I wonder .....is it going to get better? (relocating, real estate)

[nic529]

Hi everyone. DH and I have been contemplating for a while now leaving the only state we have ever known as home and relocating to SC. I've been thinking a lot though....I know times are rough...and there is this perception of the middle class (which we are) being forced out and all....but here's my thought. So many of us are now demanding that things be done differently (flying pigs for example) and so many people are no longer standing by to watch the Politicians do what ever they want - or at least its beginning. People are beginning to band together and fight for the state and for the people. So - with that in mind I have a couple of questions that I'd love to hear some thoughts on:

1. Do you see/hear this happening also?

2. Do you think that because of it things will slowly begin to get better in this state and become a little more affordable (within reason of course - I mean...it is Jersey lol)

3. Do you think its hopeless and us middle class families should get ready to pack up and go

4. If you do feel that things will become better because of the people's outcry for a change....how long do you think this would take and what kinds of changes do you think would be targeted?

5. Is it really better in "cheaper" states?

The reason this all comes up is, I don't want to pull my kids out of school, leave the home that was built by my husbands family, and go to another state only to hear that things have gotten more affordable again here in NJ.

Be nice now ...ya hear

[Gravy Boat]

1. Do you see/hear this happening also?
NO, I DON'T SEE MORE OR LESS "STANDING UP" TO POLITICIANS THAN IN THE PAST. I DO SEE SHARPE JAMES ON TRIAL, WHICH I HOPE WILL DETER POLITICAL FRAUD BUT WE'LL SEE.

2. Do you think that because of it things will slowly begin to get better in this state and become a little more affordable (within reason of course - I mean...it is Jersey lol).
PERSONALLY, BECAUSE OF (1) NJ'S UNIQUE FISCAL MESS - INDEBTEDNESS, AND (2) THE NATIONAL ECONOMY (I THINK IT WILL REALLY HIT THE FAN SOON, I THINK NJ's HOME PRICES WILL BE MORE AFFORDABLE. UNFORTUNATELY, I THINK WE ARE GOING TO SEE A RETURN OF STAGFLATION ELSEWHERE, AND A MAJOR RECESSION.

3. Do you think its hopeless and us middle class families should get ready to pack up and go
I WOULD STAY PUT, ESPECIALLY IF YOU AHVE STRONG ROOTS TO YOUR JOBS

4. If you do feel that things will become better because of the people's outcry for a change....how long do you think this would take and what kinds of changes do you think would be targeted?

5. Is it really better in "cheaper" states?
CAN'T ANSWER,

[CuCullin]

1) Yup. I see alot of talking about it, alot more than I used to, but still just talk - not as much action.

2) Within reason - yes. To an extent. Though I do think eventually there will be no middle-middle class (upper-middle being the next jump up from lower, with home ownership being the divide - even with more reasonable pricing in place. We're a debt culture now).

3) Nope! Its never hopeless imho. A good fiscal management strategy will go a long way, though obviously a bigger paycheck helps.

4) Alot longer than people would like to admit. Sure, some changes could be enacted immediately. However, the best thing to do once these changes have been implemented is maintain (or atleast only slightly lower) tax rates to eliminate debt. Maintaining the same strategies after debt reduction would allow for a surplus, in which case rates should be lowered by half the resulting surplus, with the surplus maintained throughout the year for emergency spending only. I think this would go a long way in the long run.

#5) Not for me. I couldn't get work there. My line of work is too focused on the big money areas.

Just imho.

[BobKovacs]

1. Do you see/hear this happening also? Haven't heard of anything worth noting, and I still check the local papers frequently and have many relatives/friends up there. Do you have some examples of what you're seeing/hearing?

2. Do you think that because of it things will slowly begin to get better in this state and become a little more affordable (within reason of course - I mean...it is Jersey lol) It may get slightly more expensive to purchase a home, but real estate prices and property taxes will never be what many would consider "affordable".

3. Do you think its hopeless and us middle class families should get ready to pack up and go. I don't know if I'd say it's "hopeless", but it's not as easy to make it there as it is in other areas, provided you choose an area that can provide you with good-paying work in your profession- if you choose incorrectly, if could be as bad or worse than your current situation.

4. If you do feel that things will become better because of the people's outcry for a change....how long do you think this would take and what kinds of changes do you think would be targeted? It'll literally take years before you'd see anything truly notable take effect- the state is in too deep of a fiscal hole to have a quick change, and there's no easy solution- NJ is about a decade behind CA in that respect.

5. Is it really better in "cheaper" states? For many (my family included), it sure is- provided again, that you pick the right location for your wants/needs and career. Though we still can't get good pizza and bagels (sorry-had to throw that in there....lol).

The reason this all comes up is, I don't want to pull my kids out of school, leave the home that was built by my husbands family, and go to another state only to hear that things have gotten more affordable again here in NJ. The kids will be fine, and its "just a house"- get over it. If those are the only two issues you've got to overcome, it sounds like it'd be a pretty easy decision, IMO based on some of your past posts regarding your situation.

[nic529]

Thank you all for replying. Its interesting to hear what other people are thinking too. As for an answer to Bob - an example of people standing up to the government would be things like NJ 101.5 organizing the Flying Pigs thing at the state house and having thousands show up.

The only things that are really holding us back are finding a good Job (I'm and exec. asst - don't think it would be too bad for me) for my husband. He works in the parts department of a GM dealership and it seems like the dealerships just don't pay down there. Also, my daughter being in HS and my husbands family is here. My parents are moving to Florida in a few months so - I really don't have to worry about them. Its a little scary to think about leaving NJ lol