Bummed Out/Rant

Agreed there is some beautiful beautiful places in NJ. People hear the bad stuff and rightfully so it's deserved but some area's are very nice.

I could only imagine about the shore, that's all I hear people around here say is I want to move to the shore, few I know actually have (WWCrest). You couldn't give me a house at the NJ Shore, it's a crowded clutterfudge down there. I tell everyone I'd rather drive 8-10hrs down south and rent a house on a much much less crowded town & beach some place. For what they are asking to rent a place at the NJ it's insane!

 

I lived in North Jersey for over 25 years. The only beautiful thing there is the "Your Leaving the Garden State" sign on Rt. 80 west at Delaware Water Gap............................

 

We used to go to NJ on vacation with my inlaws were still with us. Last time we went east we ended up paying over a grand for a week and it was only a room with private bath in a boarding house 3 blocks from the shore.
I told my wife before we got engaged, I would be headed back to Wisconsin when I got out of the army. She married me anyway. She grew up in Jersey City. She would not move back there again, not after living out in the country and watching deer and other wildlife walk thru our yard. I only have 9 acres and love it. Our two boys were 9 and 6 when we moved out of town to where we are now. They loved growing up in the country.

 

Aren't you glad your kids have to chance to grow up in the country and not have all the stress of urban life.

 

Funny thing is both of them grew up, got married, have kids and live in the suburbs of Minneapolis, MN

 

Eleven years ago I bought a little stone rancher (more of a cabin) in the "country" on a half acre lot. It was to escape the lunacy of Baltimore County, which was quick becoming a clone of Baltimore City. Anyway, it is peaceful and very safe, but it is on a state road that seems to funnel all the traffic between two main arteries. I had thought about finding someplace a little more remote, as they are also building lots of homes, and Baltimore is creeping slowly into Carroll County. The taxes are high, but so are the property rates, as it is considered a good area. BUT...
...I am not getting any younger. I am less than two years from retirement, and I am unsure that moving deeper into the country will benefit me as I age. Will emergency services be available, or quick? Is the crime rate as low as it is where I am? Will I be able to take care of a larger more rural property? I fantasize a house with a bigger kitchen--why? who am I going to cook for? How will I get the snow plowed unless I invest in equipment, that will inevitably break down, and I will have to pay big bucks to have it repaired, etc.
In short, maybe for me I should just stay put. I can take care of my little house on my little property, and I know what I have, and maybe later, my hearing will be bad, and the traffic won't bother me.
BUT--If you are young, have enough resources, go for the gold! SAVE, SAVE, SAVE! And keep your property in saleable condition. Have your dream!
Just remember--kids have wonderful memories even if they live in a tenement, as long as they have loving parents. And that is the truth.

 

Firebroad, if I were you, I would stay put until retirement. Then cash out, if you want, and you could go anywhere. A little house in the center of a charming village would not feel isolated.
We have been in our 3br ranch for 27 years, and we will stay until we can't keep up with the upkeep. Hopefully that will be in 10+ years.
As far as ReelFaster's situation goes,
it's a lot easier to move before kids start school. You can still get away with it in the early elementary years, but once kids get to middle school age, not a good idea. If I was him, I would concentrate on making the house attractive and desirable, while looking for a new location farther out into the country. Plenty of people live a few driving hours from family. If you are dependent on family for child care, that's another can of worms. But if his present house location feels intolerable, well, life's too short for that.

 

Since I just went through a relocation, I would offer one more variable to your decision making process. Call a realtor and tell them you are considering listing your home for sale. They will come out and do a walk through, and most importantly have the comps of other properties that have sold in your area. If you stand to make good money, the decision may be easier. The second, most important thing is to know exactly where you want to go; and if you’re really lucky you can put in a contingency offer and have your next house on-hold and waiting for you. If you get the realtor’s read on the market and you aren’t satisfied, or you don’t really have a spot you want to be, then be content to stay where you are for now, knowing that it’s a temporary stop on the way to happiness.

 

being miserable, being close to family, being miserable close to family!!!!!!!! Good bye family, we can talk on the phone, we can text, we can E mail and some times once in a while visit. In the mean time I am happy with peace and less noise and traffic.

Sounds like a no brainer to me.

I have a brother and 2 sisters still alive and they live 3 hours from me. Brother and I exchange an e mail just about every day. One sister e mails about onces every other month, the last sister calls me about every 6 months and I call her between.

In the mean time I have 10 acres that is 7 acres wooded, my house is 400 feet off the road so it has to be a really noisy car/truck/cucle/atv or horse to hear them at the house.

I have deer in my yard, a lot turkeys and pleenty of other critters.

I shot this guy off my front porch.



This fellow was in my side yard one August.



This guy was in my back yard one Oct.






This baby felt safe 20 yards out my basement walk out door.



These turkeys were in my side yard along rhe creek. Oh I didn't tell you a creek runs thru my place?




Being close to family and being miserable, Or being happy living with my wild life having peace of mind?

I'll take the critters my self. Family knows where I live so could drive here and visit is only a 3 hour drive.

Al

 

You guys are like family!

 

Thanks! Some good sound advice, been thinking of calling the realtor out. I have a few more little projects I want to complete before I do as the home was really really dated and needed allot of cosmetic updates but has some good bones.

Moving an hour or two out to the country is out for me I know and realize that due to my aging parents and close ties to family. The goal is to find something with a little bit more privacy, seclusion so I don't hear traffic 24/7 and perhaps a spec of land. We shall see!

 

that is what i just did got the h out of dodge as it were, quiet, an occasional car/truck runs past, neighbor next door about 100 yards or so. miles of fields every where else. Main drag of town is couple miles away.

 

Haha I know not very likely in NJ! But am not looking for 10+ acres and rolling hills, I know I'll never get that in NJ but am not that picky give me an acre or two in a somewhat quiet area and I think I'd be happy. I've seen a few around, Mullica Hill still has some spots!