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And like Wiley Said.... you can stay in NJ w/ adjustments. We have. Trust me, DH out of work for a year we adjusted. You can make due....
There's a great house by me..totally renovated inside - 199K and taxes under 3000/yr! Staying in NJ is possible... may require sacrifices but it is possible!
I like my town and the kids are happy in school so I really don't want to uproot them to just move around the corner, we would sacrifice for that. I am just wondering if there is more to life than just work, paying bills and trying to get a good nights sleep without worrying about work and bill all night.
$22 for a movie for 4 sounds like a steal. My family of 6 is up to $46 and that wlthout popcorn!
I also get free water from these things called water fountains, it's pretty awesome. (Forgive my tone, I just think it's funny how people don't think of these things. haha )
By no means am I insulting you, at least I don't intend to. It's jsut a good thing to think over with your family. Discuss with them about what you can do to overcome the rough times that, really, the entire world is facing right now. We are fortunate to be in one of the better off areas, in the entire world, really. Wel, I hope you have good luck in your situation. Best of luck to you.
Ha I can't count the number of times I'd skip the softdrink and instead drink out of a water fountain, that way I can get full under 5 bucks and not chug toxins into my body. I even drink faucet water over bottled, i don't see the big deal. I remember as a little boy being yelled out so bad because I said I had a small wardrobe of embaressing clothes that i have to mismatch. He said he grew up with 2 pairs of pants which his mom sewed onto each year to make longer, and the only toy was a ball and marbles. All i needed was a huffy bicycle. I was as happy as the next kid who could have all the toys in the world but still cry for more.
There are tons of trailer parks in NJ, not just near the PA border either. I don't think there are any where you live in Mendham, but there is one in Long Valley.
There sure are, I've seen about 3 in north jersey, 5 in central and atleast a couple dozen in south jersey. I've seriously though about buying one, the doubles are nice.
Look - you are going to get all kinds of answers. And it really is a matter of opinion and what you value the most. I totally hear you on the high cost of living in NJ and the immediate surrounding areas, but I have to say this, my friends who live in other states are not exactly living much easier. Cost of living is lower, so are salaries.... you know the story. And as Mom who has been TRYING to make the Disney trip for years (we've done other trips, but I think Disney is ABSURDLY overpriced...I opt for Hershey instead.....) I do understand. But my 2 cents (and only mine) is that there are lots of ways to see wonder in your children's eyes that do NOT involve spending $75 per person to see Cinderella's castle. I also firmly believe that having Aunt Sue, Grandma and Grandpa and scads of cousins around - all in all - will end up being more beneficial to a child than a few more expensive vacations. But that again, is just what works for me and my family.
My FIL is dying now, and I'm so glad my children have had the chance to really have him in their life. Not just phone calls and an occassional holiday visit. I think that the trips we've taken WITH him to Cape May, Newport, Mystic, and Hershey Park and the day trips to NYC, Hoboken, Spring Lake and the like will really mean more to them in the long run.
But everyones situation is different.... I wouldn't thumb your nose too quick at education levels though. I don't think you need "the best" but I wouldn't settle for mediocrity either.
As a few people have said, you really need to weigh your options. I'm a single mom and a teacher. I keep reading about NC & SC so I did the math. Yes, I could buy a house and the taxes would be less but as a teacher my salary would be greatly reduced as would my benefits and pension and I would probably end up sending my daughter to private school because the schools really don't compare. So, I literally did the math, and for me, that kind of move wasn't really going to do anything for my pocketbook and I like NJ. So for now, I'm still here.
Another friend of mine moved to Kansas. She was able to get a company transfer. She go a relo package and went out there. Bought a house but at the end of the day, the money is the same. She hates her job and there's not a lot of other opportunities there right now. On the other hand, she loves the people and her son who is 15 really prefers it.
It's all about checks and balances. It's a tough decision. Good luck figuring it all out...
As a few people have said, you really need to weigh your options. I'm a single mom and a teacher. I keep reading about NC & SC so I did the math. Yes, I could buy a house and the taxes would be less but as a teacher my salary would be greatly reduced as would my benefits and pension and I would probably end up sending my daughter to private school because the schools really don't compare. So, I literally did the math, and for me, that kind of move wasn't really going to do anything for my pocketbook and I like NJ. So for now, I'm still here.
Another friend of mine moved to Kansas. She was able to get a company transfer. She go a relo package and went out there. Bought a house but at the end of the day, the money is the same. She hates her job and there's not a lot of other opportunities there right now. On the other hand, she loves the people and her son who is 15 really prefers it.
It's all about checks and balances. It's a tough decision. Good luck figuring it all out...
Teachers and other state employees are not the people who would find a need to move. It's people in private industry.
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