If you’ve ever wanted to experience a Soviet resort community in Bulgaria during the dying days of the Empire, check out Atlantic City. I’m here now and – I want to put this as delicately as possible so as not to offend anybody – it’s a fucking dump.
I attended a high university graduation dinner recently recently. Extended family. There were discussions similar to this ( wasting away cities, lack of planning or implementation ) and an older Italian grandfather beside me kept saying " what're ya going to do about it ". It was nuanced. Resigned to civil mediocrity but at the same time " what are ' you 'the orator going to do about it.
Essex County checking in! I've never wanted to go to AC but did so to see a show. Agreed with your assessment 100%. Crossing the bridge we saw a billboard saying something to the effect of *It's Illegal to Fuck Children!* complete with a black & white photo of a sad/scared Eastern European child. I can't say this primed us to think favorably of the place. After the show we had to walk through the casino to get to our room and it was the saddest bunch of people I've seen since I was in Charlotte during a NASCAR event.
I grew up in North Jersey, love the shore from Cape May to Sandy Hook but never ever made it to AC. My husband is a bus driver and made several charter trips there about 10 years ago but even that has dried up. I'm not a gambler and always thought I would go for the beach but people have told me to forget about that, it's not worth it...
Michael, your take on Atlantic City is flawless, and sad.
I remember visiting the Atlantic City of the 1950s as a young Boomer child, and it was amazing. Well dressed ladies wore mink stoles to stroll the boardwalk at night beside their cigar smoking gentlemen, wicker "rolling chairs" slowly traveled the boards, Mr. Peanut tapped danced at the entrance of Planter's Peanuts, frozen custard stands sold REAL frozen custard, Steel Pier was an amusement wonderland (despite that poor horse diving from a platform), lots of freshly made fudge and Fralinger's salt water taffy, Pork Roll Sandwiches, and much more. Not just t-shirt shops and cheap souvenirs.
The casinos killed the boardwalk and devastated the community, both residents and businesses.
I love gambling at casinos, live in NJ, and haven’t been to Atlantic City in 20 years.
I attended a high university graduation dinner recently recently. Extended family. There were discussions similar to this ( wasting away cities, lack of planning or implementation ) and an older Italian grandfather beside me kept saying " what're ya going to do about it ". It was nuanced. Resigned to civil mediocrity but at the same time " what are ' you 'the orator going to do about it.
" What're ya going to do about it ".
Essex County checking in! I've never wanted to go to AC but did so to see a show. Agreed with your assessment 100%. Crossing the bridge we saw a billboard saying something to the effect of *It's Illegal to Fuck Children!* complete with a black & white photo of a sad/scared Eastern European child. I can't say this primed us to think favorably of the place. After the show we had to walk through the casino to get to our room and it was the saddest bunch of people I've seen since I was in Charlotte during a NASCAR event.
In fairness to Atlantic City, it IS illegal to fucking children.
Must have taken a huge strength of will not to have drop the failed Renaissance at the tiny feet of our corrupter in chief
What do you mean?
Trump’s casino/hotel failures contributed mightily to the decline of NJ gambling
Ah, yes. I specifically didn't want to mention Trump because I'm tired of talking about him.
I grew up in North Jersey, love the shore from Cape May to Sandy Hook but never ever made it to AC. My husband is a bus driver and made several charter trips there about 10 years ago but even that has dried up. I'm not a gambler and always thought I would go for the beach but people have told me to forget about that, it's not worth it...
Nailed it
Michael, your take on Atlantic City is flawless, and sad.
I remember visiting the Atlantic City of the 1950s as a young Boomer child, and it was amazing. Well dressed ladies wore mink stoles to stroll the boardwalk at night beside their cigar smoking gentlemen, wicker "rolling chairs" slowly traveled the boards, Mr. Peanut tapped danced at the entrance of Planter's Peanuts, frozen custard stands sold REAL frozen custard, Steel Pier was an amusement wonderland (despite that poor horse diving from a platform), lots of freshly made fudge and Fralinger's salt water taffy, Pork Roll Sandwiches, and much more. Not just t-shirt shops and cheap souvenirs.
The casinos killed the boardwalk and devastated the community, both residents and businesses.
Seeing a horse diving 40 feet down is terrifying.
I was about to say the same. I was traumatized seeing that as a boy.
That isn’t depressing at all! /heavy sarcasm