Living in New Jersey

[Tenbatsuzen]

This is a serious thread. I don't want to see Anti-Bruce crap or cliche Turnpike jokes, this is something legitimate.

Even with the real estate market going into a nose-dive, New Jersey is still one of the most expensive places to live. From car insurance to property values (where a 4 bedroom 2 1/2 bath house in decent condition is at least 400,000 in central NJ) to the deathly property taxes (which can range from 8000-12000 for the aforementioned 400,000 house) is crazy.

I have a set idea of what I want to live in. I want at least 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms, with a backyard and decent schools. Your typical American Dream. And it's nearly impossible to do in NJ unless you have deeeeeep pockets. And I'm not in the mood to buy a "starter" house and then hope to flip that, especially with how shitty the market is. I don't have the time, patience, or manpower to do it.

So the question is: If you currently live in New Jersey, and had the opportunity to live somewhere else, would you do it? I'm not talking about moving to Maui, but somewhere realistic.

[Snoogans]

This is a serious thread. I don't want to see Anti-Bruce crap or cliche Turnpike jokes, this is something legitimate.

Even with the real estate market going into a nose-dive, New Jersey is still one of the most expensive places to live. From car insurance to property values (where a 4 bedroom 2 1/2 bath house in decent condition is at least 400,000 in central NJ) to the deathly property taxes (which can range from 8000-12000 for the aforementioned 400,000 house) is crazy.

I have a set idea of what I want to live in. I want at least 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms, with a backyard and decent schools. Your typical American Dream. And it's nearly impossible to do in NJ unless you have deeeeeep pockets. And I'm not in the mood to buy a "starter" house and then hope to flip that, especially with how shitty the market is. I don't have the time, patience, or manpower to do it.

So the question is: If you currently live in New Jersey, and had the opportunity to live somewhere else, would you do it? I'm not talking about moving to Maui, but somewhere realistic.

it depends on pay, You may not get paid the same if you go somewhere else. it really depends on the situation. And consider yourself lucky central jersey. Try to buy that same 400,000 house up here, its gonna cost you around 7-800

[Tenbatsuzen]

it depends on pay, You may not get paid the same if you go somewhere else. it really depends on the situation. And consider yourself lucky central jersey. Try to buy that same 400,000 house up here, its gonna cost you around 7-800

You can keep your same job, either going home-based or different office.

[HBox]

I love it here IN JERSEY! WHOA WHOA WHOA!

Sorry. Seriously though I like it here. Still enough to put up with the high price of living.

[Snoogans]

You can keep your same job, either going home-based or different office.

ok, then it depends where you are moving. I would, assuming the same pay, consider moving, but the places id wanna go wouldnt change all that much. And I probably would still be within driving distance.

Here is one thing to consider, especially for you and I'll include myself so you dont get offended: We are NY area people. If you went to mostly anywhere else, you would HATE IT. People are too slow and you would end up flipping out. I visited a friend in Santa Barbara for 3 weeks one summe, and I was done having fun within 2 days, at which point iw as just yelling at people for making plans at 7 and not doin them til 9:30. We arent like the rest of the country hear, and its a big shock and a hard change for most. Especially people like us who get fired up and angry here

[Tenbatsuzen]

There are areas that have as much "New York" activity as other areas. For example, the Las Vegas suburbs, and the Phoenix suburbs. Which is one area I'm considering moving to.

[Hottub]

I am in Bergen County. The modest home I bought 9 years ago, even in a down market, is worth almost 3X what I paid. Taxes are choking the life out of me. People are moving out at an alarming rate in my neighborhhod. McMansions are still being built as we speak. Fetching 7 to 9 K!! It's madness!!!

I'm staying as long as I possibly can. God bless the potential new homeowner without a rich daddy.

[Snoogans]

There are areas that have as much "New York" activity as other areas. For example, the Las Vegas suburbs, and the Phoenix suburbs. Which is one area I'm considering moving to.

thats not what i mean. Not activity, attitude. We have an attitude that doesnt work well, especially near Arizona and out west. Vegas you may get lucky cause thats just a totally different mindset. However I know a guy who moved from Jersey to Vegas and was back 9 months later after what he said was 35 straight days over 130 degrees


but no, in NY area, we have far more attitude and far less patience and, for awhile at least, it wouldnt work well anywhere but NE pretty much, cause they are the same way until you get really far up

[HBox]

ok, then it depends where you are moving. I would, assuming the same pay, consider moving, but the places id wanna go wouldnt change all that much. And I probably would still be within driving distance.

Here is one thing to consider, especially for you and I'll include myself so you dont get offended: We are NY area people. If you went to mostly anywhere else, you would HATE IT. People are too slow and you would end up flipping out. I visited a friend in Santa Barbara for 3 weeks one summe, and I was done having fun within 2 days, at which point iw as just yelling at people for making plans at 7 and not doin them til 9:30. We arent like the rest of the country hear, and its a big shock and a hard change for most. Especially people like us who get fired up and angry here

You are *this* close to pulling what I would like to now term a BDC.

[scottinnj]

This is a serious thread. I don't want to see Anti-Bruce crap or cliche Turnpike jokes, this is something legitimate.



And yet you chose to post here.

[Snoogans]

You are *this* close to pulling what I would like to now term a BDC.

where did i post something on a messageboard and then quote my own post as a source on a different messageboard?

[donnie_darko]

There are areas that have as much "New York" activity as other areas. For example, the Las Vegas suburbs, and the Phoenix suburbs. Which is one area I'm considering moving to.


is that a joke?!?!? vegas and phoenix compared to NYC?
THAT'S HILLARIOUS

I moved from morris county n.j. to n.c., worse mistake of my life. Sure I own 2 homes for 1/10th the cost of one in Jersey, but the culture shock is incredible.

I hope to move to the raleigh/durham area, its very nice and really reminds me of home.

[Sarge]

I was lucky and was able to buy the house I always wanted before the market went nuts. The taxes are a bit high, but I'm on an acre and a third with a pond. The borough I live in hasn't raised taxes much in the past years, it is the county, and school taxes that are killing me. I'm in Passaic County, which has been completely screwed up by the Freeholders. They are laying off boat loads of county employees because of how bad they are in debt.I would, and plan on staying in New Jersey for a long time, if not always. I love it here.

[zildjian361]

Tenzb, grew up in Brooklyn 33 yrs met a girl from ridgewood moved on ,got maried to,two Nj girls. Now i have one ine WPC ,and one in nursrsy school. i can get to Bar 9 in 45 min. on the 161 to NYC, there aint nothing wrong living in Little Ferry NJ i just cant go home anymore.:sad:

[Snoogans]

it's kinda funny. All the houses by me are more then the rest of NJ pretty much. Yet the taxes we pay up here are alot less. Except for Ramsey, all the towns around are really low taxes. Mahwah, after deductions, usually ends up under 2%

[Tenbatsuzen]

is that a joke?!?!? vegas and phoenix compared to NYC?
THAT'S HILLARIOUS

I moved from morris county n.j. to n.c., worse mistake of my life. Sure I own 2 homes for 1/10th the cost of one in Jersey, but the culture shock is incredible.

I hope to move to the raleigh/durham area, its very nice and really reminds me of home.

So... you're in the Carolinas, and you're comparing your own personal experience to Phoenix and Vegas.

FACT: Phoenix and Vegas are undergoing massive population booms right now.

FACT: People from Los Angeles and the NYC Metro are moving to Phoenix and Vegas en masse to escape the very issues I've described in this thread.

FACT: Phoenix is very, very, very different than the Carolinas. There's some culture shock, but it's more of a "good" thing than bad.

[Tenbatsuzen]

I think my problem is that I want to be a snowbird and I'm not even retired yet. What the fuck is wrong with me?

[HBox]

What the fuck is wrong with me?

Oh MAN! You didn't just do that. Oh NO!

[TheGameHHH]

in my opinion, and this is entirely personal, my parents fought and worked very hard to make it work in jersey. so i have to expect to work just as hard if i want to do the same in jersey.

[AngelAmy]

If I had the means I would leave....I would. As much as I love living right next to the city I would also like to see my hard earned dollar actually go somewhere.


I should add the Phoenix is where I would like to move :)

[Gritty]

This is a serious thread. I don't want to see Anti-Bruce crap or cliche Turnpike jokes, this is something legitimate.

Even with the real estate market going into a nose-dive, New Jersey is still one of the most expensive places to live. From car insurance to property values (where a 4 bedroom 2 1/2 bath house in decent condition is at least 400,000 in central NJ) to the deathly property taxes (which can range from 8000-12000 for the aforementioned 400,000 house) is crazy.

I have a set idea of what I want to live in. I want at least 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms, with a backyard and decent schools. Your typical American Dream. And it's nearly impossible to do in NJ unless you have deeeeeep pockets. And I'm not in

the mood to buy a "starter" house and then hope to flip that, especially with how shitty the market is. I don't have the time, patience, or manpower to do it.

So the question is: If you currently live in New Jersey, and had the opportunity to live somewhere else, would you do it? I'm not talking about moving to Maui, but somewhere realistic.

I'm staying. But if you want an opinion on where to go to live cheaper I'd say head south, son. Your best bet's Delaware. No state or county taxes. You get that dream house for about 1/2 of what you'd pay in Jersey. Public schools aren't great but all that dough you're saving will let you pay for private school. I couldn't do it because it's all "communities", rows and rows of the same house on flat property with no trees but that's just me. I like having the woods behind me and a buffer of trees between me and my neighbors so I can have my privacy (but also have a neighborhood for my kids to play in).

My personal dream is to live near the water; ocean, lake or river - makes no difference, so I'm thinking I'll wind up either in the Carolinas or out west in Colorado or Utah. But I don't know anyplace where it's cheap to live anymore. Even the 'natives' in Delaware are complaining about all the 'outsiders' coming in, making everything more expensive.

Oh yeah, I'm with Snoogans, when I travel I'm amazed at how slow the rest of the country is and how backwards they seem. No sense of urgency.

[Gritty]

There are areas that have as much "New York" activity as other areas. For example, the Las Vegas suburbs, and the Phoenix suburbs. Which is one area I'm considering moving to.

I think you missed the boat on the cheap living in Vegas by about 5 years.

[Snoogans]

outside of Vegas is still relatively cheap, but you will basically be living in a desert with nothing to do within 20 miles

[lleeder]

Once upon a time up in Jersey, Yo!
Ha ha, I damn near had to wreck a hoe

[Tenbatsuzen]

I think you missed the boat on the cheap living in Vegas by about 5 years.

Vegas, probably. Phoenix, not at all.

[Bulldogcakes]

There are areas that have as much "New York" activity as other areas. For example, the Las Vegas suburbs, and the Phoenix suburbs. Which is one area I'm considering moving to.

That was my first thought. The American southwest has been gaining population for years. Seems like everytime we have a presidential election the South and Southwest have gained electoral votes and the Northeast and West coast has lost a few. Good quality of life, low taxes and very inexpensive compared to the northeast in terms of what homes cost and how much square footage you'll get. My aunt moved out there years ago and she has a huge house that would cost at least double if she bought it around here.

[Bulldogcakes]

Here is one thing to consider, especially for you and I'll include myself so you dont get offended: We are NY area people. If you went to mostly anywhere else, you would HATE IT. People are too slow and you would end up flipping out. I visited a friend in Santa Barbara for 3 weeks one summer, and I was done having fun within 2 days, at which point iw as just yelling at people for making plans at 7 and not doin them til 9:30. We arent like the rest of the country hear, and its a big shock and a hard change for most. Especially people like us who get fired up and angry here


Yep. Thats why I would never do it. Unless I was old, retired and didn't give a shit anymore. But I also bought my condo real young (22) so I'm ahead of the local real estate curve. A few more years and my place is paid off.

[Kris10]

I don't know what to say. I have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath place and I bought it for $255,000. It's a ranch, I live in central NJ. It's not bad.

I'd love to go back to NC but I can't make the money I make here. Than again its cheaper to live there but my student loans and my credit card bills aren't any cheaper. It's a no win situation for me. My family is here so that is why I stay.

[furie]

it's kinda funny. All the houses by me are more then the rest of NJ pretty much. Yet the taxes we pay up here are alot less. Except for Ramsey, all the towns around are really low taxes. Mahwah, after deductions, usually ends up under 2%

2%? what do you mean? property taxes are usually a flat dollar amounts based on the assessment of your property and the condition of the house on it. It's not a percentage.

[Snoogans]

where i live its a % of the assessed value of your property, I don't know why. maybe it makes more money that way or something

[furie]

Even with the real estate market going into a nose-dive, New Jersey is still one of the most expensive places to live. From car insurance to property values (where a 4 bedroom 2 1/2 bath house in decent condition is at least 400,000 in central NJ) to the deathly property taxes (which can range from 8000-12000 for the aforementioned 400,000 house) is crazy.
[/B]

well then, you might want to avoid Long Island. $400,000 is quite reasonable for a three bedroom.

[FUNKMAN]

I've been living in Nj all my life, 45 years. At age 22 i could have moved to Kansas City with Colgate Palmolive after they closed the Jersey City Plant, but didn't mainly due to family being here and they are who you can really depend on. Tough choice because at the time 1987 I was making 40k and wound up taking a job making 20k with OT after taking a 5 month computer class. Still kickin it here in what is HOME, but certainly not easy

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

I live in Jersey City and it's going through a MAJOR developmental upswing. I hate it SO much.

First of all, all the development is in CONDOS and rental property. JC has always had an awful and corrupt city hall. It's strictly Pay to Play and the developers make the rules up as they go (JC turns the other way when, say, a driveway is built around a fire hydrant). Fuck the infrastructure! Jesus fucking Christ-- the hospital across the park from me was closed and is now being turned into CONDOS.

I am SO lucky I bought when I did. Otherwise I couldn't afford to live where I live and be a proofreader.

[furie]

A friend of mine moved to Jersey City two years ago. He likes it.

[furie]

where i live its a % of the assessed value of your property, I don't know why. maybe it makes more money that way or something

ok, but 2% of a $400,000 house would still be $8000

[Snoogans]

yea but around here, if a property is assessed at 400000, it could be sold for like 6-700.

Where I live, it could be sold for 200-225 and is assessed at 170 and that just went up from 133 last year

[grlNIN]

I love New Jersey and it definitely will be the place that i choose to raise my kids but there is no way i am going to waste years and money by renting out a place in order to save for a home.We haven't thoughtit out to a T but it seems like the most logical thing to do.

My boyfriend and i agreed that once we graduated we would be looking to live outside of NJ for at least 3 to 5 years in order to save and come back for a hopefully decent house.

We haven't planned t out to the T but it really seems like the only logical thing to do in order to get ahead.

[Recyclerz]

That was my first thought. The American southwest has been gaining population for years. Seems like every time we have a presidential election the South and Southwest have gained electoral votes and the Northeast and West coast has lost a few. Good quality of life, low taxes and very inexpensive compared to the northeast in terms of what homes cost and how much square footage you'll get. My aunt moved out there years ago and she has a huge house that would cost at least double if she bought it around here.

I've only been to Phoenix once for a couple of days and didn't see much beyond the airport, a hotel and various conference rooms but everything else seemed pretty nice through the car windows. As BDC says, there has been an explosion of real estate development and population growth in the area over the past ten years or so and the quality of life (in material terms) seems pretty high. The pessimist in me wonders where the hell they are going to get the water to keep everything going there. They're pretty much dependent on the Colorado River (and a few finite, declining aquifers) for their water and Mexico is already bitching that we're taking more than we're allowed to by treaty. I would wait for a real estate shake-out and for some of the environmental issues get worked on before buying in the desert.

[Tenbatsuzen]

First time offenders for DUI in Arizona have a minimum 10-day Jail sentence. I'm not kidding.

[Kevin]

What the fuck is wrong with me?

Ace Ventura deep breath...