Good to hear from you, bro. I live in Toms River, NJ. A few miles from Seaside Heights. Hour and half, at most, from both NYC and Philly. It's a big town. Growing VERY fast. I found out recently that Ocean County is one of fastest growing counties in the US. We've got a little of everything. From young upwardly mobile types to retirees. City-types to country-types. Surfers kids to Goth kids. Theres a few local malls where you could get a good idea of the kinda people that inhabit the area. It's a melting pot. Unfortunately the cost of living is quite expensive, but I think theres something for everyone 'round here. I dig it quite a bit.
I love where we live, what it has become. When I moved up north I missed it SO much but at the same time I loved living in Roselle Park because I was 30 min from the city and it was a TRUE melting pot. Toms River ain't there yet. But I love it so much that I travel here and there but I'm always happy to be back here in this town. Truth be told..I love Jersey and would be very content staying here.