Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with newjersey

Am I eligible for unemployment if my employer is officially in a different state?

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:48:31 -0800

I think that I may be getting laid off soon and need some clarification about unemployment benefits in New Jersey. I'm trying to call their question line, but it is busy every time. I am concerned about my eligibility because my employer is officially in NY. I have been working as a salaried employee for an outsourcing company that has been contracting me out to the same client the whole time.

For the first two years, my employer was headquartered in NJ, while the client's address was in NY and that is where I worked. I lived in a different, third, state at first, eventually moving to NJ after a year and a half.

After two years, my employer moved to NY, my place of work (office) moved to NJ, while the client's official address remained in NY. This is how it has remained for the past 2+ years; I continued to live in NJ.

From the point I moved to NJ, that is where I have been paying my state taxes. My driver's license has always been from the third state-- I never switched it over.

Given this complicated arrangement, am I likely to encounter problems applying for unemployment benefits? The part that I am concerned about is that the web site states:

You may file your new unemployment claim, or reopen an existing claim via the Internet if you meet all the following requirements:All of your work was in New Jersey in the past 18 months

Since my employer's official address is in NY, does this mean that I need to file by phone or in person, or that I am eligible at all? Or does the fact that my office was in NJ count for something?

Bonus question: In the past 6 months or so, my responsibilities and workload have changed significantly. My title and salary have remained unchanged. Can I resign based on this fact and still be eligible for benefits? Does my employer have enough incentive to fight this?

Out of state used car headache

zvs — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 18:44:26 -0800

I'm looking into buying a used car, and found a pretty good looking one from a colleague in New Jersey. I live in Brooklyn. How the heck does this work? Parking and title questions follow... I've never bought a car before, so it's all new to me. If I buy this car, the original owner has to take the plates off -- then I guess I'll need a NY in-state temporary plate to get it to my house.

Problem 1: Do I just leave it in NJ until I manage to get NY plates? Do I have to get title to get a transfer plate, or does that include title? The website is less than clear.

Problem 2: Where the heck do I keep it? Will I get ticketed if it's on the street? Will I get ticketed for moving an unplated car during street cleaning?

Problem 3: Where do I pay sales tax?

Anybody done this before?

I need health insurance (me and everyone else...)

greta simone — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:10:37 -0800

Ohshitfilter: Temporary health insurance options in NJ? I just moved from NC to NJ five weeks ago, after finishing a Masters program. My student health insurance ends on August 14, and since I have not been successful in finding employment (as I had hoped) I need to come up with a plan.

I have heard of COBRA, but I also heard that the State of New York does not accept COBRA. This is a problem for me, because my residence in NJ is temporary and I plan on moving to Manhattan or Brooklyn in the next few months. Secondly, I can not prove residency in NJ as I am not on the lease and have no bills in my name (staying with a friend). Am I screwed? I cannot seem to find the information online that I need.

I need the the cheapest health insurance I can get that will also cover prescriptions in some form (I have allergy and asthma and BC meds I must take).

What are my options? Please point me in the right direction or to a place where I can at least get more information.

Help!
Thanks.

Should he never set foot in NJ again?

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:48:48 -0800

How can my friend find out about a warrant for his arrest that may be out there and what are the risks of being in/near the issuing state? A friend of mine was arrested in New Jersey probably five years ago. It was definitely a misdemeanor, I think misdemeanor possession. The court allowed him to avoid jail or other sentencing if he went to rehab, which he did. However, he never followed back up with the state (I think he was supposed to contact the Attorney General’s office though some kind of probation program or something similar) so he believes that there is probably a warrant for his arrest in New Jersey. He recently moved to Pennsylvania and still has a GA driver's license (no warrant showed up when he got that, but I understand that not all states check and not all states keep a warrant bank?).

Questions:
What’s the best way to find out if there is a warrant out for his arrest in New Jersey?

He has been offered a job in New Jersey – termporary-ish finish carpentry. Is going on the books as an employee in NJ likely to trigger an alert to the New Jersey government/police where they would find the warrant? I’m not sure exactly what I mean – perhaps related to being on record paying NJ state income taxes, or being listed as an employee for workers’ comp insurance purposes?

I also understand but wonder what the extent is of the risk of driving to and from NJ everyday, with the possibility of getting pulled over, or even just being in the state - shit happens sometimes.

Thanks for any insight.

Long Weekend Road Trip Leaving from Central NJ

booksherpa — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:14:06 -0800

Help us narrow down our choices for an extended weekend road trip leaving from central NJ. My husband and I are debating where to go away for a long weekend later this month. We'll be driving, and plan to be away Friday to Monday. We can leave on Thursday night if the first night's destination is close enough.

Things we like:
- good food, could be gourmet or brewpub or bakery or farmers market or diner, as long as it's interesting
- used bookstores, the bigger the better (we've done Book Barn in Niantic)
- funky, artsy towns with interesting shopping (if there's lots of cool handcrafted jewelry, even better!)
- minor league baseball
- scenic drives
- state fairs and other quirky local events
- craft fairs
- random wish: I'd like to find a wine store that could sell me a case of Putney Mountain Winery's Maple Apple Wine. Mmmmm, tasty!

Things we don't want for this trip:
- nightlife/nightclubs
- camping/hiking
- bed and breakfasts (we're on the heftier side, and have points to use up as well)
- the beach (both grew up at the Jersey Shore, like water views, not so much with the tourists)
- amusement parks

We adore Vermont, and had considered a Saratoga Springs, NY/Middlebury, VT trip as both are places we've only seen a little of and had earmarked to explore further. We're trying to branch out and explore new places. We'd like to keep each day's driving portion to less than 3 hours total. Monday's drive can be longer.

We've already been extensively to: Bennington, Brattleboro, Manchester, Burlington, Woodstock VT; Northampton MA; Mystic CT. He spent 4 years at college in Boston, and a large city isn't our first choice. On the list of possible destinations, besides Saratoga Springs and Middlebury are Rhinebeck NY, non-Northampton bits of central MA, Providence RI and parts of Southern Vermont. I'll happily listen to discussion of other parts of New England, as well as points south of us - we just tend to have a New England orientation for road trips.

Recumbent trikes in central New Jersey?

lexfri — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 07:26:57 -0800

Where can I try (and buy) a recumbent trike in central New Jersey? I never learned how to ride a bike. (I'm a 28-year-old father of two.) Although I'd love to learn to bike so that I could teach my girls one day, I've concluded that, thanks to various tuchus-related issues (3 pilonidal cystectomies and counting), a regular bike just isn't for me.

Recumbent trikes have a very different seat, and (I think) wouldn't put pressure on those areas I'd like to avoid putting pressure on. But before I make an online purchase, I'd like to make sure I'm comfortable in one.

I'm in Marlboro, NJ, and soon moving to Manalapan. So far, the closest place I've found that cells recumbent trikes is about 45 minutes away. Can anyone recommend somewhere closer to me where I could try one out?

Please tell me about temping

schroedinger — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 07:59:58 -0800

Need a briefer on all things temping, how to get a temp job when your office experience is minimal (but not your knowledge), and recommendations for staffing agencies in the Moorestown/Collingswood/Philly NJ suburbs area. I am looking to move to the Philadelphia suburbs, the Jersey side near Collingswood or Moorestown and have been considering temping agencies for employment.

However, I know absolutely nothing about temp agencies. I've read the previous AskMetafilter questions but still am not sure on a few topics.

1. How Does This All Work?
My understanding is temp agencies work like this. Am I correct?
- You call
- They ask for a resume and hopefully set up an appointment
- You arrive at the appointment and try to wow them
- They tell you whether or not you're hired with them
- Once hired, you call all the time asking if they've found a position
- When they find a position, you go to that position

2. Office Experience
I have a year's worth of official office experience that I did a couple of years ago, and everything else has been on-and-off barista work while I bounced in and out of school (and still haven't finished my degree). I can get great recommendations from my previous employers, but again, it's barista work. I'm extremely competent with answering phones and typing and MS Office and all of that, but it doesn't show on my resume. Is there any chance at all of me getting hired?

I also read in previous questions it's good to have an idea of what you want to do through them--but I thought most temp work was clerical. What other type of temp work is there? How do I express that I'm not particular on the industry or job, just that I get a salary?

3. Pay
What is a reasonable amount to request for pay? $10-11/hour seemed an almost luxurious amount of money when I was working as a barista, but it seemed from previous questions that temp jobs pay higher and I don't want to lowball because I'm used to poverty.

4. Recommended Agencies
A search engine like this one pulls up a billion-and-one staffing agencies in the area I'm looking. Do I call all of them? Is there some place that rates agencies? Should I focus on larger agencies, and what are these larger agencies? Can anyone give recommendations?

Where to find Diet Mt. Dew in NJ?

ThyroidBob — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:37:04 -0800

Where can I buy Diet Mountain Dew in cases in/around northeast New Jersey (as close as possible to Scotch Plains)? I can't even seem to find it in 2L bottles, but I'm really looking for the 36-can cases. I've looked at BJ's, Stop 'n' Shop, and Target (I'm getting desperate). I know from experience that Sam's Club stocks them in Michigan, at least. But there don't seem to be any of those near my current location. I'm hoping some fellow caffeine-dependent Mefites here will be able to help me out.

Also (a bit of an aside), what's up with that, anyway? Is Diet Mt. Dew that unpopular on the East Coast that it's hard to come by in more than just one container/quantity?

Where should I move to in the Philadelphia/South New Jersey area?

schroedinger — Mon, 18 May 2009 07:11:05 -0800

Where should I move to in the Philadelphia/South NJ/Moorestown area based on these requirements? I have read other questions and still need help. I would like to move to some area in the Philadelphia/Moorestown/South New Jersey region. I have a few requirements:

1) Easy, relatively short commute by car or public transit, to Moorestown, NJ (specifically 111 West 2nd Street)
2) Has coffee shops/froo froo bakeries with job opportunities in at least in the $8-$10/hour range
3) Cheap--ideally could get a room or something somewhere for $600/month or less.

I'm moving up specifically to lift at the gym located at 111 West 2nd Street in Moorestown, so it is vitally important that it be easy to get to there regularly.

I have a pretty high tolerance for sketch. I'm OK with roommates. I have a car, but prefer not to use it. It would be great to somehow live in Philly itself since I think the city would be a better social atmosphere than the suburbs (I'm single and in my mid-twenties), but I'm also not going to have a lot of money to spend on tolls so if that means living in NJ so be it.

If there are job opportunities that pay at least $8-$10/hour outside coffee shops and all that, that's great too, those just happen to be where my job background is centered.

I don't know the area at all, so I'm flying blind here. Any help is welcome.

Finding housework help for grandmother in Springfield, NJ

kelseyq — Wed, 06 May 2009 08:41:27 -0800

How to find someone to do errands/light housework regularly for my grandmother in North-Central NJ? So, my beloved gramma is having some health issues lately and needs someone to come to her condo in Springfield, NJ (Union) and do the things that have become too painful for her. She doesn't need any home health care stuff--just someone to take out the trash, bring in the mail, retrieve things off high shelves, do some vacuuming & possibly laundry, etc.

She used to have a woman from Jewish Family Services scheduled to come once a week but she was very unreliable, so I'm trying to find someone new. Ideally, this person would come by once or twice a week to run errands. It's important that they NOT be a flake. I think she might prefer a woman but either way I'm looking for someone personable who will chat with her a little & she can feel comfortable with.

Scratch that--ideally, *I* would come by regularly and do this for Gramma. Unfortunately, I live halfway across the country, which is also making it hard for me to find someone. Personal recommendations would be unbelievably rad, but I'm also looking for general strategies on, well, finding good help these days. I'm a little wary of craigslist, especially since I won't be able to meet anyone I hire. Someone suggested talking to a social worker in the area who works with elderly folks, but I'm not sure where to begin there either.

Thanks for your help!

Taxes for NJ dwellers working in NY.

spacefire — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 19:13:14 -0800

Online Tax help specifically for people who live in NJ and work in NY? My wife and I both lived in Jersey and worked in NYC last year. I prepared and filed our taxes as a married couple, but going through all the steps was a bit of a pain.We also got some correction letter from the IRS.
I'd like to find an easier, less error-prone way for this year.
Tax preparers charge over $200 dollars for our combined income bracket. We can't afford to pay that because my wife was laid off at the end of last year. (by the way, are there any tax rebates for people who were laid off last year?)
The main difference between this year's filing is the added income, not too much, from my wife's books.
So, can TurboTax help for this situation? IIRC we need to file federal, NY and NJ, with some 'robbing Peter to pay Paul' deductions involved at state level. Are there any other e-file programs or websites that can actually handle this process for people working in one state and living in another in a more streamlined manner?
I don't mind paying under $50 just to make sure we're doing it right and fast.

Thanks mefites!

Hiking 9-5!

ginagina — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 17:44:21 -0800

How should we prepare for a 10 mile/8 hour guided hike through the NJ Pine Barrens? My boyfriend and I are signed up to go on a hike that is scheduled from 8:30AM to 5:30PM with a one hour lunch break that takes us through the NJ Pine Barrens. We're both in good shape and are experienced hikers. The distance doesn't concern us but we've never hiked for that amount of time before and want to ensure that we are prepared for a full day of exertion.

We'll have a guide and will also bring our digital compass/gps in case we get separated from the group.

What do you recommend in terms of food and supplies? Is there anything else we should know about hiking for that long? Anyone else hike through the Pine Barrens (Franklin Parker Reserve) in March?

We're staying at a bed and breakfast the night before the hike and won't have access to a refrigerator so all food we bring will have to be non-perishable.

Thanks in advance!

Vermont ski resort bus trips from New Jersey?

exhilaration — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:09:41 -0800

Anyone know of any Vermont ski resort bus trips that leave from New Jersey? I just finished reading this entry on a Times blog about about day trips to Vermont from New York City. What I want to know is if similar trips are run out of New Jersey, preferably North Jersey.

I've seen the NJ Ski Council trips, but most are longer than a day and require memberships to ski clubs. Aren't there any ski shops that organize no-commitment day trips like the ones mentioned on that Times blog, but from Jersey?

Central NJ Spots'o'Beauty

aleahey — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 08:56:00 -0800

NJ MeFi'rs: Looking for a nice outdoor spot to take my girlfriend tonight. Localized in Central Jersey. Ideas? (More criteria within) Well I need it to be within driving distance (<1 hr) of Edison, NJ. I'm looking for a spot with a nice view, or a great view of the stars, or a waterfall, or basically anything really worth seeing at night. Preferably somewhat secluded, but not something we're going to have to hike in the dark to.

All ideas welcome, much appreciated!

I'm not a Yankee, please help

bach — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 20:36:54 -0800

Traveling to NYC during Thanksgiving... I am a chaperon for my students marching in the Macy's Great American Marching Band that performs for the Macy's Parade on Thanksgiving Day. While the majority of the week will be devoted to rehearsal and group sight-seeing, I do have some personal free time.

My question is what is the easiest and/or an inexpensive way to get to NYC from Hilton Woodcliff Lake-200 Tice Blvd, Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey 07675

Other questions include what is there to do nearby, things not to miss, etc...

Oh, the shame.

killerinsideme — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:19:38 -0800

We need a drink in Princeton, NJ. It's an emergency, I promise you. If not a bar, a place we can buy booze to go. Please tell me something is still open.

Cheap travel from Delaware to NYC?

viewofdelft — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:23:54 -0800

What are the cheapest ways to get from Newark, Delaware, to New York City? I'm a research assistant at the University of Delaware and as part of a long and wonkish I-95 corridor project, we've decided to produce a map or informational pamphlet letting students know the cheapest ways to get from here (Newark, Delaware) to New York City.

A few things to keep in mind:
1. Any mode of transportation is fair game (air, rail, highway, seaports, etc.), as is any type of vehicle (plane, train, automobile, bus, shoes, etc.).
2. Be creative, but within reasonable limits of safety (i.e., no airmailing oneself).
3. It's alright if many of the suggested travel methods begin in Philadelphia (and maybe even Baltimore) if these departure points are more familiar to you.
4. Cost is the most important factor, although I don't want to discourage that outlandish teleportation idea you've been waiting to uncork.

After we've completed the map or pamphlet, I'll contact each of the contributors about mailing them a finished product. Thank you.

What qualities do YOU look for in your legal secretary?

aleahey — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:00:12 -0800

Future-lawyer seeking experience while still an undergraduate. Any chance of being hired? Essentially I'm looking for any type of position within a law firm that will afford me some real-world experience. (Read: mail room, up).

I've been sending out resumes pretty regularly for the past few months, and have yet to see any real responses.

Admittedly, my resume does not contain any experience in law, or office-work. Its heavily focused on technology, as that was my field-of-choice out of high school.

So my question is, can any lawyers perhaps shed some light on what they would be looking for in an assistant/secretary? Without a degree, what qualities should I be focusing on to make myself at least worth an interview?

Should I just go to waiter route until I have the Poli Sci degree?

Thanks so much.

Where can we swim with the fishies?

aleahey — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 08:55:34 -0800

Fresh water creek/lake swimming in Central NJ? Recently went swimming in Double Trouble Park in South Jersey (official stance there is "no swimming" but no one bothered us), looking for similar experience in central NJ. Not interested in a place that has a lifeguard or tons of families swimming. Just a nice trail that leads to clean(ish) water for a nice refreshing dip.

We're very active, love hiking, swimming and anxiously awaiting the arrival of our new kayak! Any suggestions of cool places to go that won't be too crowded would be appreciated!

Thanks! Hope you all have a great weekend!

What to do in Newark before the LSAT?

billtron — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 18:54:06 -0800

NewarkFilter: My friend is taking the LSAT at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark, NJ, on June 16. She's coming from Brooklyn and the test starts at 12:30pm. What's the best and least stressful way to get there, and where can she hang out for a few hours before the test, since she's going extra early in case there's a transportation delay?

Best Water Park in NY or NJ??

smartypanties — Mon, 26 May 2008 18:15:13 -0800

What is the very best water park for 30ish folks to enjoy in the NY/NJ area?

Where the Gypsy Angels Go

Miko — Mon, 19 May 2008 13:39:42 -0800

New Jersey-Filter: Two questions. First, can you recommend any great B&Bs in Monmouth County? Second, if you had the aim of introducing two close friends to summer in the Garden State, with the ulterior motive of disabusing them of anti-Jersey stereotypes, where would you take them and what would you do?

Where can I shop for wine in NW NJ?

peacecorn — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 03:53:07 -0800

Can you recommend a good wine super-store in NW New Jersey? I'm looking for a wine store in NJ with a huge selection that's no more than about half an hour from the PA border on the I-78 corridor, as I'll be driving in from Allentown, PA.

Does such a thing exist?

I've been to Bourbon Street Liquor in Phillipsburg, and I think I can do better than that. Thanks in advance.

Where to park in the New York City area?

malthas — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 13:52:46 -0800

I'm looking in to taking my girlfriend up to New York for the weekend in a couple of weeks, and need parking advice. So over my spring break, which is the first week of March, I'm planning a surprise trip to New York for my girlfriend. I'm trying to find a hotel in Manhattan, but that's not really the question here.

Frankly, I'm terrified at the though of driving in NYC, much less paying for parking. My dad, who grew up in North NJ, and my roommate, who's been to New York a lot more often than me, both suggested that I park somewhere along the PATH or NJ Transit train lines and take the train into town to the hotel. I perused this old thread which seemed to confirm that suggestion. I like the idea of parking near the Harrison station on the PATH, but I'm left with the nagging feeling that this might not be such a great idea. Is this a kosher thing that people do? Is it cool to leave your car in one of these lots for a couple of days at a time?

Gotta Hava Waway out...

geckoinpdx — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 19:54:28 -0800

I'm in somewhat-central New Jersey on business. I just found out that I will be stranded in a hotel all weekend and would much rather get to Manhattan, Atlantic City, anywhere but here (there is literally nothing here, the nearest Wawa is like a five-minute drive). I know the region in general has great train service, but have a couple of questions about it. First off, I'm the Cranbury-Jamesburg area (Monroe Twp to be exact) if that helps.

I didn't realise until last night that when my travel partner said that she wasn't a tourist, she meant it: she plans to spend literally all weekend at the hotel, eat each meal at the attached restaurant and everything.

I don't know how to drive.

She is willing to take me to/pick me up from the train station, and I know that Princeton Jct is like 12 miles or so away. So far so good.

My only experience with trains is Amtrak and CalTrain (between San Franciso and San Jose). How difficult is the system to use for a total outsider? Ideally I'd like to get to Manhattan at least. Atlantic City or Philadelphia would be nice but aren't critical. I could do one tomorrow and another the next day, after work, whenever. I'm here until next Thursday.

The important thing is that I am able to get back to my area the same day. I know NYC is about an hour by train; how far is everwhere else of interest?

Additional bonus points: I'm really not a "tourist" either...the statue of Liberty and 42nd street are great and all, but the main reason I want to go to Manhattan, believe it or not, is the Virgin Megastore(s), if still there. Last time I was here there was one in Union Square and one in Times Square. Any other worthwhile CD shops in the area? Used options are great, too. If Amoeba, Streetlight or Dimple mean anything to you, that's basically where I spend almost all of my free cash.