West Deptford: Something wrong with this area? (taxes, to live)

[tarp]

Glad you ruled out West Deptford... too close to the refinery for comfort!

Frank, I actually did my homework. I chose to live in NJ because it makes the most sense for an easy commute to Center City and lower housing prices. I disagree that anywhere in NJ you will find "fair taxes." The taxes are absurd in this state, even in the lower tax areas like Logan Township. The taxes in PA suburbs are also quite high. My goal is to retire in 20 years and in NJ that will never happen as long as I have to keep paying close to $8k a year (which will only go up, not down) in taxes.

[frankgn87]

Originally Posted by tarp

Frank, I actually did my homework. I chose to live in NJ because it makes the most sense for an easy commute to Center City and lower housing prices. I disagree that anywhere in NJ you will find "fair taxes." The taxes are absurd in this state, even in the lower tax areas like Logan Township. The taxes in PA suburbs are also quite high. My goal is to retire in 20 years and in NJ that will never happen as long as I have to keep paying close to $8k a year (which will only go up, not down) in taxes.

well, paying close to 8k in taxes and now you are complaining (are barely making it??) means you surely did not do your homework.. Serious. That is high taxes, how big is your property and home?

[tarp]

Actually Frank, I did my homework and then some. It's called a cost benefit analysis. I got a foreclosed property at a deep discount and that factored into the decision. It's 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1/3 acre, about 2000 sq. ft. Tax assessment is $240k. Taxes are high everywhere in Camden County. It would probably be somewhere around $6k in Burlington County, which is still high, and my commute would be worse. Right now I hop on 42 and I am in Center City in 15 minutes flat. Paying $2,000 more in taxes isn't such a big deal when you're already being ripped off. I'm selling this place (at a profit) pretty soon, and moving. I came here for a graduate program and have no reason to stay after I am done. My next home will have taxes under $2000.

[frankgn87]

yea your taxes are very high . My home is assessed at $20k more and im paying just over $6k. BTW- Im in CC in 20 minutes.. Well at least you will sell it at a profit.. That's a good thing.

[culater1999]

The West Deptford Location would be the Grande. Many of the homes in the Grande are for sale because people simply can't afford them. For example and matter of Fact: One home is for sale because it was a 2 income family but is not any longer meaning time to sell because they can't afford it. A second home in the Grand is due to a divorce where the husband lives there only now while the ex wife moved to Mantua. That is a good neighborhood even with the tiny yards (too small for my liking). One thing you do need to be aware of is the condos at the back of the neighborhood closer to Kings Highway which have some designated as low income housing. There has been some issue there but it has not filtered into the neighborhood even thought they are on top of each other.

[culater1999]

Just for the record the oil refinery smell that you hit in West Deptford while looking was from Paulsboro's oil spill and could be smelled all the way down to baltimore MD.

[Pennyan]

I live in the Woodstream development in Marlton, burlington Co. The development is fantastic, great schools, houses built in the late 60's and are a quality house built by a reputable builder, 4 bedroom 2.5 bath 2 car garag can be had here for mid to high 200k right now. my taxes are around 5-6k max. Tarp, I dont know why you are paying so much but you need to get your head out of your ass and get a tax assessment lawyer to help you. There is no way you should be paying 8k in taxes in camden co.

Traffic is a pain at times, but I am close to everything I could possibly need. Stores, restaurants, the beach and Philadelphia. I rarely use the main roads and can navigate to anywhere I need avoiding the traffic hot spots when needed. There are a lot of great things for a family top do here too. Phila Zoo, NJ Aquarium, beaches are an hour away, boardwalks, Museums, etc...
All in all I am very happy to live here. Sure taxes are high, but the grass is not always greener on the other side.

If your looking in Logan Twp they have done a lot of upgrading and building over the last few years and have a lot of nice things to offer as well.

There are some great neighborhoods and not so great neighborhoods around. Do your homework, visit them, drive around and ask around.

[tarp]

Pennyan, thanks for the kind words ("get your head out of your ass"). Truly spoken in the manner that New Jerseyans are known for. For what it's worth, I know dozens of people paying 8k and over in taxes in Camden County. It's not like my house is some oddity that is being taxed 8k while everyone else in the neighborhood pays 3k in taxes. Perhaps you should remove your head from your posterior and look into what the taxes cost in Camden County before opining on an online forum.

[rizzo0904]

My inlaws in Thorofare pay just under $9K in taxes on their 2500 square foot home.

[GoPhils]

Originally Posted by tarp

Actually Frank, I did my homework and then some. It's called a cost benefit analysis. I got a foreclosed property at a deep discount and that factored into the decision. It's 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1/3 acre, about 2000 sq. ft. Tax assessment is $240k. Taxes are high everywhere in Camden County. It would probably be somewhere around $6k in Burlington County, which is still high, and my commute would be worse. Right now I hop on 42 and I am in Center City in 15 minutes flat. Paying $2,000 more in taxes isn't such a big deal when you're already being ripped off. I'm selling this place (at a profit) pretty soon, and moving. I came here for a graduate program and have no reason to stay after I am done. My next home will have taxes under $2000.

If you only came for a graduate program, why did you buy? Does your profit count all those taxes that you wouldn't have had to pay by renting?