Tell Me About Living in NYC (or Suburb) on 500k/yr

[Anonymous]

Ridgewood, NJ has a nice walkable town center and pretty easy commuting to NYC. Property taxes in nj are much higher. Not sure how real estate prices would compare to Arlington/Bethesda, but maybe a bit higher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just as an example, taxes are $30k on a $1.7 million dollar house in Basking Ridge.

http://m.trulia.com/property/3240805062-61-Old-Farm-Rd-Basking-Ridge-NJ-07920

Similarly priced house in Darien, CT taxes are $19k.

http://m.trulia.com/property/3236573169-21-Sunset-Rd-Darien-CT-06820

That basking Ridge house is gorgeous

I know! It makes me want to move to NJ! Much betrr decorating taste than houses you see in DC too.

[Anonymous]

Congrats to your husband! This is a great dilemma to have! All of this advice is spot on. You can make this move and definitely have more money than you do now. Downside? You will lose time with your husband. Commuting from the city to the suburbs nets out at 1.5-2 hours EACH way. I think you'll gain as far as quality of life goes. I've lived here with my husband and daughter for 6 years. In McLean. We lived on the upper east side of Manhattan for 6 years and spent time in the suburbs. I also worked in Stamford, CT. Honestly? The villages in the tri-state area are more sophisticated than what we have. Plus, you'll have access to Manhattan. Speaking of which, the chance to live in Manhattan is not to be missed. Of the places I've lived (SF, LA, Newport Beach, Silicon Valley, Philly, here) I would go back to Manhattan in a second. I'd happily give up our cars again, all this stuff and go back to that life. You might want to consider it. People do live there on $500K. Check out apartments on Zillow.com between the Park and 3rd Ave from the mid 60's to the low 80's. Maybe you need too much square footage for your budget. If you can make the numbers work, you'll see more of your husband and have the time of your life. Plus, you'll be surrounded by the best doctors in the country in that neighborhood for your health problems. Best of luck whatever you decide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:400k in DC to 500k in NYC is a big jump... down. Westchester is nice (I have family in Rye), but have you looked into taxes? DH and I considered a move a couple years ago, but were flabbergasted by the high taxes. For a 1-1.5mm house, you'd probably be looking at 30k+ a year in property tax!

Or $19k/ year on a $300k house, which is what my aunt and uncle pay in Ossining.

Obscene

[Anonymous]

Westport Ct is too far from Manhattan. Its 45 mins drive north of Greenwich which is only 35 mins from Grand Central. so not worth it.

I would look around Greenwich - Cos Cob, Riverside, similar.

There are smaller houses near the shops,the good schools and the trains.

I grew up in that general area and would go back in a heart beat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you consider CT?
What part of NYC would DH be working in?
I don't thunk $500k will be a nice life in NYC proper.

In CT, Darien and Westport are nice towns.

Summit is also nice and parts are walkable. Chatham, Glen Rock and Ridgewood are great too.

+1. 500K is not enough to live in NYC or an NYC suburb.

Are you kidding me? I grew up on LI and this is PLENTY to have a lovely house in a suburb like Great Neck or Plandome or Port Washington or Roslyn . . .

Easy commuter train in and excellent public schools.

OP-- I strongly recommend Port Washington. I would move there in a heart beat. Cut downtown, on the water, independent bookstore, cafes etc. So lovely.

[Anonymous]

My Maplewood, NJ relatives pay $32,000 in taxes on their $1.2 million home.

[Anonymous]

Look at garden city or Plandome on Long Island.

[Anonymous]

Do NOT move to NYC! You live MUCH better on $400K in Arlington than you will on $500K in NYC. MUCH better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look at garden city or Plandome on Long Island.

Barf.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at garden city or Plandome on Long Island.

Barf.

Plandome is barf? Are you kidding? It's on the water, has beautiful homes, good schools, on the LIRR and a cute downtown. So much better than Shirlington or some such crap around here.

OP, Google Plandome and look at the images. It's a good choice if you can afford it.

[Anonymous]

I love Montclair NJ - you can get a great house there and train and bus to NYC. Great shopping and some areas are walk able... Diverse and good schools. If you are looking for more small town, check our Glen Ridge next door.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just as an example, taxes are $30k on a $1.7 million dollar house in Basking Ridge.

http://m.trulia.com/property/3240805062-61-Old-Farm-Rd-Basking-Ridge-NJ-07920

Similarly priced house in Darien, CT taxes are $19k.

http://m.trulia.com/property/3236573169-21-Sunset-Rd-Darien-CT-06820

That basking Ridge house is gorgeous

+1

It is a great area. I think you can easily take the train into NYC for work, if I am not mistaken.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just as an example, taxes are $30k on a $1.7 million dollar house in Basking Ridge.

http://m.trulia.com/property/3240805062-61-Old-Farm-Rd-Basking-Ridge-NJ-07920

Similarly priced house in Darien, CT taxes are $19k.

http://m.trulia.com/property/3236573169-21-Sunset-Rd-Darien-CT-06820

That basking Ridge house is gorgeous

I know! It makes me want to move to NJ! Much betrr decorating taste than houses you see in DC too.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Congrats to your husband! This is a great dilemma to have! All of this advice is spot on. You can make this move and definitely have more money than you do now. Downside? You will lose time with your husband. Commuting from the city to the suburbs nets out at 1.5-2 hours EACH way. I think you'll gain as far as quality of life goes. I've lived here with my husband and daughter for 6 years. In McLean. We lived on the upper east side of Manhattan for 6 years and spent time in the suburbs. I also worked in Stamford, CT. Honestly? The villages in the tri-state area are more sophisticated than what we have. Plus, you'll have access to Manhattan. Speaking of which, the chance to live in Manhattan is not to be missed. Of the places I've lived (SF, LA, Newport Beach, Silicon Valley, Philly, here) I would go back to Manhattan in a second. I'd happily give up our cars again, all this stuff and go back to that life. You might want to consider it. People do live there on $500K. Check out apartments on Zillow.com between the Park and 3rd Ave from the mid 60's to the low 80's. Maybe you need too much square footage for your budget. If you can make the numbers work, you'll see more of your husband and have the time of your life. Plus, you'll be surrounded by the best doctors in the country in that neighborhood for your health problems. Best of luck whatever you decide.

+1

No comparison, OP. GO!