Childrens future in NJ (Union, Sayreville: credit, lawyers, new house)

[CaptainNJ]

its a shame that you have to pay such a premium to live near a sewer (nyc).

[gradstudent77]

Originally Posted by MoorestownResident

The cost of living in California, NYC, Wash DC is much higher than NJ's. NJ has plenty of affordable towns, in north, central and south jersey. There is a real problem with the lower middle class in NJ, they are getting squeezed the most. The general middle class NJ making < $100K - might be looking at a 4 bedroom house when they only need 3, might not be willing to move to another more affordable town, might not be willing to commute, might not be willing drive anything but a new car, etc. Our cost of living is higher than the national average but it is not insane. Anywhere incomes are high, taxes and high cost of living will follow. What you generally find is that the truth is in the middle. The people that cry about COL are the same people that try to buy a vacation condo, new cars, etc.

This is absolutely, utterly the credited response.

People complain about the cost of living here but would never downgrade to "those" towns where they could make the lower mortgage payment. Also, a lot of people act as if living in an apartment (renting or owning a condo) is untenable, especially when raising children. I was raised in an apartment in a lower-middle class town and it was fine.

[Diane Giam]

Originally Posted by JG183

indeed... there are plenty of households in NJ with incomes in the $30K /year range

But can they afford a House? Are they being helped by Parents? There are plenty of starter homes here in certain areas for under $100,000, and they are decent. You could buy a new Centrex house, 25 min from me for $135,000. Can you do that there.

I moved here in my Daughters senior year of HS. She has made many friends, a boyfriend , and in Aug, will enter her Junior year of college. She also has the Hope Schlorship because she went her entire senior year here, and had an overall average of over 3.0. That included her grades from NJ.
My son did not move here with us, but is here now. He is very happy here, and has already made friends at work. His Jersey friends have visited, with another coming in June.
I made a good move, and I'm very happy here.

Diane G

[Diane Giam]

Originally Posted by snuffybear

I agree - and would love to move out of NJ for this reason. I would prefer my kids do not go to college in NJ and do not live here after graduation. Dh grew up here and since "everything is here" (in NJ), has no desire to live anywhere else. I think there are much better places to live in the US, so I hope we can retire somewhere near where my kids can get jobs and a good start after college.

Also colleges elsewhere costs less. Its less here for an out of state student, than it is to be instate in NJ.
This is where we will retire. My son already has a job here, and I know by the time my daughter graduates college, there will be jobs in her field.
The economy here is not as bad as a lot of places. Houses now have sold signs. I know the house behind me recently sold, and the new people are from PA.

Diane G

[UrbanQuest]

There are many middle class towns left in NJ if you can calm yourself of the need for a large new house with a large yard. Manville, Dunellen, Middlesex, Union, Milltown, South Amboy, Matawan, Woodbridge, Sayreville, South River, Spotswood, Bloomingdale, Butler, Wallington, Elmwood Park, North Arlington and the list goes on. You can get a nice house for a reasonable price in these towns. Alot of people want to move to the Carolinas, TN, OK and buy a large house for less, to make believe they are living like the upper middle class when they are the lower middle class. In the mean time, how is the access to history, culture and a more advanced civilization in general. NJ's population has generally slowed significantly, immigrants are what is causing all this COL hoopla. They crowd and they don't complain, which is just what our corrupt, inept and tax loving government is just fine with. Our immigrants ,esp. the non-European ones make the best sheeple for our psuedo-liberal nutbags who run this joint.

[cyntmac]

So many people go away for college and it is never a guarantee that they will settle near you. That was true 30 years ago.

I wanted to respond to the person who said moving in the 10nth grade made all the difference. It really depends on the individual. Your child may decide at 15 or 30 that your part of the world is not for them. Be prepared.

[FlyersFan]

Originally Posted by EEEPNJ

I'm living and I have a home here... it's tough, but we manage.

Is that what everyone really wants for their kids......a tough but manageable life in New Jersey scratching and clawing to save a few bucks for a house and then living from paycheck to paycheck all the while carrying the heaviest tax burden of all 50 states ? I'm sorry....but that sounds absolutely absurd !!!

[elflord1973]

Originally Posted by familymom

They will probably manage as best they can but I don't want my kids living paycheck to paycheck and always thinking about how to pay the mortgage. Much how we do. It really can make a persons quality of live poor and consume you. I am afraid that the next generation may not put up with this and move away to easier cost of living. Which means my four kids may be splattered all over the US. That would devastate me.

My parents raised me in a nice quiet town on the outskirts of Melbourne, Australia. Then I went to the US for graduate school and didn't come back. I'd like to move back to Melbourne one day, but not today.

If your kids have any ambition, they will pursue their dreams, and move to wherever that leads them.

[doc1]

Originally Posted by JG183

indeed... there are plenty of households in NJ with incomes in the $30K /year range

Depending on what one wants out of their life, I think having to live on 50K, in NJ, would be a huge drag.

Life on 30K would suck. Real bad.

[JG183]

Originally Posted by doc1

Depending on what one wants out of their life, I think having to live on 50K, in NJ, would be a huge drag.

Life on 30K would suck. Real bad.

I tend to agree, but there are other variables we're not mentioning at $30K: what if they have little/no expenses ? what if they have family helping out ?

but yeah, the BOBO's won't want to hear of living a minimalist lifestyle...