Posted on 08/31/2014 6:06:00 AM PDT by bboop
So - our son, his wife, and their one-year old are in the Princeton, NJ area. We are in Los Angeles. Those of you with grandchildren will know - this is TOO FAR! We are considering relocating, but not to NJ. Taxes, etc. :(
Husband is hydrogeologist, so we think we'll be near consulting/ big city/ Philly perhaps. Does anyone know - Bucks County, Chester County (Montgomery County) ? Places to live that are not too far from work/ job centers? And still within Grandma Distance of Princeton?
Around New Hope is nice.
How is the stink bug situation?
I grew up in Bucks County, freepmail me and I would be happy to give you a rundown of the area
Taxes are high in Pa.
Philadelphia is a toilet with an expressway.
Knew a young couple who were driving by Philadelphia at night. They got off of the interstate at the wrong exit.
They drove about a mile or two and were pulled over by a cop. He asked what they were doing there. They said that they were lost. The cop escorted them back to the highway and told them not to come back.
Politics? Pure democrat. In the last presidential election, Obama got more votes in one precinct than there were registered voters.
Snake Pliskin barely got out of Philadelphia...
and now for the good things about living in Pa.
We live in Hunterdon county NJ which is close to all the areas mentioned. I would recommend Doylestown or a bit further look in the Saucon Vallet area near Bethlhem, They are both nice and don’t have the NJ taxes.
Yardley is one to consider. I grew up in that area. Proberty taxes are horrible.
Do be prepared to spend from $500 to $750k on a home and pay about $12,000/year on property taxes. But the homes I've seen in that price point are phenomenal values - so long as you stay at least 30 miles from NYC. For the same price as the Massachusetts home we are selling, we are getting a home in Fairfield County, CT with 40% more square footage, more bedrooms/bathrooms and a nearly 5 acre mostly wooded lot. Only 65 minutes from Manhattan by train. Can't say enough good things about my new neighborhood.
Sounds like your husband does very well so that should be within your budget. Good luck.
Not too far. It’s a nice area but they are doing a lot of development. I like the West Chester area and lived near the college for awhile back in the 70’s.
Half of the prison population come from that area.
Thanks. The main line is too pricey for me.
Look into an apartment near Princeton and keep the LA house if you have one. You probably could never come back to LA and grandchildren after puberty are not as much fun.
I used to live in Ringoes, NJ which is about 6 miles from Lambertville/ New Hope...
...ah, good old Ringoes...I used to live in Oldwick, in Hunterdon County, a few miles north of Flemington...used to ride my bike to New Hope, passing through Ringoes...beautiful bike ride, many years ago...
They own a farm and she was very worried about the tax man who was coming by in a few days to estimate the value of all their property and possessions—including furniture.
...no inheritance tax impact in Pa for a surviving spouse, though I believe there used to be...for childen the hit is 4%, payable nine months following date of death...on any and all assets...
...my father had a myriad of investments, which passed too my mother, and at her death, I had to prepare the tax return...something I am happy to never have to do again...
...personally, I think if an estate does not meet the federal threshold for inheritance tax, the state should not tax either...
Let me be the first to recommend Delaware. It is a short automobile ride to Philadelphia, the trains go to a stop called PJ & B (Princeton Junction and Back) which is an extremely short ride into the heart of Princeton. Delaware is about 70 miles straight up I-95 to Princeton. Best of all, Delaware is a sales tax free state and always has been. Real estate taxes are very low.
Oooh, thanks.
Just to say - I appreciate all of your time and good advice so much. We are researching and investigating, taking our time, praying and thinking this through. It’s too terrible to have a grandchild so far away. Moving across the country? That’s a hard one too. Just thanks so much.
Just my two cents and something you might want to consider aside from the economics, if you haven’t already, before selling your home, your husband changing jobs, perhaps leaving a very good job later in his established professional career and moving all the way across country….
Your son and daughter in law might be very happy to have you and your husband move closer to them and their child but did they ask you to make this move? Are your son and especially your DIL, encouraging it, excited about it, have you discussed it with them? And what is your relationship with your DIL? Are you close? Do you get along with her and her family? Does she have parents or other family in the Princeton area that she and her husband spend time with now? Are they active with friends or their church, their existing social circle? What about you and your husband in CA? Do you have a lot of friends and activities you are active in now that you will miss? How easily do you make new friends? And keep in mind that the north east coast mindset is a lot different than in CA; even moving from MD to PA, I’ve found that, generally speaking, people in PA are not as warm and friendly and open to new comers. And are you prepared for the winter weather in this part of the country?
Also what are your expectations vs. that of your son and DIL of once you do move closer; of how often you will be visiting them and your grandchild – anytime you feel like it, every weekend, once a month, or just on holidays and for birthday parties and or only when you are specifically invited by them? Conversely what are their expectations of you? Would they expect you to provide free babysitting services at the drop of the hat once you are within driving distance? Would you be OK with that?
Don’t get me wrong. I think wanting to be closer to your grandchild and being a part of his life is a great thing. Your son and daughter in law and their child should be happy that you care so much and want to be more active in grandparenting. But also keep in mind that while the child is YOUR grandchild, first and foremost he is THEIR child and this is their married life and their life as a family. It shouldn’t just be only about you and what “you” want but rather that what you all want and can mutually benefit from.
And FWIW and on a somewhat funny side note; have you ever watched the TV show Everybody Loves Raymond? If so, do you identify more with Raymond and Debra Barone or with Marie and Frank Barone or with Debra’s parents? Do you think that Marie is the best grandparent and mother in law ever! If so, I could see trouble ahead. LOL!
Thanks so much for your detailed reply and ALL of you for taking your time in this. Our move is not imminent, and since it is a big one, there are a lot of things to consider. We both appreciate so much the feedback that has been shared on this thread.
I love FR and my fellow FReepers! It is so encouraging to know that there are like-minded folks out there, especially with the news so grim and the Chicago Thugs running the show (temporarily).
Jim, great job and Life’s Work on this terrific site.
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