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I live in NJ. I can't afford a house with a $200k+ salary because every house that's even half-way decent is either outside my price range or is bought up in ca
by tlackemann 5y ago
I live in NJ. I can't afford a house with a $200k+ salary because every house that's even half-way decent is either outside my price range or is bought up in cash above asking price.
Must be nice to be so cushioned from reality.
- jdhn 5y agoIn that case you need to look harder, our outside your current area. I'm from Jersey, $200k salary should give you lots of options especially in central or south Jersey.
- tlackemann 5y agoThanks, I'm cured. Ever consider people have families? Have families they're planning on having? Yeah, moving to central or South Jersey wouldn't work. That's why I live where I do now ... Keep preaching from that ivory tower of yours
- mkw2000 5y agoGrew up in central Jersey, I would have no issue raising my kid there whatsoever.
- tlackemann 5y agoCool. My family lives on LI and my other half of the family doesn't live in Central Jersey. I swear, everyone posting with "BUT I CAN AFFORD IT" is absolutely tone deaf to the US housing crisis we're in.
- kelnos 5y agoI think the point is that there are plenty of generally desirable places to live where you can reasonably make a down payment on $150k/yr. You personally have chosen to rule out those places, for reasons that are good ones for you. That's your choice to make, of course, but you've decided you'll only consider the most expensive places in NJ to live, and many people will not do that. (But man, have things changed. I grew up in central Jersey in the 80s, and back then no one of any means wanted to live across the Hudson from Manhattan. Nuts to see that now many people are priced out of that area.)
- jdhn 5y agoI find it hilarious when people who make twice as much as me talk about how I'm "preaching from that ivory tower". Have you looked at condos? Townhouses? The idea that you are constrained by your salary is ridiculous. You are constrained by supply, nothing else.
- zz865 5y agoSorry this is BS. 500k will buy you a 3 bed house in most NYC commuter towns. I've never made $200k and I can easily afford it. OK I'm getting downvoted. If you downvote me find me a town outside of Alpine/Rumsford that you can't buy a house <$500k.
- tlackemann 5y agoWow I didn't realize how many real estate agents were on HN, amazing. Can you also show me towns that have good schools? How about ones where cash offers above asking price aren't immediately considered? Sorry, but what you wrote is complete BS.
- zz865 5y agoJesus nearly all suburbs you can get a 400k house. Livingston, Cranford and Oradell have top school systems. Cranford: https://www.trulia.com/p/nj/cranford/10-elizabeth-ave-cranford-nj-07016--2005895004 https://www.trulia.com/p/nj/cranford/10-elizabeth-ave-cranfo... Caldwell: https://www.trulia.com/p/nj/west-caldwell/49-lane-ave-west-caldwell-nj-07006--2005852755 https://www.trulia.com/p/nj/west-caldwell/49-lane-ave-west-c... Oradell: https://www.trulia.com/p/nj/oradell/53-beverly-rd-oradell-nj-07649--2006703355 https://www.trulia.com/p/nj/oradell/53-beverly-rd-oradell-nj... Teaneck: https://www.trulia.com/p/nj/teaneck/37-elmer-pl-teaneck-nj-07666--1105094802 https://www.trulia.com/p/nj/teaneck/37-elmer-pl-teaneck-nj-0... Livingston: https://www.trulia.com/p/nj/livingston/1-stoney-hill-pl-livingston-nj-07039--2005994451 https://www.trulia.com/p/nj/livingston/1-stoney-hill-pl-livi... Even Summit is $499k https://www.trulia.com/p/nj/summit/32-glenside-ave-summit-nj-07901--2007105962 https://www.trulia.com/p/nj/summit/32-glenside-ave-summit-nj...
- tlackemann 5y agoI'm going to let you in on a little secret. You ready? Everyone's needs are different. Interesting right?
- oh_sigh 5y agoIf OP is cushioned from reality, you are traveling through a wormhole in another plane of existence entirely. 90+% of people buying homes in NJ are going to have a lower household income than your personal income. Somehow, they make it work.