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my point is basically is... If you look at every forum around the US. People are complaining about something. For every bad quality NJ has, there is a bad or even worse quality another state has.
Yes, I know that post came off wrong, but my general point was the statement above. Every state has something bad about it. Some more and less than others.. It all evens out.
So to trash the state, I do not think it's right.
I think we have a great state, a lot of kinks need to be worked out, but overall people are happy and do not want to move out of the state. If people were fleeing the state by the truckload, then I could see myself sitting back and reassesing my outlook on things. It just does not seem to be as bad as what some people say...
Sure, no place is perfect. However, when enough decent, hard-working and educated people can't have the life they worked so hard to get, then it's beyond "a lot of kinks need to be worked out". When people can't afford to stay in homes they've owned for 15, 20, 30 years, and in some cases free and clear, then it's more than kinks needing to be worked out. This state's tax system is out of control.
I also don't agree that "overall people are happy". Personally, I'm taking my master's degree and 20 years of work experience out of this state next year, and my only regret is that I didn't do it a lot sooner. I know I'm not the only one. My ex (who I'm still friends with) went to Georgia. One of our former neighbors went to Virginia, and another to Florida. I know that anecdotes only go so far, but when enough people express jealousy to me that I "get to leave" New Jersey, it tells me that things are very wrong here.
I am not defending NJ taxes - I pay them too and wish they were half of what I am paying. But while NJ taxes are twice the national average so are NJ schools.
The schools in my township are very good. Good schools equal higher property values which equal higher taxes. The problem is selling that to someone who no longer has kids in the school system.
Median salary in NJ is 59K. I make about that and am trying to find a affordable place to live for one person. Depending upon how expensive your house is makes a huge difference in affordabitlity.
I could qualify for a $200,000 loan and struggle to keep my head above water. Can't get first time home buyer loan from state since my car payment ($ 335 a month) pushes me over the 36% rate of total monthly debt. But I travel 50 miles each to work so need a reliable car. I don't know how people can afford these $500K plus homes, even on two salaries. Add in taxes, utilities and forget about furnishing the home. Everyehrewhere you go, you get hit with expenses. I lived in NE on a lot less and was able to save 10% of salary and I made almost 40% less. If it wasn't for a family situation I would have stayed there. I am hoping to be out of this state again within the next 5 years.
If you were lucky enough to have purchased a cheap home years ago, or got one from your family, you would be in decent shape here in Jersey. Nowadays, I don't know what the future holds for Northern/Central jersey. The middle class is definetly being pushed out. It will be a state of wealthy and immigrant/poor people in the cities who don't mind doubling up to afford the housing. Sad, but true.
Median salary in NJ is 59K. I make about that and am trying to find a affordable place to live for one person. Depending upon how expensive your house is makes a huge difference in affordabitlity.
I could qualify for a $200,000 loan and struggle to keep my head above water. Can't get first time home buyer loan from state since my car payment ($ 335 a month) pushes me over the 36% rate of total monthly debt. But I travel 50 miles each to work so need a reliable car. I don't know how people can afford these $500K plus homes, even on two salaries. Add in taxes, utilities and forget about furnishing the home. Everyehrewhere you go, you get hit with expenses. I lived in NE on a lot less and was able to save 10% of salary and I made almost 40% less. If it wasn't for a family situation I would have stayed there. I am hoping to be out of this state again within the next 5 years.
If you were lucky enough to have purchased a cheap home years ago, or got one from your family, you would be in decent shape here in Jersey. Nowadays, I don't know what the future holds for Northern/Central jersey. The middle class is definetly being pushed out. It will be a state of wealthy and immigrant/poor people in the cities who don't mind doubling up to afford the housing. Sad, but true.
CrazyHands
I'm in an almost identical situation, minus the car payment (knocks on wood). I make enough money where I could get by in a one-bedroom apartment or something, but I want to own my home. Over the long haul, you simply can't get ahead by renting (especially with what rents are around here). And to do that, I would have to seriously struggle to even keep myself afloat. I make in the low $40s (single), and to get anything nice and close to my job, I would be looking at condos that are at least $175,000 (houses are simply out of the question-too expensive). After the mortgage, taxes, association fees, utilities, and car maintenance/insurance, I probably would be in the red at the end of most months.
Unfortunately, I looked at buying a house, and can't believe the prices for these shacks!! Some are so bad, you would never get a loan on them and found that if the realtor put "needs updating" means "needs recking ball". Condo is not my first choice, but I figure if I can swing it for 2 years, sell (hopefully not at a loss) and then look else where I will tolerate that choice.
I entertained Monroe County, PA for a house, but work with several people who live that way and they all complain about the 1.5 to 2 hour commute each way. I already drive too much and that area or Sussex county is really not a viable option since I go to school at night too. When I am done with school, I hope this will become a lucrative second job (RN) and I will be able to take with me to any new location - be it out of state or south jersey where I will feel that a quarter of a million dollars will get you a semi-decent place to live. I am not looking to live in a mini-mansion. I am not sure how people afford it, but if someone has the secret fromula, please let me know.
Unfortunately, I looked at buying a house, and can't believe the prices for these shacks!! Some are so bad, you would never get a loan on them and found that if the realtor put "needs updating" means "needs recking ball". Condo is not my first choice, but I figure if I can swing it for 2 years, sell (hopefully not at a loss) and then look else where I will tolerate that choice.
I entertained Monroe County, PA for a house, but work with several people who live that way and they all complain about the 1.5 to 2 hour commute each way. I already drive too much and that area or Sussex county is really not a viable option since I go to school at night too. When I am done with school, I hope this will become a lucrative second job (RN) and I will be able to take with me to any new location - be it out of state or south jersey where I will feel that a quarter of a million dollars will get you a semi-decent place to live. I am not looking to live in a mini-mansion. I am not sure how people afford it, but if someone has the secret fromula, please let me know.
Can everyone explain which part of New Jersey you guys live in?
I really do not know how bad it is in Northern NJ. I spectate from the Southern end. No one really has that kind of problem here. If what you guys are saying about the Northern region of NJ is that bad, then move?
200k can get you a decent home in a decent neighborhood around here with taxes ranging from 2k-5k depending which area. Kind of blows my mind that more and more of you are coming on here saying that about NJ.
Just clarify which part of NJ you are from please.. Thanks.
Can everyone explain which part of New Jersey you guys live in?
I really do not know how bad it is in Northern NJ. I spectate from the Southern end. No one really has that kind of problem here. If what you guys are saying about the Northern region of NJ is that bad, then move?
200k can get you a decent home in a decent neighborhood around here with taxes ranging from 2k-5k depending which area. Kind of blows my mind that more and more of you are coming on here saying that about NJ.
Just clarify which part of NJ you are from please.. Thanks.
Believe me of what these posters are stating they're definately in either the Northern or Central part of NJ - the unofficial 6th and 7th boroughs of NYC.
Can everyone explain which part of New Jersey you guys live in?
I really do not know how bad it is in Northern NJ. I spectate from the Southern end. No one really has that kind of problem here. If what you guys are saying about the Northern region of NJ is that bad, then move?
200k can get you a decent home in a decent neighborhood around here with taxes ranging from 2k-5k depending which area. Kind of blows my mind that more and more of you are coming on here saying that about NJ.
Just clarify which part of NJ you are from please.. Thanks.
I'm in western Monmouth County (I would call it central Jersey). I don't think 200K will get you much (maybe a condo) in this area. I know the taxes in my town (on a single family home) range from 5.5K to nearly 25K. I agree with you about some people that may need to move and have said it many times that "people need to live within their means". I'm not trying to be mean to them but I am stating fact. If they experience a change (loss of work, forced to take less pay, illness etc.) they need to adapt. I know thats easier said than done, but it is a fact of life. There are a couple of real nice homes being built over in Colts Neck (3 Million+) that I would love to live in. Fact of life, "I CANT AFFORD IT", but I don't complain.
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Leaving NJ
