i'm having a total f'ing meltdown *very very long, sorry*

DH and I moved into our apartment back in december so that I could start making my adjustment to life in NJ............i our apartment, but at the same time, it KILLS me when I think about how much money we are throwing away every single month living here.....I never wanted to live in an apt, and the only reason why we even did was bc I was still in school back then and he was just finishing his first year as a cop so $$ wasn't exactly fantastic..............anyway.....now that we are here, i don't want to move. I mean, we have no space left (bridal shower and wedding didn't help lol!) but i just like living here.....i think what I like about it is that there are PEOPLE around. Granted I hardly know anyone who lives here (very 'professional' lifestyle building)....DH works weird hours sometimes and i just like knowing that i'm not really 'alone'. With that said, we found these gorgeous townhomes (cambridge heights in Nutley, NJ...8 miles from NYC!) and they are fairly reasonable as far as price....but the taxes kind of suck and there is a $300 maintenace fee every month. I have never lived in a townhouse, don't know much about them, so I don't even know if that is normal or not. But 8-9K for taxes?!?!?!?!?! and I have like 2 feet of property?!!!!!!!!!!?!??!?!
Everyone keeps saying just buy a house, but we have been looking like crazy and we can't find anything that we like within our current price range. Both of us will be doing MUCH better in about 2 or 3 years, but right now what we can afford in Bergen County will be a 200 year old victorian that needs to be COMPLETELY redone. I took my parents to look at some houses and we were basically walking sideways thats how slanted the floors were....and mind you these houses were listed at almost 500k!!!!!!!!!!!! what the F?!?!?! I want to stay as close to LI as possible so Bergen and Passaic counties are really all i'm willing to do. Obviously the more south or Northwest we go, the more house we'll get for the money, but it's just not an option at this point. I still work in Plainview!!!!!!!!!
Why?? Because i work 3 days a week, and with this move and all, that is my comfort zone. I don't know anyone out here except for DH, his family and friends. Right now, it would be way too overwhelming for me to change jobs. I have sent my resume to a few places, but nothing worth taking.
Anyway, I know i'm rambling.....just needed to vent. I want to buy, but can't find anything that makes sense....and i'm frustrated as hell because we are throwing away almost 2K a month just to rent!!!!!!!!!!

Hey girl...I live in Jersey too. We live in Cliffside Park which is real close to the city (8 miles...but via bus it takes awhile). Anyway there are a lot of new condos and townhomes going up over here. I live on Gorge rd...and right down the hill is edgwater which is really pretty with views of manhattan (but expensive).

anyway, we have a townhome and really like it for now. Taxes are ridiculous and run us about $8K a year and we have a postage stamp backyard! FH hates this but is happy about being a homeowner and hoping to make some $$ oon this house when we move. I feel this is a good area to live and homes here will not lose their value...mainly bc of how close to NY we are and NYC transit buses are literally across the street!!!

OK and my last word of advice is this....I think it is always hard to become a homeowner and u really have to stretch yourself for those mortgage payments. But once you make that jump you realize you can do it. Also this is a good time to buy...the market sux and you having buying power....and can negotioate prices, closing costs, etc!!!! So that being said...try to keep looking and also many places offer incentives to first time homebuyers!!!

Don't stress about it.

I know what you're saying about paying rent and not actually 'having' anything. When you move..all that money is gone. But, if you're not ready yet because you can't find what you love, can't afford what you love or whatever the reason..WAIT.

Buying a house is huge commitment and a lot of money...don't forget closing costs and insurance. It's a big deal..you need to wait until you are 100% sure you want to live there for years to come..in order to get something from your investment.

there's no rush. My parents didn't buy a house until they were married for about 8 years..becuase they waited until they found what they wanted. We've been living there 21 years now. The return on the investment will be great.

Don't jump into buying a house if you're going to be worrying everyday if you can afford to pay a mortgage. And a mortgage isnt just that. Remember, when you buy a house you have to pay roughly

Mortgage - $1500-$3000 a month
Taxes - $60 - $200 a month
Homeowners insurance - $90-200/monthyl
Water - $150/monthly
Gas/Electric - $3000/monthly
Cable/Alarm system - $100/monthyl if you get local channels
Gardening - $50/month
Cars/Insurance - $300-$1200/monthly
Credit cards bills - $500/monthly
Food- $400/month
Emergency money - $500/monthly

Roughly that comes out to about $4600 a month. Some of these things probaly dont pertain to you but I'm just giving you a rough idea.

FH and I just purchased a house and it's hard. We had a big downpayment thanks to his mom but it's still so hard. Don't let anyone rush you into it. Weigh your financial situation. Make sure both you and fH make enough money to cover the bills and still have something left over. You dont want to be worrying every month if you can afford the mortgage. If you know you will be in a better position 2 yrs from now to buy a house, then save up like crazy now and just do it then.

Sorry to say but as long as you live in jersey, you'll get killed on taxes! FH and I have been looking at properties for a while now, single family house, townhouse, condo, apartment, u name it!

Even if you own a house or townhouse, you'll still be throwing away money on taxes and/or maintenance -- sometimes, depending on your situation, renting actually makes sense.

I know you're just venting, and sometimes you just want people to listen and not necessarily tell you what to do, but I think it may help you to create spreadsheets of what you pay now and what you will pay if you own something - so you can compare apples to apples.

Goodluck!

im in plainview if you want to grab coffee hun!

im so happy i dont have any of those problems in the midwest..haha..my total monthly bills on our house are $1800

and thats EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thanks girls.....

Jenn...we edgewater, CSP, weehawken, west NY...all those areas...loooooove them....but holllly crrappppp you have to be a billionaire..... DH used to work for NY waterway so we've had our eyes on those places for years, but lets face it...he's a cop, i'm a nurse.....not exactly NFL stars lol......Gorge RD is great and has fantastic access to River Rd and NYC.....I just haven't found anything there under 500K!

Jess.....if we're gonna go upstate, might as well stay on LI...that's a battle I gave up years ago lmao although I was thinking about trying to convince him to go to westchester......he'll probably just divorce me lol He works in Newark as a cop......you're the best!!! I miss you and your sister!!!!! I can't wait to see your wedding pics!


Kelly....coffee....vodka.......whose keeping tabs??? lmao

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Posted by rahana316

Don't jump into buying a house if you're going to be worrying everyday if you can afford to pay a mortgage. And a mortgage isnt just that. Remember, when you buy a house you have to pay roughly

Mortgage - $1500-$3000 a month
Taxes - $60 - $200 a month
Homeowners insurance - $90-200/monthyl
Water - $150/monthly
Gas/Electric - $3000/monthly
Cable/Alarm system - $100/monthyl if you get local channels
Gardening - $50/month
Cars/Insurance - $300-$1200/monthly
Credit cards bills - $500/monthly
Food- $400/month
Emergency money - $500/monthly

Roughly that comes out to about $4600 a month. Some of these things probaly dont pertain to you but I'm just giving you a rough idea.

FH and I just purchased a house and it's hard. We had a big downpayment thanks to his mom but it's still so hard. Don't let anyone rush you into it. Weigh your financial situation. Make sure both you and fH make enough money to cover the bills and still have something left over. You dont want to be worrying every month if you can afford the mortgage. If you know you will be in a better position 2 yrs from now to buy a house, then save up like crazy now and just do it then.

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$3000 a MONTH for gas and electric??? Can someone please tell me this is a serious typo before I just go kill myself!?!?!?!

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Posted by 040508Bride

thanks girls.....

Jenn...we edgewater, CSP, weehawken, west NY...all those areas...loooooove them....but holllly crrappppp you have to be a billionaire..... DH used to work for NY waterway so we've had our eyes on those places for years, but lets face it...he's a cop, i'm a nurse.....not exactly NFL stars lol......Gorge RD is great and has fantastic access to River Rd and NYC.....I just haven't found anything there under 500K!

Jess.....if we're gonna go upstate, might as well stay on LI...that's a battle I gave up years ago lmao although I was thinking about trying to convince him to go to westchester......he'll probably just divorce me lol He works in Newark as a cop......you're the best!!! I miss you and your sister!!!!! I can't wait to see your wedding pics!


Kelly....coffee....vodka.......whose keeping tabs??? lmao

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LMAO either way Im around ....

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Posted by kellybean

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Posted by 040508Bride

thanks girls.....

Jenn...we edgewater, CSP, weehawken, west NY...all those areas...loooooove them....but holllly crrappppp you have to be a billionaire..... DH used to work for NY waterway so we've had our eyes on those places for years, but lets face it...he's a cop, i'm a nurse.....not exactly NFL stars lol......Gorge RD is great and has fantastic access to River Rd and NYC.....I just haven't found anything there under 500K!

Jess.....if we're gonna go upstate, might as well stay on LI...that's a battle I gave up years ago lmao although I was thinking about trying to convince him to go to westchester......he'll probably just divorce me lol He works in Newark as a cop......you're the best!!! I miss you and your sister!!!!! I can't wait to see your wedding pics!


Kelly....coffee....vodka.......whose keeping tabs??? lmao

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LMAO either way Im around ....

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i'm working tonight 7p-7a...... i'm only around PVW at like 9am lol

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Posted by 040508Bride

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Posted by rahana316

Don't jump into buying a house if you're going to be worrying everyday if you can afford to pay a mortgage. And a mortgage isnt just that. Remember, when you buy a house you have to pay roughly

Mortgage - $1500-$3000 a month
Taxes - $60 - $200 a month
Homeowners insurance - $90-200/monthyl
Water - $150/monthly
Gas/Electric - $3000/monthly
Cable/Alarm system - $100/monthyl if you get local channels
Gardening - $50/month
Cars/Insurance - $300-$1200/monthly
Credit cards bills - $500/monthly
Food- $400/month
Emergency money - $500/monthly

Roughly that comes out to about $4600 a month. Some of these things probaly dont pertain to you but I'm just giving you a rough idea.

FH and I just purchased a house and it's hard. We had a big downpayment thanks to his mom but it's still so hard. Don't let anyone rush you into it. Weigh your financial situation. Make sure both you and fH make enough money to cover the bills and still have something left over. You dont want to be worrying every month if you can afford the mortgage. If you know you will be in a better position 2 yrs from now to buy a house, then save up like crazy now and just do it then.

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$3000 a MONTH for gas and electric??? Can someone please tell me this is a serious typo before I just go kill myself!?!?!?!

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Sorry. I meant to type $300/month for gas/electric.