Major Changes for Me

[Getiton1]

Yep, I can back Lindagerr on that. I live in rural Hunterdon County New Jersey and used to live in Somerset, and before that Morris. We have the most horrible taxes in the whole USA. I moved from Morris, to Somerset and more recently to Hunterdon. To give you an idea. We are looking at a modest 1950's ranch at about 295K (this is considered moderate to low income for the area of Hunterdon we live/want to live in). And the taxes are some of the cheapest around at 7,000.00 a year. Yes, that's right 7,000 a year! I have clients in northern NJ who are not rich, just grew up in the more urban towns of Essex and Union Counties and they are elderly, on fixed incomes (like SS income) and are forced to move because their taxes are in the 15 to 25K…and they live on a postage stamp sized property. Somethings gotta give with taxes like these. Must be why NJ is the state with the fastest exodus of native dwellers in the USA. Oh, and by the way, you have to pay an "exit tax" to leave too…which ads insult to injury! NJ is a pretty and diverse state (it's not all like the Soprano's or Jersey Shore though we do have that too if you like that kind of thing)…we have lots of rolling hills and farmland, beautiful suburbs and more jobs that most states. But it's a rat race state. You really have to move and shake to like living here. My hubby and I moved as far to the Pennsylvania border as possible so that we get the best of both words while we are stuck working. But I honestly get a sick feeling when I think about what life will be like for us and our families in the coming years. Be careful with where you pick to live…your home should be your sanctuary

Here's some links:

That pretty gold dome is right around the corner from TESC!

The States People Are Fleeing In 2013

Oh no, more people are leaving NJ than moving in! (Washington: 2013, apartment) - New Jersey - City-Data Forum

Exit tax:

http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/201...sales.html

Best of Luck,
Tara

Where I used to live in NJ was one of the most expensive areas of the country with one of the highest median incomes( about $100K/family). There you could get a so-so apartment for a minimum of $1000 a month. There were not any colleges near by.

Now I live near Buffalo which may not be a "college Town" per se but there are a lot of colleges around. The median income here is about 50K/family. Here you can get a fairly nice 2 bedroom apartment for about $800. So maybe it is not just the colleges that make a difference but what the local economy will support.

By the way taxes in NJ are also off the wall, i know someone with an older house in a rich area, 1 acre of land 4 bedroom 2 1/2 bathroom house. $20K+ in taxes per year. Yes that is just taxes? Is it any wonder people move out of the area to retire?