Place to live with Salary of 40k+ (Paterson, Highland Park: sale, apartment)

[jerseygirlInTN]

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

Just be careful, especially in Phillipsburg- anything that's selling for $100-125k either needs a lot of work, or requires a kevlar vest to leave the house. I realize that prices are dropping in some parts of the state, but for the most part, getting a clean, safe single family home is still going to run you over $200k.

Bob

Kevlar vest. LOL! You're the retired detective right? It's good you're looking out for her safety. I guess NJ may be out of her reach, so PA will probably be her best bet. Thanks for the input.

[NickL28]

Originally Posted by New Jersey Texan

Hey Bob,
Why do you have to be Mr.Negativety? So the guy only makes $40,000.
Isn't it worth putting himself in financial ruin for the rest of his life just so he can live the New Jersey dream? Isn't life in Jersey worth it? Hey he can rent an apt. for the rest of the forseeable future like the people on the California board. Who are desperate to live there but can't afford to buy a home. Now isn't that a sad stretch of the imagination? California versus New Jersey. Is that the basis for the start of a new thread? People who don't have enough for a down payment to live either on the East coast or the West coast.

He was stating the truth. $40,000 doesn't get you much in NJ and you will really really stuggle to make ends meet. I made around $45,000 back in 2003 and couldn't qualify to buy a co-op at prices then, I make close to $80,000 today and everything is out of my range in NYC and most of North / Central Jersey. The best solution (other than working 12 hours a day in some hellish corporate environment) is to move out of the NYC metro region where the cost of living is lower.

No, there is no point of being a life long renter. And you can't underestimate the stupidity of people for what they are paying to live in these tiny closet sized apartments in Manhattan which cost between $30,000 - $50,000 a year.

[FergusonDechert]

GoingtoPa,
Consider South Jersey! If you can do a condo, in Galloway you are looking at 2Br, $115/mo association, $1200/yr taxes, for under $150k.
There are also some other locations to consider. In Cape May Court House there is a 3 br single fam home $199k $2100/yr taxes. Seaville 2br TH $179k $1800/tax. There are plenty more.

Doug

[GoingtoPA]

Thanks to all of the replies. Maybe I should have made myself more clear..40k will be my base salary. Would also get commission for sales. With that being said, Would not want to live above the 40k base. That way the commission would be gravy.....do not have family living with me so do not need large place but would not want to live in Closet......My home in Bradley co. Tn. is 2314sq ft. .....love space but know that I will not get that anywhere in NJ or PA.

I love the Cape May area, but have not been able to find anything that would not be in a high crime area. Vinland looks good on line but I hear that the crime is bad. I will not comment to an all adult comm. I love living around youth......don't like to hear about all those elements.....LOL
Now before some of you take a RUN with that, I know that all seniors don't talk about all their medicine and their health issues....
I just rather live amoung all ages and I really don't like all the rule that are place on you when living in a controlled comm.
I am working now and will continue to work until I am 60yrs then I plan to relax.
Keep the comments coming I need all the help I can get.

[GoingtoPA]

Originally Posted by jerseygirlInTN

If you're looking out there, I would suggest East Stroudsburg, PA. It's right on the border of NJ and there's a ton of properties under $100K. You could still get to Bergen County in 1-2 hrs. depending on the locations.

Just curious, what part of TN are you from? We're in Jackson. It's OK but we like NJ better. Hope this helps!

Hi Jerseygirlintn:
I live close to Chattanooga, (Charleston, TN)Eastern Tn
Jackson is about 4+ hrs from me in Central western TN.
Thanks so much for the information. I have looked in Warren but your are correct the Stroudsburg area or even Northampton Co. in Pa are really good places. I have been looking over in the PA area (goingtopa) but just was hoping that by some chance, I could stay in NJ closer to my daughter. If Warren Co. then go over the Delaware and pay less taxes.....
I will have a base salary of 40k but also get commission but would want to live within the 40k....getting ready to slow my pace. I will be 60 in 5+ years and plan to not stop, making work not a requirment but a pleasure. I could never stop working and play golf all day. Shopping either.....and there is just so much cleaning you can do at the house.
Thanks again Jerseygirl.....I know that where ever I end up , NJ or Pa I will love living in the NORTH.....you are a great help on this forum....I love to read your remarks....

[GoingtoPA]

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

Just be careful, especially in Phillipsburg- anything that's selling for $100-125k either needs a lot of work, or requires a kevlar vest to leave the house. I realize that prices are dropping in some parts of the state, but for the most part, getting a clean, safe single family home is still going to run you over $200k.

Bob

Bob,
Thanks, I have looked in Phillipsburg and you are correct.....the $100-125k are not what I am looking for.
If you are the retire detective.....then I can tell you that my father was also a law officer and I know that we look at all the things around us differently. Always looking for the crime verses the beauty. Or at least this is the way it is with me. I have looked up the crime, sex offender, rape cases, ETC in most of the areas that I have looked at. People would be surprise to know that when you see a house on the internet for sell, a sex offender may live next door to you. Keep the information coming and I don't think you are negative. I think you just see things in the real world.....
Thanks again,
goingtopa.....or NJ if possible......

[GoingtoPA]

Originally Posted by FergusonDechert

GoingtoPa,
Consider South Jersey! If you can do a condo, in Galloway you are looking at 2Br, $115/mo association, $1200/yr taxes, for under $150k.
There are also some other locations to consider. In Cape May Court House there is a 3 br single fam home $199k $2100/yr taxes. Seaville 2br TH $179k $1800/tax. There are plenty more.

Doug

Hi Doug,
I have looked at the Cap May, Mays Landing, Egg Harbor, Millville, Vineland and Tuckerton this is just to name a few. I work with a person that lived in Vineland. Reports are the crime is really bad. Do you have ideas on that subject? I plan to be in NJ by mid July....so maybe looking in the areas....or may have to keep the idea of Pa in reality.....
thanks again

[BobKovacs]

Originally Posted by GoingtoPA

Bob,
Thanks, I have looked in Phillipsburg and you are correct.....the $100-125k are not what I am looking for.
If you are the retire detective.....

Nope- I'm not the retired dective- I'd love to be retired right now, but never have (or will be) a detective....lol

Bob

[GoingtoPA]

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

Nope- I'm not the retired dective- I'd love to be retired right now, but never have (or will be) a detective....lol

Bob

SORRY:
Where did I read that at......LOL......must have you mixed up with another on this forum....I have read so many threads just trying to get the information that I want before I move.
Thanks for all your help.....

[cyntmac]

South Jersey is not really convenient if your fam is in Bergen Co and that is why you are relocating. Crime is not really the issue here-money is. There are parts of NY state you could look at that would be more convenient than south NJ. You should try to narrow your search slightly based on the amount of time you spend on the road. It is very unusual for someone to look both in North NJ and South NJ for housing. It is always one or the other with some overlap. Widen your search by looking north and west. South is not really helpful unless you really want to live and spend the bulk of your time there.