Do we stay or do we go? (Atlantic City: real estate, home)

[pattiv]

Originally Posted by Yorkiegirl16

I've just moved from Central New Jersey to North Carolina. I've been here now for four months. Here are some of my observations/experiences: North Carolina is beautiful- and yes in a lot of ways its as fabulous as they say. At the same time, its a move- a BIG move over 600 miles from what you're familiar with. I think questions to ask yourself are (and boy do I wish I asked myself these) is are you moving because you want to? Are you willing to give up all that is familiar to you to move so far away? What about friends, family and routines? I would never recommend moving to a new state without a job unless you have a pretty decent nest egg. My husband and I went down to NC with all these "promises of employment" and "you'll have an easy time finding a job". Promises of employment are not the same as actally HAVING employment. Also, I recommend finding out all the information you can about NC and where you are thinking of living. Take your time with it. It's a huge decision.

My best advise to you is to choose wisely. It's a big move and it comes with no shortage of culture shock. A lot of my fellow co-workers jumped on the NC bandwagon and the adjustments are still ongoing. To sum it up, don't underestimate the emotional aspect of this kind of move. Good luck with whatever you decide.

I could not have said it better.
We are here 18 months now.
I miss my family and the beach, but we visit back and forth.

One piece of advice if you go... This is a different culture and you have to be willing to embrace the change.
If you can do that, come on down!
The people are so friendly and cost of homes is so much more affordable.
No comparison with property taxes up in NJ
We have no regrets at all.
Good luck to you,
PattiV

[Postal68]

Originally Posted by diamondmom

So, like a tremendous amount of people in NJ we find ourselves wondering what on earth we're doing here. We live in Mercer County, my husband commutes to the city and we are burned out. We were thinking of packing it in and moving to North Carolina, but we both have good jobs here, a home to sell, and two school aged children (10 & 6). I'd love to hear from anyone else who is at their wits end and considering a move. We have nothing to move to (job wise) and yet we feel we'd be leaving nothing behind.... Is it as fabulous as they say it is down there. Could we just go without jobs and survive???? Any input would be really appreciated. Thanks.

My God you sound just like us.
Even the ages of the children.

I can't take the NJ taxes anymore, my main reason for wanting out, but we also want to find a better school system for our children.

[TheEmissary]

Originally Posted by Postal68

My God you sound just like us.
Even the ages of the children.

I can't take the NJ taxes anymore, my main reason for wanting out, but we also want to find a better school system for our children.

Postal68 - Are you a real postal guy or gal? I took the early out in 2004 and moved to NC. It's great down here, my house is three times the size, my taxes are 40% of what I paid in NJ and car insurance is less than half (I had NJ Manufacturers). For retirees, it's a no-brainer to move to NC, but for people who move down here without solid job offers, it can end up being a big mistake! If you are a postal person you could think about a job transfer. Postal salaries won't get you much in NJ but compared with the average pay in NC, they're good jobs. I used to laugh (really cry) when I talked to one of the garbagemen in my NJ town who told me he was making 70K after 5 years and after 25 years in the P.O., I was getting 43K. There are some things I miss about NJ, the food, friends and relatives but all in all, I love it down here. My snow shovel is still at my old house and I haven't thought of buying one down here, when a small broom will serve quite well to remove our (so-far this season) non-existant dustings of snow.

[NancyM]

I'm going through the same decisions. My mom passed away Jan 07, and I lived in her house until it sold Aug 07. Now I'm renting from a friend temporarily while I research other areas and make my final decision. I targeted Columbia SC. There are TONS of NJ transports there. Everyone I met was from NJ, NY, MD, and PA. I found more transplants than natives. It's a beautiful area and housing is CHEAP. New construction in NJ is at least 500k or better. In Columbia, you can buy a 4 bed 3 bath 1800 sq ft home with a 2 car garage and at least a quarter acre at $140k. Taxes are low too, a little lower than 1% of the purchase price. As for jobs, I'm pounding the pavement now. There are alot of government jobs in Columbia. Greenville is a beautiful area too but a bit more rural, and more private industry. There's also military in Columbia.

With what I can afford here, it doesn't make sense for me to stay. I am self employed (venetian plaster artisan), and altho I used to be a programmer, I've been out of that industry too long to get back in at a decent salarly. I can't survive here so I have no choice. I've got to find somewhere else that's more affordable. And the thing is, if you sell your home here, you can likely get something in Columbia or Greenville that's paid for, so you will have eliminated your mortgage payment and then won't require a job with such a high salary to survive.

The one thing I noticed in Columbia was how clean and manicured it was. Everywhere I went was beautiful. The one subdivision where I was thinking of buying in looks like spring lake NJ (which costs at least 950k to get even a garage there). So I guess it's personal preference and what you are wanting.

[mikieguns]

my goodness - where is all the Jersey support! I love this state and am staying put. Of course there are many great places to live in this country but overall, NJ is always "home" for me. Sure, the taxes are high and real estate is epensive - yada yada yada. It comes with the territory I guess. I lived in Chicago for a few years and loved every minute of it. But in the end, I am back to Joisey. My family is hear, friends, etc. That is what is the most important in the long run. I spent some time in Virginia, Texas, and North Carolina as well. I certainly found some beautiful areas in these states, and of course the prices of everything are much better. But good lord - I would never last in any of these states long term! NJ not only is "home" for me, but as much as I complain about the expenses, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I love being close to New York City, the best city in the world. Not to mention I am close to Skiing in the winter, the beach in the summer, Philly, Atlantic City, - shall I go on?? Location cannot be beat - I have done road trips to Boston, NC, SC, Rhode Island, Virginia, Maine, PA, good lord I could go on and on. I would shoot myself if I was stuck in the south or the midwest for a long time.

[njchick]

Originally Posted by mikieguns

my goodness - where is all the Jersey support! I love this state and am staying put. Of course there are many great places to live in this country but overall, NJ is always "home" for me. Sure, the taxes are high and real estate is epensive - yada yada yada. It comes with the territory I guess. I lived in Chicago for a few years and loved every minute of it. But in the end, I am back to Joisey. My family is hear, friends, etc. That is what is the most important in the long run. I spent some time in Virginia, Texas, and North Carolina as well. I certainly found some beautiful areas in these states, and of course the prices of everything are much better. But good lord - I would never last in any of these states long term! NJ not only is "home" for me, but as much as I complain about the expenses, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I love being close to New York City, the best city in the world. Not to mention I am close to Skiing in the winter, the beach in the summer, Philly, Atlantic City, - shall I go on?? Location cannot be beat - I have done road trips to Boston, NC, SC, Rhode Island, Virginia, Maine, PA, good lord I could go on and on. I would shoot myself if I was stuck in the south or the midwest for a long time.

You have summed up what is best about NJ, the location really can't be beat.

[stmaarten]

Originally Posted by mikieguns

my goodness - where is all the Jersey support! I love this state and am staying put. Of course there are many great places to live in this country but overall, NJ is always "home" for me. Sure, the taxes are high and real estate is epensive - yada yada yada. It comes with the territory I guess. I lived in Chicago for a few years and loved every minute of it. But in the end, I am back to Joisey. My family is hear, friends, etc. That is what is the most important in the long run. I spent some time in Virginia, Texas, and North Carolina as well. I certainly found some beautiful areas in these states, and of course the prices of everything are much better. But good lord - I would never last in any of these states long term! NJ not only is "home" for me, but as much as I complain about the expenses, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I love being close to New York City, the best city in the world. Not to mention I am close to Skiing in the winter, the beach in the summer, Philly, Atlantic City, - shall I go on?? Location cannot be beat - I have done road trips to Boston, NC, SC, Rhode Island, Virginia, Maine, PA, good lord I could go on and on. I would shoot myself if I was stuck in the south or the midwest for a long time.

Sorry, but with a name like "mikieguns" you better stay in NJ. They wouldn't know what to do with you in the south.

[Fairfax Mom]

We moved to Northern VA from NJ and found that it is a lot LIKE NJ - traffic, hectic pace BUT much lower taxes and auto insurance, better schools and warmer - just a little but warm enough.

[flanative84]

Newbie here --

Me - Florida native, graduated from UNC, so I've spent lots of time in NC, lived in the DC Metro area for > 15 years, lived in Montclair (yes, NJ) for 8 mos. and am presently living with my family (2 small boys, hubby (who grew up in CT), dog, cat) in "BFE" Small Town Northeast Indiana. We moved here for my job (a really good one) 3-1/2 years ago, far away from all friends and family (all who live on the east coast, mostly between CT and VA). It was a great decision at the time, but now we're thinking about moving back east. Why? Our one family member (my mom) who would have spent many months at our house passed away early last year. It didn't feel too weird moving here with a 6 month old at the time because we left the craziness of Metro DC at a great time to sell our house on a relo package (which we miss terribly, despite the congestion and cost of living) and, also, grandma would be here a lot. The second boy is a native Hoosier. Now that my mom isn't with us any more, we find ourselves missing the touchpoints of our old lives so much (in-laws, best friends, college friends, cousins, aunts, uncles, etc.) back east that we're considering moving back.

Anyone considering a move to somewhere (1) Cheaper, (2) "less" stressful, (3) "Nicer", (three reasons why we moved here) please think two or three more times. If you're far away from family and friends, I would say don't do it (unless they drive you crazy). Let me give my two cents on NC. Loved going to school there, but I struggle with whether we could live there long term. It is culturally a bit more insular than anything from DC on north. Trust me, I love the Tarheel State and the winters are not to sneeze at (this from someone who's facing a high of 5 degrees and snow this weekend). Growing up in FL, everyone was from everywhere else. I was brought up "Southern-Northern" by a NJ transplant who married a FL native. I have many fond memories of summers in NJ visiting any one of my grandma's 10 brothers and sisters - from Toms River to LBI to Mendham to Orange to Short Hills to Ridgewood (some family members did very well). My short stint in Montclair wasn't horrible, but even back then (late 80's) car insurance costs were atrocious. I know many college friends who complain about the traffic and congestion in Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill and Charlotte. Yes, people are friendly, like they are here in Indiana, but I've heard it's hard to make friends because everyone already has them. Sound like here as well.

Of all the places I've lived, including my native state, I feel home the most where I have friends and family. I like the DC area the best. Familiar surroundings, pretty scenery. I love diversity. Ain't got much here in Indiana, and there's not a whole lot in NC. From my experience there is a tendency down south (I find this in some of my family) to be a bit, shall we say, narrow minded about those who are from different cultures, races, etc.

So, those of you who love or hate NJ - anyone have any advice about the Morris County/Somerset County area? I'm well aware of the property tax issues and car insurance, which are at least double than those in Metro DC. But, on the other hand, you get some big house on some land for the same money you might get a "luxury townhouse" in Arlington or Alexandria or Falls Church.

There are a ton of job possibilities for my hubby and me back east (especially anywhere with large corporate headquarters for me, creative services firms for hubby). We wouldn't go without a job (and hopefully a relo package). Good towns for kids, school quality, community involvement and pride are all important factors. We just want to find a place we can call home. It might be back in the DC area, but jobs for our career paths are better in the NY/NJ/CT areas.

So, any advice? NJ - Yes, No? Your comments are welcome!

[BrianH1970]

Originally Posted by mikieguns

I would shoot myself if I was stuck in the south or the midwest for a long time.

I've felt like I could come close.

I'm sorry but I can't stand living in North Carolina. I absolutely hate living here and I can say that with all the conviction in the world. The one good thing is that I already had one interview this year for a job in New Jersey after a week and a half of looking (which, by the way, it took me four months just to get an interview for a job in Charlotte). So at least it feels like I'm on the road to possibly getting out of here soon.

I drank the NC kool aid, fortunately it wore off.

I'm sorry if my words come off strong, but I've never been one to really hold back much on here. Warts and all I love New Jersey. As far as calling some place home, for me Charlotte ain't it.