Live in PA work in Princeton, NJ? Do-able? Economic? (Morrisville: apartments, how much)

[drouth]

My job is in Princeton but I'm considering buying a home in PA. Any advice on commute, property/income taxation would be helpful. It seems to me that property is more expensive in NJ, taxation higher...but how it the daily commute across the river? I read some 2007 threads that touched on this subject but wonder if there is some more up-to-date advice available. Thanks -- the more I research it, the more confused I become.

[L.K.]

I cannot help a whole lot,but will offer what I can.We moved to Pa 2 years ago.My husband commutes yo NJ, although not every day.We do have a neighbor that commutes to Princeton on a daily basis.I really have no idea about the traffic, etc he encounters.There are many,many people in our neighborhood [many are FROM NJ] who have chosen to live here in Pa and commute to NJ. For us,it was the fact that we could get more house for the money,and lower property taxes.Have you looked into specific areas to live? Do you have school age kids? The one time we drove to princeton, I believe it was about a 45 minute drive from where we live. I think it is very doable.

[hkny79]

I will also be starting work in the trenton, nj area in a few months and moving down from long island, ny. my 1st priority is to live closer to work so have been looking at areas like ewing, bordentown, laurenceville, and also places in PA like morrisville, langhorne, yardley and levittown. I am looking into getting apartment.

i think i would prefer living in PA because of bigger apartments and lower cost compared to areas in NJ. but my concern is whether there is traffic backed up from the bridge on route 1 during commute times.

Also, if I live in PA compared to NJ, is there any difference in how much I would have to pay state tax. Is there less state tax if i lived in PA and worked in NJ then living in NJ and working in NJ? i am familiar about the reciprocal agreement between NJ/PA and so if i lived in PA i would only have to file a PA tax, is that correct?

[Lucario]

The reverse commute from PA to NJ is not bad. If you live in the Yardley/Makefield area, it should take no more than half an hour to get to Princeton.

[redheatherf]

I do it - bought in MOrrisville becuase it is so much cheaper. COmmute takes 30 monites from Morrisville to plainsboro (which is a little north of princeton. Taxes are lower, and it is nice to be more out the "country" than on some stupid highway (rt. 130, rt. 1., etc. ) all weekend.

[BPP1999]

Originally Posted by hkny79

Also, if I live in PA compared to NJ, is there any difference in how much I would have to pay state tax. Is there less state tax if i lived in PA and worked in NJ then living in NJ and working in NJ? i am familiar about the reciprocal agreement between NJ/PA and so if i lived in PA i would only have to file a PA tax, is that correct?

PA and NJ have a reciprocal agreement. This means that your employer withholds state income tax based on where you live. If you work in NJ but live in PA, your employer should only be withholding PA income tax. You should not need to file or pay state income taxes in NJ. The same would be true in the reverse situation: if you worked in PA and lived in NJ, your PA employer would withhold only NJ tax.