Is leaving the right thing to do? (Burlington: credit, relocation)

[mike0421]

Originally Posted by SWB

I don't dispute that there are great places to live in NC. I know that the Asheville area is great. The Eastern part of the state is great when hurricanes aren't looming. It's the Central part of the state that I've been to, am familiar with, and find to be disgusting. By 2020 I don't think you'll be able to tell where Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill ends and where Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Point begin and where Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Point ends and where Charlotte begins as these three major metropolitan areas fill in with ugly low-density sprawl. If growth isn't better managed in the central part of NC, you're going to have another NJ on your hands.

Yeah, I've been through the I-85 corridor on three separate occasions. The first time was in 1988, and the last time was 2 years ago. I can't believe how much population has been added to this area. However, I don't think these problems are exclusive to NC. For instance, Los Angeles and Southern Californians found Phoenix Arizona as a comfortable alternative to high cost of living during the 80s, and now these same folks are relocating here to New Mexico. I am sure there are several other migratory patterns such as these, think of people who moved from the Bay Area to an edge city such as Tracy, until it became unmanagable, then these same folks are relocating to Modesto. Where does it end?

I think the problem has more to do with the greater epidemic, which is controlling our population growth as a nation. No one in either political party has the courage to address the problem, or even acknowledge it as such.

[UKOK]

Originally Posted by nic529

oooo whats that?

It's another amazing site for stuff that is free / almost free. I get a lot of my drug store info here and the supermarket stuff on thegrocerygame.

Let me know when you are addicted!

www.refundcents.com

[nic529]

i will - tks

[tahiti]

Originally Posted by Caseynj

The grocerygame.com....this is intriguing. I am going to check this out!

to maximize your savings with TGG you can't be a slave to a certain brand. you can get GREAT buys on a lot of stuff, but if you can't stand to use Colgate for instance, you won't realize the savings as others do. I also have a ton of laundry detergent sitting in my pantry, all purchased for under $2 for a 128 oz bottle. But I don't care if it's Tide or Gain or All or Ajax.

remember - only buy when green or blue (you'll know what I mean after you start, LOL).

[nic529]

Originally Posted by mike0421

Yeah, I've been through the I-85 corridor on three separate occasions. The first time was in 1988, and the last time was 2 years ago. I can't believe how much population has been added to this area. However, I don't think these problems are exclusive to NC. For instance, Los Angeles and Southern Californians found Phoenix Arizona as a comfortable alternative to high cost of living during the 80s, and now these same folks are relocating here to New Mexico. I am sure there are several other migratory patterns such as these, think of people who moved from the Bay Area to an edge city such as Tracy, until it became unmanagable, then these same folks are relocating to Modesto. Where does it end?

I think the problem has more to do with the greater epidemic, which is controlling our population growth as a nation. No one in either political party has the courage to address the problem, or even acknowledge it as such.

these are the opinions I was asking for! Thanks! I was wondering what is everyone's opinion on the fact that NJ has gotten so expensive. I realize its not just here...but is it just a matter of time before it hits even the more comfortable areas? And is it really more comfortable? Or is it some fallacy? I would like to begin saving for retirement....I feel like here that is not going to happen anytime soon...but would be only temporary in another state? Or - would it be worth it to go and get what I can get for as long as I can get it?

On the other hand - I love the schools my kids attend - I love the town I live in - but I don't want this issue to only keep getting worse....raises don't cover the increases we've seen. So is moving going to REALLY be more comfortable?

[tahiti]

Originally Posted by UKOK

You are scaring me now Tahiti. Stop copying everything that I do!

I just heard they are opening a new Walgreens in Denville and all I could think of was "more free toothpaste". LOL


Tell me, do you go to Refundcents too?

uh....refundcents? like a need another addiction! LOL no, haven't heard of it - let me go add it to the list...

[nic529]

Originally Posted by tahiti

to maximize your savings with TGG you can't be a slave to a certain brand. you can get GREAT buys on a lot of stuff, but if you can't stand to use Colgate for instance, you won't realize the savings as others do. I also have a ton of laundry detergent sitting in my pantry, all purchased for under $2 for a 128 oz bottle. But I don't care if it's Tide or Gain or All or Ajax.

remember - only buy when green or blue (you'll know what I mean after you start, LOL).

Just for future reference - is there a TGGaholics club?

[TheEmissary]

nic529 - I think you're going through a bit of a rough patch right now, but I also think in a few more months, you'll be feeling much better! Moving somewhere else may not be the answer to your problems. If you're generally happy with your house and the schools for your kids are good - stay put!
I'm one of those people that didn't stay put. I moved to NC and love it, but my circumstances are very different than yours. If you don't have a job offer for yourself and significant other, NC and some of the other supposedly "hot" states may turn into a disappointing trap. I'm retired and moved to escape NJ's high taxes - I live on $25K and didn't want to spend a third of my income on the joy of living in the fringe of Paterson NJ's one good remaining section. Things will change for you and I believe for the better! You might think of re-financing your mortgage in a few more months. The Fed is likely to lower rates a bit more and if you did a re-fi you might end up with a couple of hundred bucks in your hand every month. Everyone need to rant and dream once in a while! It was your turn today. I wish you the best!

[hc7612]

Originally Posted by nic529

If you can tell me where I can find a house that is reasonable for a family of 4 with a yard and a good school district for less then 300,000 and reasonable taxes I'd be happy to go take a look. There is honestly no reason to be insulting. I think the responsible thing to do is try to give my kids a good quality of life. I'd like to put my son in Karate. Would it be responsible for me to do that without being able to afford it?

And here's a question for you.....why is downgrading your answer? Is that what happens in life? You just keep downgrading? You think 1600 sq feet is a lot? Or is it the 4 bedrooms that throw you off? I don't have a guest bedroom. The 4th just happened to come with the house.

Is there honestly something wrong with wanting more? Being able to get a few extras? What is that you think is wrong with that?

You need to do what you have to do to keep your children safe and in a nice home. I heard nothing in your original post about shelling out huge amounts of money on luxuries. We are now faced with a move to New Jersey. We thought we were on our way to Delaware, had put the deposit on the house, have our house on the market here in PA. As of last week, we were told that my husband's job headquarters will now be moved to New Jersey. No offense to anyone here, however, I am not thrilled. He makes great money, however, I take offense in paying excessive amounts of money for a so-so house and high property taxes on top of it.

1,600 sq.ft. for a family of 4 and you are telling her to downsize? Get real! Whether or not you should move, is your decision. Do you have family nearby? That would be a huge factor for me. Mine are in the Midwest, where I long to be. We are going to check out the areas in NJ following the Holidays, if I don't like what I see or hear, there will be no move for me. Good luck with your decisions.

[colleeng47]

I am so amazed at the violent response the OP recieved. And all in a matter of hours! You really touched some nerves on this board. Wow. My family is heading out of state late January. We're skipping the NC/SC/FL corridor relocation so popular with those in NJ. We're heading to Oklahoma. Funny thing is, in researching Oklahoma, I stumbled on these boards and have been reading for weeks now on the Oklahoma forum. Very nice, friendly, warm, welcoming people. Just decided to check into the NJ forum to see what's going on and I happened to access this question/discussion. You people are harsh!

I won't go into my reasons for leaving because it's no one's business but mine, but I am stunned at how posters are treated on this board. I'm sure you're as glad to see me go as I am to leave! Merry Christmas.