Thinking of moving out of state...

[kristendotcom]

Joanna,

 

I'm originally from NJ too (Burlington County) but I moved almost 5 years ago. I know how you feel about NJ being too expensive. I spent almost 2 years in CA and now I am settled in Texas (Dallas area). The economy here is great and houses and property taxes are really affordable. All of my Jersey friends & family were shocked when they visited me and realized my mortgage payment for a 3 bed 2 bath house was about the same price they pay for a 1 bedroom apartment. I don't know if TX is too far for you, but I would definetly recommend it. All areas of TX seemed to be affordable. Austin is really nice. I would like to move there maybe in a few years. Good luck with your planning/moving.

[JoLo908]

Yeah, the more we think about it, the more enticing it seems. I even spoke to my parents about it and they said they would be excited to come visit a lot (that's how they are, which is a good thing.) I have an attachment to Jersey too, but I think my mom put it best... FI and I have to build our own life together and make it what we want, not what we feel like is the thing to continue doing... if that made any sense! I just think there would be many benefits to moving somewhere different... and I don't mean any of this in a "the grass is always greener" way... I just think the grass is different in different places!

[JoLo908]

Okay... so, a few minutes after I wrote my last post, FI told me I needed to sit down cause he needed to tell me something... he got laid off today, and we are moving to a new freaking apartment in one week! This is so untimely, I am in school full time and work part time, and he got royally screwed by his job (they are in for a rude awakening tomorrow when they realize he was picking up ALL of the slack for the manager above him who does not know how to do the basic things like invoices... ROYALLY screwed)... I cried, and was upset and a little frightened... but I made him put on his jeans and go out for a drink... to celebrate new opportunities... this sucks, don't get me wrong. The next few months are going to be rough, but we have eachother, and that is the important thing. So... this has been a crazy day...

[katrina]

wow that's big news... BUT, now you seriously have no excuse NOT to move! get outta jerzzzzzzz! btw i live in south jersey (burlington county), don't trade one part of jersey for the other.

[dolfinluck]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morgan annual vehicle property tax of 3% of car's value per year

What is this!?! we just pay the sales tax when we buy the car, i guess i would take that trade off for cheaper housing

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoLo908 FI's car insurance on a 97 Honda civic here is $155, no collision, just the basics... and mine is about $100 per month with just the basics, no collision

I pay $87 a month for full coverage for a 06 mazda 3 plus get a $200 check back at the end of the year. i have new jersey manufacturers, i love them they are so good with customer service.



I'm sorry to hear about you FI job, could you even move if you wanted to now or do you have to wait till the end of the school year cause of your contract?

[rodent]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dolfinluck What is this!?! we just pay the sales tax when we buy the car, i guess i would take that trade off for cheaper housing

it's like property tax on a car. i think the idea is that it pays for the roads so even renters are contributing. i don't know if other states do this, but we didn't have this tax in texas. maybe it makes home owners property tax lower. i'm not sure.

[JoLo908]

I am finishing my degree now, and am going to become a teacher. So, I am not working as one yet. But this really makes me want to move now. Once I am done, we are going to start getting ready to gather a big down payment, and then move further south. This whole thing has really made us realize why can't we? We totally can. I guess you have to see things as opportunity.

[JoLo908]

Does anyone know if it is nice in Charlotte NC? And what the job market is like? I am curious, after doing some research...

[DanielleNDerek]

Sorry i'm no help with Charlotte but i'm sorry about your fi losing his job.

[~Debra~]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoLo908 Does anyone know if it is nice in Charlotte NC? And what the job market is like? I am curious, after doing some research...

Joanna, first I wanna say I'm sorry to hear about your FI being laid off from work, especially at a time like this. Second, Charlotte is somewhere that's high on list of places to live also. We are thinking of moving there when my FI gets out of the military. I know nothing about the city itself because I've never visited or anything. I just wanted to comment on the job market since you said you're studying to be a teacher and I am also. The Charlotte school district seems to always be hiring teachers. I'm going to be a high school english teacher and they always seem to need those! So, as far as YOUR job goes, I think you will be fine. I don't know about your FI because I know nothing about that industry...sorry.