Penn and NJ taxation comparison (Philadelphia, Allentown: transplants, sale, home search)

[BPP1999]

Originally Posted by MoorestownResident

LMAO

You can't buy anything for 231K in BC or 210K in CC, go shopping tell me what you find. For the last time, the stats include a large concentration of condos, affordable housing and smaller homes.

So what? Montco's stats include 10,000 rowhomes in Norristown, 5,000 in Pottstown, and others throughout the county in the urbanized towns like Lansdale. I'll give you that Camden is larger than Norristown, so it's bring CC's average down more, but both counties have areas that lower the average, not just BC and CC.

[MoorestownResident]

Originally Posted by BPP1999

No one would argue this.

Here's the thing, though. Compared to the rest of PA, SEPA is more expensive (for good or for bad). Compared to the rest of Jersey, SJ is cheaper (for good or for bad).

Broadly speaking, the two areas are basically the same with the exception of much higher taxes in NJ. Even though homes are generally larger in PA for the same money, it is not night and day and it can sometimes lead people to the wrong conclusions when they don't know the two areas very well. Nevertheless, R/E is always about location, NJ has it, PA has less of it. It is what it is and it will always be the case. The only way eastern PA gets on par with NJ is if Philly becomes a NYC. Maybe in 300 years, not in our lifetimes. Enjoy PA for it is. The Philly region offers a ton and generally a high quality life.

[MoorestownResident]

Originally Posted by BPP1999

So what? Montco's stats include 10,000 rowhomes in Norristown, 5,000 in Pottstown, and others throughout the county in the urbanized towns like Lansdale. I'll give you that Camden is larger than Norristown, so it's bring CC's average down more, but both counties have areas that lower the average, not just BC and CC.

NJ has state mandated affordable housing, PA does not. Most of the affordable housing in the entire state is concentrated in SJ. It was born out of the Mount Laurel decision.

[MoorestownResident]

Originally Posted by rainrock

You seem to be back to arguing NJ vs Pa and pulling Se Pa vs South Jersey into that mindset.

You have to seperate South Jersey for NJ and SE Pa from PA in regards to this argument.

Its a compltely different ballgame in that context. The numbers flip flop, the data completely changes.

You'll never be able to convince an educated individual that South Jersey is more expensive than the 4 Pa Burbs. The only sustained area in SE Pa burbs that is delinquent is the se portion of Delaware County. Thats only area where South jersey can reign supreme.

The two areas are basically the same. However, structural differences in the two states have really grown in the past 20 years, in recent years, NJ's affordable housing laws, property taxes, have resulted in larger homes being built in PA relative to NJ for similar cost of comparable properties in NJ. PA simply doesn't have the same structural problems. That's the bottom line. I can't speak for 50 years ago or longer. The Main Line has suffered tremendously over the past 100 years and it has been on the relative decline ever since.

The high cost of housing in NJ has spread to SJ in the past 20 years. Camden County, NJ ranked 10th nationally and #1 in NJ for property tax burden. Thousands of people flock central and northern NJ for PA but the cost differences up there are much different, Lehigh Valley is 30%-40% of the cost. Many look down in SJ but then realize they don't save that much including property tax, some come and relocate down the shore to places like Atlantic County or deep SJ for weather and cheaper costs of living.

[rainrock]

Originally Posted by MoorestownResident

The Main Line has suffered tremendously over the past 100 years and it has been on the relative decline ever since.

A virtual slum.

I have to go but I'll deal with this ridiculous comment at another time.



And you need to seriously look into the causes of why New Jerseys taxes are so high. Its mainly due to failed policy and a state pension that is drowning in debt. Camden Countys taxes are so high by necessity not because you live in a Santa Barbara like paradise.

Thats notb to say that South Jersey isnt a great place to live but you're off base with your high taxation logic.

[MoorestownResident]

Taxation is what it is, NJ schools are primarily funded at the local level. The towns with great schools in SJ have high taxes. The PA budget situation and teachers pensions paint a very bad picture for future generations, it is certainly no better off than NJ and PA has much less wealth and prominent industry to fall back on.

As for the Main Line, the PA and NJ burbs have been the major benefactors of the decline over the past 100 years. It is what it is. The only structural change benefiting PA at present is the flock of NJ residents to PA. Unfortunately, places like the Poconos have not dealt well with the growth, it is basically a slum, and many areas of the Lehigh Valley are headed in that direction.

[BPP1999]

Originally Posted by MoorestownResident

Taxation is what it is, NJ schools are primarily funded at the local level. The towns with great schools in SJ have high taxes. The PA budget situation and teachers pensions paint a very bad picture for future generations, it is certainly no better off than NJ and PA has much less wealth and prominent industry to fall back on.

As for the Maine Line, the PA and NJ burbs have been the major benefactors of the decline over the past 100 years. It is what it is. The only structural change benefiting PA at present is the flock of NJ residents to PA. Unfortunately, places like the Poconos have not dealt well with the growth, it is basically a slum, and many areas of the Lehigh Valley are headed in that direction.

You can say what you want but NJ is widely regarded throughout the country as a laughingstock, and the poster child for poor, inadequately-planned, monotonous, character-less suburban sprawl. It's the only state that could actually be made fun of by Leno and Letterman on the same night.

NJ has a huge number of natives fleeing to other states. PA's problem is that we don't get enough immigrants.

For the record, I like NJ, but don't sit there and blast PA, because NJ's reputation is anything but stellar.

[MoorestownResident]

Stereotypes aren't reality. Reality is NJ ranked #1 or #2 for household income, produces about 80%-90% of the world's drugs and has among the mostly highly educated workforces in the US. NJ is sprawl because it is between the #1 and #4 largest metro areas. It basically has the best of all worlds. Walkable, prominent towns and urban areas exist as a community. Of course there are many problems and undesirable areas of NJ but that's anywhere, especially these days.

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by MoorestownResident

So, to answer your question you can get more house for the same money in Montgomery County, PA with less taxes. And that as 10 minutes looking on the net. Sure each house is different with sellers more desperate than others and some areas of CH are cheaper than others but PA gets you more house.

<rubs eyes>Wait a minute... did I just read you repping for PA? It must be the holidays.

(I just had to needle you a little bit. )

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by rainrock

No. Unfortunately you dont get more house for your money in Pa than South Jersey, that thought process is incorrect....

Compare 20 year old houses in Cherry Hill to 20 year old houses in Gweyndd Valley or Lower Merion and you'll see where you get more house for your money. South jersey.

Merry Christmas to all... and to all a good night.