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I am looking for my first home for about a year from now and I have to say...NJ is insanely expensive. I just don't know how people do it. My wife and I will be making close to 100k and want a 3 bedroom 1.5 bath within 45 minutes of Jersey City. I can barely find anything decent for 350k and then throw in at least 8-9k in property taxes on top of your mortgage payment and it is nuts! I just don't know how 20 somethings will continue to make it in this state unless they live in a very very middle class town or work for a Union. It doesn't help that the Mrs. doesn't want to look South of 287, so I am basically stuck looking along Rt 78 and 80, everything else is a fortune!
Maybe I am being too picky but I feel like I can move out of state and get a huge house for 350k along with cheaper property taxes and a more free state.
I am looking for my first home for about a year from now and I have to say...NJ is insanely expensive. I just don't know how people do it. My wife and I will be making close to 100k and want a 3 bedroom 1.5 bath within 45 minutes of Jersey City. I can barely find anything decent for 350k and then throw in at least 8-9k in property taxes on top of your mortgage payment and it is nuts! I just don't know how 20 somethings will continue to make it in this state unless they live in a very very middle class town or work for a Union. It doesn't help that the Mrs. doesn't want to look South of 287, so I am basically stuck looking along Rt 78 and 80, everything else is a fortune!
Maybe I am being too picky but I feel like I can move out of state and get a huge house for 350k along with cheaper property taxes and a more free state.
In my opinion Cranford's prices have come down a bit in the last year. Could be the homes I am looking at but regardless great time to get into a great town if you dont mind the flood risk.
I'm pretty sure that area flooded during Irene. Plus, you're on the south side, which means south side schools. Not bad, mind you, but not as good as the north side schools. This place is on the north side, but closer to the flood zone. A better buy IMHO:
112 Edgewood is in the 100 year flood plain (FP). If it wasn't it would be a good value.
Does the northside of Cranford have some positives, sure, but the southside is still a great place to live and the schools are still great. I think the northside vs. southside stigma has dissipated over the years and I doubt that Orange Avenue and Hillside schools are that far apart. And let's face it OP is just starting out and doesn't have a northside budget. That 8 Edgebrook house would sell for 450K easy in a good spot on the northside. Two full baths are not the norm on the northside.
I really doubt 8 Edgebrook flooded being that it is outside of the 500 year FP. Wet basement in Irene, possible, but that could be said for any town.
OP- it's frustrating. Save your pennies and be patient. Enjoy your time renting without the responsibilities of homeownership. I looked in Clark and Springfield and thought they were great towns and could be a bit more budget friendly. Don't get too discouraged...I feel like you are ahead of the game age-wise...lots of people don't even get married until they are in their 30's
"...A few blocks away, Edgewood Road resident XXX worked with a neighbor to load furniture and other belongings onto a moving truck. After they finished their homes, he said, the men planned to collect possessions from other friends, and park the truck on higher ground.
xxx said he sent his wife and child to stay with family in Pennsylvania, but he plans to ride the storm out. He also experienced the wrath of Hurricane Irene; xxx said he bought his split-level home just two weeks before that storm, and saw his basement and den flooded, and a tree crash through his roof into the master bedroom.
"We're a lot more cautious this time," he said."
"...A few blocks away, Edgewood Road resident XXX worked with a neighbor to load furniture and other belongings onto a moving truck. After they finished their homes, he said, the men planned to collect possessions from other friends, and park the truck on higher ground.
xxx said he sent his wife and child to stay with family in Pennsylvania, but he plans to ride the storm out. He also experienced the wrath of Hurricane Irene; xxx said he bought his split-level home just two weeks before that storm, and saw his basement and den flooded, and a tree crash through his roof into the master bedroom.
"We're a lot more cautious this time," he said."
Ugh ... well, forget that idea
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