NY/NJ: Would you come back? (Trenton, Vineland: sales, assessor, buyers)

[JerseyG]

What is happening is not just complaining...the middle class in NJ is geting taxed out of the state.

NJ has the highest average property taxes in the nation. There was a 7% property tax increase between 2005 and 2006 - even after Corzine promised it wouldn't happen if he was elected. I don't know how many people know this already but the state government is cutting back on aid to local governments this fiscal year which means only one thing...another increase in property taxes.

The taxes are increasing at a much higher rate than individual incomes are increasing and that is a huge problem for a lot of people.

And the worst thing is that the idiots keep getting into office in Trenton somehow. The deal Corzine just gave union workers is a 19% increase in pay over the next three years along with all benefits covered. Guess who pays for that?

[VINMEGA]

you live in NJ because you love it. Not because it is utopia.

There is more to life than taxes...take death for instance.

The bottom line is NJ is a pay state. you need to make lots of money, it will never be anyother way here and that is how it goes.

All politicians are corrupt and property taxes need to be protested when you get the bill, you have until apr 1 to protest with your town.

If you dont like it, then say something, dont wait for someone else to do the right thing,

[njguy]

Originally Posted by VINMEGA

There is more to life than taxes...take death for instance.

To try to make ends meet for any non 6 figure salary earner in NJ, "death" to a life in NJ is well known that lifelong residents have to move away from here.

All politicians are corrupt and property taxes need to be protested when you get the bill, you have until apr 1 to protest with your town.

I'm afraid trying that falls on deaf ears. My parents just received their new tax bill for the 3rd and 4th quarters 2007 and greeted with an approx. $1800.00/year property tax (approx. $900.00 more for this half) increase.

They complained in the past with BS results.

[JerseyG]

Originally Posted by VINMEGA

you live in NJ because you love it. Not because it is utopia.

Personally, I live in NJ b/c we have a business here that does very well and is not the type of business you just pick up and move. Hopefully when all family memebers invovled in the business agree that it's time to sell...we will be moving out of state. And not because we can't afford it, because of what this state has become - a total congested mess with language barriers every which way you turn.

There is more to life than taxes...

The bottom line is NJ is a pay state. you need to make lots of money, it will never be anyother way here and that is how it goes.

It's really not that cut and dry.

All politicians are corrupt and property taxes need to be protested when you get the bill, you have until apr 1 to protest with your town.

Yes, they are. You are correct. Nobody wins when they contest their property taxes anymore. Have you ever tried it? It's a futile process.

If you dont like it, then say something, dont wait for someone else to do the right thing,

I think that's what people are doing here and also will be at the polls in Nov.

[bdpop]

Everyone who does not like things the way they are need to get out and VOTE!

[DecayingAngel]

A lot of us long time New Jerseyans have seen properties literally double in price in the space of maybe 2 years for almost no apparent reason. Great if you already owned property and could now make a handsome profit. But if you are in the market to again become a homeowner, you are just about screwed (pardon the language).

The person who mentioned 6 figure income is 100% correct. We have been betrayed. It is sad when you are forced to move away. I am looking for a fresh start somewhere else which is still reasonable .

It does not please me to have to do this, but if we want to survive, there is no other way.

[j1n]

Originally Posted by VINMEGA

people get on here and all they do is ***** about how expensive NJ is.

Here are the facts:

yes, NJ is expensive. Dont move here unless you make 6 figures.

Bottom line.

Where does that leave all the folks who already live here?
There are plenty of 2nd, 3rd, 4th, more...generation folks who find NJ their home, as they were born into it and this is all they know.
Where did all those (rich?!?!) folks who poured off the boats at Ellis Island head to? TN? NC? TX? Come on! Scores of them settled in the 5 Boroughs...or NJ. Many of us here now, good folks who are struggling, are their legacy.
There are folks here who, although their parents and grandparents lived in an "affordable NJ", can't afford to live here anymore...yet can't afford to leave either!
If someone can barely make ends meet in a state that they were born into, how are they going to be able to relocate to somewhere less expensive...to TN, or NC, or TX, or any of the other places that apparently are so deserving of all the derision they get here?
What about the older folks on here, who've invested so much in this state over the years, who now feel like NJ has turned it's back on them?

My wife's grandfather helped build the Holland Tunnel...one of the main arteries that connects us to one of the main reasons we are the overpriced, overtaxed, elitist state that we are. Would he be able to buy a home here today? I don't think so. And would he be given any sort of consideration for his contributions? No.

[tahiti]

Originally Posted by DecayingAngel

A lot of us long time New Jerseyans have seen properties literally double in price in the space of maybe 2 years for almost no apparent reason. Great if you already owned property and could now make a handsome profit. But if you are in the market to again become a homeowner, you are just about screwed (pardon the language).

(

I just simply don't believe ALL first time homebuyers are screwed. You live in Vineland which, let's face it, is INEXPENSIVE, even by "cheaper" state standards. If you (generic YOU) can't buy down there, I've got news for you, you're going to struggle somewhere else too.

Whatever happened to getting your college education, getting a job, SAVING your money for 5+ years for a downpayment, and buying a MODEST house, townhouse or condo? There are plenty of places in this state where a couple in their late 20's can afford even if they make a very attainable salary of $50K each, AND in towns in counties like Essex and Morris, relatively close to NYC.

It's not an inalienable right for everyone to own a 4000+ sq ft house (personally, I don't know why anyone would want to, but to each their own).

And, I'd really like to hear a place where taxes have DOUBLED in 2 years. If this happened, I guarantee there was a townwide assessment, and these people were not paying their fair share. Still, DOUBLED taxes IMHO is highly suspect. Even Nutley's recent reassess wasn't nearly that bad.

[DecayingAngel]

Originally Posted by j1n

Where does that leave all the folks who already live here? There are plenty of 2nd, 3rd, 4th, more...generation folks who find NJ their home, as they were born into it...this is all they know?
There are folks here who, although their parents and grandparents lived in an "affordable NJ", can't afford to live here anymore...yet can't afford to leave either!
What about the older folks on here, who've invested so much in this state over the years, who now feel like NJ has turned it's back on them?
If someone can barely make ends meet in a state that they were born into, how are they going to be able to relocate to somewhere less expensive...to TN, or NC, or TX, or any of the other places that apparently are so deserving of all the derision they get here?

My wife's grandfather helped build the Holland Tunnel...one of the main arteries that connects us to one of the main reasons we are the overpriced, overtaxed, elitist state that we are. Would he be able to buy a home here today? I don't think so. And would he be given any sort of consideration for his contributions? No.

Wow, building the Holland Tunnel! That really goes back. My hubby's grandfather and other family members were stone masons/carpenters and helped to build some of the most historic looking buildings in Trenton, including Junior High #4, which looked like it was modeled on Henry VIII's Hampton Court. Now, of course, the original structure has been ruined with awful looking windows not in keeping with the style, graffitti etc.

To be fair, NJ does provide some good programs for its seniors, such as PAAD and Lifeline. But there will always be that group who fall through the cracks and are simply stuck, not able to move even out of horrendous and unsafe neighborhoods. When we drive down the streets of our old neighborhood, I see here and there a few elderly women walking around with their handbags clutched to their chests (as though that would stop a mugger) and/or looking over their shoulders all the time. Very sad.

My husband and I are fortunate in that we are at a point in our lives that we can relocate, but only due to having successfully gotten enough at a legal arbitration proceeding. It didn't make us rich, but gave us some money to pull up stakes and start anew. It is nowhere near enough for us to buy property and remain here, which does upset me a great deal.

If only this had occurred before the big real estate boom, it might have been a possibility, but that was several years ago. Can anyone recall about what year real estate prices started to go insane? 2000? 2001? Can't remember.

I appreciate the fact that we can do this and my sympathy lies with those who cannot for whatever reason. Living paycheck to paycheck is no fun, indeed. We haven't had a bona fide vacation for over 9 years due to both health and financial issues. Hopefully that will all change for us.

I wish everyone in NJ all the best, whether you are staying here or relocating. These times are hard enough to live in decently regardless of where one lives.

[stmaarten]

Originally Posted by j1n

Where does that leave all the folks who already live here?
There are plenty of 2nd, 3rd, 4th, more...generation folks who find NJ their home, as they were born into it and this is all they know.
Where did all those (rich?!?!) folks who poured off the boats at Ellis Island head to? TN? NC? TX? Come on! Scores of them settled in the 5 Boroughs...or NJ. Many of us here now, good folks who are struggling, are their legacy.
There are folks here who, although their parents and grandparents lived in an "affordable NJ", can't afford to live here anymore...yet can't afford to leave either!
If someone can barely make ends meet in a state that they were born into, how are they going to be able to relocate to somewhere less expensive...to TN, or NC, or TX, or any of the other places that apparently are so deserving of all the derision they get here?
What about the older folks on here, who've invested so much in this state over the years, who now feel like NJ has turned it's back on them?

My wife's grandfather helped build the Holland Tunnel...one of the main arteries that connects us to one of the main reasons we are the overpriced, overtaxed, elitist state that we are. Would he be able to buy a home here today? I don't think so. And would he be given any sort of consideration for his contributions? No.

Wow! What a great post!
I tried to give you pos rep points, but was told to spread them around elsewhere.
You really hit the nail on the head. What about all those retirees who were born and bred here? Raise all of their children here? Paid taxes all those years here? No one seems to care. All they say is: "if you can't hack it, just leave." or "if you want to live in NJ, you need to make six figures, period." What is that?
I hope they don't treat their own elderly family that way!
As I stated before. New Jersey is a great state, lots to offer, just politically corrupt!
We need an icon that shows someone banging their head against the wall! LOL