Just look at how fast those buildings go up. There are a few that take a month or two! "Luxury condos" or rentals where the luxury means you get a washer/dryer and some granite countertops.

In the meantime, I am just glad no loss of life (which is most important).

Absolutely tip if they work for a service (and if they do a good job). I can't imagine they are making pots of money, and they just cleaned your bathroom etc. If there are two women I give them $10.00/each for a few hours of work.

I tipped $50/each for 4 hours of work=$200.00 plus lunch.
I might overtip, but it's metro area and besides they work hard.

You know what ain't so cheap these days: heroin. And I know too many white, middle class kids hooked on it, though it's an equal-opportunity enslaver. It is heart-breaking

The flippant answer is "less than electric." I got my bill last month and wept. It equalled a car payment, and by car I mean something like a Passat.

When I had gas I paid about $80/month in winter for a sturdy one bedroom in downtown JC... I kept the thermostat at 68.

Yikes. I actually think they deserve tips if they do a good job! And I'd be inclined to give more if it snows/storms like madness/other hardship. I wouldn't give booze--it just seems wrong to me and never crossed my mind. I just want to give what's fair & I think I've determined that. Thank you all...

Thank you.

Maybe they'll hand me a sheet of paper--I'd welcome it. When I asked the guy who did the estimate he was cagey. But this all sounds fair. I'd rather be a bit over than under, unless, of course, they do a lousy job.

I didn't think of lunch--nice touch, especially if they are nice! Fingers crossed.

My mother-ish advice (humor me in my old age)--if you've weighed all things and decided you want this then you know the risks. Heck, my sisters live upstate and were slammed by Irene flooding and no one expected that! College friends live in CA and have been quaked and burned out. Stuff happens.

Thing is, it's that kind of "stuff" that can flood you here. It's not always the great Biblical Waves of water that hits us, but the gross "stuff" that rises up from the sewers. It'll cost you, but maybe get the kind of supplemental insurance that will cover you. Be aware your regular apt insurance won't do this.

So...garden like crazy, enjoy the neighborhood and keep your go bag handy.

It's been a long time since I moved and that was a 'get your friends to do it' experience. I've hired movers, and I know I'm supposed to tip them. (And not like your friends, who you can tip in food and lots of beer...)

It's a local move. Brownstone out, ground floor of new building in -so one short flight of outside steps there. Biggest thing to move is the sofa and lots of books.

Some people have told me $20/guy but that seems...cheap? (Clearly, I've lived here for too long!)

Help!

Actually, I did. There were some pretty nifty hairstyles, too! At least today the Trains Ran.

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?sec ... cal/new_jersey&id=9364783

Answers my own question. Thank goodness!! I was getting a bit grim.

Any word on Warren/Morris/Sussex? Am in NYC need to bathe! thx all.

Nothing on Warren Street. My ground floor neighbor has a trickle. This stinks, but bound to happen sooner or later. Website does have update. Lots of stinky on the PATH this morning I guess...if it runs! Luckily I found some "personal hygiene" wipes leftover from superstore Sandy...I can do w/o water...but the heat...?!

This is just heart-breaking. I hope resources are being set up to help quickly.

I grew up in the country and we saw lots and lots of skunks waddling happily through the backyard at night-we humans kept a wide berth (as suggested). Sadly for everyone, our cats did not! We never worried about rabies from the skunks, but if you see one acting strange during the daytime call animal control.

Hey me too in Paulus Hook! I thought it was really good weed...but I guess it's nature in the city.

Wow. This got intense. I just want to know who the people are who scoop the dog poop, wrap it in a little plastic bag, then leave the bag on the street corner...or sometimes bring it into the front area of my building and leave it right next to our trash cans.

Very mysterious to me.

It's because people who don't live in JC would come & park and residents couldn't get spots. My sisters who live in Albany have the same kind of permits.

Oh, no! The boot!! This is why I pay to park my car in a lot. I am a giant lazybones and could never haul myself out of bed to move the car (not saying this is you--just lazy old me!). But JC is brutal. When I moved here 11 years ago, my long-time neighborhood pals warned me: move the car or else you will get the boot! That said, I'd try to argue it--it does seem ridiculously excessive & you could win! Good luck.

Just make sure you aren't on the side for street cleaning, because I've gotten plenty of tickets that way because, well, I'm a dunce. Don't be me!

Actually just answered my own question by calling United Water--yep, a contractor hit a water main on 17th street about 30 minutes ago. The (very nice) woman told me I didn't have to boil my water. But since no one told me about the last time I had to boil water, I'm going to keep an eye on it later.

My water pressure in DTJC just dropped like crazy. Anyone else? My poor toilet tank is really working hard to fill back up.

Thank you for calling. I'm downtown on Warren. At first I thought I was imagining it...then I realized, yes, low pressure here too.

And my Comcast tv just went out, too...heck I'm going back to sleep.

Holy cow I was thinking the same thing. She also mumbled. Glad these are open though.

My sister, kid, and hubby stayed at Doubletree last year and were pleased. And she is a neat freak. Not as fancy as Westin, but they got lucky & had fantastic view. Kid liked the cookies.

Oh the guy who was probably too hungover to tell my neighborhood to evacuate is finally defeated? Not a day too soon.

Wow! I'm so glad they caught them.

Just a heads up there was a mugging around 1145pm last night on Warren St in Paulus Hook. I know it feels like a very safe neighborhood (and it mostly is), but a woman's bag was grabbed. No weapon, but still pretty awful. So I guess the message is be careful and be super-aware of your surroundings.

I need to get my car inspected. How bad / long a wait is it to do it at the NJ inspection station on a weekday? (I'm pretty sure the weekend is bedlam.)

Or, is there a place in JC where I can do it privately and yet not have them tell me I have to get a lot of repairs I don't need? I'm willing to pay if it eliminates some hassle.