Friday, April 10, 2009
Why I love Forest Hill
We all know it takes a "special" personality to consider moving to Newark with all the "bad press" and horror stories. With that being said, tell us why you love Forest Hill and what makes you continue to thrive and make this your home day after day and year after year. Do you love your neighbors, the beauty of the Cherry Blossoms, the easy commute to NYC or is it the history? What are you doing to make Forest Hill better not only for you but, for your neighbors as well? What changes do you hope to see and how are you helping Forest Hill/Newark get there?
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5 comments:
Forest Hill is one of the most beautiful and believe it or not safe communities in New Jersey. I have lived here for six years this month and I consider myself very lucky.
I moved here from Jersey City. We looked for a home in JC for more than a year and we went out almost every weekend. When I turned to Newark and Forest Hill I was astonished to find the quality and beauty that is here. Although I paid in the mid 300's for my home a comnparable home in Brooklyn or Jersey City or Montclaire would be way over a million dollars. I find the community safe and although I have no children any longer to educate I hear very good things about the alternative schools and the Robert Treat Academy.
Joseph
Branch Brook Park is the crown jewel of Forest Hill followed closely by the beautiful homes. I do my best to keep my gardens fresh and my home well maintained in the spirit of where we live. Joseph
I'm moving to the tri-state area from Toronto and have been considering Forest Hill, because I love the architecture and the proximity to NYC. My question however is there a neighbourhood spirit in FH, do people actively work to maintain and improve the area? Is it going up or in decline? Would like to hear some honest feedback from locals.
Thanks from the Great White NOrth
I love my neighbors and my community, which of course are the people who live here. Within one month of moving here, more than a few years ago, I knew more people in the neighborhood than my friends knew in theirs. Most of whom had lived for upwards of twenty five years in the same house.
Why? People here know how to be friends but not pushy. This is no "Real Housewives of NJ" show. Most of us work or if retired do volunteer work at the downtown soup kitchen, the NJPAC, the Newark Museum, etc. Some of us who work still do volunteer work as well. We all try to help rescuing the dogs that are often dropped off in Branch Brook Park and left to their own devices. Several people have more than one of these fellows.
When something is needed or we need to get the word out, it travels by internet and telephone. No one is ever left to feel alone, there is always someone you can run to or someone who will run to you if there is an emergency. What a wonderful support system we have in Forest Hill.
Recently, while I was ill and then recovering from surgery, my next door neighboor cooked for me every night and brought supper to me for several months. Because I am on a restricted diet, she had to make it and her regular family meal. On the weekends when she was not around for supper, she made me a saturday breakfast fit for a queen. Another neighbor was a builder. No matter what the problem he is there to help me out even though he is quite elderly.
When something threatens to disrupt the community and/or violate our historical homes, the word goes out and we all land at city hall for whatever we need to do. I have seen more than 200 people come out to block a proposed land development. Believe me, when only 20 people show up at the chamber in city hall and all sit together, it is an impressive looking block. Makes the council members nervous. You can see it on their faces.
Would I ever move? Not on your life. As Erica said, it takes a certain kind of person to move here to Newark. The same kind of spirit and soul who moved across country in a covered wagon. And, all of us in a 8x5 block area.
I've been LOVING the events this summer sponsored by the Branch Brook Park Alliance -- the concerts and movies in the park are so much fun. Great to see neighbors and share warm summer evenings!
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