Born and raised in Leonia, NJ (1 mile from the GWB) and lived there most of my life. Despite a college degree and a job as a software engineer, I could not affort a house in that part of NJ (my wife and I were looking about an hour or so away from the area until we got fed up looking at the slim pickings that passed for 200K homes. In fact, just after we left, the Bergen Record newspaper had an article in it that was titled “The Last of the $300K Homes”).
In 2005, we moved to NC, bought a house for $172K (that would easily have sold for $750K in northern NJ at the time we bought it). Taxes on the house were under $1100 per year (we used to laugh at how our total mortgage payment would not have covered the monthyly tax bill on the house if it were in NJ!).
As I look at what I’ve just written, it saddens me. Critical life-choices now boil down to dollars and cents—nothing more. There are memories I have of my early life that are forever locked away (in some union boss’s cash box, no doubt), and exist in some past life, now gone, removed by a distance of almost 600 miles and thousands and thousands of dollars.
What an interesting narrative. The northern imports though are ruining NC politics too. I hoper your neighbors don’t tax away your prosperity.
RE: In 2005, we moved to NC, bought a house for $172K (that would easily have sold for $750K in northern NJ at the time we bought it). Taxes on the house were under $1100 per year (we used to laugh at how our total mortgage payment would not have covered the monthyly tax bill on the house if it were in NJ!).
Here’s a question for you -— I assume that you are still doing the same kind of job as you were doing in NJ ( i.e. software engineering ).
What are the salaries of software engineers in NC compared to those in NJ?
That affects cost of living as well doesn’t it?
Thanks.
Wow. I used to live in Pal Park. I loved growing up in NJ and am doing well, but when my boy graduates in 5 years I am out of here. Damn shame. Great memories, but at some point you are just burning money in a trash can