South Orange (Newark, Toms River, West Orange: appointed, transplants, lenders)

[tlknows]

Currently, I live in South Orange with my husband, 3 year old and one on the way. I am terribly disappointed in how high are taxes are and I am considering moving to CT.

The only problem is that I love the diversity. That's why we moved here in the first place but I feel like I am getting ripped off by having to pay 12K-16K in taxes for a 3.2 ranch and crappy schools.

Thoughts???

[hrjersey]

I think you are making perfect sense. I'm originally from So. Orange. My family owned our home for 49 years there. I sold it 3 years ago when my mom died. Even though I absolutely adored her house and I could have sold mine in Toms River and moved there which would have meant being much closer to my job, I wouldn't do it. My mom's house was last assessed in the 70's and she was paying almost $10K on the house by 2003. I imagine with the re-assessments that increased a lot. Additionally you are absolutely right about the schools, if you are going to pay that much you should expect a lot more from the schools. my daughter was an infant at the time but I had no desire to send her to school there.

That said, I love NJ and think you might be able to find something with more reasonable taxes and better schools without leaving. But I think CT is really nice too.

[Spincycle]

Originally Posted by tlknows

Currently, I live in South Orange with my husband, 3 year old and one on the way. I am terribly disappointed in how high are taxes are and I am considering moving to CT.

I hear ya' but "it is what it is" --- some people in NJ just enjoy paying high taxes. Look at how they vote, many would drink the Kool Aide for McGreevy or Corzine. I feel your pains, trust me.

Originally Posted by tlknows

The only problem is that I love the diversity. That's why we moved here in the first place but I feel like I am getting ripped off by having to pay 12K-16K in taxes for a 3.2 ranch and crappy schools.

Didn't you do your homework first before you bought there? The tax load and "Newark subsidization" is insane in Essex. Why did you buy there versus say Madison (just up the train line) in nearby Morris County? Await your response.

[JamesBoyer]

Before you hall off and move to CT, consider Springfield, Summit, New Providence, Chatham, Madison, & Florham Park. All are outside of Essex County and all have much lower taxes (comparable home to comparable home). Summit, Chatham, & Madison all have highly rated schools as well.

I have been in many of the homes which are on the market in all of these towns listed and know that there are some very nice homes availible and of course the taxes are much much lower. My 3700 sqft Colonial in the Convent Station section of Morris Township has 12K in taxes. Put that same house in South Orange and the taxes would be 30K and I still think my taxes are out of line.

[Spincycle]

No offense to anyone. One of my assumptions is that native (or long time) NJ folks tend to do more homework/research when moving elsewhere in NJ relative to quality of education (i.e. schools) and taxes (e.g. high taxes, tax appropriation). Good schools and taxes are a very, very high priority.

However I see several of the affluent NYC transplants into NJ being very impulsive and not making time for homework. They don't seem to be aware or concerned about getting a better deal elsewhere (e.g. further up the line, on the other line, elsewhere).

This is one of the reasons why I believe places like SO/Maplewood and maybe even Montclair are still in hot and heavy demand. These are nice towns to visit but for the long haul there are so many better options available closeby. The lenders, brokers, and sellers are in the drivers seat in these locales as long as they have this infinite base of affluent NYC transplants who don't know what us locals know. This runs contrary to the saying "An educated consumer is our best customer".

Again no offense to anyone.

[Gravy Boat]

If you work in the city, your commute time is also critical. Madison is 20 minutes past South Orange. That's an extra 40 minutes a day. It's also about $1,000 more per year for the monthly ticket.

Those things, along with taxes and schools, are also part of the equation for many people moving from the city.

[Truth NJ]

Oh my! Check out Montclair or West Orange dont hold on sell stop over paying

[Spincycle]

Originally Posted by Truth NJ

Oh my! Check out Montclair or West Orange dont hold on sell stop over paying

Montclair & West Orange = Essex County (Newark) = HIGH TAXES.

[AnesthesiaMD]

Originally Posted by Spincycle

Montclair & West Orange = Essex County (Newark) = HIGH TAXES.

Absolutely! There was a chart in the Star Ledger that showed property tax to home value ratios. Glen Ridge was the highest followed by Montclair. West and South Orange were tied for a close third place.

[Spincycle]

Originally Posted by tlknows

Currently, I live in South Orange with my husband, 3 year old and one on the way. I am terribly disappointed in how high are taxes are and I am considering moving to CT.

The only problem is that I love the diversity. That's why we moved here in the first place but I feel like I am getting ripped off by having to pay 12K-16K in taxes for a 3.2 ranch and crappy schools.

Thoughts???

What are you deciding now? CT? Other?