An Expat Talks about Living in Short Hills, New Jersey

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Short Hills

What activities, clubs and organizations would you recommend to newcomers to help them meet others?

The Short Hills/Millburn area offers a number of social organizations and activities for newcomers and long time residents. The Newcomers/Encore Club (http://community.nj.com/cc/newcomers-encore), plays at The Papermill Playhouse (http://www.papermill.org/), Churches and Temples: Temple B'nai Jeshurun, etc..

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Traveling Mailbox serves thousands of travelers, expats, digital nomads, businesses, individuals and others in over 47 Countries by scanning their postal mail so they can view it online anywhere in the world. They provide customer service 7 days a week so if you need assistance, it is just a phone call away. Traveling Mailbox works with Evernote, Bill.com and Dropbox. And, there are Traveling Mailbox apps available for iOS and Android devices.
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In terms of religious, racial, economic and cultural diversity, are the people of this city or town diverse? Are they accepting of differences? Describe.

Short Hills is an upper middle (to upper) class area with little economic diversity. It is home to a great deal of old and new money. Religiously, the town has many Jewish residents and a mix of Catholic and Protestant residents.

What are the main industries in this city? What types of career opportunities commonly exist? How do most people find new jobs?

Most people work in New York city which is a 35 minute or so commute, although there is ample opportunity in the surrounding area. There are a number of pharmaceuticals, telecom, accounting and finance firms. People often find jobs by networking.

In general, what are peoples' priorities in this city? For example, do lives revolve around work, family, socializing, sports, etc.?

All are important. Due to the high cost-of-living in this area and the "keeping up with the Jones" aspirations of younger residents, work is a high priority. Many couples leave New York City to settle here and start families thus making family a big part of their lives. Short Hills has a nice public pool and town golf course that offer inexpensive recreation.

If a friend of yours was thinking of moving to this city or town from far away, what other advice would you give them.

I haven't lived here long and still have a lot to learn about Short Hills and towns nearby. I would tell a friend of mine to spend time in Short Hills and towns in the area. Each town has its own distinct character (even though they're all 10 minutes apart and appear the same to an out-of-towner). Short Hills, Millburn and Livingston are predominantly Jewish. Towns like Chatham, Summit, Madison, Maplewood are predominantly Christian. Summit, Madison and Millburn have busier (relative term!) downtowns with shops and restaurants. So, depending upon what type of town you're looking for, you should be able to find one that's just right for you.