Calling all Us, especially NJ, residents

I'm seriously considering moving out of the United Kingdom of England-L () and and over to the US before 2010 (I might wait for the Olympics in 20212 :P), and I was hoping US residents could let me know anything they think is important. All the big stuff I know about, like no NHS , and all that, but other stuff like Gas/Diesel costs, insurance costs, police mentality etc etc etc

I especially wanna hear from NJ/NY residents. I'd love to live in NYC, but price could really kill me. So if anyone can give me an idea of what the best/worst areas of the NJ/NY area are, and what sort of prices homes (including apartments) are going for that's be great I can get a £400k mortgage in the UK, and directly thats $800k, but I may not earn the same and the US system may evaluate me differently anyway.

Thanks in advance guys 'n' gals of the United States of America-land

So many cool places too go to (australia, scandanavia, canada, some parts of africa), are you really sure you want to move to the US?
IMO it's not a better way to live there then Europe or UK.
Once mentioned are definitaly better livable (maybe besides climate) in different ways.
Think Norway was announcement best country to live within Europe for 2nd time in a row.
Just my 2ct.
New York is awesome though, if you got cash too spent. But if I had those two, NY would mean my death.

It really depends on the lifestyle you want. If you want to live in NYC, for $800,000 you could find a great 1 bedroom apartment. But if you're willing to go to the suburbs of NY or NJ that money can get you a huge house, if you'd rather have that.

For me personally, it would be worth sacrificing the space to be in the city. I grew up in the suburbs and I never want to go back.

Just thought I'd add, since you seem to love your cars, that parking spaces in NYC have been selling for over $200k. Something to keep in mind.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/12/us...rssnyt&emc=rss

Go and live in Ridgewood, New Jersey 45 mins train ride to the city and the houses are gorgeous there. And our very own Kathleen resides there too

norway is very cool but as far as living there goes:

it's sperm destroyingly cold
50% of the girls are hot, 50% are trolls.
50% of the population as a whole are very friendly, 50% are total arseholes
and more to the point. it's £7 a beer (and crap beer at that)

yes besides the climate. Aren't taxes, real-estates, healt-insurances and all that crap a lot cheaper well wages a few procent higher then here?

I live in norther NJ because I really wanted to live in New York City but I could never afford it with 3 kids. This is one of the closest locations with many choices of transportation to the city - and anywhere else you want to go.

I can walk less than 3 blocks and get on an express train and be in the city in about 25 minutes - if it isn't express it's about 40 minutes. That takes me to Penn Station at 34th street. I can also take a bus from the corner which will take me directly into Port Authority Bus Terminal at 42nd street - but the bus timing depends on the traffic.

I practically never drive there - parking is a fortune unless you get good at finding street parking which is very frustrating.

I can quote some house prices since my son is in the final negotiations to buy a house in Westwood, NJ. It's 15 to 20 minutes from where I live. It's about 1 1/2 blocks from a small town downtown (bookstores, restaurants, art galleries, movies, bars - a very nice downtown) and about 1 block from the train station. It's a typical quiet suburban neighborhood - 3 bedroom house with a detached single car garage. When all is done he will be paying about $325,000 for it. It needs some work but it is mostly cleaning and cosmetic type work. Keep in mind that this area is one of the most desirable in this country. I think Westchester County in New York, Bergen County in New Jersey (where I am) and Marin County in California are rated as the most desirable places in the country - also the most expensive though. One of the reasons they are desirable is the proximity to the city - both Westchester and Bergen are close to New York City and Marin is close to San Francisco.

Go to google maps and you can check out a lot. Then you can go to google earth and actually look at the neighborhoods you might consider.

Feel free to ask me any specific questions - I'm happy to answer. If you are interested in southern New Jersey - nearer the shore (the beach) ask Mousebounce (Brooke) she lives down there.

There is nowhere else like New York City though - it spoils you for anywhere else in the world. I am so used to assuming that I can get hungry at 4 in the morning and I'll find an all night deli or place to eat that is open. There are clubs that are open all night if you want some music or excitement. I'll be in Boston this weekend and I know from experience that they roll up the sidewalks at 9:00 pm. It always comes as a shock LOL.

Kathleen

taxes in norway are massive that's why they have such an extensive social security net.

You could also look into the outer boroughs of NYC, particularly Brooklyn and Queens (of which I am now an expert since I just moved here). Much cheaper than Manhattan but still part of the city. It can also be the best of both worlds since some areas are quiet and mostly residential with private houses but still right on a subway line. And subways are good because they run 24 hours a day unlike the trains to and from New Jersey..