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Hello. I'm originally from NYC born and raised, lived in NJ many years but also spent many years abroad as well as throughout the US. The last 10yrs of my life was spent in NC and while it is ok for some it REALLY is not for me nor the family as our heart is really in the Northeast area. To keep it simple without offending anyone I'll suffice by saying the south is way different from what we are used to. It's too damn hot down here to from May to early October also.
The areas we'd consider are central NJ area between exit 6 and 9 on the Turnpike, western NJ, eastern PA north of Philly. We are not looking to purchase a home rather rent 3 bedrooms, 2 bath, not worried about school system since we have no kids in school, a nice safe area. We used to live in East Brunswick for many years before exploring the idea of NC. I'm curious as to what a bare minimum salary ($60-70k or higher) would be considering auto insurance is considerably higher than here for the most part though not necessarily so. I'm in between jobs now STRONGLY considering a mid-career change as well so we are just trying to get feelers for the cost of renting & utilities. The cost of gasoline, food, amenities are generally a wash between the north and south regardless of all misconceptions that it's cheaper to live here. The salaries here are considerably lower so the only real savings are some what cheaper homes (though the prices continue to rise and lots get smaller), real estate property taxes (though you do pay vehicle property tax).
Since you said you're in between jobs, my first thought is DON'T EVEN TRY to come back to NJ. That being said, I only know about South Jersey and Cumberland County where I'm stuck. While many liberal outlets say that unemployment has lowered to about 6 % in NJ, It's closer(in real numbers) to 13-15% here in South Jersey. Rent for "junky" kinda homes here in South Jersey seem to be around $1300-1500 a month, and you don't see too many "keeper" homes for rent. I don't know what career you have, but you said a bare minimum salary of $60-70k or higher? I don't know how you're going to find a job unless the central part of NJ is better than the South. I hear stories all the time of people still trying to find jobs in NJ for more than 1-2 years. I wish you well.
I'm in between jobs now STRONGLY considering a mid-career change as well so we are just trying to get feelers for the cost of renting & utilities. The cost of gasoline, food, amenities are generally a wash between the north and south regardless of all misconceptions that it's cheaper to live here. The salaries here are considerably lower so the only real savings are some what cheaper homes (though the prices continue to rise and lots get smaller), real estate property taxes (though you do pay vehicle property tax).
I welcome any ideas, suggestions, etc.
I am not sure where you live in NC but cannot readily agree about the cost of gasolline, food, property taxes, etc. in the South vs NJ. To me, NJ is much more costlier to live, primarily because of the taxes and cost of living associated therein (i.e., mortgage or rent, etc.). We live in VA, having lived in the "expensive" NOVA (Northern VA) area and then moving further west where the cost of living is even more reasonable than NOVA. Personally, I would not move back to NJ unless it was the only choice available.
NJ has one of the highest unemployment % in the country. I think it's around 10-11%.
I truly understand where you are coming from. We moved from So. NJ to E. NC almost 11 yrs. ago & would love to move back, but it really is out of our reach. Since Sandy hit 3 yrs. ago rentals are at a premium in NJ (if you can find any). You must have a job first where you can transfer, then check for housing.
You know what you have now you don't know what you are walking back into. Good luck.
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