Midwesterners' Guide -- About This Page

About This Page

First, an introduction of sorts

My name's Steve, and I work as a technical communicator in Morris County, New Jersey, about an hour west of New York City. Before coming to Jersey in March 1996, I'd lived my entire life in the Upper Midwest, most recently in Fargo, North Dakota -- which I consider my home.

I knew that I'd have a lot of adjustments to make. Oh, yeah. North Jersey and North Dakota are about as far apart psychically as you can be in the Lower 48. A few bumps seemed inevitable.

I was drawn to New Jersey by an offer of a new job and an opportunity to build some technical skills I didn't have yet. New York City also was a draw. Before making the move, I'd been to New York several times, but I'd never made it closer to Jersey than the Statue of Liberty. From there, Jersey looked dirty and industrial -- not at all inviting, but not an accurate reflection of the state as a whole, as it turned out.

When I arrived, I had plenty of stereotypes to lose - the state isn't paved over or an impenetrable forest of factories, as I'd presumed, and it isn't a single solid suburb from New York to Philadelphia. Most of the people I've met don't have strong Jersey accents. I haven't seen any mobsters, so far as I know, and I haven't been set upon by ruffians, at least not yet.

I found that some things are true. It's breathtakingly expensive to live here. Life doesn't seem to go as smoothly here, and sometimes it can be vexing as hell. Traffic can be murder. Sometimes.

One of my favorite things about North Jersey -- and I apologize to native Jerseyans -- is easy access to New York City, which I consider the absolute center of the known universe. I think I've lost most of my fear of the city, but not my awe.

OK, so why do this website?

After I'd been here awhile, I began to realize how much information I was collecting about this place. It seems like a good idea to capture that. It may -- I hope -- make someone's transition to life in the East a little easier, or their visit a little more enjoyable. For me, I hope it helps me to remember what it means to be a Midwesterner. I don't ever want to lose that. If it helps me to make this new place my home, so much the better.

This site isn't definitive, by any means, and if you live here, you're free to disagree with my opinions. If you find blatant factual errors, please let me know. If you have questions, send them my way too -- I'll answer them if I can. (Having said that, let me assure you that I can't -- or won't -- get you tickets for the Rangers or "Cats.") Thanks for stopping by; I hope you have a pleasurable stay!

back to The Midwesterners' Guide main page

Oh, I suppose this material is ©1997 Shewi.
Most recently updated: 6 May 1997.

	About This Page
	First, an introduction of sorts My name's Steve, and I work as a technical communicator in Morris County, New Jersey, about an hour west of New York City. Before coming to Jersey in March 1996, I'd lived my entire life in the Upper Midwest, most recently in Fargo, North Dakota -- which I consider my home. I knew that I'd have a lot of adjustments to make. Oh, yeah. North Jersey and North Dakota are about as far apart psychically as you can be in the Lower 48. A few bumps seemed inevitable. I was drawn to New Jersey by an offer of a new job and an opportunity to build some technical skills I didn't have yet. New York City also was a draw. Before making the move, I'd been to New York several times, but I'd never made it closer to Jersey than the Statue of Liberty. From there, Jersey looked dirty and industrial -- not at all inviting, but not an accurate reflection of the state as a whole, as it turned out. When I arrived, I had plenty of stereotypes to lose - the state isn't paved over or an impenetrable forest of factories, as I'd presumed, and it isn't a single solid suburb from New York to Philadelphia. Most of the people I've met don't have strong Jersey accents. I haven't seen any mobsters, so far as I know, and I haven't been set upon by ruffians, at least not yet. I found that some things are true. It's breathtakingly expensive to live here. Life doesn't seem to go as smoothly here, and sometimes it can be vexing as hell. Traffic can be murder. Sometimes. One of my favorite things about North Jersey -- and I apologize to native Jerseyans -- is easy access to New York City, which I consider the absolute center of the known universe. I think I've lost most of my fear of the city, but not my awe. OK, so why do this website? After I'd been here awhile, I began to realize how much information I was collecting about this place. It seems like a good idea to capture that. It may -- I hope -- make someone's transition to life in the East a little easier, or their visit a little more enjoyable. For me, I hope it helps me to remember what it means to be a Midwesterner. I don't ever want to lose that. If it helps me to make this new place my home, so much the better. This site isn't definitive, by any means, and if you live here, you're free to disagree with my opinions. If you find blatant factual errors, please let me know. If you have questions, send them my way too -- I'll answer them if I can. (Having said that, let me assure you that I can't -- or won't -- get you tickets for the Rangers or "Cats.") Thanks for stopping by; I hope you have a pleasurable stay!
	back to The Midwesterners' Guide main page
	Oh, I suppose this material is ©1997 Shewi. Most recently updated: 6 May 1997.