Cost of Living in Central Florida vs. NJ

[AllyBri]

Originally posted by dvcgirl
I guess overcrowded is a relative term. Here in the Garden State we give that term a new look. I just did a quick google search on Orlando vs. Newark. Orlando is roughly 100 sq miles and has a population of 195,000. Newark is 24 sq. miles and has a population of 273,000!! And while Orlando is surrounded by suburbs, Newark is surrounded by many more mini cities in New Jersey, and the biggest city of all...NYC. We have almost 9 million people crammed into our little state. Now mind you, I don't live in Newark or even North Jersey, but I do drive there for work on a regular basis...and it's no picnic. Even in our nice suburban county, we have 471 sq miles and a population of 615,000. So even the quiet suburbs are becoming as crowded as small cities in other parts of the country.


You were wise to do that research. People that are not from the Tri-State area (NY-NJ-CT) have no idea how crowded it is. They think the Orlando area is busy, but we could show them what busy and crowded really is.
Have fun looking for your home. Don't settle for anything because you will have so many choices.

 

[ducklite]

Ain't that the truth about overcrowding around the tri-state area. It's spilling over into Eastern PA at this point, because there just is no place else to go in NJ. The town I live in has about a total of three acres of buildable land left, plus a bunch of land they've designated as "Green" so no one can build on it.

We have over 36,250 people living in 12 square miles. Compared to Orlando's roughly 186,000 people on 93.5 square miles. Works out to roughly 60% more bodies per square mile. And once you get out of Orlando proper, there's lots of open space. Around here you just drive from one congested town to another. Unless you can afford to live in Peapack-Gladstone, Weston, etc. But how many can?

Anne

 

[Miss Jasmine]

The No State Income Tax Issue:

You are still paying taxes because there is Sales Tax on everything but food, prescriptions and services (and it has been brought up several times that services should be taxed as well, it just hasn't passed the State legislature, but I will bet it happens if the next Governor is a democrat). But yes it probably still is less than what you are used to paying in State Income Taxes. But there is also a downside. Because there is no state income tax, the state is DEPENDENT on tourism. The State was really hit with the economic downturn and with the terrorist attacks. While I blame the local level for the out-of-control Development, I also blame the state for not funding things as they should be funded. But again, there is less money now, and I guess there is not a lot they can do about it but raise taxes.

In my county we TRIED to increase our sales tax by 1% to help pay for new infrastructure and to improve what is already there. It was shot down down by the elderly members of the community. Now instead of that burden being spread across ALL residents of the county (such as people who rent) and TOURISTS, it will now fall exclusively on home owners' shoulders.

It's a mess. I mean it. The newspaper here has been doing special reports on the problems... Too Much, Too Fast?

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by dvcgirl
We spend lots of time in Florida (very little of it at Disney) and always knew we'd move to Florida, but figured we'd wait about five years. We pretty much have four warm months of the year and that's it. We've just had it with the winters and decided to take advantage of this incredible seller's market we're having up here.

I agree 100% with your above post dvcgirl. We will be moving either to the Orlando area or Vero Beach area in 2-3 years. Thats how much longer DW and I have to to to retire(see tag).

The winters in Ohio

are getting worse and longer. We also don't have to worry about jobs or schools when we make the move to

Florida.

Good luck with your move.

 

[April in Disney]

If it was up to DH we would have already moved to Central Florida. BTW the only reason I am holding off is because my DD is in gifted program here in NJ and I can not find accurate information inregard to similar program in greater orlando area, also does any one knows of saturday german school in orlando area.( I am driving one hour each way every saturday so I have no problem going to distance for what she needs.) Central new jersey has changed so much since we moved here 5 years ago. Construction is going up at every corner, traffic is just horrible, my property tax is just out of control and it is going to be increased by another %15 since they approved building a new school. I have started asking several builders for information so I guess I am seriously thinking about it. I appreciate any help and suggestion.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Originally posted by dvcgirl
I hear ya Mom2of2. We have serious sprawl happening in the rural parts of our county too (monmouth), and there appears to be no end in sight. Our home has doubled in price in the past five years and many of our neighbors have come up to us and said that if they had to buy into our neighborhood now that they couldn't afford it. Incomes are just not rising at the same right as housing prices and property taxes.

I grew up in NJ and I remember when that area was really rural, but that has definitely changed for the worse.

We just moved to the Poconos but unfortunetly so are a lot of city people and they(not all but a lot) just don't seem to respect the land at all. My next door neighbor cut down almost all the trees in his front yard, why would you move to the woods if you don't want trees in your yard?!? There's plenty of farm land type developments he could've moved to if they wanted that. Grrr.... I was talking to them and said we were getting a lawn put in, he said oh, are you cutting down the all the trees? I responded no, why would I? I love my trees, I wouldn't have moved here if I didn't. He just looked puzzled.

 

[PatriciaH]

Just reading this older thread with much interest. DH and I are headed to Orlando as well-hopefully before next spring. We refuse to pay $350,000+ for an old house here in Northern MA. The weather stinks too. We love the area but it has become a joke with the property tax and housing prices. We also have major water issues here-it is all over. My mom and dad are selling in NY and heding to Florida as well!

 

[Feralpeg]

Congratulations, PatriciaH! You'll really like it here!

 

[PatriciaH]

Originally posted by Feralpeg
Congratulations, PatriciaH! You'll really like it here!

We are VERY excited! Sending resumes every day

 

[dvcgirl]

Well, I started this thread and so I thought I'd report in on some answers we've found with respect to the cost of living between Florida and NJ.

We've purchased a house in Orlando and so we now know what the cost difference is. We're not living there yet, but the sellers provided us with all this information.

First of all, our NJ house was almost 4,000 sq ft (5 bed/3 bath) on one acre with a built-in pool and spill over spa. Our new Orlando home is 2,950 sq ft (5 bed/3 bath) with a built-in pool and spill over spa.

Property taxes. NJ home: 12,750 yearly. Florida home: 4,400 yearly. (savings 8350)

Homeowners association. NJ home: 0. Florida home: 920 yearly. (additional expense of 920)

Homeowners insurance: NJ home: 1,400 yearly. Florida home: 1,080 yearly. (savings 320)

Gas/Electric/Water: NJ home: 810 monthly. Florida home (no gas, but inc garbage pick-up) 400 a month. (yearly savings of 4920)

Lawn: NJ Home: 300 a month for 9 months....$2700 (yearly)...we did our own pruning in NJ. Florida home: 100 a month and that includes all pruning (1200 yearly) (yearly savings of 1500)

Lawn/shrub Fertilization: NJ Home: 1,300 yearly, and we did this ourselves. Florida home: 1,000 yearly, performed by a lawncare company and also includes treating the lawn for insects. (yearly savings of 200)

Pest Control: NJ home 500 yearly. Florida home: 800 yearly, which includes indoor and outdoor and Sentricon termite monitoring (system already in place at home.) (additional expense of 300)

Auto Insurance: NJ (2 SUVS and we're Tier 1 drivers): $1900 yearly. Florida: $1350 yearly. (yearly savings 550)

Total savings for us per year....$14,620.

That savings alone is great, but when you factor in that we no longer have to deal with winters....well, that's just awesome. And the biggest thing for us was that that we were able to sell our NJ home, pay off our mortgage and pay cash for our beautiful home down here. That's huge for us. And don't forget the disney discounts on APs and the Disney Dining Experience!!!! Just wanted to report this in to let those of you thinking about moving down here know the advantages! Hope it helps!!

 

[April in Disney]

dvcgirl thank you for the report. I have few questions for you. What have you found out about the school system? Do you know anything about Hunter Creek elementary school and what school zoning that would be? How long did it take for your house to be built? How was your experience with the builder?

 

[dvcgirl]

Well, unfortunately, I can't help you much with the schools....we have no children. Also can't help you much with a builder because we bought a resale. We're in the inspection/closing phase now. We built our last home in NJ and just didn't want to go through that again.

 

[eeyore45]

all right, I'm convinced, now help me get dh (a software engineer!) a job !! *grin

 

[minniepumpernickel]

The property taxes in southern NJ are so high. If I end up inheriting a property completely, I wouldn't be able to pay the property taxes to keep it up. It's a long story.



It seems like things are generally cheaper in the south. The only thing I noticed about coastal NC was that the jobs were scarce unless you were in the military.

The only thing that I wouldn't like about Florida, would be hurricane season. I didn't like it in NC either. It seems like the hurricanes don't hit as far north as NJ. I'm sure that they do, but it seems like not as often.

 

[susy]

Also, you'll be saving on airfare to Florida!

Lots to do and see here within driving distance-Palm Beach, the Keys, and cruises departing from Miami and Ft Laud.

A word about food. It's just Dh, Ds(6), and myself. We were spending almost $200 a week at Publix-yikes!!!!

We joined BJ's Wholesale Club and what a difference!!!! We spend about $100 every 4-5 weeks there on non-perishables and cleaners/toiletries. We also go to a place called PennDutch to get our meats (about $100 every 4-5 weeks). I don't know if they have anything similar to that in Orlando. I still go to Publix (very early )every Saturday morning to buy perishables (about $50). We have saved a ton!!!! It doesn't take that much storage space at all (a shelf in our linen closet since we live in a condo) and since you are just moving to your new home you can decide on sapce for taht stuff beforehand.

Did you think about how much money you will save without having to have "winter stuff", like snow tires, coats, boots, snow shovels...

No need for tons of jeans and sweaters. I actually had to go out and BUY closed shoes last year for the winter, because I only had sandals. Welcome to the tropics!

 

[Feralpeg]

April In Disney, I have a 16 year old DD who will be starting high school in Florida in August. She is understandably nervous about starting a new school, but our dealings with the school so far have been very positive. I don't know anything about Hunter Creek. We did find that students starting school in Florida must have a form from the health department showing all of the immunizations are up to date. This even applies to high school students. We had to locate the health department and it turned out DD had to have a tetnus shot. They gave it to her there and at no cost.

You asked how long it takes to build a house. It took us not quite 6 months from the time they broke ground. Down here they don't have many weather delays, so they stay on schedule. When I built a house in Missouri, it ran way over due to the weather.

I agree with susy. Groceries are expensive. Since it is just the two of us, we are bad about eating out. What I do buy in the way of groceries, I buy at Publix. They are very nice stores, just a bit pricey.

I received my first full month electric bill the other day. It was a little over $200. Not bad considering I pay no gas. My house is 2300 sq feet and I keep it at 70 degrees all the time. It has been very hot and we have no drapes yet. I was very happy when I saw the bill.

minniepumpernickel, we've yet to experience a hurricane. We've been told that they don't amount to much in the Orlando area. The worst we should expect is backlash thunderstorms with the possibility of an occassional tornado. Having moved from tornado country, this doesn't seem bad to me. We'll see!

There is one thing that we recently discovered that I will pass along to those of you moving down here. Getting your drivers license changed is not an easy task. If you just show up at the place, you may stand there for 4 or 5 hours and still not get it accomplished. We made appointments. We moved down here on May 31st. The first appointment we could get is August 4th. So much for changing your license within 30 days!

 

[Talking Hands]

Feralpeg, as far as hurricanes go, you are unlikely to get more than cat 1 storm winds and more likely it would be only tropical storm force. Not bad. I would much rather go through a hurricane in Orlando than in Miami where we were hit with Andrew in '92. Category 5 storm. My house survived with some damage. We were not at home for the storm fortunately. Were on vacation at WDW.

 

[PatriciaH]

Originally posted by Talking Hands
Feralpeg, as far as hurricanes go, you are unlikely to get more than cat 1 storm winds and more likely it would be only tropical storm force. Not bad. I would much rather go through a hurricane in Orlando than in Miami where we were hit with Andrew in '92. Category 5 storm. My house survived with some damage. We were not at home for the storm fortunately. Were on vacation at WDW.

Yes, this is one of the reasons that we are looking in the Central Florida area. We will be happy to visit Miami and the Keys.