Leaving NJ. Where to go? FL or GA?

[hoyaguru]

After 45 years of freezing winters and the highest property taxes in the country, the wife and I have decided to get the hell out of New Jersey. Question is, where do we go? We want WARM weather, so we're looking at Florida or Georgia. The houses in both states are cheap as hell, compared to Jersey. A house that would cost $500,000 here goes for around $80,000 in FL or GA, so we'll be in good shape buying a house (if we can sell ours, that is). Taxes seem a little higher in Florida, and so does homeowners insurance. I'd like to own some land, at least an acre, and land in Florida seems to be very expensive. I wouldn't mind having a house on the water too. Several other members of my family are moving to Florida int eh next year or two, so that's a reason to go to Florida, but altogether it looks like it will be cheaper to go to Georgia, and easier to find land and/or a hous eon the water. If we DO go to Georgia, I'd probably go with some place just over the border from Florida. So, suggestions?

Reasons to go: A big reason to leave is property tax. We are lucky, and only pay about $4000 a year for property tax. I know people who pay $10,000 or more a year in property tax. From what I've seen, property tax in Georgia is like $300 a year. Car insurance in Jersey is (for us) about $1000 a year for basic liability, down south it's a LOT cheaper. People down south also seem much nicer than up north for some reason.

Oh, and get this, there are so many people "fleeing" New Jersey, there is now an "exit tax" of 2% of whatever you sell your house for, that goes to the state. This state is completely run by crooks, yet another reason we want to leave.

 

[Oil]

Went up to Jersey a few weeks ago. Don't know how people can live in that shithole anymore.

Land in Texas is cheap and it is warm pretty much the whole year

 

[hoyaguru]

Went up to Jersey a few weeks ago. Don't know how people can live in that shithole anymore.

Land in Texas is cheap and it is warm pretty much the whole year

Thought about Texas, but both me and the wife come from very close families, and that's just too far off. My parents are moving to Florida, and my sister and her family. My wife's sister is in Georgia. The main reason I thought about Texas was that there is a lot less humidity there than FL or GA. I spent some time in Mississippi during tech school in the Air Force, the humidity there was terrible. They say you get used to it, but I'm not looking forward to it.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Property taxes in the south are very dependent on the city/locality that you live in. Generally the larger the city or the the closer you are to a large city the higher the property taxes.

 

[Spikesoldier]

go to ATL

 

[hoyaguru]

go to ATL

Why?

 

[Spikesoldier]

based on you used to live in NJ i figured you wanted a metro area

 

[Oil]

Thought about Texas, but both me and the wife come from very close families, and that's just too far off. My parents are moving to Florida, and my sister and her family. My wife's sister is in Georgia. The main reason I thought about Texas was that there is a lot less humidity there than FL or GA. I spent some time in Mississippi during tech school in the Air Force, the humidity there was terrible. They say you get used to it, but I'm not looking forward to it.

Atlanta shouldn't be that bad with regards to humidity

 

[Rumpltzer]

I lived in the Florida Panhandle for junior high and high school. It didn't seem so bad at the time, but you need to keep in mind that it's actually Alabama up in those parts. Deer across the roof/hood, Rebel flags, and Budweiser--completely normal. Beautiful beaches on the Gulf side--better than anything I've seen anywhere in the world.

I spent summers in the Orlando area. Pretty nice in a lot of parts. I lived on the attractions sides for a couple of summers, and that was fun (as a college student). I also lived on the opposite side of Orlando (Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Winter Park), and it seemed pretty ritzy (if that's what you're in to).

No income tax in Florida if you care.

 

[hoyaguru]

based on you used to live in NJ i figured you wanted a metro area

Actually, I'm in South Jersey, which is so different from North Jersey it should be considered a completely different state. North Jersey is where you get the "Jersey Shore" folks, the toxic waste landfills, the crime ridden cities, etc. South Jersey is, comparitively, very nice, lots of forests, a lot less crime, really not too bad. Unfortunately, the taxes are terrible, the state is run by crooks, as mentioned before we have the highest property taxes, the highest insurance rates (home AND car I believe). NJ is currently at the top of the list of states that people are leaving, which is the reason the crooks in charge instituted the exit tax. You have to pay to leave the state. And don't get me started on the toll roads...

 

[alien42]

Atlanta shouldn't be that bad with regards to humidity

it is, the summers here can be pretty miserable

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

If you have kids, I'd advise not moving to Florida. It's a shit place to start your life but awesome place to end it. Also, avoid northern Florida as someone else said it's basically Alabama.

 

[KK]

Humidity in all of the SE is pretty much the same. I've been to tech school at keesler also, stationed in SC, and now reside in GA. It all sucks compared to the NE. FL has no state income taxes, home insurance rates are crazy. Not sure what the home prices run down there, I'm sure its more than GA though. GA property taxes run me around 1100 on a 85k house and around 3300 on a 250k house, it's not quite as cheap as you mentioned, but probably alot better than NJ. House prices are great now in GA, sucks to be a seller though.

 

[Bibble]

Actually, I'm in South Jersey, which is so different from North Jersey it should be considered a completely different state. North Jersey is where you get the "Jersey Shore" folks, the toxic waste landfills, the crime ridden cities, etc. South Jersey is, comparitively, very nice, lots of forests, a lot less crime, really not too bad. Unfortunately, the taxes are terrible, the state is run by crooks, as mentioned before we have the highest property taxes, the highest insurance rates (home AND car I believe). NJ is currently at the top of the list of states that people are leaving, which is the reason the crooks in charge instituted the exit tax. You have to pay to leave the state. And don't get me started on the toll roads...

Because Camden is in North Jersey, right?

(I agree with everything else you said.)

 

[nageov3t]

Went up to Jersey a few weeks ago. Don't know how people can live in that shithole anymore.

Land in Texas is cheap and it is warm pretty much the whole year

if I moved to Texas, I wouldn't be able to get married or adopt children with my partner. :|

FL is basically NJ with religious fundamentalists and unbearable humidity year-round instead of just 3 months/year.

 

[zerocool84]

it is, the summers here can be pretty miserable

They don't call it Hotlanta for nothing.

Oh and there's a reason why Texas is cheap.

 

[kevman]

if you are a minority -FLA

 

[PhoKingGuy]

CA? lol

 

[Ichinisan]

GA gets cold, but not much snow. We did recently have a nasty sleet storm. When that happens, GA is more disrupted than northern states that are equipped to deal with it.

I live in GA but I'd prefer FL.

if you are a minority -FLA

You gotta be kidding me. Atlanta is about 60% black (I heard that somewhere, I hope it's accurate). It's like the south's black Mecca.

Atlanta is also the homosexual Mecca/San Francisco of the east. Elton John loves living here.

 

[hoyaguru]

I live in GA but I'd prefer FL.

Why do you prefer FL over GA?

 

[Ichinisan]

I hate cold. Beaches + women in bikinis is a plus.

I have never lived in FL. I only visited family occasionally (Daytona, Jacksonville) when I was a child. None of my family lives in FL any more.

 

[dmcowen674]

the state is run by crooks, as mentioned before we have the highest property taxes, the highest insurance rates (home AND car I believe). NJ is currently at the top of the list of states that people are leaving, which is the reason the crooks in charge instituted the exit tax.

You have to pay to leave the state.

And don't get me started on the toll roads...

Illinois is even worse, I know because I lived in NJ too.

13.5% tax here and tax all kinds of things extra like candy, sugar, etc. Toll roads you hit the toll like very 6 miles. Property taxes insane and they keep doubling them. People in Schaumburg area just west of Ohare paying $16,000 taxes for ordinary 3 bed 2 bath ranch.

 

[dmcowen674]

Don't forget had to sign a consent form to buy Balsamic Vinegar too.

 

[SearchMaster]

$300 property tax in GA? You've been misinformed - I doubt there are any counties with taxes that low. I own a lot (no house) next to my main residence that's about .5 acres and we pay well over double that. I don't live in south GA though, which is where you're talking about moving, most of that area is pretty rural and taxes are surely much lower.

Moving to an area like Atlanta would be a fairly easy transition; moving to a rural southern city would be quite a culture shock for you coming from NJ. Don't get me wrong, I love the South but your whole world would change.

BTW, you mentioned a house on the water - are you talking ocean or lake? Beach property is still pretty pricey unless you move to a crappy beach. I live on Lake Lanier (pretty large lake in North GA), you can find some real bargains here right now.

 

[EagleKeeper]

In Georgia, you should be able to get more land/$$ than in Florida.

Actual waterfront land will be more scarse in GA, but may be cheaper - Fla has a lot more small lakes that GA.
OceanFront property will cost you the same/if not more than what you have in Jersy.
Ga will have income tax but lower property taxes (in general) and Fla will have higher property insurance rates.

In Fla, you have access to three major metro airport areas (Orlando, Tampa & Miami/Ft Lauderdale) In Ga, you have only Atlanta. Macon, Columbus, Savanah are not high capacity/long haul airports