looking to move to New Jersey (Phillipsburg, Allentown: real estate, rent, crime)

[tweetybird123]

I currently live in Virginia, and the place I live in is up and coming, but there are no big companies (except for Geico) so jobs that are not cashier or waitress are none existent. It is the perfect place for retirees, and uppermiddle class to wealth families. And people that can afford long commutes to D.c. I am looking to move to New Jersey, but need affordable rent nothing over 700/mo. and convenient public transportation, with shops, stores, and stuff nearby. I do have a husband and a terrible two yr. old (we are an african American family) so somewhere that has too much crime is out of the question. Hopefully somewhere near NY, so that getting a job we would have better luck than here. Any suggestions on places?

[majesty318]

Unfortunately, $700 does not get you much in NJ, except maybe in south Jersey, which is not near NY. And in northern NJ, the only thing you would possibly find would be a studio or a small one bedroom, not likely in a good area. It's very expensive here...

[Lusitan]

Yeah, unfortunately you're not going to find anything big enough for your family for $700 per month, at least not in a safe area close to NYC.

This is a very high-cost state. Sadly, this is why many people are leaving NJ.

[tweetybird123]

Is there a surrounding state that you would suggest?

[Jerseyt719]

Pennsylvania has a lower cost of living, but you will be in the same boat, job wise, that you are in currently in Virginia.

[Aimee729]

NJ is very expensive- property taxes, housing- just cost of living in general.
Have you though of looking in your neighboring state of NC? Raliegh/Durham or Charlotte are beautiful cities. Both areas are comparable to larger cities in VA. I have lived there and would go back in a heartbeat- for now I am stuck in NJ and paying $20,000 a year in property taxes. Fly south!

[johnfrisco]

Texas--Dallas Fort Worth area or San Antonio. So many companies are moving out there, because real estate and taxes are cheap.

[wileynj]

Originally Posted by tweetybird123

I currently live in Virginia, and the place I live in is up and coming, but there are no big companies (except for Geico) so jobs that are not cashier or waitress are none existent. It is the perfect place for retirees, and uppermiddle class to wealth families. And people that can afford long commutes to D.c. I am looking to move to New Jersey, but need affordable rent nothing over 700/mo. and convenient public transportation, with shops, stores, and stuff nearby. I do have a husband and a terrible two yr. old (we are an african American family) so somewhere that has too much crime is out of the question. Hopefully somewhere near NY, so that getting a job we would have better luck than here. Any suggestions on places?

$700 is the average rent out by me and I'm close to Allentown PA, Easton PA, etc.- Philly is about 1.5 hrs. and NYC is about 1 hr. Public transportation is limited but there's tons of shopping close by. The only downside to most of the towns out here is the HS - unless you have a football superstar : )) (Phillipsburg HS) but the elementary schools are fine. There seems to be a large population of African Americans out this way as well... working middle class area.

[tweetybird123]

Thank you everybody for your replies, this has been a hard decision

[FlyersFan]

Originally Posted by tweetybird123

Thank you everybody for your replies, this has been a hard decision

Of all the counties in the entire United States new Jersey has 13 of the top 20 of the highest tax burden for residents......this is not someplace you wish to move to but rather move away from.