“They work at McDonalds for $7 an hour,” he said. “But with three or four children they can’t make it – especially in this area.”

How do they know what they make? I have no idea – I assume that when these people are qualified for free food they have to state their incomes. Makes sense.

I take exception with your perception of people’s incomes. How does one know what these people make? BTW, when I was 19 y.o. (23 years ago) I was making $7/hr, but I was busting my butt doing it.

As for living costs in this state, I agree with you on the cost of living here being expensive. I am continually doing cost comparisons with other states and NJ comes out close to the bottom.

As for living in a “dangerous” part of the state, I did. I bought a 2 family house in New Brunswick in 1986 (near Bloustein School, so you know the area) and was never broken into and never assaulted (cars were though). I was careful as was my wife. A young person is the ideal person to do this type of thing, not with kids though. BTW, the rental income is partly how I got through undergrad.