Moving from Dallas to NJ (Edison, Fort Lee: HOA fees, coop, live)
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As someone born and raised in New Jersey, I would move to Texas in a heartbeat and can't even fathom moving here from there. I guess the grass always does seem greener on the other side, lol.
I moved from Dallas to NJ 8 years ago, after 10 years in Dallas (proper, not suburbs). Dallas is a nice town, and there's a lot to like about it. The suburbs there, I couldn't fathom living there. After watching our otherwise normal friends turn 30, move to the suburbs and join a megachurch (OK, some hyperbole there, but some truth too), we decided we'd be open to exploring other parts of the country. 8 years later, here we are. There are things I miss, and things I don't.
Overall both places have plusses and minuses. Also, it's gotten a lot more expensive in the past 10 years. NJ is still more (in general), but it's a lot closer than it used to be when I first moved there in 2003.
In Fort Lee, with that budget, you're most likely going to be in a condo, co-op or possibly a townhouse if prices don't rise too much.
Koreatown is all over the area, not just Fort Lee. You can get much better deals a little further away and still be in a high Korean population area.
If you want to work at Columbia (or anywhere in Manhattan), then yes, Fort Lee is where it's at. To Columbia, you can walk to work (about an hour 10 give or take depending on where you live in Fort Lee), bike or scooter even quicker (about 30 min).
Cheap jitneys to Manhattan ($3) from here too and super quick since they basically pick up at one side of the bridge and drop off on the other.
If you end up working somewhere not on the Manhattan side then defiantly explore all of the surrounding Korean outposts. You might find something that you like.
Fort Lee is great mind you but you're basically paying a premium to have a shorter Manhattan commute.
One suggestion I would give as someone who moved to NJ just under 2 years ago is to rent for a year in a place you think you want to live. Use that time to find the right house in the right location. Pictures and maps are great for planning but in all practical matters, being there will help you understand the small things that the big picture doesn't show.
They say the school district is an award wining one but it looks like the academic performance here is not as good as that of the Coppell schools. Also the service is no better for students with extra needs. However, the property tax is much higher than Coppell.
I would say the natural environment is better with more trees but the overall performance of south Jersey is not as great as good towns in TX. The playground equipments are old and shabby compared with those in the Coppell recreation center. I could not find any big parks with nice concrete trails here.
However, south Jersey and north Jersey are very different and I wish you good luck.
My cousin lives in a nice co-op building in Ft Lee and has a very nice apartment with doorman and pool ( I don't think tennis court though) and the prices are definitely below your budget. The building is an older one though.
Just mentioning because it seems Ft Lee is definitely in your budget. The only thing I would mention is that the congestion in the area is very un-appealing to me. I can't imagine how it will seem to someone not from the area.
Just mentioning because it seems Ft Lee is definitely in your budget. The only thing I would mention is that the congestion in the area is very un-appealing to me. I can't imagine how it will seem to someone not from the area.
The traffic congestion in Bergen County is very un-appealing to me, too. However, it's not like somebody coming from Dallas is unused to traffic congestion, as that city ranks 35th nationally in traffic delays/congestion.
Is it as bad as what would be found in Bergen County?
No, but the OP has undoubtedly experienced traffic congestion in his/her current surroundings.
I lived in DFW not Dallas mind you and Flower Mound isn't Dallas to me, but I don't miss it one bit. I especially love the weather here compared with Dallas. Of course there was a time I really enjoyed the Texas Heat. Not anymore.
Never been to Fort Lee though. I've seen it from across the Hudson though and it seems nice. I know they have buses that cross the Bridge for easy access to Manhattan
They say the school district is an award wining one but it looks like the academic performance here is not as good as that of the Coppell schools. Also the service is no better for students with extra needs. However, the property tax is much higher than Coppell.
I would say the natural environment is better with more trees but the overall performance of south Jersey is not as great as good towns in TX. The playground equipments are old and shabby compared with those in the Coppell recreation center. I could not find any big parks with nice concrete trails here.
However, south Jersey and north Jersey are very different and I wish you good luck.
how did you like Coppell, any big downsides there? Was looking at an opportunity in Dallas and Coppell seemed like a nice suburb alongside Murphy and Sachse.
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