New bloke from NJ here.

[Whatty]

Morning all

New bloke here - Expat Brit in New Jersey USA.

My brother recommended PH to me and now I don't seem to get any work done - love it!

Cheers!
Whatty

[350GT]

hey Whatty... In Syracuse here!

[Whatty]

Ah Syracuse - Thaw arrived yet?

[350GT]

Whatty said:

Ah Syracuse - Thaw arrived yet?

No idea.. I've been on the North Sea for the last 5 weeks. Hopefully it's all gone!

[Whatty]

Looks like your good! Calm seas I hope?

Syracuse, NY

Local forecastHourly
Current conditions (as of 3:54 PM) Today's forecast °F | °C
Cloudy55°F
Feels like: 55°F

[350GT]

The seas were ok... Dusrupted the operation for a fair bit, but wasn't a big deal. sat in detroit airport at the moment, awaiting my flight. So what do you do in NJ, and we need to see car piccies, and plenty of them!

[Whatty]

Been in NJ for the last ten years, self employed in the media.

Daily drive is a Audi TT with a ML320 dog hauler for the other half: hate that car spent more on accident repairs than I did for the thing itself - fkwit NJ drivers for you..and a '69 Morris Mini for giggles.

I really must get some pics.

[jeff m]

North, South ?

I'm in the Southern neglected bit, about 20 minutes from Philly.

[Whatty]

jeff m said:

North, South ?

I'm in the Southern neglected bit, about 20 minutes from Philly.

North - Union County - the nice bit, though you can hear the gunfire from Newark if the winds in the right direction

I like Philly - locals somewhat friendly than those in my neck o' the woods.

[skibum]

Hello

Another recent Expat here. I've been in NYC for the past 11 months, but moving to Jersey City (waterfront) in the next month or so.

Unfortunately since arriving from the UK I havent had a car, but hoping that will change once I move out to NJ.

Any tips/advice on car ownership in the US?

[350GT]

skibum said:

Hello

Another recent Expat here. I've been in NYC for the past 11 months, but moving to Jersey City (waterfront) in the next month or so.

Unfortunately since arriving from the UK I havent had a car, but hoping that will change once I move out to NJ.

Any tips/advice on car ownership in the US?

yeah... Avoid crap cars.

[Whatty]

350GT said:

skibum said:

Hello

Another recent Expat here. I've been in NYC for the past 11 months, but moving to Jersey City (waterfront) in the next month or so.

Unfortunately since arriving from the UK I havent had a car, but hoping that will change once I move out to NJ.

Any tips/advice on car ownership in the US?

yeah... Avoid crap cars.

Especially those crap SUV's with leaf springs....

And brace yourself for the breath-taking cost of NJ Auto Insurance.

And do let us know how you get on with your first trip to the local DMV for a drivers license application. The staff are wonderfully efficient and helpful...if you can find one that speaks English.

Edited to tone down langauge relating to domestic cars.

Edited by Whatty on Thursday 26th March 19:51

[350GT]

Obviously top of his to buy list should be a pontiac sunfire. gorgeous cars

[Whatty]

350GT said:

Obviously top of his to buy list should be a pontiac sunfire. gorgeous cars

Pontiac Aztec gets my vote

[skibum]

Ha - looking forward to the dreaded DMV. I hoping at least that I can show my UK licence and take a quick written test and get the licence, rather than lessons and a practical that is needed in NY.

I'm fairly keen on a Golf GTI as they seem reasonably priced - perhaps its as they are seen as budget cars here compaired to the premium the hold in the UK.

Is it bad that I also really like the Dodge Challenger?!

[Whatty]

skibum said:

Ha - looking forward to the dreaded DMV. I hoping at least that I can show my UK licence and take a quick written test and get the licence, rather than lessons and a practical that is needed in NY.

Pretty straight forward to get your license, as you said - pitch up with UK license, passport, SS card and proof of 3 months residency at NJ address (this bit can be tricky as they prefer utility bills but pay slips will do - cell phone bills won't hack it).

Check where your local DMV is and see if they actually do theory tests at that location, not all do. Test is pretty straight forward - IIRC its 70 Questions and you can get 10 wrong.

When visiting the DMV avoid the first/last of the month - v.busy, prepare to wait, take a book and smile a lot when dealing with the clerks - it helps.

Can't comment on the Challenger but I did have a Mustang V6 rental last year and as a speedboat it was great........ Their cheap for a reason I s'pose.

[skibum]

Thanks for the advice - didnt realise I had to be resident in NJ for 3 months before applying, but guess it wont hurt to wait.

[h0b0]

The DMV in Jersey City doesn't do the theory test so you have to go elsewhere (I have just spent 2 hours there). Also, they have changed the rules on getting a license and now require proof that you work in the area if you are on an L1 visa. It is a ridiculous rule but you have to jump through the hoops.

[Whatty]

h0b0 said:

It is a ridiculous rule but you have to jump through the hoops.

Or as I was told having been rejected for the second time - "DEMZ DA RULES"

I did my theory test at Rahway, lovely location just off the GSP and next to the State Penitentiary.

[HDM]

Bit late to the topic, but welcome. Another ex-pat, living in Brooklyn, been here since 1996.