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I'll look into both North Carolina and South. What are good cities in the South? Anything coastal in either?
Also, NJ was always one of my considerations. I looooove Cape May but it's a little more expensive then I want, although I love it there - I go every summer.
Also, how's Virginia? Been there and I do like it.
Not sure about VA/GA. In NC, look at Charlotte, Asheville, Wilmington (coast), and Raleigh. SC, look at Charleston (coast). All are very good areas, are affordable, and are very beautiful. Just keep in mind, the housing costs/insurance goes way up the closer you live to the ocean. Also, the entire southern coast from VA down is hurricane prone. Just something to think about. Good Luck.
Just a little clarification: I'm not sure where your uncle lived, but Madison is very distinct from the rest of Wisconsin...it's a liberal "oasis" in what can be a somewhat socially conservative state. I understand it's kind of an off-the- wall suggestion compared to all the east coast suggestions you're getting, but it really is a cool little city Anyway, good luck to you!
I should have also asked what line of work you and your partner are in. Cape May itself may not have a lot of high paying job opportunity (depending on your field of work), but depending on what you do, you can find something in nearby areas, such as Vineland or Atlantic City.
It's hard to say what is affordable for you. It depends on how much you earn and save. In some towns in NJ (no not just bad towns either), you can buy a townhome or condo for the low to mid $100s. You can definitely get something decent in the low $200s, assuming you don't want a 4 bedroom family home. If you want to make a 20% downpayment, you would need to save up $20k - $40k for a $100k - $200k purchase + money to pay for closing costs, etc. You can also get a mortgage without putting 20% down, but you will then have to pay for PMI, or take out a "piggy back loan," a second loan so you can put the 20% down. Is it possible for you and your partner to save up that much money in 2 years? Again, it depends on your line of work, your expenses, that sort of thing...only you know for sure.
Well I want to be a teacher, but that's not for a few years. In the immediate term it's just going to be usual teenage jobs and birthday/xmas money. I'm hoping we can afford something somewhere, probably apartments first and eventually a house maybe.
I love Cape May, but there's virtually no colleges or anything near it, so I might have to reconsider. Looked into North Carolina and I really like it, except for the weather (tornado) risks. So that part draws me back to NJ. But NC has a lower cost of living, which is attractive. I just don't know.
Well I want to be a teacher, but that's not for a few years. In the immediate term it's just going to be usual teenage jobs and birthday/xmas money. I'm hoping we can afford something somewhere, probably apartments first and eventually a house maybe.
I love Cape May, but there's virtually no colleges or anything near it, so I might have to reconsider. Looked into North Carolina and I really like it, except for the weather (tornado) risks. So that part draws me back to NJ. But NC has a lower cost of living, which is attractive. I just don't know.
The tornado risk is there. There were some 2 days ago. The coast is even more at risk of hurricanes. But the real risk of tornados is in the eastern 1/3 of the state. They're unheard of in WNC. I'm 41 and have lived in the Charlotte area (central NC) all of my life and have never seen a tornado. The risk is there, it's just not very high. It just depends on where you live.
Well I want to be a teacher, but that's not for a few years. In the immediate term it's just going to be usual teenage jobs and birthday/xmas money. I'm hoping we can afford something somewhere, probably apartments first and eventually a house maybe.
I love Cape May, but there's virtually no colleges or anything near it, so I might have to reconsider. Looked into North Carolina and I really like it, except for the weather (tornado) risks. So that part draws me back to NJ. But NC has a lower cost of living, which is attractive. I just don't know.
If you want to live at the Jersey Shore, and want to go to college, you are going to have a rough time. There's Monmouth University, which is in West Long Branch (private, pricey), and really the next closest places are either Rutgers, which is further north and in a very congested area, or the Trenton area, which is at least an hour from most shore points.
Honestly, for what you say you want, it sounds like if your heart is set on NJ, you should go to school and try to get some money saved before you settle here. The shore especially isn't a particularly easy area to become established; nearly everyone that I know had to leave the area to get a college education.
The closest college to Cape May (besides the Atlantic-Cape Community College) is Stockton College, which is a small, highly rated university approximately 45 minutes north. I have friends whose children have received their degrees from Stockton and have gone on to nice jobs...outside of this area.
Cape May is nice, although pricey. As mentioned, job opportunities are not plentiful here. Most people who were raised here go to college elsewhere, and end up working and living outside of this county. Chances are that is exactly what my kids will end up doing.
I wouldn't recommend that a young person live in this area. See other places first, you can always vacation here, then decide after a few years.
Best of luck to you!
It's hard to find a city that combines low costs with good weather and good jobs. It's really getting interesting, however, to research ideas. Thanks for helping people.
Any more suggestions/ideas i'd be glad to see!
Anyone know about cheaper/good parts of Florida with low risk of hurricanes (compared to the rest of the state)? Just checking all my options; I like Florida, but the housing is ridiculous. Are the prices going to level or maybe go down anytime soon, or is it gonna continue to go up?
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Anyway, good luck to you!
