scared to stay scared to go

**Lora88** · 09-11-2009, 06:15 AM

Ok a little background i live in a development in NJ the houses here run about 250,000.00. My home is paid off. I love my house I have redone the whole thing exactly the way I like. Its a 3 bd 21/2 bath I only have 1 child left at home he is in college. My problem is that in NJ this is really on the lower end of prices so the people that are moving in are not so desireable btw this has nothing to due with race or ethnicity they are just not the family oreinted law abiding people that used to live here. This makes me very sad as I feel my neighborhood has let me down. I feel I should move but that would invovle a job change for dh as he would rather be out futher in the country but with the economy so crappy this is kind of scary. also as we had our 100th discussion on where to go he finally yelled pick a state Ill go anywhere. I really dont know what to do Sholuld I hang in longer or take the plunge any suggestions

**frugalwarrior** · 09-11-2009, 06:51 AM

I don't know what to tell you except that our neighborhood is going the same way in the last year. Little annoying stuff so far like pot smell,loud trucks,burning green leaves,loud steroes,a new pitbull mix next door. The lower the homes go the eisier it is for ppeople to buy but not necessarily maintain those house.
Are you in danger? What is your age? What is really holding you there?
Make a list of your best place to live,what would it have? We are thinking no harsh winter. What is I didn't have to hybernate for 3 month?

**Lora88** · 09-11-2009, 07:58 AM

Originally Posted by frugalwarrior

I don't know what to tell you except that our neighborhood is going the same way in the last year. Little annoying stuff so far like pot smell,loud trucks,burning green leaves,loud steroes,a new pitbull mix next door. The lower the homes go the eisier it is for ppeople to buy but not necessarily maintain those house.
Are you in danger? What is your age? What is really holding you there?
Make a list of your best place to live,what would it have? We are thinking no harsh winter. What is I didn't have to hybernate for 3 month?

No not in danger but things like vandalism of vechiles snotty annoying teenagers and petty crimes to answer your question I am 57 dh is 52 I stayed in Nj for my 4 kids 3 of whom are grown and live in homes of their own 2 in Nj 1 in Pa and the youngest is still home goes to college. I always told myself it was my parents that kept me here but now that is no longer an issue. If we move the son will colllege will be sad He has a girlfriend and many friends here but that is not the only reason im hesitatant I have lived here for 23 years and proir to that in Brooklyn for 34 years I guess I dont like change lol. I have visited many states West Virginia being one of my favorites I would not go futher south than that I prefer the cooler weather. I think dhs job is one of the main sticking points and also I have to acknowledge that i am a coward As my wonderful dad used to say you want to die but you dont want to lay down of course he said it in Itialian so thats the loose translation lol

**jas** · 09-11-2009, 07:58 AM

What line of work are you and dh in. Can you go anyplace and acquire a job? That would be a big determining factor in where to go. Of course along with safty, cost of living, weather ect.

Wow houses in the 250000.00 range are bringing in low lifes, makes my head spin.

**Lora88** · 09-11-2009, 08:03 AM

Originally Posted by jas

What line of work are you and dh in. Can you go anyplace and acquire a job? That would be a big determining factor in where to go. Of course along with safty, cost of living, weather ect.

Wow houses in the 250000.00 range are bringing in low lifes, makes my head spin.

I do not work DH is a HVAC mechanic also has a CDL He tells me not to worry about him finding a job but I do anyway. I know the cost of living would be lower in alot of places NJ is ridculously expensive to live . Our neighborhood is one of thelowest priced in our area most of the homes are 400,000.00 or more Our property taxes are 7000.00 a year.

**Greebo** · 09-11-2009, 08:41 AM

The problem is your neighborhood? Or the whole state? I'm not clear on why you'd need to leave NJ to find a better neighborhood. Aren't there better neighborhoods around you? Or would you not want to have to have a mortgage again?

**Lora88** · 09-11-2009, 08:48 AM

Originally Posted by Greebo

The problem is your neighborhood? Or the whole state? I'm not clear on why you'd need to leave NJ to find a better neighborhood. Aren't there better neighborhoods around you? Or would you not want to have to have a mortgage again?

Greebo I would not buy another house in NJ spending 400,000.000 at this stage of my life is ridiculous and the property taxes will also be substainally higher my best friend is paying 14,000.00 my husbands boss 21,000.00 Its not like its a horrible neighborhood like Trenton or Camden or Newark but it is not the same as it was by any means There are alot of renters who do not maintain their property and as I said 250,000.00 doesnt buy you much here It is not so much the money but just cannot justify in my mind spending that much at this stage I dont want dh to have to work forever and To be quite honest I will never have a mortgage again. Feels too good without one

**lotsadebt** · 09-11-2009, 08:51 AM

My neighborhood too has changed. Our house lost about $30,000 in value. There are close neighbors who are sticking it out like us on our block, others the times sure are a changing.

I have decided that moving we would lose way too much money. Right now we are at the point in our mortage I think we might just break even. I am starting to believe homes just aren't that greatest investment our parents forced into our heads. I feel your ache. I loved our block too when times were better.

I decided to stick it out until our kids are done with school. Once that is done, the mortgage will be paid off. I might just feel take my losses and leave at that point. Kind of developing the mind set that we are renting from the bank. We will be older and not want a 3 story home anymore.

**Greebo** · 09-11-2009, 08:55 AM

Fair nuff!

Any city in the US is going to have construction work and so have HVAC needs. Is your hubby self-employed or does he prefer working for someone else? Because around Baltimore, $250k can get you a decent place in a nice neighborhood. Not fancy dancy, but stable and respectable.

So if you looked at the Baltimore, Maryland area, I could refer you to an HVAC guy I know who, while I don't know if he's hiring, might know someone who is. But if Hubby prefers self-employment, then that's probably not a good person to intro him to (competition and all that

).

Check out this link for one of the neighborhoods around me with houses in the <$250k range.

**Greebo** · 09-11-2009, 08:56 AM

If the neighborhood is in decline because of the people, not because of the current economic challenges in real estate, then buy, hold and pray is NOT a good strategy. Sometimes its better to cut your losses.

If the neighborhood is down only cause of the mortgage meltdown, however, then riding it out can make sense.

**Lora88** · 09-11-2009, 09:00 AM

Greebo thanks for the link very interesting you are always so helpfull

**Pemberleyan** · 09-11-2009, 09:08 AM

I believe most subdivisions/neighborhoods have a limited life, so to speak. It is highly unlikely that things are going to improve. I think I would sell before property values plummet even further. The same thing has happened to my brother. He has had people move in his once nice neighborhood who don't keep up their houses, etc., and has been trying to sell for years.

Why not leave New Jersey altogether, and move to another part of the country where you could get a lot more for your money? I realize jobs are the major consideration and that it's hard to leave a home you love.

**IndigoMom** · 09-11-2009, 09:58 AM

It couldn't hurt to look around. If you have an idea of what you could get for your home, and it's paid off - that means you'll have (at least some of) the $ from the sale to work with. See if you can purchase a place outright, and still have a decent amount to cushion the transistion for you. I don't think I would move with a mort. into a new area.
Also, DH could put a resume online for the areas you are considering, look through online editions of the news papers to get an idea of what the employment situation looks like for his field.

**Rosebush3** · 09-11-2009, 10:13 AM

If you still feel safe and love your home, I think you should stay. You'll likely encounter petty crimes anywhere, and snotty teenagers? Good luck finding a place without those. Worried about your vehicle, leave it in the garage when you don't use it.
If you aren't happy being there any longer, I think you should go. Your home should be your haven, your safe place. If it isn't that, then it's simply real estate.
You sound unhappy to be there. I think selling your home and buying a nice, small home in a welcoming community where you can see yourself retiring is a good idea. There are many places selling for less than what you can sell your home for, perhaps invest the difference.

**2ndGenGranola** · 09-11-2009, 10:25 AM

I just read your list of what is bothering you. I really think you are going to find that anywhere. Even in high end neighborhoods around there they are finding meth houses and such. The rudeness of loud music and animals are in all class rankings.

My suggestion would be to keep your animal control and police non emergency number on your speed dial. I also like to get the weekly stats for my area from crimereports.

We have just endured 7 years next to the "crazy house". We actually think we have normal neighbors in there for a change. The last renters were gang type will all kinds of crazy stuff going on at all hours. Thankfully a neighbor had his police friends start parking in his driveway to complete his paper work. They were gone shortly after that. The owners gave up and sold the place.