good is available on the IRS website. IRS, www.irs.gov amount; you may want to tip more or less based on the service you received. One Day Before  If you are moving yourself and getting help from friends, make  sure you create a task list. Be sure to have everything packed Pick up your rental truck or confirm your move with the moving before your help arrives. It is natural for people to work in pairs, company. but you should consider each person’s physical ability and  Make sure you and your movers have the directions to your health status. Plan to provide beverages and food for your new home. Plan your travel so that you will be there to greet volunteers. Load the truck according to the directions your them and unlock your home. Have a backup plan in case one truck rental agency gave you, and make sure that you of you gets delayed. understand how to operate and drive the rental truck before you leave the agency.  Obtain the driver’s cell phone number and give him/her yours so you can stay in touch in case one of you is delayed.

 Ask what form of payment the movers will accept (check, money order, certified check, travelers checks) and make necessary arrangements.

New Jersey Information Guide [ 29 RELOCATING YOUR PET

Your coffee is finally brewing after what seemed like an endless After making a list of local veterinary clinics, take the time to go search through the boxes left by the moving company. The disk visit them. Talk to the staff. Ask about office hours, fees, whether jockey on the radio reads the weather forecast and you learn that it appointments are required, and what services are available. Also, is -5 degrees outside with an expected high of 0. Welcome to your ask if it is possible to talk to the doctor so that you can introduce new city, but at least your company gave you a nice raise for yourself and at least have a first impression to help you make your relocating. choice. Just as you start thinking that everything is proceeding smoothly Finally, ask your neighbors which veterinarians they take their and that your new city really does have a lot to offer, you realize pets to and why. Then, of course, it’s your decision, but at least you Prince, your four-year old Great Dane, isn’t acting right. Now what? have gathered some information on which to base your decision. Is he really sick? Homesick? What’s worse is that you don’t know All dogs should be vaccinated for the possibly fatal disease where the closest veterinarian is located and, of course, he or she Parvovirus. can’t be as good as Dr. Morris…and Prince just loved Dr. Morris. Remember to NEVER leave your pet in a car in hot weather, as Farfetched? Not really. Pets are probably most overlooked when heat conditions in cars can quickly become fatal to animals. it comes to relocating. Most people just expect their pets to wake up completely adapted to their new surroundings as if nothing changed. Although this is true for many pets, just as many find relocating to be traumatic. Furthermore, most people wait until their pet is ill before finding a new veterinarian. What should you do then for your pet when relocating? Actually the place to begin is in your hometown before you move. Speak to your own veterinarian and tell him/her where you are moving and ask his/her advice. In most cases, this alone will be sufficient to find out what is necessary to prepare your pet for transition. Further, people will be surprised how often their veterinarian can recommend someone in the area where they are moving. Whether or not this person will actually become your new veterinarian is not as important as the peace of mind that the recommendation is from someone you trust. Finally, don’t wait until your pet is ill before looking for a veterinarian. This is an extremely emotional time and nothing can be more traumatic than having to find a veterinarian in the midst of a crisis. It is obvious, then, that you should find a new veterinarian before that first crisis occurs so that when the need arises, you will be prepared. How do you go about finding a new veterinarian in a new city? The best place to begin is simply the NewMarket Services Information Guide. Location is an important factor, as many pets don’t travel well and, in the case of emergency, distance may be a factor in receiving timely treatment.

30 ] New Jersey Information Guide MOVING WITH CHILDREN

REINFORCE THE POSITIVES

et family members focused on and involved in the process of moving. Hold a family meeting to discuss why, where, when and how the family will move. Encourage Geveryone to ask questions and express feelings. If possible, drive the family to see the new home and take a tour of the new neighborhood schools, shops and parks. Take photos or videotape the new house and neighborhood. Make lists for each older child of things to do to prepare for the move and assign them a special task or two. For example, they can read and inform other family members about the area history, landmarks, special events and amusements. Help children prepare for the move by having them assist with packing. Let them pack a box of special clothes, toys or books they would like readily accessible at their new home. Let each family member help plan how to set up his or her bedroom. Have them help select paint or wallpaper. Let them share ideas how to arrange the furniture. When the move takes place, set up the children’s rooms first. Choosing a School One of the most satisfying experiences a family can have is finding a school that fits its needs. That school will “feel right” because its administrators, teachers, and parents are part of a strong community that shares the family’s educational values. Children are eager to go there because the school program stimulates their curiosity and provides them with outlets for their interests. Parents will be pleased because their involvement in their children’s education will be welcomed and encouraged. In order to find the best school for your child, you should begin by observing your child’s learning habits. Even as preschoolers, children begin to develop different approaches to learning. These inclinations provide strong clues about what kind of school would serve them best. In her book Your Child’s First School, educational consultant Diana Townsend- Butterworth offers these suggestions of things to watch for in determining your child’s orientation to learning: • What does your child enjoy doing? • What excites your child and arouses his or her curiosity? • What seems to be frustrating? • Does your child thrive in a structured environment or seem to prefer one that offers more freedom? • Is your child quiet or rambunctious? • Does he or she prefer to work on projects alone or with other children? • Does he or she have any special interests or abilities?

Make a list of answers to these questions as well as taking note of any other characteristics you notice about your child. As you read more about individual schools, and when you visit the ones that interest you, you will be better able to choose a school that suits your child.

continued on page 32

New Jersey Information Guide [ 31 REINFORCE THE POSITIVES

For high school, parents often choose a new school for their Before beginning a search for a school, parents should reflect on children. This is frequently because their current school goes only these questions, and their expectations for schools. Parents who through eight grade. As you look for a high school, consider your choose schools wisely are pleased after their children enroll child’s learning style as well as his or her interests when deciding because the family and the school work in harmony with a common upon a school. Also keep in mind your own family goals, which may set of expectations for the youngsters. Admissions directors at involve preparing for college, in making this important choice. schools will gladly connect you with parents of current students so What about family expectations? In order to provide a good you can make an informed choice for your child. match, a child’s school must also meet a family’s needs. Here again, Most schools believe parents should have a strong role in their you may want to prepare a list of expectations and use it as a guide children’s education. Being involved in a child’s education in the search for the best school for your child: strengthens the whole family and sends a message to children that education is an important part of their lives. Schools know that the • What goal do you have for your child’s long-term education? Is way in which parents choose to become active in their children’s college preparation a priority? schools varies greatly. They provide many different opportunities for • How important to you is parental involvement in school activities? parental involvement. Most schools have strong parent associations • Do you expect the school to have a role in developing a child’s that organize social events, help coordinate volunteer activitied, and character by encouraging respect for adults and peers as well as provide an organizes means of communication between parents others in society, including the disadvantaged? and school. • How important is it to you that you have a strong relationship and Each of these encounters strengthens the life of the schools and share a philosophy with other parents at the school? creates a community of committed adults supporting the goals of • How interested are you in providing a home setting that gives the schools and the students. This feeling of community, with adults your child time for homework? and students working together for a common purpose, is one of the • How important to you is a before-school and after-school distinguishing strengths of a good schools. program?

SELECTING CHILD CARE

When you’re new to a community, locating a person or program prospective hire at least twice and that you conduct a criminal to provide child care for you is not the easiest of tasks. Due to background check, which is usually done by most placement expanding demand, just finding an opening may be difficult. agencies. Pinpointing a place that is not too far or too expensive and, most One key to good child care is whether the caregiver can adapt to importantly, a provider whom you trust, may take days or weeks of the needs of each child and family. Not all children of the same age persistent phoning and visits. are at the same level of development; each child has unique As a parent, it is your responsibility to ensure that your child is character traits. A good caregiver understands these personal and safe and happy in a child care environment that is fun, educational, developmental differences and creates a program to meet each and nurturing. You will need to consider many questions. But you child’s needs. are not alone — an increasing number of parents rely on quality Center-Based Care child care so that they may work. About 70% of parents place their The most popular type because there are so many options for young children in some type of daily care. Knowing in advance that children of all ages. You take your child to a place that is organized this is not an overnight process makes it a bit less overwhelming. and staffed specifically to care for a group or groups of children. Types of Child Care Some types include day care centers, preschool programs, before/after school programs. You might like the home-like feel of a family child care home, or Day Care Center maybe you want your child to have opportunity to socialize with If you’re considering a day care center or another group setting, peers in a larger child care center. You might be looking for after you should spend some time observing the center and talking to school care for your child, a summer camp experience or a program parents with children in the center. You should also expect that your that can accommodate his or her special needs. It will help you in child will be assigned to the same caregiver to promote a sense of your search to learn more about each type of child care setting. security and consistency. Inquire about the rate of staff resignations; In home low staff turnover minimizes the need for young children to Some parents may prefer the one-on-one contact an in-home repeatedly adjust to new caregivers. care provider can offer, especially for an infant. The International Nanny Association (INA) recommends that you interview any

32 ] New Jersey Information Guide SELECTING CHILD CARE

Preschool Programs Preparing Your Child for Child Care Preschool programs are offered through Head Start, child care Most young infants, up to seven months, adapt to caring adults centers or local public and private schools. They can be offered as and seldom have problems adjusting to good child care. Older a half-day program for three or four days a week or they can be part infants may be upset when left with strangers. They may feel of a full day program at a child care center. separation anxiety, which is a normal part of development for some Before/After School Programs children. They will need extra time and your support to “get to These programs give children additional time and opportunity to know” the caregiver. Some children show changes in behavior engage in hands-on enrichment activities in reading, science, math, when they start child care. Toddlers may cry, pout, refuse to go to art, drama, and specific “safety” topics that include conflict or act angry in other ways. Preschoolers may regress and behave resolution and drug abuse. Most programs offer homework like a younger child. They may be more wakeful at night. This assistance and some offer tutoring. Most also provide supervised behavior usually goes away after a few days or weeks in high-quality physical activity and healthy snacks, or even dinner. School age child care, just be sure to monitor. programs are often provided through local schools, child care You may help your child adjust to a new child care arrangement. centers, churches, or youth-oriented community organizations. Arrange a visit with in-home caregivers while you are at home or Quality features include opportunities for children to make individual when you need child care for a short time. Visit the center or family and group choices about activities, opportunity to improve child care home that you have chosen with your child before academic skills, spaces for children to relax and rest, well beginning care. Show your child that you like and trust the caregiver. supervised spaces where they can be active, nutritious snacks, and Some children like to carry a reminder of home when they go to parental involvement. child care. A family photograph or small toy can be helpful. Talking Choosing Child Care to your child about child care and the caregiver is helpful. Being In addition to the forms of child care, you want to take into prepared makes any new experience easier for children. There also account the following factors: are storybooks about child care that you and your child can read together. (Check with your local library, another great outing for a • Age and personality of your child. parent and child) • Child care needs of all the children in your family. After a child has been in child care, a sudden change in • Location of your workplace, home and child care facility. caregivers may be upsetting. This can happen even if the new • Hours you need child care. caregiver is kind and competent. If you are concerned about your • What you can afford. child's feelings, you may want to arrange a meeting with the When you begin your search, start with the telephone. Plan to caregiver or ask your pediatrician for advice. Parents need to help spend a few minutes with each call. Describe your needs and ask the caregivers and the child deal with any changes in the child's about the program, staff, location, other children in care, and what routine at home or child care. High-quality child care helps children is included in the cost. Make an appointment and visit the center, grow in every way and promotes their physical, social and mental school or home, and plan on spending at least an hour at each development. It offers support to working parents. Your pediatrician place. Visit once to observe the children in care and at another time wants your child to grow and develop with enjoyment in a setting outside of regular structured hours to spend time with provider or that supports you as a parent. director. In the final analysis, locating a child care provider with whom you In any group center, health, safety, and hygiene must be given are confident is well worth the searching. Why? Your child benefits priority in all settings. All children and staff members should have greatly from such an arrangement, meeting and interacting with current immunizations; staff should have clear criminal background other children and adults. The child learns and grows from checks. The facility must be child-proof and all staff members experience, often times a major step in establishing independence should wear disposable gloves when changing diapers. Toys should and becoming his or her “own person.” And you feel more at ease be disinfected on a regular basis and frequent hand washing should leaving them. be promoted among the staff and children to minimize the spread For more information you may want to visit the following website: of infection. American Academy of Pediatrics, www.aap.org

New Jersey Information Guide [ 33 HIGHER EDUCATION - WHERE TO GO?

A List to Consider When Making Decisions About College Campus and Residential Life Admissions experts from Baruch College, a senior college in the 7. What’s new at school? It’s been several months since you and City University of New York, offer some tips to help parents cope your child did all that college research. Go back on the colleges’ with the stress of guiding their child through that all-important websites and see what’s up! Schools may be offering new question: Where should I go to college? programs, hosting unique events on campus, renovating facilities, or announcing new faculty appointments— any of Academics which could affect your child’s decision. 1. Remember why your child is going to college in the first place. Now is the time for your child to reflect on what she truly wants. 8. Finding the right fit. Every school has a personality; you don’t Compare her preferences and ambitions to the resources that want to spend thousands of dollars on one that clashes with each school offers. Consider each school’s academics, study your child’s. Visit the campus again—or for the first time if you abroad programs, student life, extracurricular activities, career haven’t been yet! Encourage your child to attend an accepted services, internship programs, etc., and ask how it will further student reception; sit in on a class; go to a sporting event; and your child’s educational and career goals. Reassure your child talk to current students—without you hovering in the that it’s okay to be uncertain about her career ambitions but, if background! Students will speak candidly to each other about she is, a college with flexible academic programs and multiple real-life college issues like the social scene, academic options is probably a good bet. pressures, and drinking on campus— all things your child should be aware of in advance. 2. What happens to people who graduate from this school? Look into what most of the graduates of the schools your child likes 9. Safety first. Let’s face it: sending your child off to college is scary wind up doing. If your child is interested in the fine arts, and the enough without worrying about crime. Take note of a school’s majority of students at a particular school end up working in the location and ask college officials about security: Is there a 24- financial industry, it should give you both pause. hour security team? What kind of campus alert systems are in place? What are the crime statistics for the area? What security 3. The downside of high school success. Sometimes, even a top- precautions exist in the residence halls? While you’re asking performing high school student is surprised by the rigorous questions, explore the college’s mental health and counseling demands of college courses and professors. Even if your child services—college can be stressful for kids as well as parents. was accepted at the school of his dreams, he needs to understand that he’s starting all over once he gets to college; his Coping sterling SAT score won’t matter if he skips class or studying. 10. Breathe deeply and stay calm. Make clear to your child that you Have an honest conversation with your child about the level of are available to talk things through, weigh the pros and cons, ask commitment required at the schools he likes and make sure he’s questions, and visit campuses with her but that, ultimately, the prepared for it. It’s (Almost) All About the Money decision about where to go to college must be her’s. It’s hard to hand over the keys to her future, but when you watch her receive 4. Factor college tuition into family budgeting. Try plugging the her diploma, you’ll realize it was well worth it. estimated cost of attendance (tuition, room and board, books, transportation, student fees) for each school at which your child is accepted into your family’s budget. This will provide you with a better long-term financial plan. And don’t forget about graduate school, if that is in your child’s plans; it’ll be upon you both before you know it. 5. Explore all avenues of financing. Don’t count solely on the college’s financial aid award for help. Learn about scholarships being offered by local businesses, community organizations, and employers; your family could qualify for additional aid monies. 6. Get to know your school’s financial aid team. Most financial aid departments offer free workshops on how to plan for the cost of attending college. Take advantage of such sessions, and don’t be bashful; ask as many questions as occur to you. Now is the best time to consider all your options.

34 ] New Jersey Information Guide TYPES OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Community Colleges all public higher education institutions, as well as a vast majority of Community colleges exist for two major purposes. The first is to private, for-profit institutions, now offer online classes. By contrast, serve as a bridge from high school to college by providing courses only about half of private, nonprofit schools offer them. for transfer toward a bachelor’s degree. Four out of 10 college- Online schools offer everything from Associate’s degrees to bound high-school graduates start their college education this way. Doctoral programs with available emphases in everything from The second function of community colleges is to prepare Business Administration to Criminal Justice to Nursing. Some students for the job market by offering entry-level career training as programs require students to attend some campus classes or well as courses for adult students who want to upgrade their skills orientations, but many are delivered completely online. for the workplace. They often offer programs that are not available Online courses generally require a computer with a broadband at four-year schools, like fashion design. connection, but are now a serious option for the busy professional. Liberal Arts Colleges Public vs. Private Liberal arts colleges offer a broad base of courses in the Public colleges are usually less expensive, particularly for in-state humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Most are private and residents. They get most of their money from the state or local focus mainly on undergraduate students. Classes tend to be small government. Private colleges rely on tuition, fees, endowments, and and personal attention is available. other private sources. Private colleges are usually smaller and can Online Learning offer more personalized attention and often more prestige. Recent years have witnessed the rise of online degree programs, Universities to allow the busy professional a chance to work at their own pace Generally, a university is bigger than a college and offers more from the comfort of their home on the path to getting a degree. The majors and research facilities. Class size often reflects institutional costs to students are typically the same as for traditional classes— size and some classes may taught by graduate students. and financial aid is equally available—while the cost to the institution Upper Division can be much less. Upper-division schools offer the last two years of undergraduate There are online universities ranging from legitimate distance study, usually in specialized programs leading to a bachelor’s learning systems to fly-by-night degree-mills. It’s important to degree. Students then generally transfer to an upper-division research a particular institution before deciding to enroll in their college after completing an associate degree or after finishing a system. Generally, brick-and-mortar schools that also offer online second year of study at a four-year college. classes are the safest, though there are plenty of fully accredited online universities out there. Nearly 3 million students are believed to be taking online classes at institutions of higher education in the United States this year. That number has been growing about 25% a year recently. Now, virtually

DEGREES AND CERTIFICATES

Certificate or Diploma Combined Bachelor’s/Graduate Degree (or Joint Degree) These non-degree offerings generally lead to employment in an Complete a bachelor’s degree and a master’s or first-professional occupational field. For example, to enter fields such as computer degree in less than the usual amount of time. In most programs, science or teaching, you may first have to get a certificate or students apply to the graduate program during their first three years diploma. of undergraduate study, and begin the graduate program in their Associate Degree fourth year of college. Successful completion results in awarding of You receive an associate of arts (AA) or associate of science (AS) both bachelor’s and graduate degrees. These are sometimes degree after completing two years of study similar to the first two referred to as “4 +1” programs. years of a four-year college. After earning an AA or an AS, you may Masters Degree transfer to a four-year college to complete the requirements for a These signify more specialized training in a particular field. They bachelor’s degree. The associate of applied science (AAS) degree is are competed after the bachelor’s degree, usually over the course awarded on completion of technological or vocation programs of of 2 years for the full time student. study. Doctorates Bachelor’s or Baccalaureate Degree These generally signify some significant research in the field, and Complete a four- or five-year, full-time program of study (or its are an upper level degree. part-time equivalent) at a college. The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) are the most common.

New Jersey Information Guide [ 35 PAYING FOR SCHOOL

FAFSA www.fafsa.gov • Federal Student Loans made to parents: Much higher limit, but FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a form payments start immediately that must be filled out annually by university to determine their • Private Student Loans made to students or parents: Higher limits eligibility for federal financial aid (including grants, loans, and work- and no payments until after graduation. study programs). In addition, most states and schools use Getting Your MBA Part-time information from the FAFSA to award non-federal aid. Getting your MBA may be imperative to you and your career. The FAFSA consists of numerous questions regarding the More than 40% of all graduate students are working adults, so it is student’s finances, as well as those of his or her family; these are possible to balance the rest of your life with your desire to continue entered into a formula that determines the Expected Family your education. Contribution. The amount of the EFC can vary widely, depending on a number of factors; for example, one such factor is whether a You’ll generally spend three to four hours a week with the student has siblings in college at the time. instructor in a 3-credit class. It’s generally recommended that you spend about 8 additional hours a week studying and preparing for The best place to look for help before you start filling out your the next classroom session, so 12-15 hrs a week total. FAFSA is at your school’s financial aid office. So where are you going to find an extra 15 hrs a week? It helps Other Sources to journal how you do spend your time during the week, and then FAFSA only scratches the surface of the money available to list priorities. Lower priority items, like watching TV, may take up students for school. There are many state and private scholarships more time than you realize, and can be shelved so you can continue out there. The easiest way to find listings of what scholarships that your education. you may qualify for is by going to a scholarship database online and doing a search. Some handy sites for this are: Re-prioritizing your time is the most crucial step in ensuring you’ll have success on your path to your degree. Make sure you discuss Lunch-money.com your goals with your boss, friends, and family, so they know what to Finaid.org expect as you add this major commitment to your life. Fastweb.com Collegeboard.com It’s not recommended that you participate in any website that asks you to pay a fee to search for a scholarship; there are many wonderful free sites available. Types of Financial Aid Financial aid may be classified into two types based on the criteria through which the financial aid is awarded: merit-based or need-based. Merit-Based Merit-scholarships are typically awarded for outstanding academic achievements, although some merit scholarships can also be awarded for special talents, leadership potential and other personal characteristics. Merit scholarships are sometimes awarded without regard for the financial need of the applicant. Athletic scholarships are a form of merit aid that takes athletic talent into account. Need-Based Need-based financial aid is awarded on the basis of the financial need of the student. The amount of need based aid is generally based off the criteria on the FAFSA. Loans While included in the term “financial aid” Higher Education Loans differ from scholarships and grants in that they must be paid back. They come in several varieties in the United States • Federal Student Loans made to students directly: No payments until after graduation, but amounts are quite limited

36 ] New Jersey Information Guide New Jersey Information Guide [ 37 FITNESS AND HEALTH

IN THE KITCHEN

received this recipe in an email from one of my co-workers. Well actually since he will be reading this, I’d better be more precise. He’s my boss! But it’s a summer Friday Iafternoon, so we’re a little relaxed. Anyway, in spite of it being a Friday afternoon, it inspired me to write this article. The avocado (Persea Americana) is a tree native to Mexico. The oldest evidence of avocado use was found in a cave located in Coxcatlán, Puebla, Mexico, that dates to around 10,000 BC. About 95% of United States avocado production – is located in Southern California. Fallbrook, California, claims the title of “Avocado Capital of the World”, I’ve been there and it's amazing to see all those rows of trees filled with ripe avocados! The Hass avocado is today the most common. It produces fruit year-round and accounts for 80% of cultivated avocados in the world. Hass avocados have ovate fruit with a dark green or black, rough, pebbled skin. All Hass avocado trees are descended from a single “mother tree” raised by a mail carrier named Rudolph Hass, of La Habra Heights, California. Hass patented the productive tree in 1935. Spinks is another type you may be familiar with. Mostly grown in Florida, the fruit is larger Please visit our website, www.NewMarketServices for more recipes. www.NewMarketServices Please visit our website, and rounder, with a smooth, medium-green skin, and a less-fatty, firmer and fibrous flesh. Because it has less oil it often isn't as flavorful. A fun project is to grow your own plant indoors. This is done by removing the pit from a ripe, unrefrigerated avocado. Poke the pit with three or four tooth picks, about one third of the way up. Place the pit in a jar with tepid water. In four to six weeks, it should split and out should come roots and a sprout. (If there is no change by this time discard and try again.) Once the stem has grown a few inches, it is placed in a pot with soil. It should be watered every few days. Avocados have been known to grow large, so be ready to repot the plant several times. Enough about avocados. A small warning about the recipe. If you have been reading my recipes you will notice this one digresses from my normal format. I try to be very precise with my ingredients and directions, leaving nothing to chance. Patrick allows for you to be creative. Tonight Patrick, in Chicago, and I, in Scottsdale will be comparing our creations. I hope you enjoy yours.

Patrick’s Authentic Irish Guacamole*

Ingredients Directions 4-6 ripe avocados, depending on how Cut, spoon out avocado into a bowl. Mash many you people you are serving. them up, we decided we both prefer left About 1/2 or so of a medium to large chunky but you may prefer creamy. white onion, depending on how much Dice onion, jalapeños, add to avocado you like Chop up the cilantro fine – few stems won’t Couple nice tomatoes – plum if you hurt, add Chop tomatoes into small squares, want, depending on what you prefer. add salt and olive oil. 2 jalapenos Cut and squeeze limes into mix Bunch of cilantro Mix all and enjoy with good tortilla chips & 2 limes some hot sauce on the side!!!! Sea Salt *It’s green, therefore Irish. therefore green, *It’s Tablespoon or so of olive oil

38 ] New Jersey Information Guide PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL BEING

Choosing a Health Club want to learn (tennis, squash, swimming, etc.)? Your move is filled with many new challenges. If your life style • Does the club offer a variety of leagues? If you want to compete includes working out a priority will be to find a club that meets your - is the club affiliated to the right leagues, and does it have teams needs. Or a new move may bring the perfect time to implement of the right standard for your competencies? those healthy lifestyle changes that were on your New Year’s • Does the club offer a variety of high-quality weight equipment? It Resolution list for the past several years. should include free weights, such as barbells and dumbbells, and Begin your search before you move. Ask your current club for machine weights, you really need both to get a proper workout. recommendations or perhaps they even have reciprocity with a club • Does the club offer a sufficient number and variety of programs in your new location. If you belong to a national chain, chances are for you to achieve other goals (stress management, weight good that you will be able to transfer your membership. management, smoking cessation, social activities, etc.)? However if you do find yourself looking for a new club, use this • Are there long lines at the equipment, or crowded aerobics check list to help you find the place that will work best for you. classes, at the time that you would be using the club? When visiting a club use your own observations and question the • What are the real costs? Make sure you understand all rates, staff and current members. Be sure your new club will be able to charges and fees because these can vary widely, and many clubs meet your fitness, social, and safety needs. require contracts ranging from a few weeks to a year or more. Be • Is the club clean and well maintained, especially the locker rooms sure you’re entitled to use all facilities, such as pools and spas at and the shower areas? no extra charge. • Are staff members friendly and helpful? Make sure there is always • Is child care available if you need it? someone available to answer your questions, to show you a new • Is there adequate parking available if you need it? exercise, or how to use a piece of equipment. One way to find out whether a club is right for you is to try it out • Does the location for work for you? It’s best to select a club that’s for a few days. Some clubs offer a special guest pass for near where you live or work. prospective members. But even if you have to pay for a week to try • Do fitness staff members have appropriate educational it out, it’s better to spend the money than to make a long-term backgrounds and/or certification from nationally recognized commitment to a club that doesn’t work out. Try the club during the certifying agencies? hours you will normally be using it. It will give you a realistic idea of • Are new members provided with a club orientation and what the club environment while you are there. instruction on how to use equipment? It’s important to read health club contracts carefully. Don’t • What age group do you see while visiting? If you are in your 50’s, assume the club offers classes such as aerobics as part of the do you really want to work out with a group in their 20’s (and vice membership. While some do, others charge extra. If the health club versa)? Be sure to visit club at the time you will be normally using requires a long-term commitment, find out whether you’ll be able to the facilities. get a refund if you need to cancel your membership due to a job • Does the club have the cardiovascular resistance equipment you transfer, an injury or if you simply find that the club isn’t working for want and need to achieve your fitness goals? you. • Does the club offer sufficient number and variety of programs for It’s a fact that of every three people who join a health club, only you to achieve your fitness goals (aerobic, racquet sports, one will work out there 100 days a year. Find a club that you are basketball, etc.)? If classes or group activities help to motivate comfortable with and you will greatly increase your chances of you and the health club doesn’t offer the classes you need, being the one of three people that are there more than 100 days a sticking with your exercise program won’t be realistic. year. • Does the club offer instruction in a sport or activity that you might

NewMarket Services wishes you good health.

New Jersey Information Guide [ 39 PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL BEING

Coping With Change a new community requires finding new sources for familiar services. Did you know that your body and mind sense change as stress? Finding a new hairdresser, barber, drugstore, food market, doctor, Whether you change the place you live or where you work, it all lawyer, cleaner and shoemaker are all necessary. You not only have adds up to stress. The more changes that come at one time, the to locate these services, but you need to determine if you are more stress you experience. satisfied with the quality of the services provided. Forming a Self-Image comfortable working relationship with the service provider adds Your attitudes towards change often depend on your self image more stress to the change itself. and expectations of how difficult it may be. Your self image is the Perhaps your whole lifestyle changes if you are moving from a inner vision of who you are. It is the basis of your every thought, smaller or larger community. With long-distance moves, you will word and action. Moving, with the many changes it entails, offers an have to make new friends and develop a different emotional support excellent opportunity to modify and/or improve your self image system. When these changes are not made through your own through the risks of taking positive action. choices, but are the decisions of a boss or someone in your family, then the stress is even greater. Children have to make changes because of their parents. They need special help and understanding getting settled in school and making new friends. Often, they will have difficulties as they adjust to the new surroundings. Changes produce stress not only within yourself, but also with the people with whom you are close. It may cause you to react differently from your usual behavior. If you are in a relationship or marriage, you may find more tension developing, with less patience or tolerance of the other person. If you live alone, not knowing where to go to make new friends can bring feelings of isolation and loneliness. Creatures of Habit Psychologically, most of us are creatures of habit and quickly develop repetitive patterns that make us feel comfortable and secure. Ever notice that most people find the same seat or section of the commuter train or bus? Drivers usually take the same route every day. We do this in order to reduce stress. The sameness of established behavior develops a sense of control over ourselves and surroundings. By seeking repetitive habits, we save our energy for new events that are either unpredictable or uncontrollable. When change removes the sameness from our lives, we attempt to relieve the tension Some people welcome change as a challenge or an exciting new produced by uncertainty and newness. We look for ways to develop experience. Others may resent the inconvenience and extra effort other familiar patterns. they need to make to re-establish a comfortable routine. Still others Management of Change feel overwhelmed by the unknown and are not sure where to go or To manage change effectively, several simple steps will help you to whom to turn. adjust to the newness and extra effort needed to establish different Often, stress causes old issues, defeats or concerns to patterns in your life. resurface. Perhaps new worries and fears form unexpectedly, or • Organize your time so you can finish the tasks you have planned. you feel tired and fatigued most of the time. Decision making abilities are affected, and you seem to be having less fun and • Have realistic expectations. Do not plan to complete everything enjoyment. These are all telltale signs of stress brought on by within the first few weeks. change. • List your priorities and finish each one before you go on to the When signs of stress affect you, it may be a time of emotional next. transition, indicating old behavior patterns are not as effective as • Provide your body with recreational time and time to relax. they once were. This is often a good time for self-reflection-to look • Trust your first impressions; they are most often right. at what you like in yourself and what you do not like. Periods of change can offer you an opportunity for growth within Stress yourself. Professional consultation may be useful during this period. When you relocate to a new city, all categories of your life are changed. Along with the obvious changes listed above, moving to

40 ] New Jersey Information Guide VOLUNTEERING IN YOUR COMMUNITY

One of the best ways to become involved in your new community Many people are reminded of their wish to volunteer during is through volunteering. The benefits of volunteering are many, for holiday seasons, but this is when organizations might have an everyone involved. Ask your employer for advice. Many companies excess of help. If you want to volunteer during the holiday, give employees paid time off to volunteer and will often publicize remember to contact the organization in advance. Otherwise, time their employees’ community service. According to the research your work for the lean season. group Independent Sector, the U.S. volunteer sector is equivalent to Volunteering is fun, leads to learning new skills, meeting 9 million full-time workers. Whether you have an hour or a weekend, interesting people, making new friends, sharing your talents, and if you want to help kids or the environment, there are great keeping in touch with the community in which you live. Whether it is organizations that will excite your particular interest, broaden your important to you to solve a community problem, advance a worthy horizons and fit into your time schedule. cause or to develop as a person, volunteering offers many benefits Don’t forget to include your family. If your children are school age in appreciation for the gift of your time and expertise. chances are there are many opportunities to volunteer at their Once you have chosen an area of interest, how should you go school, or even in their classroom. That is a great way to meet other about involving yourself? See what the Web can do for you. 1-800- parents with children the same age. Clean up a neighborhood park Volunteer.org, a service of the Points of Light Foundation & with your children. Spend a morning at a homeless shelter with your Volunteer Center National Network provides listings of local and children. You’ll find that volunteering is not only a fun family-bonding virtual volunteering as well as contact information for Volunteer experience but a great way to teach children the importance of Centers across the nation. Open the classified section of your local giving back to the community. paper. Check out the bulletin boards in your office. Or just start How you get involved with your community depends on your calling the local agencies you’re interested in. interests, skills and time. Choose something that fits well in to your One of the best ways to make these contacts is to walk right into schedule and makes you excited about working together to help the organization—a library, a shelter, training facility, or a political make a difference. Every person has that capability. Each of us can office—and find out who organizes volunteers. You can tell a lot by right a wrong, fill a plate, visit a shut-in or clean up a park, and that meeting the volunteer coordinator and any volunteers who happen does make the world a better place. to be on duty. While you won’t earn a paycheck for volunteering, There are several things to consider when choosing in what to you will earn valuable experience, a sense of accomplishment, and involve yourself. First of all be selective, think about what matters to the satisfaction that only comes from personally making the world a you, and where you wish to spend your time. If you have certain better place to live. social issues that you feel passionate about, it’s a great place to put your energy. You may have particular skills that will steer you toward a certain organization. Are you willing to explore new opportunities? Volunteering can teach you valuable new skills that you may use in other parts of your life. "You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give." - Winston Churchill

New Jersey Information Guide [ 41

42 ] New Jersey Information Guide HOUSING

MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE…

Rent or Buy? The decision to rent or buy in your new location is dependent upon many considerations unique to your personal situation. Some of the potential factors involve the tax implications, down payment, other investment vehicles, the length of time you are anticipating being in your new location and whether or not your current home has sold. If you decide to buy, should you purchase an existing home or build a new one? Again, many factors have to be considered. Will an existing home need a lot of repair or remodeling to bring it to your standards? What about the difference in the cost of operation and maintenance between new and an existing structure? How should you finance a renovation? Which home will appreciate faster? Will it be difficult to get a construction loan? Is it better to rent for a while to become familiar with neighborhoods in your new city? What about capital gains tax if you don’t close in time? We suggest you seek the advice of a certified financial planner and a realtor to thoroughly clarify your options. These choices can become quite complex. Some Advantages to Renting Whether you’re in your first apartment or a longtime resident, there are many advantages you are afforded by choosing apartment living. Mobility: You enjoy the freedom to move, to accept that better job, to take the vacation you’ve dreamed of. No maintenance: Just relax and delight in the grounds and facilities maintenance technicians keeps attractive for you. Flexibility: You have the ability to increase or decrease your living space without the burden of sales pitches, closing costs, interest rates or the high cost of maintaining a home and property. Location: The choice is yours! Recreation: Chances are, you’ve chosen an apartment community with a swimming pool, tennis court, weight room or sauna. Apartments have the equipment and people to maintain them, which is no small task for the homeowner. No waiting: If you’re like most apartment residents, moving into your apartment was easy and fast. You settled into your new home without lengthy paperwork, a loan approval period or a large financial investment. Your Current Residence As you prepare to move, a big decision may include whether to sell or rent your current property. Ask yourself the following questions as you make this decision. You may also want to ask advice from a real estate agent.

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New Jersey Information Guide [ 43 MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE

Market Inspect kitchen appliances. Check the stove to see if all burners Is it a seller’s market? Signs include low interest rates and work. Does the range have a hood with a fan? Is the oven self- shortage of homes for sale. How long have similar homes been on cleaning? Is the stove gas or electric? If it is gas, you may have an the market and how long are you willing to let your home be on the extra monthly charge for cooking gas. This would also be true if you market? Or is it a good rental market and do rental units have tenant had a gas clothes dryer in your unit. Check out the waiting lists? Is your property in a trendy area? Desirable areas refrigerator/freezer for storage space. Is there enough counter and typically garner higher rents and seldom have vacancies. cabinet space? Don’t forget to keep an eye out for bugs, especially Financial in a high-rise building. Is this property good for rental income? Can you charge more for Inspect the central air conditioning and heating systems. Ask rent than you pay for mortgage, taxes and upkeep? How will selling other tenants if there is enough heat in the winter. It can be costly if affect your federal and state tax situation? Furthermore, if your you have to buy or rent window air conditioning units. property does not sell quickly, can you afford to keep the home Is there enough storage space? Do you have enough closets for vacant while it’s on the market? If not, do you feel you will be able clothes, linens and general items. Are there built-in shelves and to find a renter on a short-term basis? Are you likely to want to move bookcases for books and DVDs? Do you also get a storage space back into the home some day? that is not adjacent to the unit? Rental Tips Does the building have special amenities such as a swimming Apartment experts say that some detective work is needed to pool, game room, barbecue area, and exercise room or tennis conduct a search that finds the most livable rental residence for the courts? Keep in mind that recreational amenities generally will money. After you have weeded out a good apartment complex from increase your rent. You should consider what features you will really many rent signs and/or listings, scanned the neighborhood you like use. for the best rental possibilities, you will be ready to scrutinize each How is the noise level in the complex? Have neighbors been property and landlord for shortcomings. It is easy for a prospective playing music louder than you prefer? Are you located by a major tenant to gather quick clues about the general care, maintenance of airport, freeway or train tracks? the building, and cleanliness of the area overall. Try to talk to the Do you need an apartment that takes pets? If not, do you want tenant who is vacating the apartment you are planning to rent. He to live in an area that does? Do tenants appear to be cleaning up or she can tell you a great deal about the pluses and minuses of after their pets? What is the management policy for pet size and living there. Here are some tips for inspecting the inside of the maintenance? apartment: Rental experts suggest that tenants should tour several Is it clean? Carpet should be cleaned and walls/ceilings should apartment complexes before placing a deposit on a unit. The be freshly painted. Does the apartment have a bad odor? It could minimum deposit to hold a unit is usually $100. Prospective renters be a tip that the prior tenant had a pet or cooked spicy foods. still need to fill out an application and pay an application fee. This Check room sizes with a floor plan. Make sure the furniture that will hold your unit while your employment, credit and rental histories you will be moving will fit. Is the bedroom near the bathroom? Does are being checked out. This process usually takes 7 to 10 days to the dining room adjoin the kitchen? complete.

44 ] New Jersey Information Guide CHOOSING THE RIGHT HOME

Making a final decision and determining which house to make an Property Taxes offer on shouldn’t be taken lightly. The decision should be made Property taxes may vary from one neighborhood to another. This rationally and not guided by emotion. You most likely won’t have the can sometimes affect whether you view a community as a desirable luxury of taking your time on deciding which house you’d like to place to live. Higher property taxes often mean newer and more pursue. However, since it is such a major decision you would like to modern schools, well-maintained roads, and bountiful community base it on factual information. Some broad categories to consider services. are: Schools Appreciation If you have school-aged children and plan to send them to public Ask your real estate agent to retrieve sales of homes in the school, you definitely want to consider the reputation of the neighborhood over the past few years. If one neighborhood shows neighborhood school. If you plan on sending your child to a private an annual average 8 percent increase and another is skyrocketing school, how long is the commute? You will likely spend a lot of time at 15 percent, you may have your decision made. driving your child not only during the school day but for extra- Crime curricular events outside the daily school schedule. Which ever Go to the local police or sheriff department and ask about crime school you decide, you can usually find general district information in your specific neighborhood. You might find theft or vandalism to and state standardized test results online. Always plan a visit to the be more prevalent in one area than another. Also please the school and receive the information first-hand from school website, www.familywatchdog.us. When you visit this site you can administrators. You should also talk to teachers and parents. enter your address and a map will pop up with your house as the Sellers’ Situations small icon of a house and red, blue, green, dots surrounding your If you don’t know already, ask your real estate agent how long the entire neighborhood. When you click on these dots a picture of a house has been on the market. Usually the longer a house has been person will appear with an address and the description of the crime listed, the better chance the seller will accept an offer lower than he or she had committed. asking price. Conversely, if the house has been on the market for Drawbacks just a couple days, the sellers will probably wait for a better offer if Rarely will you be lucky enough to find a perfect place. Think you offer less than the listed price. Your real estate agent might also about the cons associated with each house and determine to be able to dig up additional information about the sellers, like why correct them or how much of a negative impact each will have. they’re selling. If it’s a job-related move or a divorce, the sellers likely The House want to move as quickly as possible, meaning you have a better Make a list of the amenities and attributes you want your house shot at them accepting a lower price. to have. Be specific. Prioritize that list. Then, rate how each house Style and Substance measures up to each need on your list. The SUBSTANCE are things that cannot be changed such as the Neighborhoods location, view, size of lot, noise in the area, school district, and floor If you have kids or pets and being close to a park is important, plan. The STYLE represents easily changed surface finishes like you’ll want to consider that. How close are shopping, restaurants, carpet, wallpaper, color, and window coverings. Buy the house with churches, and other services? Are the streets maintained? How do good SUBSTANCE, because the STYLE can always be changed to your prospective neighbors keep up their property? How long will match your tastes. your commute to work be?

New Jersey Information Guide [ 45 HOUSING OPTIONS FOR GROWING ACTIVE ADULT DEMOGRAPHIC

According to the Administration on Aging, there are nearly 52.4 once they've retired from their jobs. You have more freedom than million people age 60 or older in the United States. By 2030, one in those of us still tied to the world of employment. So should senior every five Americans will be age 60 or older. Individuals who are 85 citizens buy or rent a home or stay where you are currently living and over are the fastest growing group of seniors, with their after retirement? numbers expected to more than triple from 5.4 million to 19 million When comparing renting and owning a home in your retirement between 2008 and 2050. The demographic profile of America’s years, maintenance and renovations need to be taken into older adults will also be more diverse in the years to come. These consideration. You must be able to keep up your home if you want trends will produce challenges as well as great opportunities to to continue living in retirement safely and comfortably. As for renting, harness the talents and energies of older Americans. many renters receive reassurance and security because they are not the one in charge of making or paying for needed repairs and renovations. One downside to renting a home or apartment is cost increase. Your rent can increase at just about any point in time. In most states, unless your lease states otherwise, rent can be increased with 30 days notice. Even so, most leases are only for one year, meaning your landlord can then raise your rent. In fact, your rent may be raised to any amount that they want, even an amount that you cannot afford. A fixed mortgage is just that and you will always know the amount of your mortgage payments. Another factor to consider is your current lifestyle, and the lifestyle you intend to lead in the future. When deciding whether to rent or buy your home, it's important to remember that the sky is the limit. You might want to travel after retirement, seeing the world on your retirement funds, and a mortgage would only serve to strap you to a particular place. You may not be able to spend winters in the Caribbean if the mortgage payments on your new home are too high. The senior housing trend started with senior apartments where Developers and home builders are now listening to those residents were monitored on a daily basis and had access to numbers. Innovative designs and careful consideration of the needs emergency services. That was just the beginning of a now extensive of active adults are now being studied to construct communities list of developments that cater to senior citizens. Many senior that include many services needed by active adults. Retirement communities include access to pools, gyms and clubhouses and villages now come complete with clubhouses for socialization, meal are age restricted. The newest developments enable seniors to own deliveries and transportation options to just name a few. Seniors will a private residence, maintain their independent lifestyles while now have to do their homework to find out which development is having many services available to them when the needs arise. right for them. Before you make a decision about where to live in retirement you need to consider many factors—the daily lifestyle you want; proximity of children, grandchildren, or other relatives and friends; the type of climate you enjoy; and your health or medical needs. Ideally you should consider these personal and lifestyle factors first. Then you need to face reality. What can you afford? As usual, when it comes to financial issues, the Internal Revenue Service enters the picture. The tax impact can be crucial when you’re analyzing the pros and cons of where and how to live. (You may access tax information for this state in another part of the guide.) Once past this process, you will need to think about renting vs. owning. Senior citizens are in a unique position

46 ] New Jersey Information Guide HOUSING OPTIONS FOR GROWING ACTIVE ADULT DEMOGRAPHIC

For many a desirable solution is retirement communities. Called “active adult” or “age- restricted” communities, these developments are especially common in suburban cities and towns where land is more available. The residents often can choose among a few different home styles. There are normally recreational benefits, such as a swimming pool, tennis, golf and a social hall. Some of these 55-plus communities are apartment buildings, condominiums or townhouses. Since an independent living facility is one in which you may live in your own apartment while enjoying more social interaction, you can come and go as you please. This gives you the opportunity to still live like you would have at your previous house, going on vacations or visiting family as you please. At the same time, same general area as their housing needs change over time. There independent living facilities have security services that create a safe is normally the cost of buying a unit in the community as well as community and place to live so there's never a reason to feel like monthly fees that increase as you require higher levels of care. You your personal belongings will not be secure while you're away. may want to consider a CCRC if you’d like to stay in the same Many retired adults choose to move to an independent living facility general facility regardless of your care needs. It also can mean because they no longer desire to take care of that big house that spouses can still be very close to one another even if one requires once housed their larger family. All that space is no longer a higher level of care, a big plus. necessary. In addition to downscaling, many independent living A relatively new concept is the Village Solution. The Village facilities offer cleaning and dining services, on top of landscaping. Solution enables active seniors to remain in their own homes It’ll give you the opportunity to really take advantage of your free without having to rely on family and friends. Members of a “village” time as a retired adult, rather than keeping you chained to daunting can access specialized programs and services, such as household chores. transportation to the grocery store, home health care, or help with household chores, as well as a network of social activities with other village members. As of 2009, there were 50 village organizations across the United States, with many more communities planned worldwide. Each offers different services depending on the local needs of the individual communities. The cost of membership varies according to area and the level of services required, but is often in excess of $500 a year. Thinking about housing arrangements for the future can be a stressful, anxiety-provoking topic for both you and your family. It may seem easier to put off thinking about it until later, but the earlier you face your specific issues, the more choices and control you will have over your future. Even if you are completely independent at this time, circumstances can change. It pays to think a little about your current location and how things will differ if you move. For example, how far will your home be from These provide less privacy, which some people want due to shopping, medical facilities, or other services? If you can no longer safety reasons. Each of these communities also has its own list of drive, what kind of transportation access will you have? Does it regulations on what is and is not acceptable by the homeowners. have a lot of steps, stairs, or a steep hill to navigate? Read everything you can about the housing, talk with other Learn about the different types of senior housing, what choices residents and meet the officers, if there is a board that oversees the may be best for you, and how to navigate the emotional roadblocks facility. that come with choosing senior housing. But most importantly plan Continuing-Care Retirement Communities are a great option. to enjoy each day to the fullest and take advantage of every CCRCs are facilities that include independent living, assisted living, opportunity presented to you! and nursing home care in one location, so seniors can stay in the

New Jersey Information Guide [ 47 HOME INSPECTION CHECKLIST

Finding faults in a home doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t Interior buy it. But it will help you to know the type of repair costs that The kitchen and baths are the most expensive rooms to should be anticipated, and sellers often will make adjustments in renovate, so check their condition carefully. A newly-painted interior their asking price on the basis of problems discovered in an may look nice, but it could be hiding something. inspection. Plumbing Inspectors look for the following: Turn on the bathroom sink faucet and shower and then flush the Brick and Concrete toilet. When the toilet starts to refill, does the water pressure Check pavement, driveways and horizontal brick surfaces for diminish? Fill sinks and tub with three inches of water. Do they drain cracks. Is there damage from freezing? What is the condition of the properly? Do faucets leak? Lift up the carpeting. Are there any signs mortar between the bricks? Is any pavement buckling from of flooding or decay? spreading underground tree roots? Roof Electrical Are shingles curling and lifting? Find out how old the roof is, and Open the door on the fuse box or circuit-breaker panel. Is the you will have a pretty good idea of when you will have to replace it. electrical service adequate? The average house should have 100- Termites and Carpenter Ants amp service. Is it wired for 220 volts, which is necessary for electric Look for evidence of termites and carpenter ants on basement dryers and ranges? wood framing. Is there saw dust like wood or paper debris? Can Exterior you find evidence of termite tubes or tunnels? Termites live in earth, Is the house well maintained? Does the roof sag? Are the exterior so make sure that there are no places where earth is closer than six walls out of line? What is the condition of the paint, especially on the inches to wood. Like termites, carpenter ants like wood and wood south and west sides, where sun exposure is greatest? Is there products. adequate drainage away from the house? Water Damage Heating & Cooling Look in the basement for signs of leakage. This could be a result How old is the heating/cooling system? Has it been maintained? of poor drainage around the house. Water damage also is caused Ask to see the owner’s cooling bills for the previous year. This will by seepage through porous basement walls and condensation, give you an idea of its energy efficiency. which frequently is caused by inadequate ventilation. Basement Insulation walls painted a dark color may be an effort to disguise a past Check the attic and crawl space. Is the insulation adequate and problem. Beware of chalky white water stains on foundation walls complete? Has it been properly installed? Does the insulation or partitions; stains on wood and drywall; delamination of paneling obstruct the air vents, preventing the house from “breathing” and and lifting or buckling floor tiles; or a damp, mildew odor. possibly causing wood rot? Does the home have storm windows? Windows and Doors Has the glazing putty dried and shrunk, allowing water and air seepage? Is the wood decayed? Are the window and door frames caulked and weather-stripped?

48 ] New Jersey Information Guide HOME CARE BASICS FOR NEW HOMEOWNERS

You’ve finally done it—you’ve just moved into your brand new Driveways home. The smell of fresh paint still permeates the air. You’re likely If you have an asphalt driveway, remove oil, gasoline and similar consumed with unpacking, setting up furnishings, rearranging, substances immediately with soapy water. decorating—energized by the blank pallet you have to work with. To avoid holes in your asphalt driveway, refrain from resting patio But once you’ve signed the thick pile of closing documents, the furniture or bicycle stands on it. moving trucks have left and everything is neatly in its place, what do Do not burn anything on your driveway. you do next? It’s time to get a handle on the routine maintenance When winter weather produces ice and snow, remove it promptly you’ll need to perform in order to ensure that you and your family and avoid gouging your pavement while chipping away at ice. live comfortably in your new home for years to come. Here’s some Use kitty litter or sand for traction on tough patches of ice. advice to get you started and help save money while you’re at it: Thawing and freezing agents using salt and chemicals can damage Maintaining a clean home ensures it will last longer and works concrete, brick, mortar and asphalt. Salt will kill grass, shrubs and better. Dust and dirt, if allowed to accumulate, can harm the finishes trees as well—and wreaks havoc on leather—soled shoes. on blinds, cabinets, countertops, floors, sinks, tubs, toilets, walls, Gutters and Downspouts tiles and other items. If dirt does accumulate, make sure to clean it Clear away leaves, tree limbs and other debris from gutters and with a substance that does not scratch or damage the finishes. downspouts. On the outside of your home, make sure that gutters and Downspouts should be turned away from your home’s downspouts do not get clogged with leaves or other objects. The foundation. exterior of your house is built to withstand exposure to the elements, but a periodic cleaning will improve the appearance and, Every four to six years, paint gutters that not are made of in many instances, prolong the life of siding and other exterior aluminum or vinyl to help prevent rust. products. Heating and Cooling Systems Late summer or early fall are the ideal time to do an annual When you bought your home, you probably received a warranty inspection and cleaning of these systems. from the builder on workmanship and materials. This warranty applies to problems related to the construction of the home, but it Make sure you change the filters every three months. does not apply to problems that arise because of failure to perform Keeping your pilot light burning during the summer will help keep routine maintenance. For example, if your roof begins to leak after the furnace dry and prevent corrosion. six months because of faulty workmanship, your warranty would Registers help regulate the flow of air and maintain the desired cover that. If you develop a problem because water backed up in temperature in your home. Keeping registers closed in rooms you clogged gutters that you should have cleaned, the builder is not don’t use will save on cooling/heating costs. responsible for repairs. Also, some items, such as appliances, may Using heat generating appliances in the evening and reducing the be covered by manufacturers’ warranties and are not the number of lights on will help keep the temperature down and save responsibility of the builder. on costs during the summer. You should fully familiarize yourself with the terms of your Plumbing warranty soon after you move into your home. With all the Every member of your family should know where the intake excitement surrounding a move into a new home, most people have valves are located. Label each one. little desire to curl up in front of the fireplace and read a legal If any of your appliances develops a leak, inspect your drain trap. document. Nonetheless, you should not wait to read your warranty A partially clogged drain can cause overflow. Use a plunger or a until a problem arises. Set aside an hour to learn what your rights plumber’s snake to unclog the drain. If you need to, use boiling and responsibilities are from the outset. water to help unclog a partially opened drain. Call a plumber if these Here are some additional tips for properly maintaining specific techniques don’t work. systems in your new home. A worn washer, a loose part in a faucet or steam in a hot water Appliances pipe generally causes a noisy pipe. Do not hesitate to repair the Remember to read the instruction manual for every appliance in noise because vibrations can follow the noise and lead to leaks. your new home. The manuals provide recommended cleaning and maintenance schedules and sometimes your warranty will become void if you don’t follow these recommendations.

New Jersey Information Guide [ 49 SECURITY

Each year more than six million residential burglaries occur Computer Security throughout the United States. That’s one every ten seconds! In Computer security is the process of preventing unauthorized use addition to the worry of home burglaries, we now also need to of your computer. concern ourselves with computer hackers and personal identity • Use of anti-virus software on all Internet-connected computers. theft. Listed below are some things that you can do to reduce your Be sure to keep your anti-virus software up-to-date. chances of becoming a victim. • Use of some type of firewall product, such as a network Home Security Checklist appliance or a personal firewall software package. • Have home security system professionally installed that offers a • Turn off your computer or disconnect its Ethernet interface when 24 hour monitoring system. Make sure to post the home system you are not using it. An intruder cannot attack your computer if it stickers and window decals: this should alert and deter would be is powered off or otherwise completely disconnected from the intruders. network. • Never stop mail or newspaper deliveries, it signals that you are • Use software backup tools if available, and store the backup away. Have a neighbor pick up all deliveries if possible. disks somewhere away from the computer. • When recording your answering machine message, do not state Identity Theft that you are not home or out of town. Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal • When leaving for an extended period, put lights and stereo information without your permission to commit fraud or other /television on a timer to give the appearance that someone is crimes. While you can’t entirely control whether you will become a home. victim, there are steps you can take to minimize your risk. Exterior/Interior Security • Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal • Replace all locks immediately upon moving into your new home information before you discard them. and install deadbolts on all outside doors. • Protect your Social Security number. Don’t carry your Social • Secure your sliding glass doors with pins to prevent all horizontal Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number and vertical movement. Also install security film over the glass on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use panes for additional protection. another identifier. • Remember to lock all doors and windows. • Don’t give out personal information on the phone, through the • Provide remote panic buttons for children and/or elderly mail, or over the Internet unless you know who you are dealing residents. with. • Never keep garage door openers in cars that are parked outside • Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails; instead, type in a of your home. web address you know. Keep Your Valuables Safe • Don’t use an obvious password like your birth date, your • Keep your important papers, heirloom jewelry and large amounts mother’s maiden name, or the last four digits of your Social of cash in a safe deposit box. Security number. • Engrave your valuables with your social security number or drivers license number. • Store jewelry, firearms, furs and like in a small closet with a non- hinged solid core door that has a deadbolt. • When purchasing new electronic equipment, breakdown cartons before discarding them. This way you avoid advertising your new purchase to the entire neighborhood and drive-by observers.

50 ] New Jersey Information Guide TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR ENERGY COSTS

The cost of cooling your house continues to rise . There are a • Close doors to rooms that are not being used. number of ways you can save a significant amount of money on • Run full loads in your washer and dryer, and use “solar drying” your energy bills. In fact, it’s possible to save up to 25 percent on (clotheslines). your power bill by using the following tips. While your results might • Use energy saver option on your dishwasher, allowing dishes to vary, you’re guaranteed to find at least a few ways to save money. air dry. The idea behind all our advice, and in fact our entire conservation • If you A/C unit is on the ground, keep the area around it clean and effort, is to give you the information you need to make the right free of obstructions to maintain air flow. decisions. • Unplug your televisions/VCR when you’re on vacation. Most new These simple steps don’t cost a thing, but can potentially save sets draw power even when they’re turned off. you 10-25% on your monthly energy bill. • Keep lights and lighting fixtures clean, especially if you’re • Turn off lights and appliances when not in use. Don’t forget your reducing the number of lights you use. Dirt absorbs light. Let computer - it can use as much energy as a refrigerator. Most new lights cool before cleaning them and never touch halogen bulbs computers have “sleep” settings. with your bare hands. The oil from your skin can greatly damage • In the cold months, set the thermostat to 68 degrees when the bulbs. Use a small piece of paper to hold the bulb. home, and then back to 58 degrees when sleeping or when you • If your dishwasher has a filter clean it. are not home more than four hours. • Clean the reflectors underneath the burners on stovetops. • In warm months, set the thermostat to 78-80 degrees when home and 5 to 10 degrees warmer at night or when you’re not There are plenty of low cost, easy to do projects or steps you can home. do to save another 10-25% on your energy bill. • Do not turn your air conditioning off in the hot months when • Use compact fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent ones. you’re not home. Your house will store up the heat and you’re This will typically save $1 per bulb changed out (for bulbs running likely to make the air conditioning run for hours to feel 4-6 hours per day) and reduce heat in your home. Regular bulbs comfortable. use most of the electricity to generate heat so use care when • In the winter, open window coverings on the sunny side of your changing bulbs. home to take advantage of “free heat from the sun” Close the • Caulk windows and caulk and weather-strip doors. Keep the coverings on cloudy days or right after the sun sets. outside air out and the inside air in. • In the cooling season, close blinds and drapes during the day to • Install a hot water heater blanket but be careful not to cover vents keep heat out. or temperature settings. • Also, use your dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer, and cook • Install hot water pipe insulation. Do keep the insulation at least six as late in the evening as possible. inches away from the flue (exhaust pipe) of gas water heaters. • Barbecue outside if practical, keeping in mind the heat and effect • Plant trees and shrubs on the south and west side of your of sun on your body. By reducing the heat coming into your home residence. The vegetation acts as insulation and provides from any source, will reduce the load on your air conditioning. shading, reducing thermal gain in a building. • Use pool trippers to reduce the time your swimming pool pump • Fix leaky faucets Install low flow showerheads. runs on—eight to twelve hours a day is plenty in the summer • Use room fans to keep the air moving and reduce the feeling of months, less in the winter months. heat in your home. • Set your water heater to 120 degrees. • Replace furnace and air conditioner filters. Spray the filters with a • Vacuum your refrigerator coils (underneath and in the back) and light coating of lemon furniture polish or vegetable oil cooking don’t obstruct the coils. They need air space to work. spray to help trap dirt in the filter. • Keep the seals (gaskets) on refrigerators and freezers clean. • Check the seals on your refrigerator and freezer. • Keep your freezer as full as possible. You can place containers or • Replace normal thermostats with programmable thermostats. plastic bottles filled with water in the empty spaces. • Make sure food is cool and covered before it goes into the refrigerator.

New Jersey Information Guide [ 51 HOMEBUYER’S GLOSSARY

As you start shopping for a new home, you may encounter some Contingency Condition that must be met before a contract is unfamiliar words and terms. The following glossary will help get you binding. through the maze of buying a home. Convertibility Ability to change a loan from an adjustable rate Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM) Loan with an interest rate schedule to a fixed-rate schedule. adjusted according to movements in the financial market. Many Covenant Agreement between seller and buyer on a piece of offer lower-than-market initial interest rates that rise only gradually property, restricting the use of that property. (Also called deed for the first few years. restriction.) Annual Percentage Rate (APR) Annual cost of credit over the life of Deed Legal document representing property ownership. a loan including interest, service charges, points, loan fees, Default When a borrower fails to make the required payments of mortgage insurance and other items. a mortgage contract. Appraisal Unbiased, professional opinion of a property’s value Density The number of homes built on a particular acre of land. based on its style and appearance, construction quality, usefulness Allowable densities are determined by local jurisdictions. and the value of comparable properties. Debt-To-Income Ratio Long-Term debt expenses as a percentage Assessment Tax levied on a property or a value placed on the of monthly income; used by lenders to qualify borrowers for worth of a property by a taxing authority. mortgage loans. Assumption Transaction allowing a buyer to assume responsibility Due-on-Sale Clause in a mortgage contract requiring the borrower for an existing loan instead of getting a new loan. to pay the entire outstanding balance upon sale or transfer of the Broker (Real Estate) Person who receives a commission or fee for property. bringing buyer and seller together and assisting in the negotiation of Earnest Money Sum paid to the seller to show that a potential contracts between them. A license is required in most states. purchaser is serious about buying. Building Code Local regulations controlling design, construction Easement Right-of-Way granted to a person or company and materials used in construction. Building Codes are based on authorizing access to the owner’s land. For example, a utility safety and health standards. company may be granted easement to install pipes or wires. An Buydown Subsidy, usually paid by a builder or developer, to reduce owner may voluntarily grant an easement or can be ordered to grant the monthly payments on a mortgage loan. one by a local jurisdiction. Buyer’s Agent A real estate agent who represents only the buyer Equity Difference between the value of a home and what is owed in a real estate transaction. on it. Callback Request by a homeowner for a builder to handle a service Escrow Handling of funds or documents by a third party on behalf request. of the buyer and/or seller. Cap Limit to the amount an interest rate or monthly payment can Escrow Amount Amount set up by a lender into which periodic, increase for an adjustable-rate loan either during an adjustment usually monthly, payments for taxes, hazard insurance, period or over the life of the loan. assessments and mortgage insurance premiums are made. Funds Certificate of Occupancy Document from an official agency stating are held in trust by the lender who pays the sums as they become the property meets the requirements of local codes, ordinances and due. regulations. Fair Market Value Price at which property is transferred between Chain of Title History of all documents transferring title to a parcel willing buyer and willing seller, each of whom has reasonable of real property, starting with the earliest existing document and knowledge of all pertinent facts and neither being under compulsion ending with the most recent. to buy or sell. Change Order Homebuyer’s written authorization to add, delete or Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Federal agency that insures change an item specified in a contract. mortgages with lower down payment requirements than Closing Meeting to sign documents that transfer from a seller to a conventional loans. buyer. (Also referred to as settlement.) Fixed-Rate Mortgage Mortgage with an interest rate that remains Closing Costs Charges paid at settlement for obtaining a mortgage constant over the life of the loan. loan and transferring a real estate title. Hazard Insurance Protection against damage caused by fire, wind Commission Agent’s fee for negotiating a real estate or loan storms or other common hazards. Many lenders require borrowers transaction, often expressed as the percentage of the sales price or to carry it in an amount at least to the mortgage. mortgage amount. HVAC Common building industry abbreviation for heating, Conditions, Covenants and Restrictions (CC and Rs) Standards that ventilation and air conditioning systems. define how a property may be used and the protections the Index Interest rate or adjustment standard that determines the developer makes for the benefit of all owners in a subdivision. changes in monthly payments for an adjustable-rate loan.

52 ] New Jersey Information Guide HOMEBUYER’S GLOSSARY

Infrastructure Public facilities and services needed to support PITI Principal, interest, taxes and insurance: the four major residential development, including highways, bridges, schools and components of monthly housing payments. sewer and water systems. Point One-Time charge assessed by the lender at closing to Inspection Examination of work completed on a structure to increase the interest yield on a mortgage loan. determine compliance with building code and other code Presettlement Walk-Through Final inspection of house prior to requirements. closing, conducted by builder and buyer. Joint Tenancy Form of ownership in which the tenants own a Principal Amount borrowed, excluding interest and other charges. property equally. If one dies, the other automatically inherits the Property Survey Survey to determine the boundaries of a piece of entire property. property. Cost depends on the complexity of the survey. Loan Origination Fee Lender will charge a fee for the cost of Recording Fee Charge for recording the transfer of a property, paid processing the loan, usually calculated as a percentage of the loan to a city, county or other appropriate branch of government. amount. Specifications Contractual document describing in detail the work Loan-To-Value-Ratio Relationship between the amount of a home to be performed; method of construction; standards of loan and the total value of a property. workmanship; quality, type and manufacturer of materials and Lock-In Rate Commitment from a lender to make a loan at a pre- equipment for a particular project. set interest rate at some future date, usually for not more than 90 Tenancy in Common Form of ownership in which the tenants own days. A fee may be charged to “lock-in” a rate. separate but equal parts. To inherit the property, a surviving tenant Mortgage Commitment Formal written communication by a lender would either have to be mentioned in the will or, in the absence of agreeing to make a mortgage loan on a specific property, specifying a will, be eligible through state inheritance laws. the loan amount, length of time and conditions. Title Evidence, usually in the form of a certificate or deed, of a Mortgage Origination Fee Charge for the work involved in preparing person’s legal right to ownership of a property. and servicing a mortgage application. Title Insurance Insurance against any title defects that may exist Permit Document issued by a local government agency allowing prior to the time the title is passed from one owner to the next, and construction work to be performed in conformance with local which may come to light in a future transaction. codes. Work may not commence until permits have been obtained, Veterans Administration (VA) Federal agency that insures mortgage and each permit issuing agency must inspect the work at certain loans with very liberal down payment requirements for honorably specified points during construction. discharged veterans and their surviving spouses.

New Jersey Information Guide [ 53 WHO’S WHO IN BUILDING

Architect Landscape Architect Building design professional who has completed all required Specialist in landscape and garden planning; primary concerns university training in architecture and passed state licensing exams; include site selection, grading, access, drainage and protection of initials A.I.A. and F.A.I.A. indicate membership in a professional existing plant material. License required for practice. organization, but not licensed status. Lender Builder or General Contractor The financial institution that provides construction loan financing The buck stops with him or her in construction projects. The during construction and permanent financing for the home buyer general contractor secures bids for all work and materials; hires, after the home is built and there is a property settlement, referred to coordinates and oversees subcontractors; files for permits and in our area as closing. Most lenders make what is referred to as arranges for inspections; and generally makes the final decisions in “end loans” which is the loan made to the buyer of a new home, and all construction-related matters. others make both the “end loan” and “construction loan financing” Building Designer which provides funds to pay for costs incurred during construction. Generally unlicensed professionals (license not required for Owner Builder practice) who, by experience, are competent to design homes, An individual or family who finances and manages a home prepare drawings and write specifications; they often work in building project (usually with the assistance of a builder or general association with licensed architects. contractor who is hired to manage all or a particular phase of the Building Inspector construction of the home) with the intention of retaining ownership One or more local officials who oversee and regulate every phase and residing in the home after completion. of residential construction. Regulations vary widely. In most states Subcontractor area home construction meets standards contained in the Uniform A specialist who undertakes responsibility for one phase or trade Building Code. In addition, applicable provisions of the Uniform Fire within the project and reports to the general contractor. In a typical & Plumbing/Mechanical & Electrical codes are enforced. Typically, home building project, subcontractors generally include: an permits are issued and inspections are made at key stages of excavation contractor who digs foundations and grades the site; a construction by County and City building code enforcement masonry contractor who handles all concrete, block, brickwork and departments. paving; a framing contractor who constructs the shell and interior Construction Manager/Foreman partitions; a roofing contractor; a heating, ventilation and air- The general contractor’s right-hand man. A construction conditioning (HVAC) contractor; a plumbing contractor; an electrical manager can be on site when the general contractor is not. contractor; drywall installers; insulation contractors; finish Design/Build Firms carpenters who generally handle wood flooring, trim work, and An organization that provides both architectural planning and cabinet installation; and a painting contractor. general contracting services, and offers a different approach to the Surveyor conventional arrangement in which the designer and builder are A professional with the training and equipment to establish or separate entities. verify property lines. The surveyor also plots and marks the Kitchen /Bath Designer topography of the site, which is crucial in preparing the site plan. He Specialist in designing these rooms; initials C.K.D. and C.B.D. or she may also be employed to stake out the building site, setting indicate certification by a professional association, for which training reference marks for foundation excavation, establishing grades for and passing tests are required. License is not required for practice. roads or driveways and marking the locations for a septic system Interior Designer and water well, if necessary. Specialist in decoration and furnishing; special training and Title Insurance Company licensing not required. Initials A.S.I.D. following individual’s name The entity that conducts a comprehensive search of the public indicate membership in a professional association, for which records to make sure that the title received by a buyer of a new training and passing tests are required. home is “free and clear of any liens and encumbrances”. This assures the issuance of a clear or “merchant able” title in favor of the buyer of a new home at the closing of the sale of the property.

54 ] New Jersey Information Guide SELECTING A BUILDER

Are you shopping for a new home? Start by shopping for a Service After the Sale and Home Warranty professional builder first. Whether you are buying a townhouse, a While you are shopping, ask about the builder’s service after the detached home in a subdivision, or a custom-built house, the sale. Most builders offer some form of warranty. Many builders back construction quality of your new home will be determined by the their own warranties on workmanship and materials, typically for quality of your builder. one year. Other builders offer warranties backed by an insurance Start your builder-search process by calling your local home program. One of the most important criteria for selecting a builder builders association. They can give you the names of reputable is the warranty protection provided on the home. Ask for a copy of builders in your area. Ask friends and relatives about builders they the builder’s warranty. Read the document thoroughly and be sure have dealt with directly, or ask them for the names of acquaintances you understand what protection is provided. If you have any who have recently built a new home. questions about the coverage, talk to the builder prior to finalizing The Interview Process your purchase. Once you have developed a list of builders who are building the Be Thorough type and price range of home you are interested in, research their When selecting a builder, be thorough and ask a lot of questions. reputations and the quality of their work. The best way is to visit Get as many specifics as possible. If you receive the answers homes that they have built and talk to the owners. Ask the builders verbally, take notes. Never hesitate to ask a question because you on your list for the addresses of their recently completed houses, are afraid of sounding “stupid” or uninformed. What seems like a subdivisions, or townhouse communities. At the very least, drive by “stupid” question may yield a very important answer. and see if the homes are visually appealing. Buying a new home is probably the biggest and most important Look at homes that are the same style as you plan to buy. A good purchase you will make in your lifetime. By doing your new “home” time to visit is on a weekend morning when people are outside work to select a builder, you will instill in yourself and your family a doing chores. Introduce yourself and explain that you are sense of confidence and knowledge that you have made the right considering buying a home from the same builder who built their choice. home. If you have additional questions about selecting a builder, contact Ask about their satisfaction with the home and whether the your area’s Builders Association. Ask for a builder list that identifies builder delivered what was promised in a timely manner. Ask if they the price categories and subdivisions in which they build. Be sure to would buy another home from this builder. People will generally tell tour the Parade of Homes in the Fall and Spring. It is an excellent you if they are happy with their purchase. way to get familiar with the housing market in this area as well as Quality and Value individual builder’s products. When examining a home, look at the quality of the construction features: the cabinetry, carpeting, trim work, and paint. In viewing a home, you must determine whether it lends itself to the type of lifestyle you want to lead. Look at the amount of interior living space and how efficiently the space is used. Find out if the builder is incorporating state-of-the-art energy efficiency features, both in appliances and insulation.

New Jersey Information Guide [ 55 SELECTING A CONTRACTOR

Every year hundreds of families are taken advantage of by 8. Make sure all required permits are secured and inspections are disreputable individuals or companies who represent themselves to made.The contractor should be expected to secure all necessary be reliable, reputable contractors. If you are planning to hire permits. Beware of contractors who want you to secure the someone to repair or make improvements to your property there are permit as the property owner. It is permissible to do so, but it is safeguards you can take to assure the best selection of a contractor very unusual that a reputable contractor will ask you to do this. for you. 9. Make sure you have a written contract with the contractor that Consider the Following details: 1. Hire only licensed contractors. Contractors are required to be a. A full description of all work to be done. licensed to do certain types of work. When selecting a contractor b. A firm date of completion you should make sure the contractor holds a current, valid c. Total cost of the job. license either issued by your city. d. Contractors license number. 2. All contractors do not possess the same expertise.Ask for e. All warranty information. references and check those references to assure yourself that f. Quality of materials to be used. the contractor is qualified to do the type of work you are wanting g. How and on what basis payments are to be made. done. h. How changes and payment for changes will be handled. 3. Check business references. Ask the contractor for a list of 10. Make sure complete architectural drawings are done and business references that you can call and verify that the agreed upon if you are having a room addition added, or relationships with suppliers and subcontractors are good ones extensive remodeling done. Be certain that detailed material and that the contractor pays his bills. specifications are also provided and made a part of the contract 4. Call the Better Business Bureau to find out if there are any you sign. complaints or charges pending against the contractor. 11. Monitor the work being done in accordance with the 5. Call local trade associations for information about selecting a contractual agreement with the contractor. If you have contractor. questions about what is being done or problems with the 6. Ask for proof from the contractor that he has general liability contractor, either ask questions or confront the problem head insurance and workers compensation insurance in order to on when it occurs in order to minimize any conflict and reach a protect you, as the property owner, against any claim in the event satisfactory resolve as quickly as possible. the contractor, his employees, or someone else is injured as a 12. Final payment should not be made until you are satisfied that result of work being done on your property. the job has been completed in accordance with the terms of the 7. Make sure the contractor you are contracting with will be contractual agreement between you and the contractor. personally involved in coordinating the work to be done on your property. “A house is made of walls and beams; A home is built with love and dreams.” - Author unknown

56 ] New Jersey Information Guide BANKING & MORTGAGE INFORMATION

Is Your Bank Meeting Your Current Financial Needs? What Will You Do? This page offers a guide to choosing the right bank for your The fist question to ask yourself is what you want to do with your needs, and offers some ideas for starting your checklist. bank account. Do you want to put money in there periodically and With banks offering an increasing number of financial services at watch it grow? Will you move money in and out quickly? You need widely varying fees, choosing one to handle your particular financial to know what your banking behavior will be like in order to find the needs can seem like a difficult and confusing task. Although there right bank. is much to consider, it is best to select a bank the same way you Next, get an idea of how you prefer to do your banking. If your would choose any product or service—first evaluate your needs schedule doesn’t work with most bank schedules, the best bank and then compare costs. You should also consider what is most might just be the one that’s open at convenient times. important to you in a banking relationship. Do you want to develop Free checking accounts get a lot of hype. They get people in the a personal, long-term customer relationship with a bank? Do you door. However, free may not always be the best thing for you. If you travel frequently and need access to branch offices while you are value certain services or conveniences, you may be willing to pay for out of town? If you prefer to do your banking by telephone or online, them. Once you get ahold of fee schedules from competing banks, you'll want to explore the types of electronic services each bank has consider if it’s really going to bother you to pay a few bucks each to offer. Once you have identified your needs, evaluating and month for that “gotta have it” feature or service. Maybe it is, maybe comparing the services and fees is a much simpler task. it isn’t. But you have to do your research, because not all banks offer At first glance, fees might make you favor debit cards in the debit free checking, and if they do, they won’t always tell you about that vs credit competition. The worst fee you'll find in a typical debit card option unless you ask. is a POS fee — charged when you use your debit card at a retailer So go online or make a few phone calls. Find out if the bank has using PIN number. While the tide is shifting away from banks a lot of ATM locations. It doesn’t do you any good to have free charging these fees, they're still around. More importantly, there are checking if you have to spend $2 a pop to use another bank’s ATM more factors than fees to the debit vs credit debate. because you bank only has one branch and it is all the way across Hidden fees are becoming increasingly popular in the banking town. industry. If you're not careful, you might end up wasting significant You may be eligible because of where you live or what type of job amounts of money each year on things that can be easily avoided. you have to join a credit union. Many people like credit unions One place that's full of hidden fees is the ATM. While it is an easy because they offer a lot of free services (like maybe free Money way of obtaining your money quickly and efficiently, ATMs are Orders). But keep in mind that credit unions are often few and far notorious for their service charges. You can end up being charged between, so you may end up with the ATM surcharge problem. every time you use the ATM, if you're not careful. Some banks will charge extra fees if you do not meet certain requirements or do your banking with them. Banks can even charge you to check your balance at the ATM. It depends on the bank. You need to understand the terms of your bank and find the best plan for you. You can check balances, transfer funds and pay bills, all from the comfort and convenience of your home or office computer. Internet banking may also have a price. Depending on the bank, you may have to pay a service charge for this service. It also may not be available at all banks.

New Jersey Information Guide [ 57 BANKING & MORTGAGE INFORMATION

You may have a difficult time deciding which type of home feature was designed to provide housing and assistance for mortgage is the best for your needs. The world of home finance veterans and their families, and the dream of home ownership offers so many variables and options that it’s often hard to keep became a reality for millions of veterans. VA will guarantee a them straight. The following may help you better understand the maximum of 25 percent of a home loan amount up to $104,250, differences and find a home loan that’s right for you. which limits the maximum loan amount to $417,000. Generally, the Fixed-Rate Mortgages are very popular because the interest rate reasonable value of the property or the purchase price, whichever and monthly payments are constant. Fixed loans are generally is less, plus the funding fee may be borrowed. All veterans must amortized over ten, fifteen, twenty or thirty years. Property taxes qualify, for they are not automatically eligible for the program. and homeowners insurance may increase, but generally your Interest-Only Mortgage is really an interest-only option that works monthly payments will be very stable. During the early amortization with various mortgage types. This option has regular payments, period, a large percentage of the monthly payment is used for typically monthly, for a fixed period of time; however, payments paying the interest. As the loan is paid down, more of the monthly consist of one hundred percent interest. No principal is paid during payment is applied to principal. A typical 30 year fixed rate the interest-only period. When that period ends, the borrower is mortgage takes 22.5 years of level payments to pay half of the obligated to make payments of principal and interest. Because the original loan amount. You may also opt for “biweekly” mortgages, time remaining in the loan term to repay the principal is shorter than which shorten the loan by making a payment every two weeks. it would have been, payments will adjust upward, sometimes (Since there are 52 weeks in a year, you make 26 payments, or 13 substantially. The appeal of interest-only payments is savings. When “months” worth, every year.) principal is not being paid, monthly payments are dramatically Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) is a loan which allows for the lower. On the risk side is potential for loss. If the need to sell arises adjustment of its interest rate according to the terms of the note and and the property value has stayed flat or declined, a borrower might as market interest rates change. With this type of mortgage loan be in a position where the mortgage loan balance is higher than the program the interest rate and payments may be adjusted as market value of the property. frequently as every month. The purpose of the program is to allow Balloon Mortgage Loan generally has a short term, commonly mortgage interest rates to fluctuate with market conditions. The anywhere from 3-7 years. During that term, borrowers make regular initial interest rate for an ARM is usually lower than that of a fixed equal payments of principal – the amount of money borrowed – plus rate mortgage, where the interest rate remains the same during the interest. At the end of the loan term, a “balloon” payment is due for life of the loan. A lower rate means lower payments, which might the entire loan balance. Options for handling the balloon payment help you qualify for a larger loan. Also if you do not plan to keep your include paying off the balance when due or refinancing before the home for more than a few years, the possibility of rate increases payment comes due. Balloon mortgages are usually offered at isn’t as much of a factor. But no one has a crystal ball to predict the lower interest rates than other fixed-rate loans. In addition, fluctuation of interest rates, so it is somewhat of a gamble. payments are calculated using a period longer than the term of the FHA Mortgage Loan is insured by the Federal Housing loan. As a result, balloon loans offer affordability for short-term Administration. FHA is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and circumstances. Borrowers do need to plan ahead so they are not Urban Development (HUD), one of its chief purposes is to help caught unprepared when the balloon payment is due. people obtain financing to buy their homes. The FHA doesn’t make Choosing a type of mortgage is not the only decision you must the loans, but insures loans made by banks, savings and loans, face. Several other criteria are listed below. mortgage companies, credit unions and other approved institutions. Hybrid Mortgage combines features of both fixed-rate and FHA does not originate loans. FHA insures the mortgage and pays adjustable-rate mortgages. A hybrid mortgage loan may start with the lender if the homebuyer defaults on the loan, or fails to repay the a rate that is fixed for a period of time. When that fixed-rate period loan. Almost anyone who has a satisfactory credit record, enough expires, the loan then converts to an ARM. The initial rate for a cash to close the loan, and sufficient steady income to make hybrid mortgage loan is typically lower than prevailing fixed rates. monthly mortgage payments can be approved for an FHA-insured The lower rate enables more buying power up front. On the risk side mortgage. There is no upper age limit and no certain income level is the uncertainty of how high interest rates will be when the fixed- required, although individual mortgage amounts are limited by law. rate period expires. VA Mortgage Loan is similar to the FHA mortgage. The U.S. Lending Institution are used When you’re looking for a home loan, Department of Veterans Affairs guarantees loans made by you might work with an officer at a bank or other lending institution, institutional lenders to eligible veterans. The guarantee helps protect or you might choose to work with a mortgage broker. The loan the lender in the event of the borrower’s default. The VA Loan was officers at a bank, credit union or other lending institution are initiated in 1944 through the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, more employees who work to sell and process mortgages originated by commonly known as the GI Bill of Rights. The GI Bill was signed into their employer. They often have a wide variety of loans types to law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and provided veterans with draw from, but all originate from that specific lender. a federally guaranteed home loan with no down payment. This

58 ] New Jersey Information Guide BANKING & MORTGAGE INFORMATION

Mortgage Brokers are professionals who are paid a fee to bring Appreciation is the increase in the property’s value, either by together lenders and borrowers. The mortgage broker working to improvement in the market or improvements made by the owner. secure your loan is earning a fee for that transaction—and the Balloon Mortgage is a loan that acts like a fixed rate but is due in better deal they achieve for a lender, the more they are paid. Don’t three, five or ten years. At that point you must pay the outstanding be too anxious to disclose the interest rate you would be willing to balance in one lump sum. accept, let them tell you what terms they can secure. Shop around Buydown is the process of buying a lower interest rate by paying to make sure the terms are reasonable. more points at closing. There should be little difference between obtaining a loan from a Conventional Mortgage is a loan that is under $ 240,000 and meets broker or a local lending institution. Maybe none, but you should be Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac standards, the largest purchasers of aware of the differences between the two positions. A mortgage home mortgages on the secondary market. broker may find you a lender in another part of the country. The loan Convertible Mortgage is an ARM with the option to convert to a office will likely be able to offer more personal service while your loan fixed rate mortgage as specified in the contract. is being processed and once you are an established customer. FHA Loans are issued by FHA approved lenders. The FHA insures Discount Points are fees paid to a lender at closing in order to its loans so that borrowers can get them with only 3 to 5% down lower your mortgage interest rate. While buying points is sometimes payment. The FHA has certain criteria to qualify for these loans. a good decision, many times the purchase costs you more than it Fixed-rate Mortgages are self amortizing loans with a constant rate saves. The cost of each point is equal to one percent of the loan of interest. These loans are commonly for 10, 15. 20 or 30 year amount. For instance, for a $100,000 loan one discount point periods. equals $1,000. Each discount point paid on a 30-year loan typically lowers the interest rate by 0.125 percent. That means a 5.5 percent Interest Rate is what the lender charges for the use of their money. rate would be lowered to 5.375 percent if you purchase one point. Expressed as an annual percentage of the amount borrowed before Paying for points lowers your interest rate, because the lender financing expenses. receives the income in a lump sum at closing rather than collecting Initial Interest Rate is what lenders charge on an ARM until the first the interest as you make payments on your loan. Whether or not adjustment is made. This rate is usually much lower than fixed rate paying points makes sense for you depends in part on how long mortgages. you plan to keep the loan. Jumbo Mortgages are loans greater than $ 227,150 with an interest rate that is a quarter percentage higher than conventional Helpful Mortgage Terms loans. Adjustable Rate Mortgage is a loan with a rate that adjusts to Lifetime Cap is the same as an annual cap except there is limit on market conditions. The rate of adjustment will be stated in the how high the interest rate can increase over the entire life of the contract. mortgage. Adjustment Index is a guide lenders use to change ARM interest Loan Commitment is a promise by the lender to provide the agreed rates during the life of a mortgage. The specific index to which your amount of money stated on the mortgage to close on a home. The ARM is tied to will be listed in the mortgage contract. commitment also states the interest rate, term of loan, and usually Annual Cap is a limit on how high the interest rate on an ARM can expires within 60 days. rise in a single year. Annual caps are specified in the better ARM Loan Servicing is the institution that handles the administrative programs. processing of your loan such as billing and collecting payments. Annual Percentage Rate Equals the true cost of a loan including Loan-to-Value Ratio is the proportional relationship of the financing charges and fees. mortgage loan to the value of a home, expressed as a percentage. Amortization is the process that reduces the amount owned in a loan. It can be made in a lump sum or periodic installments. Appraisal Value is estimating the property’s worth which is based on comparable properties. Appraisals that are completed by certified professionals, and are used by lenders to verify the home’s value and justify the mortgage commitment.

New Jersey Information Guide [ 59 BANKING & MORTGAGE INFORMATION

Mortgage Calculator You can obtain your property taxes from the local township office How much do you qualify for based on typical lender and you can contact your insurance agent for homeowner rates. requirements? Generally, the lender will require that your monthly Now, while shopping for your mortgage, you probably have payments not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income. Lets take discovered the current interest rate. Use the chart below; find the a look at how a lender would typically determine your ability to meet column, which applies to that rate. Follow the number down until monthly house payments. you find the number that is closest to your principal and interest First, determine your gross monthly income from all sources. payment. To the left of that you will find the loan amount for which Then multiply that amount by 28% to determine an approximate you probably qualify. If you intend to apply for a 90% loan, divide the allowable monthly payment. This payment includes principal, loan amount by .90 to calculate the price of the house that would interest, taxes and insurance. From this amount subtract taxes and require this monthly payment. insurance to arrive at your allowable principal and interest payment.

The example below illustrates this procedure: Gross Monthly Income $2,500 X 28% = $700 Less: Monthly Taxes & Insurance ($100) = $600 6% Interest Rate for 30 years for $600 = $30,000 $30,000/.90 (Loan to Value) = $33,333 = Estimated Maximum Home Price For Qualification

$ 3% 3.5% 4% 4.5% 5% 5.5% 6% 6.5% 7%

100,000 300 350 400 450 500 550 600 650 700

150,000 450 525 600 675 750 825 900 975 1050

200,000 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400

250,000 750 875 1000 1125 1250 1375 1500 1625 1750

300,000 900 1050 1200 1350 1500 1650 1800 1950 2100

350,000 1050 1225 1400 1575 1750 1925 2100 2275 2450

400,000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 2200 2400 2600 2800

450,000 1350 1575 1800 2025 2250 2475 2700 2925 3150

500,000 1500 1750 2000 2250 2500 2750 3000 3250 3500

550,000 1650 1925 2200 2475 2750 3025 3300 3575 3850

600,000 1800 2100 2400 2700 3000 3300 3600 3900 4200

650,000 1950 2275 2600 2925 3250 3575 3900 4225 4550

700,000 2100 2450 2800 3150 3500 3850 4200 4550 4900

750,000 2250 2625 3000 3375 3750 4125 4500 4875 5250

800,000 2400 2800 3200 3600 4000 4400 4800 5200 5600

850,000 2550 2975 3400 3825 4250 4675 5100 5525 5950

900,000 2700 3150 3600 4050 4500 4950 5400 5850 6300

950,000 2850 3325 3800 4275 4750 5225 5700 6175 6650

1,000,000 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 5500 6000 6500 7000

60 ] New Jersey Information Guide AIRLINES APARTMENTS

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New Visit BestrentNJ.com and find out about Olympic size Swimming Pool and Tennis home designs are now available of single- any of our outstanding rental communities. Courts. Convenient to Routes 1 and 130, family homes from the low $300’s with 2 Search or browse communities for your the NJ Turnpike, Routes 95 and 195. to 4 bedrooms and 2 to 3 full bathrooms. perfect apartment or townhome. See rents, Ask about our Quick Move-In Homes. floor plans, amenities, detailed local maps Willowyck River Pointe and more! Use our Unique Features 1 Marlbrook Lane 2517 Ridgeway Blvd. section to quickly find communities with Lansdale,PA 19446-5389 Manchester, NJ special characteristics, such as a superior (215) 368-5210 (732) 657-3030 school system, a community clubhouse, or www.thesheltergroup.com www.delwebb.com shuttle service to area train stations! 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There are Apartments - Cental New Jersey Blue Bell take less than 30 minutes. plenty of options to personalize your new Colony Oaks Apartments Residents enjoy our neighborly way of life home including 9” basements. Our 16,000 19 Petunia Drive in spacious floor plans of more than 1,000 square foot clubhouse, The Retreat, has North Brunswick, NJ 08902 square feet. Lease terms are available amenities aplenty: state-of-the-art fitness (888) 838-3965 either in furnished (1-12 months) or center, library, arts and crafts, and indoor LUXURY LIVING IN NORTH unfurnished (3-12 months). Come see for and outdoor pools. Outdoors thereís a BRUNSWICK. An apartment should be a yourself why Willowyck was meant to be putting green, horseshoe pit, plus tennis home, a place to live, to relax in and enjoy. your new home!! and bocce courts. Golfers will delight in the At Colony Oaks, you’ll discover an Apartments - Northern New Jersey variety of public and semi-private golf apartment you’ll be proud to call home courses in the area.Take advantage of this with spacious floorplans, a great location 333 River Street worry-free environment with a central and a peaceful, quiet atmosphere, you’ll 333 River Street location convenient to the Jersey Shore have plenty of room to create your own Hoboken, NJ 07030 and all that it has to offer. River Pointe is lifestyle. Easy access to Rt. 1 and mass (888) 694-2568 also conveniently located close to major transit means you’ll be quickly on your way Known for its breathtaking views and highways for easy access to Manhattan, to work, shopping, parks and recreation. exceptional access to Manhattan, Philadelphia and Atlantic City. There are a And with a dedicated staff to service your Hoboken now boasts a signature limited number of Move-In Ready homes needs there is only one logical choice. Visit community that rivals any you’ll find across available for this summer. Colony Oaks today and see for yourself. the river. 333 River Street is the waterfront address you’ve been waiting for. Airlines Heather Ridge Apartments 453 Heather Drive The Gotham American Airlines Mantua, NJ 08051 255 Warren Street Reservations call (800) 433-7300 (856) 468-4014 Jersey City, NJ 07302 Flights at your fingertips. For passenger A unique combination of country charm (888) 739-8070 reservations and information call us or your with city convenience are the hallmarks of Managed by Applied Property

New Jersey Information Guide [ 61 APARTMENTS BANKS/FINANCE

Management Group, The Gotham is Companies impeccable service and they may want them. winner of numerous “Community of the expertise. Welcome to the neighborhood. Commerce Bank Year” awards from Downtown New Jersey The Landings at Port Imperial 568 River Road Inc., the New Jersey Apartment Four Avenue at Port Imperial Fair Haven, NJ 07704 Association, and New Jersey Builders West New York, NJ 07093 (732) 747-5252 Association, among others. Step outside (201) 863-9100 Commerce is one of the nation’s fastest your door and experience The Gotham’s RENT WITH EQUITY, Equity Residential’s growing financial services retailers. Since recreational facilities and amenities, which exclusive NATIONAL rent to own program its inception in 1973, Commerce include a private landscaped plaza, fully allows residents to earn equity toward a continually has honed a unique and very equipped fitness club with indoor and new home. Nowhere else can you take successful retail model, which fuels the outdoor play areas and on-site parking. advantage of a national rent to own Bank’s continuing growth. Commerce has The Gotham, a great lifestyle. program of this kind! Hallmark House Portside Towers expanded substantially since opening its 10 Hill Street 155 Washington Street first branch 30 years ago in Marlton, New Newark, NJ 07102 Jersey City, NJ 07302 Jersey. Today, the Commerce network (888) 230-7363 (201) 938-0770 comprises nearly 260 stores throughout COME SEE LUXURIOUS HI-RISE Gracefully overlooking the Hudson River, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and LIVING WITH NEWLY RENOVATED Portside Towers places New York Harbor, Delaware. As “America’s Most Convenient APARTMENTS AT HALLMARK HOUSE. The Statue of Liberty and the dramatic Bank,” Commerce looks different, thinks Our conveniently located community offers Manhattan skyline into perfect perspective. different and provides a truly different some of the largest floorplans in the area Beyond these magnificent views, enjoy an banking experience. The Bank’s “have it with fully renovated kitchens, baths & outstanding lifestyle, convenience and the your way” approach emphasizes the lighting. Hallmark House offers shops and luxury features of Jersey City’s premier importance of providing customers with services on the property, including a coffee waterfront community. convenient, quality financial services, shop, salon, convenience store, laundry whenever, wherever and in whatever way room, an attorney & a doctor’s office. Our Prospect Towers they may want them. 300 Prospect Avenue location allows for an easy commute to Commerce Bank major employers & universities in the area. Hackensack, NJ 07601 (201) 487-7888 46 Route 520 Discover why Hallmark House is the place Englishtown, NJ 07726 to live! Professionally managed well maintained High Rise Community! RENT WITH (732) 536-8935 The Highlands At Westwood EQUITY, Equity Residential’s exclusive Commerce is one of the nation’s fastest 7101 Cenrose Circle NATIONAL rent to own program allows growing financial services retailers. Since Westwood, NJ 07675 residents to earn equity toward a new its inception in 1973, Commerce (888) 648-7765 home. Nowhere else can you take continually has honed a unique and very Roseland Property Company would like advantage of a national rent to own successful retail model, which fuels the to invite you to experience Westwood’s program of this kind! Bank’s continuing growth. Commerce has newest and most luxurious apartment expanded substantially since opening its community - The Highlands! Just minutes Banks/ Finance - Central New Jersey first branch 30 years ago in Marlton, New from a picturesque downtown area, our Jersey. Today, the Commerce network Commerce Bank premier location provides for an easy comprises nearly 260 stores throughout 765 Route 18 commute to New York City and area New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and East Brunswick, NJ 08816 shopping, dining and recreation. The Delaware. As “America’s Most Convenient (732) 698-1184 Highlands at Westwood offers spacious Bank,” Commerce looks different, thinks Commerce is one of the nation’s fastest one and two bedrooms in contemporary different and provides a truly different growing financial services retailers. Since design with all the modern conveniences. banking experience. The Bank’s “have it its inception in 1973, Commerce All apartment feature Roselink, which your way” approach emphasizes the continually has honed a unique and very includes DIRECTV, high-speed Internet, importance of providing customers with successful retail model, which fuels the intrusion alarm and multiple incoming convenient, quality financial services, Bank’s continuing growth. Commerce has phone lines. whenever, wherever and in whatever way expanded substantially since opening its they may want them. Hudson Square North And South first branch 30 years ago in Marlton, New 205-235 Hudson Street Jersey. Today, the Commerce network Commerce Bank Hoboken, NJ 07030 comprises nearly 260 stores throughout 445 Route 35 (888) 810-3977 New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Middletown, NJ 07748 Managed by Applied Property Delaware. As “America’s Most Convenient (732) 345-0525 Management Group, winner of numerous Bank,” Commerce looks different, thinks Commerce is one of the nation’s fastest “Community of the Year” awards from different and provides a truly different growing financial services retailers. Since Downtown New Jersey, Inc., the New banking experience. The Bank’s “have it its inception in 1973, Commerce Jersey Apartment Association, and New your way” approach emphasizes the continually has honed a unique and very Jersey Builders Association, among others. importance of providing customers with successful retail model, which fuels the All of our striking properties have one thing convenient, quality financial services, Bank’s continuing growth. Commerce has in common: Applied Development whenever, wherever and in whatever way expanded substantially since opening its

62 ] New Jersey Information Guide BANKS/FINANCE BANKS/FINANCE first branch 30 years ago in Marlton, New Commerce Bank first branch 30 years ago in Marlton, New Jersey. Today, the Commerce network 802 West Park Avenue Jersey. Today, the Commerce network comprises nearly 260 stores throughout Ocean Twp., NJ 07712 comprises nearly 260 stores throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and (732) 493-1590 New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Delaware. As “America’s Most Convenient Commerce is one of the nation’s fastest Delaware. As “America’s Most Convenient Bank,” Commerce looks different, thinks growing financial services retailers. Since Bank,” Commerce looks different, thinks different and provides a truly different its inception in 1973, Commerce different and provides a truly different banking experience. The Bank’s “have it continually has honed a unique and very banking experience. The Bank’s “have it your way” approach emphasizes the successful retail model, which fuels the your way” approach emphasizes the importance of providing customers with Bank’s continuing growth. Commerce has importance of providing customers with convenient, quality financial services, expanded substantially since opening its convenient, quality financial services, whenever, wherever and in whatever way first branch 30 years ago in Marlton, New whenever, wherever and in whatever way they may want them. Jersey. Today, the Commerce network they may want them. Commerce Bank comprises nearly 260 stores throughout Commerce Bank 207 Harmony Road New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and 540 River Street Middletown Twp., NJ 07748 Delaware. As “America’s Most Convenient Hackensack, NJ 07601 (732) 275-1950 Bank,” Commerce looks different, thinks (201) 488-8118 Commerce is one of the nation’s fastest different and provides a truly different Commerce is one of the nation’s fastest growing financial services retailers. Since banking experience. The Bank’s “have it growing financial services retailers. Since its inception in 1973, Commerce your way” approach emphasizes the its inception in 1973, Commerce continually has honed a unique and very importance of providing customers with continually has honed a unique and very successful retail model, which fuels the convenient, quality financial services, successful retail model, which fuels the Bank’s continuing growth. Commerce has whenever, wherever and in whatever way Bank’s continuing growth. Commerce has expanded substantially since opening its they may want them. expanded substantially since opening its first branch 30 years ago in Marlton, New Commerce Bank first branch 30 years ago in Marlton, New Jersey. Today, the Commerce network 101 Parker Road Jersey. Today, the Commerce network comprises nearly 260 stores throughout West Long Branch, NJ 07764-1695 comprises nearly 260 stores throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and (732) 923-1364 New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Delaware. As “America’s Most Convenient Commerce is one of the nation’s fastest Delaware. As “America’s Most Convenient Bank,” Commerce looks different, thinks growing financial services retailers. Since Bank,” Commerce looks different, thinks different and provides a truly different its inception in 1973, Commerce different and provides a truly different banking experience. The Bank’s “have it continually has honed a unique and very banking experience. The Bank’s “have it your way” approach emphasizes the successful retail model, which fuels the your way” approach emphasizes the importance of providing customers with Bank’s continuing growth. Commerce has importance of providing customers with convenient, quality financial services, expanded substantially since opening its convenient, quality financial services, whenever, wherever and in whatever way first branch 30 years ago in Marlton, New whenever, wherever and in whatever way they may want them. Jersey. Today, the Commerce network they may want them. Commerce Bank comprises nearly 260 stores throughout Commerce Bank 2200 Route 66 New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and 571 New York Avenue Neptune, NJ 07753 Delaware. As “America’s Most Convenient Lyndhurst, NJ 07071 (732) 774-3895 Bank,” Commerce looks different, thinks (201) 939-3823 Commerce is one of the nation’s fastest different and provides a truly different Commerce is one of the nation’s fastest growing financial services retailers. Since banking experience. The Bank’s “have it growing financial services retailers. Since its inception in 1973, Commerce your way” approach emphasizes the its inception in 1973, Commerce continually has honed a unique and very importance of providing customers with continually has honed a unique and very successful retail model, which fuels the convenient, quality financial services, successful retail model, which fuels the Bank’s continuing growth. Commerce has whenever, wherever and in whatever way Bank’s continuing growth. Commerce has expanded substantially since opening its they may want them. expanded substantially since opening its first branch 30 years ago in Marlton, New Banks/ Finance - first branch 30 years ago in Marlton, New Jersey. Today, the Commerce network Northern New Jersey Jersey. Today, the Commerce network comprises nearly 260 stores throughout comprises nearly 260 stores throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Commerce Bank New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Delaware. As “America’s Most Convenient 1400 Palisades Avenue Delaware. As “America’s Most Convenient Bank,” Commerce looks different, thinks Fort Lee, NJ 07024 Bank,” Commerce looks different, thinks different and provides a truly different (201) 947-8938 different and provides a truly different banking experience. The Bank’s “have it Commerce is one of the nation’s fastest banking experience. The Bank’s “have it your way” approach emphasizes the growing financial services retailers. Since your way” approach emphasizes the importance of providing customers with its inception in 1973, Commerce importance of providing customers with convenient, quality financial services, continually has honed a unique and very convenient, quality financial services, whenever, wherever and in whatever way successful retail model, which fuels the whenever, wherever and in whatever way they may want them. Bank’s continuing growth. Commerce has they may want them. expanded substantially since opening its

New Jersey Information Guide [ 63 BANKS/FINANCE BANKS/FINANCE

Commerce Bank New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Commerce Bank 560 Maywood Avenue Delaware. As “America’s Most Convenient 465 South Avenue Maywood, NJ 07607 Bank,” Commerce looks different, thinks Cranford, NJ 07016 (201) 909-0034 different and provides a truly different (908) 653-1059 Commerce is one of the nation’s fastest banking experience. The Bank’s “have it Commerce is one of the nation’s fastest growing financial services retailers. Since your way” approach emphasizes the growing financial services retailers. Since its inception in 1973, Commerce importance of providing customers with its inception in 1973, Commerce continually has honed a unique and very convenient, quality financial services, continually has honed a unique and very successful retail model, which fuels the whenever, wherever and in whatever way successful retail model, which fuels the Bank’s continuing growth. Commerce has they may want them. Bank’s continuing growth. Commerce has expanded substantially since opening its Commerce Bank expanded substantially since opening its first branch 30 years ago in Marlton, New 425 Pleasant Valley Way first branch 30 years ago in Marlton, New Jersey. Today, the Commerce network West Orange, NJ 07052 Jersey. Today, the Commerce network comprises nearly 260 stores throughout (973) 667-7852 comprises nearly 260 stores throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Commerce is one of the nation’s fastest New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Delaware. As “America’s Most Convenient growing financial services retailers. Since Delaware. As “America’s Most Convenient Bank,” Commerce looks different, thinks its inception in 1973, Commerce Bank,” Commerce looks different, thinks different and provides a truly different continually has honed a unique and very different and provides a truly different banking experience. The Bank’s “have it successful retail model, which fuels the banking experience. The Bank’s “have it your way” approach emphasizes the Bank’s continuing growth. Commerce has your way” approach emphasizes the importance of providing customers with expanded substantially since opening its importance of providing customers with convenient, quality financial services, first branch 30 years ago in Marlton, New convenient, quality financial services, whenever, wherever and in whatever way Jersey. Today, the Commerce network whenever, wherever and in whatever way they may want them. comprises nearly 260 stores throughout they may want them. Commerce Bank New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Commerce Bank 1476 Broad Street Delaware. As “America’s Most Convenient 1071 St. Georges Avenue Bloomfield, NJ 07003 Bank,” Commerce looks different, thinks Rahway, NJ 07065 (973) 338-1695 different and provides a truly different (732) 381-8902 Commerce is one of the nation’s fastest banking experience. The Bank’s “have it Commerce is one of the nation’s fastest growing financial services retailers. Since your way” approach emphasizes the growing financial services retailers. Since its inception in 1973, Commerce importance of providing customers with its inception in 1973, Commerce continually has honed a unique and very convenient, quality financial services, continually has honed a unique and very successful retail model, which fuels the whenever, wherever and in whatever way successful retail model, which fuels the Bank’s continuing growth. Commerce has they may want them. Bank’s continuing growth. Commerce has expanded substantially since opening its Commerce Bank expanded substantially since opening its first branch 30 years ago in Marlton, New 1010 Raritan Road first branch 30 years ago in Marlton, New Jersey. Today, the Commerce network Clark, NJ 07066 Jersey. Today, the Commerce network comprises nearly 260 stores throughout (732) 388-1367 comprises nearly 260 stores throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Commerce is one of the nation’s fastest New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Delaware. As “America’s Most Convenient growing financial services retailers. Since Delaware. As “America’s Most Convenient Bank,” Commerce looks different, thinks its inception in 1973, Commerce Bank,” Commerce looks different, thinks different and provides a truly different continually has honed a unique and very different and provides a truly different banking experience. The Bank’s “have it successful retail model, which fuels the banking experience. The Bank’s “have it your way” approach emphasizes the Bank’s continuing growth. Commerce has your way” approach emphasizes the importance of providing customers with expanded substantially since opening its importance of providing customers with convenient, quality financial services, first branch 30 years ago in Marlton, New convenient, quality financial services, whenever, wherever and in whatever way Jersey. Today, the Commerce network whenever, wherever and in whatever way they may want them. comprises nearly 260 stores throughout they may want them. Commerce Bank New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Commerce Bank 575 Kingsland Street Delaware. As “America’s Most Convenient 2265 Morris Avenue Nutley, NJ 07110 Bank,” Commerce looks different, thinks Union, NJ 07083 (973) 667-7852 different and provides a truly different (908) 964-3778 Commerce is one of the nation’s fastest banking experience. The Bank’s “have it Commerce is one of the nation’s fastest growing financial services retailers. Since your way” approach emphasizes the growing financial services retailers. Since its inception in 1973, Commerce importance of providing customers with its inception in 1973, Commerce continually has honed a unique and very convenient, quality financial services, continually has honed a unique and very successful retail model, which fuels the whenever, wherever and in whatever way successful retail model, which fuels the Bank’s continuing growth. Commerce has they may want them. Bank’s continuing growth. Commerce has expanded substantially since opening its expanded substantially since opening its first branch 30 years ago in Marlton, New first branch 30 years ago in Marlton, New Jersey. Today, the Commerce network Jersey. Today, the Commerce network comprises nearly 260 stores throughout comprises nearly 260 stores throughout

64 ] New Jersey Information Guide BANKS/FINANCE EDUCATION

New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and views of the Manasquan River and an educational program, supported by a Delaware. As “America’s Most Convenient incredibly convenient location just minutes nurturing environment, includes all the skills Bank,” Commerce looks different, thinks from beaches and the boardwalk. These and technology needed to succeed different and provides a truly different spectacular, luxury mid-rise condominiums spiritually, socially and academically. As banking experience. The Bank’s “have it start in the mid $600s with expansive vital members of our Faith Community who your way” approach emphasizes the interiors up to 2,427 sq. ft. featuring 2 pray, study, and celebrate together, our importance of providing customers with bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, plus a children are encouraged to carry with them convenient, quality financial services, family room. Residents enjoy scenic into the World Community the Good News whenever, wherever and in whatever way balconies, an outdoor pool, cabana, and a of Jesus Christ. they may want them. riverfront promenade with a sparkling Chaplin School shoreline and parade of pleasure boats. A Condo and Townhome Sales 4101 Princeton Pike limited number of Move-In Ready Homes Princeton, NJ 08540 Overlook at Highland Park are still available for this summer! (609) 924-2449 411 River Road Education PreK-6 Chapin is a co-educational, independent Highland Park, NJ day school serving children in grades pre- (732) 937-6968 Ability School kindergarten through eight. Through the www.pulte.com 192 W. Demarest Ave. careful guidance of professional educators, The convenient, luxurious living at Englewood, NJ 07631-2246 Chaplin students have the great advantage Overlook at Highland Park is the perfect fit (201) 871-8808 of learning in a curriculum fully integrated for any family lifestyle. The community Ability School provides quality education with today’s technology. features Townhomes with 3 bedrooms, 2 to children from 3 to 12 years old. Each St. Peter Celestine Catholic School full baths and 2 half baths from the low student at Ability School is on an $400s as well as Manor Homes with 4 individualized program and studies at his 402 North Kings Highway bedrooms and 4 baths from the mid own pace. For that reason, it is generally Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 $500s. The location provides exceptional possible for students to enroll at any time (856) 667-3034 access to Routes 287, 18, 130, 27, of the year. A grade or form is divided into The mission of St. Peter Celestine Garden State Parkway, NJ Turnpike and exact courses which correspond to the Catholic School is to challenge individual the New Brunswick Rail Station, making student’s ability and, as he moves along, potential while fostering a relationship with commuting a breeze. The area even gives him greater knowledge in the God that leads to a respect for the unique boasts an outstanding educational system. subject. We encourage honesty and dignity of each person and nurtures a The Highland Park school district was integrity in our students. Our staff works community of life-long learners and global rated number one in Middlesex County by closely with each student to develop these stewards. The school has remained an New Jersey Monthly Magazine. Models are attributes that make life happier. Ability example of superior quality Catholic now open for viewing. Appointments are School provides a calm and safe education in this area, offering a highly- highly recommended. environment, free of drugs and violence, respected academic curriculum, where ethical conduct is acknowledged enrichment programs, accelerated Signature Place at Garfield programs, religious education, and moral and rewarded. 950 River Drive development. With its well-equipped Garfield, NJ All Saints Episcopal Day School computer lab, the educational background (973) 253-1721 707 Washington Street of this faculty, and the diversity of its www.centex.com/ Hoboken, New Jersey 07030 student population, St. Peter Celestine Signature Place at Garfield offers (201) 792-0736 Catholic School remains a solid example of gorgeous, new townhomes with 2 All Saints Episcopal Day School what Catholic education can offer. bedrooms, 2 to 3 bathrooms, 1 car garage provides an excellent education for and driveway, plus a loft/den option. They children ages three years through sixth Education PreK-12 are ideal for young families or first-time grade in a school that is caring, safe and Gloucester Catholic School buyers with grand opening pricing starting academically stimulating. The School 333 Ridgeway Street from $259,900 and financing programs guides its students through the first stages Gloucester, NJ 08030 available. Located in prominent Bergen of their education creating a life-long love (856) 456-4400 County, the community is convenient to an of learning by nurturing creativity, Gloucester Catholic is located across array of diverse restaurants and superb enthusiasm, and curiosity. the Delaware River from Philadelphia, in shopping and is perfect for commuters: 12 Education PreK-8 Gloucester City, New Jersey. The school’s miles west of NYC and minutes away from proximity to Philadelphia allows our Garfield Train Station. Models are now Assumption Academy students’ education to be enhanced open for visits! 35 Jefferson Avenue through frequent field trips and Water’s Edge Emerson, NJ 07630 participation in available cultural activities. 2201 River Road (201) 262-0300 School programs are housed in three Point Pleasant, NJ We at Assumption Academy are buildings. In the past six years many (866) 633-5932 committed to the upholding of Catholic changes have been made to upgrade and www.pulte.com values through the integration of the improve the facilities of both buildings. Water’s Edge is the area's premier Gospel message with every facet of school These include renovations to the science condominium community, with spectacular life. We challenge ourselves never to forget labs, the addition of 3 new classrooms, a the unique individuality of each child. Our

New Jersey Information Guide [ 65 EDUCATION EDUCATION weight room for sports and physical Education 5-12 needed to succeed spiritually, socially and education, two state-of-the-art computer academically. Florida Air Academy labs, a library with a computerized Bishop Eustace Preparatory Scho.ol information retrieval system, and the air- 1950 South Academy Drive Melbourne, FL 32901 5552 Rt. 70 conditioning of the third floor classrooms. Pennsauken, NJ 08109-4798 More recently, we have opened the (321) 723-3211 www.flair.com (856) 662-2160 Dominican Center, which houses our Promoting interdependence among computer labs and the Guidance Offices. At Florida Air Academy, Cadets at have the opportunity to get a first-rate education clergy, religious and laity to spread Christ’s Princeton Day School geared to the learning styles of young men good news of salvation to all, the lived 650 Great Road and make friends from around the world. philosophy of St. Vincent Pallotti, founder Princeton, NJ 08540 The school accepts young men in grades of the Pallottines, fosters self-discipline, (609) 924-6700 6 through 12. The Academy boasts a 16- integrity, cooperation and responsibility in www.pds.org student average class size and college men and women. Within the Catholic Princeton Day School nurtures the mind, prep curriculum taught by accredited staff, tradition, Bishop Eustace Preparatory the body, and the character of each many with advanced degrees. Cadets at School – a private four-year co-educational student. Florida Air Academy receive leadership institution – promotes this Pallottine vision Established in 1965, Princeton Day training and an emphasis on community of education through teaching and School is the result of a merger between service. Other programs include an example. The school community prepares Miss Fine's School, founded in 1899, and excellent sports program, extensive young men and women to realize their Princeton Country Day School, established computer curriculum and optional flight unique potential through personal growth in 1924. The campus is located just two training and SCUBA certification. to accept the challenges of an evolving miles from the center of Princeton, and Florida Air Academy is located on world. includes more than 92 acres of open Florida’s Space Coast and is fully Elizabethport Catholic School meadows, streams, ponds and forests. accredited. Contact our Admissions 227 Court Street Campus The coeducational day school is divided department for more information on Fall, Elizabeth, New Jersey 07206 into three divisions: lower school (Pre-K-4); Spring, and Summer enrollments. (908) 351-6086 middle school (grades 5-8); and upper For additional Information contact: Elizabethport Catholic has at the core of school (grades 9-12), and we enroll Donna Stratford Director of its mission the commitment to provide the approximately 900 students. Communication (321) 723-3211, best education–academically, socially and In academics, athletics, the arts, and Extension 30028 spiritually–centered on the individual child. service, Princeton Day School celebrates By promoting self-respect of others, we The Hudson School the pursuit of individual excellence and the celebrate and affirm both the uniqueness spirit of collaboration that binds us 601 Park Avenue and unity of our multicultural community. In together as a community. Our rigorous and Hoboken, NJ 07030 this Catholic/Christian setting, students are broad program is designed for motivated (201) 659-8335 empowered through their spiritual growth and academically talented students. We The Hudson School is a learning and positive character development. emphasize both creative and critical community where individual talents are thought and their clear expression. shared and developed in a non- Seton Hall Preparatory School Supported by an exceptional faculty and a competitive atmosphere. There is a strong 120 Northfield Avenue cooperative partnership of school and emphasis on the visual and performing West Orange, NJ 07052 home, our students discover the joy of arts, communication skills, and the (973) 325-7737 learning. universal truths. Small classes, individual attention, and creative curriculum design Seton Hall Prep is a private boys high Integrity, respect, and compassion are are the hallmarks of The Hudson School. school (grades 9-12) of the Archdiocese of essential to the school’s mission. Our There is an atmosphere of genuine Newark, located in the suburban students leave Princeton Day School well scholarship and intellectual risk-taking for community of West Orange, Essex County, equipped for college and beyond: teachers and students alike, as well as a New Jersey. The Prep is accredited by the prepared to act knowledgeably, to lead continuous process of self-evaluation. Middle States Association of Colleges and thoughtfully, to share generously, and to Secondary Schools. Founded in 1856, contribute meaningfully. Education 9-12 Seton Hall is the oldest Catholic college Opportunities of a Lifetime. Every Day. Bergen Catholic High School preparatory school in New Jersey. The Please call to schedule a visit and be sure 1040 Oradell Avenue Prep provides an academically demanding to check us out on facebook, Oradell, New Jersey 07649 environment to approximately 900 young www.facebook.com/princetondayschool or (201) 261-1844 men from a diverse spectrum of over 105 twitter, www.twitter.com@PDSPanthers Bergen Catholic High School is a towns in the northern part of New Jersey. Catholic community of women and men Education Boarding School which deepens religious faith, develops academic excellence, and strengthens The American Boychoir School social consciousness and responsibility in 19 Lambert Drive young men. Our educational program, Princeton, NJ 08540 supported by a nurturing environment, (609) 924-5858 includes all the skills and technology Since 1937, The American Boychoir has

66 ] New Jersey Information Guide EDUCATION NATIONWIDE TRAVEL offered talented boys who love to sing a highly regarded industry leader, using smart, rewarding investment in Hertz unique educational experience. As we technology to improve company efficiency Homes. begin our 66th year, our commitment to and provide enhanced customer service to Sterling Properties the mission of our founder, Herbert homebuyers. 600 South Livingston Avenue, Suite 102 Huffman, has never been stronger. Hallmark Homes Livingston, NJ 07039 Huffman believed that the experience of PO Box 457 (973) 535-1888 performing the great choral literature – and Woodbridge, NJ 07095 www.sterlingpropertiesnj.com performing at the highest professional (732) 596-8800 Sterling Properties is widely recognized levels – could have a profound effect on www.HmarkHomes.com as a premier developer of upscale single- the academic, social and moral Hallmark Homes’ customer family family homes, townhomes and luxury development of boys – especially during continues to grow year after yearóand so apartments throughout New Jersey and the crucial middle school years. does our commitment to creating well- the Metropolitan area. But we are much Generations of ABS alumni demonstrate built, competitively priced homes in more than simply a builder of beautiful the truth of Huffman’s vision. Their shared thriving, vibrant communities. For over 50 homes. refrain is, “This experience changed my years, we’ve worked hard to ensure that From the very start, Sterling Properties life.” every new homeowner enjoys the many has remained true to the philosophy that Home Builders/Developers - benefits of our solid relationships with has brought us success—offer buyers top Central New Jersey architects, designers, bankers, suppliers, quality housing in desirable locales at contractors, townships and municipalities. appropriate prices. With this in mind, American Properties Realty These outstanding advantages include everything we do, every house we build, 517 Route One South, Suite 2100 quality-constructed homes with creative every community we create, is conceived Iselin NJ 08830-3011 floor plans and choice amenities, and engineered with meticulous (732) 283-9700 communities with plentiful green spaces, forethought and planning. www.americanproperties.net outstanding recreational facilities, top- American Properties Realty and its affiliated notch schools, first-rate libraries, cultural Moving Supplies companies have created over 15,000 organizations and more. We know what it Dial-A-Box homes: from luxury single-family estates to takes to make Central New Jersey a most White Plains and The Bronx, NY master planned communities of desirable place to call home! TOLL FREE: (866) 4-DIAL-A-BOX apartments, condominiums, and town Hertz Homes, Inc. (866) 434-2522 homes. These award-winning communities 16 Wellesley Road www.dial-a-box.com have delivered the dream of affordable and Montclair, NJ 07043 SAVE TIME! SAVE MONEY! Order from luxury housing to thousands of residents (973) 543-6111 Dial-A-Box to get the lowest prices on from New Jersey to California. Our www.hertzhomes.com professional moving boxes and moving residential communities have an Hertz Homes has been synonymous with supplies AND the convenience of fast, free unsurpassed reputation for quality superlative quality and craftsmanship since delivery right to your front door. All of our craftsmanship and extraordinary value. it’s founding almost 40 years ago. For newly expanded Complete Moving Under the stewardship of Allen Weingarten more than 15 years, Bob Hertzberg has Packages are currently on sale! We’ve and his experienced management team, been at the helm, after practicing for many added additional moving boxes and American Properties Realty is committed to years as a real estate attorney. The moving supplies (bubble wrap, newsprint, earning the trust of each and every family distinct advantage which Hertz Homes packing peanuts, furniture pads, packing who calls our communities “home.” offers over larger companies is being an tape, etc.) to each one to save you more Home Builders/Developers - experienced on-site builder, able to monitor money and make your move even easier! Dial-A-Box is rated Five-Stars for Top Northern New Jersey all facets of construction, remaining flexible and adept in adjusting plans to each Service, the highest rating possible under Beazer Homes buyer’s desires. This collaborative Yahoo’s Merchant Rating System. Use 1 Crosfield Avenue, Suite 302 approach enables the discerning buyer to Coupon Code NS342 when ordering to West Nyack, NY 10994 choose from extraordinary locations, estate save an additional $5.00 (845) 353-1035 home designs and personalized amenities. Nationwide Travel www.beazer.com Hertz Homes unites enduring charm and Beazer Homes USA combines the inspired appointments, including Bellagio The Resort capabilities of a national home builder with handsome elevations, elegant fireplaces, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd South the knowledge and insight of the best local carriage-style, three-car garage wings, Las Vegas, NV 89109 professionals. Beazer has a reputation as a circular staircases, granite countertops, (702) 693-7223 quality home builder of superior value. As a custom built-in bookcases, and detailed Experience a world unto itself at “the value-added feature, Beazer also provides molding -- nothing is spared in the most romantic hotel in the world.” mortgage origination, title and insurance thoughtful marriage of luxury, comfort and • AAA Five Diamond Award winning resort. services to its homebuyers. The Beazer style. Current projects include estate • Nine world-renowned restaurants family of companies has been building homes located in Randolph, Morris County, including Aqua, Prime, and AAA Five homes and communities for America's New Jersey. Delivering exceptional value, Diamond Award-winner Picasso. families for decades, and is consistently old-world quality and consistent attention • “O” by Cirque du Soleil, an extraordinary ranked one of the top ten single family to detail ensures that a buyer is making a homebuilders in the nation. Beazer is a fusion of water, dance and aerobics.

New Jersey Information Guide [ 67 NATIONWIDE TRAVEL NEW HOME DEVELOPMENTS

• Via Bellagio- a collection of the worlds • A fire-erupting volcano sparkling lagoons New Home Developments - most sophisticated boutiques from and tumbling waterfalls. New Jersey Giorgio Armani, Chanel, Tiffany, and • Dive into interconnected lagoon and Hermes. thundering waterfalls at the new Mirage Sterling Woods at Hanover • The Conservatory and Botanical Gardens pool. Maple Shade Drive charms guests with its natural beauty. Hanover Township, NJ New York-New York (973) 515-3030 • Dancing Fountains cavort on an eight 3790 Las Vegas Blvd. South www.sterlingpropertiesnj.com acre lake. Las Vegas, NV 89109 We at Sterling Properties have built a Fairmont Hotels (702) 740-6969 unique relationship with the Township of Toll Free (800) 527-4727 The best of New York City meets the Hanover. Over the years, many of our www.Fairmont.com best single family homes, townhomes and Boston, Las Vegas, Dallas, New of Las Vegas in one exciting location. Be a apartments have become an integral part Orleans, New York, San Francisco & San part of it. of this upscale community. We look Jose America’s Grand Hotels since 1907. • ESPN ZONE sports-themed dining and forward to continuing that tradition with our Hilton Hotels entertainment. newest endeavor…Sterling Woods, a Worldwide Reservations • Live performances nightly from the prestigious enclave of just 10 desirable Toll Free (800) 845-8667 Award-winning comedy of Rita Rudner. single family homes. www.Hilton.com • The thrilling Manhattan Express Roller New Home Developments - Hilton Hotels, Resorts, Suites, Hilton Coaster. Central New Jersey Garden Inn, Conrad International Hotel. • COYOTE UGLY Bar and Dance saloon MGM Grand and the Dueling Pianos at the Bar at Devonshire 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. South Times Square. 5 Keswick Circle Las Vegas, NV 89109 • New York City’s original Gallaghers Monroe, NJ (702) 891-1111 Steakhouse. (732) 521-6002 Searching for non-stop action and • Be the toast of the town in the Big apple www.mmhomes.com pulse-pounding excitement? “The City of Bar with live entertainment nightly in “The Families residing in Devonshire will enjoy Entertainment” awaits your arrival. Greatest City in Las Vegas.” a beautiful community of only 66 homes situated on homesites of 1/2 acre and • La Femme-the sensual French sensation • ZUMANITY, Another side of Cirque du larger. Matzel & Mumford takes great pride direct from the original Crazy Horse in Soleil, the creative climax of sexuality, in designing and building a community that Paris. humanity and art. accentuates some of the natural features • Tabu’- The ultra hip lounge designed to Pan Pacific Resort Hotels and topography found on the property. Our stimulate and arouse your senses. Worldwide Reservations commitment and dedication to our • Live the nightclub lifestyle at studio 54sm. Toll Free (800) 327-8585 customers, coupled with Monroe and all it • Sixteen masterpiece restaurants including Pan Pacific Hotels & Resorts. North has to offer with its beauty, location and celebrated chef Tom Colicchio’s America, Japan, Southeast Asia. quality of life has led to a culmination of Craftsteak and Michelle Mina’s NOBHILL. Treasure Island design, location and value. Let Matzel & • The king of the jungle overlooks the Lion 3300 Las Vegas Blvd. South Mumford show you the way home... Habitat. Las Vegas, NV 89109 Devonshire.See sales consultant for • The Grand Garden Arena and Hollywood (702) 792-5627 details. Theatre feature top name entertainment. Enjoy the adventure and romance of this Freehold Pointe Mirage Hotel & Casino engaging resort filled with new-world 8 Tappan Way 3400 Las Vegas Blvd South amenities. Freehold, NJ Las Vegas, NV 89109 • AAA Four Diamond Award® winning (732) 547-2710 (702) 791-7111 resort. www.centex.com/ Immerse yourself in this tropical South • World-famous pyrotechnic sea battle Discover the rewards and benefits to Sea oasis filled with luxury and excitement! between the pirate ship, Hispaniola, and comfortable, convenient, Monmouth County living at Freehold Pointe. The • Experience the elegance and the British frigate, H.M.S. Britania in the homes at Freehold Pointe define luxury sophistication of our newly redesigned middle of the Buccaneer Bay. with grand exteriors, two-story entry foyer, guest rooms. • Mystere by Cirque du Soleil, a spacious master suite and a full basement. mesmerizing mix of powerful acrobatics, • Dive into interconnected lagoon and Each single-family estate homes offers 4 to circus skills and dance. thundering waterfalls at the new Mirage 5 bedrooms and 2.5 to 3.5 baths starting pool. • Eight exciting dining options including from $604,990. The community is situated • Ten international restaurants including Kahunaville and Buccaneer Bay in an ideal location near the Jersey Shore AAA Five-Diamond award winner Renoir. Restaurant-fine dining overlooking the with direct access to major roadways such • Exotic White Tigers, Lions and a family of explosive battle in Buccaneer Bay. as Routes 9, 79, 18 and 33, the Garden Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins in Seigfried • A beautifully appointed wedding chapel. State Parkway and NJ Turnpike and is just and Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin • A tropical pool area and lavish spa and minutes from the Freehold Raceway Mall, Habitat. salon. Freehold Raceway and vibrant downtown Freehold. Only 4 homes remain with one

68 ] New Jersey Information Guide NEW HOME DEVELOPMENTS NEW HOME DEVELOPMENTS

Move-In Ready Home available. being built on minimum one-acre Traditions at Hamilton Crossing The Madison at Ewing beautifully mature wooded home sites. The 2 Sparrow Drive 117 Masterson Court Estate Homes at the Reserve at Fox Hamilton, NJ 08690 Ewing, NJ 08618 Hollow feature Lennar’s “Everything’s (609) 890-6868 (609) 434-1191 Included” program. This means you save www.pulte.com www.americanproperties.net time and money because all the upgrades These are the final opportunities to The Madison is Mercer County’s most you want are already included in the price secure your home in this beautifully distinctive new community, introducing of your new home as standard features. designed neighborhood with classic street residents to an exceptional lifestyle in an Priced from the upper $600,000’s. lighting, wide sweeping sidewalks, and outstanding location. Located within just a The Shires professionally designed landscaping. few miles of the shopping, dining, 48 Shire Court Traditions at Hamilton Crossing offers entertaining and cultural activities of Somerdale, NJ charming Carriage Homes with 2 Princeton, these condominiums offer (856) 282-0102 bedrooms, including a first floor master tremendous value, unlike any other www.centex.com suite, 2 bathrooms and a 1 or 2 car garage available in the area. Each building features Accessibility and affordability are priced from the mid $200’s. The desirable an elegantly appointed lobby with two optimized at The Shires featuring 55+ adult community located in Mercer elevators providing immediate access to townhomes with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a County with easy access to New York City your new home. The Madison offers one, one car garage and a full basement priced and Philadelphia. Amenities include a two and two-bedroom plus den floor plans from just $199,990. Residents will private clubhouse and recreation center measuring up to 1,800 sq. ft. with appreciate close proximity to PATCO Train with a state-of-the-art fitness center, spectacular living space, lavish master Station with direct access to Philadelphia, outdoor pool, putting green, tennis courts bedroom suites and gourmet kitchens with NJ Turnpike, Route 130, I-295 and Route and more. Quick Move-In Homes are separate dining areas. All homes feature 73. You’ll also find plenty of recreational available. the finest appointments including a gas venues in your own backyard, including Westport fireplace, granite countertops in the movie theaters, golf courses, parks and Belmar, New Jersey kitchens and master baths, KitchenCraft® shopping with the newly renovated www.mmhomes.com 42" maples cabinets with crown molding in Voorhees Town Center is just one mile This exciting new community will delight the kitchen and maple vanities in baths, down the road and the Cherry Hill Mall just Active Adult buyers looking for a unique Whirlpool (r) appliance package, six foot a short drive away. opportunity to live in a classic Monmouth Jacuzzi (r) soaking tub, private balcony, Tamarack Hollow County shore town. Only 23 townhomes security system with intercom and much East Brunswick, New Jersey are to be created in this soon to be sought more. Pricing begin from $209,990. Open www.mmhomes.com after community within walking distance of daily 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. Tamarack Hollow is soon to be central the Belmar marinas and train station and Oak Mill New Jersey’s most sought after address within a mile of the beach. Golfing, fishing, 500 W. 5th Street for the Luxury Single Family Home Buyer. boating, strolling the boards, relaxing on Florence, NJ Following a number of award winning the beach, or taking in any of the fabulous (609) 499-0520 communities in Central New Jersey, Matzel attractions throughout the shore area will www.centex.com & Mumford is proud to introduce Tamarack be at your convenience. Westport’s Oak Mill is perfect for young families and Hollow. Located in East Brunswick, this luxurious townhomes will range in size first-time homebuyers looking for great community will contain just 56 homes on from 1820 to 2020 square feet and feature value in a quality home. The single-family 3/4 acre lots in a rural setting off of Fresh unique two story floorplans with the master home designs priced from $299,900 at Ponds Road near Tamarack County Golf bedroom located on the main living level. Oak Mill feature 3 to 4 bedrooms, 2.5 Course. The homes will feature both See sales consultant for details. baths, two-car garage, and a full familiar and award winning Matzel & Windsor Cove basement. The neighborhood is convenient Mumford designs, as well as exciting new 67 Airport Road to major roadways like the NJ and PA plans, for the discriminating luxury East Windsor, NJ Turnpikes as well as Routes 130 and homebuyer. Home designs will range from (609) 448-0210 I-295. Families will love the close proximity 3900 to nearly 5000 square feet and will www.pulte.com/ to township facilities including a baseball include dramatic two story entry foyers, The Model is now open for viewing in field and River's Edge Park, which borders gourmet island kitchens, 4 to 5 bedrooms, this beautiful community with an the Delaware River. 3 1/2 baths, luxurious master bedroom unbeatable location. Each single-family Reserve at Fox Hollow retreats, conservatory and maid’s room home starts from the upper $400s and 1 Christine Lynn Court (per plan), volume ceilings in family rooms, features 4 to 5 bedrooms, 2.5 to 4 Jackson, NJ 08527 master bedrooms and some secondary bathrooms, and a full basement on half- (732) 886-3212 bedrooms, and 3 car garages. See sales acre home sites. At Windsor Cove, you’ll www.LennarNJ.com consultant for details. have luxury of being nearby the charming Located in a pristine country setting, you attractions of downtown Princeton with will find an enclave of spectacular homes exceptional shopping, dining, and diverse known as the Reserve at Fox Hollow. Just recreational opportunities. The convenient 29 four bedroom, three and one-half bath location is even near many major routes, homes of up to 4,725 square feet are including NJ Turnpike an minutes from

New Jersey Information Guide [ 69 NEW HOME DEVELOPMENTS NEW HOME DEVELOPMENTS

Princeton Junction. 2 car garage and full basement. Located active adults over 55. Whitfield's town less than 35 miles from Manhattan with homes measure more than 3,200 sq. ft. on New Home Developments - easy access to 78, 287, NJ Turnpike, and two levels and offer two spacious Northern New Jersey Garden State Parkway, Warren has also bedrooms, including a first floor master Bel Air been repeatedly recognized as having one suite, plus den, 2 1/2 baths, expansive loft West Orange, New Jersey of the best public school systems in the area, gourmet kitchen with granite (973) 243-6794 state. 5 premium home sites remain! countertops, 42" maple cabinets, breakfast www.mmhomes.com Christopher Court bar and eat-in area, two-car garage, nine Bel Air by Matzel & Mumford in desirable 4 Christopher Court foot ceilings on the first floor, and patio. West Orange, New Jersey will feature 250 Montclair, NJ 07042 Each townhome is equipped with its own luxurious and finely crafted townhomes on (973) 783-1880 intercom and alarm system. All-inclusive a beautiful hillside setting. This community www.americanproperties.net pricing begins from $499,990. Open Friday on the border of Livingston on East Mount Christopher Court is an intimate enclave - Tuesday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. Closed Pleasant Ave will soon become one of the community in Montclair, NJ of only ten new Wednesday and Thursday. most desired addresses in North Jersey. luxury homes, offering up to 5,200 square New Home Developments - From its beautiful setting, to it’s convenient feet of living space on three living levels. Southern New Jersey Essex County location, Bel Air will satisfy Each home features unique architectural the most discerning homebuyer. Residents designs with 5-bedrooms and 4 1/2-baths. Amherst Meadows will enjoy Bel Air's private recreation center Among the many luxurious amenities 201 Smallwood Drive which will contain a fitness center, card offered in each Christopher Court home Mickleton, NJ 08056 and billiard rooms, library and large are gourmet kitchens with granite (856) 241-8628 gathering hall, locker changing facilities, countertops, 42" cherry cabinets with www.pulte.com/ outdoor pool and tennis courts, all in it’s under cabinet lighting, full GE® appliance Amherst Meadows offers a picturesque own beautiful hillside setting. See sales package and center islands, oak hard family setting with its wooded backdrops, consultant for details. wood flooring on first and second floors, natural streams, and tranquil ponds. Bellaire home security systems, central vacuum, Though nestled in NewJersey’s historic ® 214 Bellaire Drive Lenox gas and wood burning fireplaces, farm country, the community is convenient Demarest, NJ 07627 elevators and abundant closet space to major roadways, shopping and dining, (201) 767-7616 throughout. Pricing begins from $1.425 centrally located between Philadelphia and www.americanproperties.net million. Open daily 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. New York, and offers a sought-after school Bellaire is Bergen County’s new, Waterfall Estates district. The grounds here set the stage for unparalleled luxury townhome estates Sales Office: Waterfall Drive beautiful half-acre home sites that feature community overlooking the Alpine Country Randolph, NJ 07945 classic architectural styling. The interiors Club. Set amid rolling fairways and natural (973)543-6111 are equally charming with unique floor wooded surroundings in one of the most www.hertzhomes.com plans to meet the needs of any family. prestigious and beautiful areas of Bergen Waterfall Estates is a serene enclave of 8 These 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath homes start County, Bellaire is an exclusive community luxury homes set along a quiet cul-de-sac from the mid $300’s, offer versatile features of only thirty-four magnificent private in desirable Randolph Township, Morris including back-to-back living and dining residences. With exceptional access to County. Five different models combine rooms, private libraries, and two-story Manhattan, northern Jersey and Rockland timeless traditions with fresh elements, family rooms. Now approaching sellout, County, each of the exquisite homes is intriguing rooflines and stately window several prime home sites remain. elegantly crafted and designed for the design. These compliment enduring Chesterfield Downs tastes of the most sophisticated and exterior material such as stone, stucco and Chesterfield, New Jersey discerning homebuyer. Grand opening Hardiplank siding. Waterfall Estates (609) 298-4226 values being from $2.195 million. Open contains home sites averaging over 2 www.mmhomes.com daily 10:00 am - 5:00 pm acres in size, with a 5 acre site available. Chesterfield Downs by Matzel & Bellewood Acres Homes range from 5,000 to 6,500 square Mumford is a Traditional Neighborhood 17 Hillcrest Road feet, each with numerous custom Design Community(sometimes called neo- Warren, NJ amenities available, from front elevations to traditional) in beautiful rural Chesterfield in (877) 257-8537 cabinet hardware. Uniquely located on the Burlington County. The community www.pulte.com/ Mendham Township border (with a consists of 149 Village and Estate Homes. Bellewood Acres is located in Somerset Mendham mailing address), open space, The Village Home Collection ranges from County, New Jersey, in prestigious Warren comfort and style await you at Waterfall 2600 to 2880 square feet with uniquely Township. Money magazine and Estates. designed homes with attached rear alley CNNïMoney.com voted Warren 6th place in Whitfield at Metuchen access garages. The Estate Home its 2009 "Best Place to Live" survey of 13 Ayers Court Collection contains designs ranging from America's small towns, highlighting its Metuchen, NJ 08840 3250 to nearly 3800 square feet and semi-rural atmosphere and exceptional (732) 494-1979 feature detached garages located toward location. These beautiful single-family www.americanproperties.net the rear of the home site. Chesterfield homes start from $679,900 with home Whitfield at Metuchen is Central New Downs will be a special community, designs that offer 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, Jersey's premier townhome community for recalling communities of old, with a

70 ] New Jersey Information Guide NEW HOME DEVELOPMENTS NEW HOME DEVELOPMENTS charming, friendly neighborhood feel, chores of landscaping and snow removal. Atlantic City, or North to Exit 4 on the NJ where neighbors greet each other from Homeowners also appreciate the easy Turnpike. Experience the many ways to their front porch or strolling down the access to major arteries Rts. 676 and 76 enjoy your life in your luxurious and well- street. Nestled beside rolling farmland, into Philadelphia or Atlantic City, and Rt. designed new dream home. And, every Chesterfield Downs will retain it’s 295 to Trenton, Princeton and points north. home is built-to-last by area-renowned J.S. exclusivity, as the preserved open spaces And, every home is built-to-last by a Hovnanian & Sons, a family builder with a are guaranteed to remain that way for renowned 4-generation family builder with 40-year tradition of building excellence. years to come by the town of Chesterfield. a 40-year tradition of building excellence. See sales consultant for details. The Ridings Estates at Aberdeen Chesterfield, New Jersey Clayton Boro, NJ (609) 298-4226 (856) 863-6736 www.mmhomes.com www.hovhomes.com The Ridings, (formerly Chesterfield Aberdeen is a multi-generational Downs Townhomes), will be a special neighborhood designed to enrich the community, recalling communites of old, hometown atmosphere that fills South with a charming, friendly neighborhood Jerseyís history. In addition to convenient feel, where neighbors greet each other access to major artery Rt. 55, this from their front porch or strolling down the community features 4 bedroom, 21/2bath street. Nestled beside rolling farmland, the homes, and provides a rare opportunity to Ridings will retain it's exclusivity, as the own a top-quality and value-loaded new preserved open spaces are guaranteed to single-family home starting from the remain that way for years to come by the $290,000’s. Experience the many ways to town of Chesterfield. The townhomes will enjoy a relaxed lifestyle in a spacious and be in “triplex” buildings and range in size well-designed new home. Every home is from 2085 to 2264 square feet. All contain built-to-last by a renowned 4-generation 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and a one car family builder with a 40-year tradition of garage. Only 22 of these townhomes will building excellence. be available within this beautiful community The Carriage Homes at Rancocas Pointe so they will undoubtedly be in high Mt. Laure, NJ demand. See sales consultant for details. (856) 222-9051 The Townhomes at Rancocas Pointe www.hovhomes.com Mt. Laurel NJ One of South Jersey’s most distinctive (856) 866-0042 new communities, these homes are truly www.hovhomes.com unique finds for the discerning buyer. This Built on the last great residential site in collection of homes is designed to desirable Mt. Laurel, fronting the Rancocas maximize aesthetic appeal and Creek and located off Rt. 295, Rancocas functionality, while minimizing day-to-day Pointe is the areaís best destination for maintenance of lawn care, landscaping luxury townhome living. This award- and snow removal. These 3-bedroom, winning community features 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath homes from the $550,000’s will 2 1/2 bath home designs from the make stately first impressions with curb- $350,000’s that fit every lifestyle. Plus, appealing facades and showcase 3,100 to included finished lower levels add 3,700 sq. ft. of meticulously appointed functionality and living space. This one-of- living spaces. Every home is built-to-last by a-kind location is definitely commuter area-renowned J.S. Hovnanian & Sons. friendly, offering great appeal to local Homeowners are minutes away from homebuyers as well as those from Central marinas, golf courses, upscale shopping and North Jersey, who have been quick to and major artery Rt. 295. recognize a tremendous value not available Mews at OakRidge elsewhere! East Greenwich, NJ Westbury Hunt (856) 464-3814 Winslow Township, NJ www.hovhomes.com (856) 768-6960 Attractively priced from the $280,000’s, www.hovhomes.com these award-winning 3 bedroom Conveniently nestled off Rt. 73 in townhomes have a special character all Winslow Township, Westbury Hunt their own. Boasting three levels of luxury showcases a portfolio of 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 living these townhomes feature, finished bath homes from the $380,000’s. These rec rooms, convenient storage/utility rooms award-winning homes boast a custom- and 1-car garages. A community home flair with non-custom prices. The association tends to the time consuming location is unbeatable: Take Rt 73 South to

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NEW HOME DEVELOPMENTS NEW HOME DEVELOPMENTS

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