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Me2
Citizen
Username: Me2
Post Number: 212
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 2:12 pm: | 
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I know that there is no place like Maplewood but what's the closest one can get (older homes, diversity, charm) that does not have our crazy taxes? No need for proximity to trains to NYC. Any ideas? |
jet
Citizen
Username: Jet
Post Number: 1026
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 2:15 pm: |
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Little Silver , Red Bank . The taxes are annoying aren't they ? |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12433
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 2:17 pm: |
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South Orange!
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dave23
Citizen
Username: Dave23
Post Number: 1332
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 2:19 pm: |
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I've always really liked Princeton, though I don't know their tax situation. |
Zoesky1
Citizen
Username: Zoesky1
Post Number: 1370
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 2:46 pm: |
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Westfield, some parts of Summit, Ridgewood. |
chiquita
Citizen
Username: Chiquita
Post Number: 69
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 3:19 pm: |
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For the most part, the lower taxes in Summit, Westfield and Ridgewood are balanced out by the higher prices for houses. You'd probably end up spending about the same, possibly more, for a house similar to the one you own in Maplewood. Just something to keep in mind. |
Mayor McCheese
Supporter
Username: Mayor_mccheese
Post Number: 845
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 3:22 pm: |
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Millburn |
shoshannah
Citizen
Username: Shoshannah
Post Number: 1175
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 3:23 pm: |
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Evanston, Illinois. Takoma Park, Maryland. Skokie, Illinois. Shaker Heights, Ohio. Forest Hills, NY. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12444
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 3:37 pm: |
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Check out Metuchen and Highland Park. Metuchen is surrounded on all sides by Edison but has charm. Highland Park is just south of Edison and has a little less charm than Metuchen but more diversity. Both towns have sidewalks all over and nice houses.
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Me2
Citizen
Username: Me2
Post Number: 213
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 4:07 pm: |
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shoshannah, my mistake... I should have specified "within New Jersey"... but yes, I love Takoma Park, Maryland.
I wish realtor.com included taxes in the listings  |
dave23
Citizen
Username: Dave23
Post Number: 1333
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 4:29 pm: |
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Me2,
Use zillow.com for the taxes of individual properties. It's a great new site. |
meluga
Citizen
Username: Meluga
Post Number: 71
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 5:29 pm: |
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gsmls.com lists property taxes for nj properties. I went through this on another thread which was helpful but we're still looking for a maplewoodish place to live on Long Island. We are looking into Setauket , Stony Brook, and Port Jefferson. Any(more) insight would be great. |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 3986
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 5:35 pm: |
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My cousin lives in Sea Cliff and it sounds wonderful. |
The Soulfullest Mr T
Citizen
Username: Howardt
Post Number: 1427
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 5:52 pm: |
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On LI, have you been to BRIGHTWATERS? It's on the south shore tucked into Bay Shore. Beautiful little village on the water. Taxes lower than here.
Brightwaters: A Quaint, Pretty and Tranquil Jewel
By Lisa Doll Bruno, Staff Writer, NEWSDAY, December 5, 2003
Tucked between Bay Shore and West Bay Shore, the Village of Brightwaters offers picturesque canals and five lakes, a quaint business district and tranquil neighborhoods.
"I always call it the crown jewel of the South Shore," says Mayor Joseph McNulty, a 40-year resident.
From north to south, the village is divided into three sections: the Pines, where businesses, the post office, Village Hall and Wohseepee Park are located; the Lakes, where some roads are connected by small bridges; and the Canal section, bordering the Great South Bay, which has docks, a gazebo, and a private beach.
Neighborhoods feature a variety of house sizes and styles, ranging from ranches, capes, split-levels, Colonials, Spanish stuccos, Tudors and contemporaries. "No two homes look alike," said Bart Ackerson, broker-owner of Bartlett L. Ackerson Real Estate.
Prices generally range from $300,000 to more than $1 million. "There's not enough houses to sell, says Paul Wernersbach, owner of Sunset Three Realty, noting the low turnover and high demand.
Brightwaters began to take shape in the early 1900s when Thomas Benton Ackerson, a real estate developer and Bart Ackerson's great-uncle, purchased a number of large estates, including that of Charles E. Phelps, to start a planned community.
From 1908 to 1918, Ackerson and his three brothers filled the swamps, dug a 4,000-foot boat canal and built 100 homes, including bungalows and mini-mansions that were priced from $3,500 to $20,000.
But then, Ackerson went broke. In 1916, worried homeowners banded together to incorporate as a village, electing Ackerson as the first president (mayors came later). To resolve his financial problems, Ackerson donated the canal, lakes and park area to the new village.
The community's name was taken from the English translation of the Indian name Wohseepee, which roughly meant sunlit ponds or bright waters.
Today, the village hosts a variety of events including the Ragamuffin parade for Halloween, a band concert and ice cream social in the summer and a holiday lighting ceremony at the head of the canal. "We get excellent turnouts," said McNulty.
Students attend the Bay Shore school district. From midtown Manhattan, it is 45 miles to Brightwaters.
IF YOU WANT TO BUY
Note: Village taxes, which generally run from $1,100 to $1,700, are not included.
STARTER: An occasional original bungalow-style ranch, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, partial basement, 1/3-acre lot, taxes $4,400-$5,400.
PRICE: $299,000-$329,000
TRADE-UP: Tudor, Colonial, split-level, 3-4 bedrooms, 2-3 baths, garage, basement, 100x150 lot, taxes $5,600- $7,100.
PRICE: $399,000-$539,000
LUXURY: Usually lakefront, Concourse or Bay. Colonial, Tudor, contemporary, 3-5 bedrooms, 2-4 baths, 140x175 lot, taxes $7,200-$10,500.
PRICE: $650,000-$1 million
CONDOS and CO-OPS: None.
IF YOU WANT TO RENT
Six small multi-family buildings: 1-2 bedroom units, $950-$1,400 a month.
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Me2
Citizen
Username: Me2
Post Number: 214
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 6:26 pm: |
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Anyone familiar with Washington Township? I have not done any research on it yet (schools, demographics, etc); just saw some interesting properties when browsing around on gmls.com. |
Tom N
Citizen
Username: Tjn
Post Number: 60
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 7:24 pm: |
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Is it the Washington Township in Bergen County you are asking about? If so, I grew up there and still have family who live there. But since there are six Washington Townships in NJ, I'm not sure if thats the one you meant. If it is, I can give you some info.
It's a nice town but not like MW at all. Homes are newer, it's hardly diverse, and I wouldn't exactly call it charming. It's pretty much upperclass suburbia. It always felt like it lacked character as towns go. It doesn't have a downtown, only a strip-mall in the center of town. It doesn't even have it's own post office and had to share a zip code until only a few years ago. I'm not sure what amount of taxes your currently suffering but while WT may be somewhat cheaper, it is Bergen County so there's no bargins. |
Me2
Citizen
Username: Me2
Post Number: 215
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 7:36 pm: |
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Oh Tom N, I did not realize that. I was referring to Washington Twp in Morris County. Just browsing around, I see that the taxes there are very reasonable. |
Tom N
Citizen
Username: Tjn
Post Number: 61
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 8:14 pm: |
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I do know a little about the one in Morris County too. It is a mix of old & new as the town is in a very historic area but since it has the largest open land area's in all of Morris county, it is also a popular spot for developers to put up million dollar mansions. You can find older homes there and it does have a lot of charm as the area by Long Valley has a lot of antique shops and some nice restauants. Long Valley Brewpub located in a cozy, old, restored barn is a favorite of mine. It's not like Maplewood in that there is no diversity and it is a LOT more spread out so you'd have to drive to a lot of the places you'd need to go, some farther than others. The area does feature some great parks and still some farmland as well. |
Me2
Citizen
Username: Me2
Post Number: 216
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 8:17 pm: |
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Yup Tom N. Just did some quick research, and you are so right about the lack of diversity in Washington Twp (Morris). Oh well. Thanks for the info! |
Amateur Night
Citizen
Username: Deborahg
Post Number: 1741
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 9:07 pm: |
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Now I want to hear more about Takoma Park, MD! |
ess
Citizen
Username: Ess
Post Number: 1063
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 9:28 pm: |
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With all due respect, Westfield, Summit, and Ridgewood are so incredibly not like Maplewood.
I'm also familiar with Washington Twp. in Bergen County, and it is also quite unlike Maplewood.
I agree about Metuchen, though. My parents live there, and love it. Cute center of town, lots of nice little restaurants, a sister coffee shop to our Village Coffee Shop, and the train right into the city. Good school system, too.
Of all the towns mentioned, Red Bank is probably the most desirable to someone who likes Maplewood. They've really done a lot with Red Bank; it's actually kinda hip right now. |
Lester Jacobs
Citizen
Username: Lester
Post Number: 86
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 11:12 pm: |
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Might want to consider one of the Plainfields as well (I forget which one). I beleive they have very similar demographics to MW. You may also want to consider Asbury Park/Ocean Grove. |
Jersey Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 149
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 11:45 pm: |
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Check out Orange. There is a thread here about the NYT Real Estate Ad. that mentions the "kids in private schools" as a priority. That's what low taxes means. Check it out.
I live in South Orange and it's great. But, I'm very supportive of the growth of Orange. It's an investment area (that means low home values right now.) The growth of Orange will improve the value of my home. I expected you when I bought my house.
Buy in Orange and encourage purchases in East Orange. Result: more value to both our homes.
Welcome to Jersey,
J.B. |
Me2
Citizen
Username: Me2
Post Number: 217
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 8:23 am: |
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Jersey Boy, I should have explained that I already live here in Maplewood. I read this board every day (unfortunately I am addicted) and feel like I know all of the MOL'ers, but I forget that because I rarely post, you guys don't know ME.
I've been in this area for 20 years (10 years in South Orange and the last 10 in Maplewood). When I first moved to the area I commuted to NYC, but no longer... so I feel free to explore my options. I keep wondering whether I can find a town similar to Maplewood but with reasonable taxes (my taxes have more than doubled since moving to my current home).
No, I would not consider Orange. I have a child in elementary school and I want him in public school.
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Jersey Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 152
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 11:39 am: |
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I don't commute to NYC. I found that it's cheaper in the towns that don't have the a train stop. Taxes get lower out of Essex county. No commuter train: West Orange, Bloomfield, Springfield, but these towns are close to Maplewood-like towns, but are not the same.
Verona is a lower tax area, and I think the schools are still good. I don't think it has the same "Maplewood feeling," but it may be as good as you'll get without moving into "the country." |
Debby
Citizen
Username: Debby
Post Number: 2192
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 3:27 pm: |
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meluga - have you checked out Huntington? |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12459
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 5:39 pm: |
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South Plainfield (Middlesex county) has that sprawly feel. Not enticing. Plainfield (Union county) has some serious problems. I do hope they spring back. I hear gays are moving in, which is a good sign. North Plainfield (Somerset county) does have some walking area but looks a bit boring.
Funny thing about the Plainfields. They are all together but in three different counties.
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amandacat
Citizen
Username: Amandacat
Post Number: 997
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 7:50 pm: |
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And Asbury Park/Ocean Grove won't do if you want to use public schools.
How about Morristown? It's somewhat diverse, has nice older homes and a great downtown, only downside is the commute to NY (too long!) but you said that's not a consideration, right? |
Me2
Citizen
Username: Me2
Post Number: 220
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 10:48 am: |
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Thanks all for the suggestions! Lots of research to do.
Anyone familiar with Hillsborough (in Somerset county)?
[Jeez, just thinking about leaving is giving me a massive stomach ache. ] |
The Soulfullest Mr T
Citizen
Username: Howardt
Post Number: 1433
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 10:57 am: |
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What about Doowelpam? I hear it's just like Maplewood, just a little backwards in some ways. |
meluga
Citizen
Username: Meluga
Post Number: 72
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 11:55 am: |
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I will check out Brightwaters and Huntington. Thanks for your help. |
Zach Williams
Citizen
Username: Babyzach
Post Number: 3
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 9:50 pm: |
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Madison is a charming town and the taxes are a little lower over there. We really get whacked here huh? Is it really the Newark subsidy that's killing us? |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 10663
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 4:32 am: |
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Zach, the county taxes are a little higher here than in Morris or Union. However, the big whack is the school tax bill. Between having a very dense town, most of the houses are zoned for 5000 square feet or less, and no major commercial rateables we are truly between the rock and the hard place.
To continue on the county tax thing, for an average house assessed at 250k and additional one percent works out to about 250 bucks per year. Most of us would pay this for the convenience and charm of living here. |
Wendyn
Supporter
Username: Wendyn
Post Number: 2710
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 8:41 am: |
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Hillsborough is not charming at all. Haven for McMansions and strip malls on 206.
I've heard people like Moorestown in south Jersey, but I think it is mainly new development. Schools have been rated very high.
Agree about Morristown...diverse, nice older homes, great downtown, lower taxes.
TomN and ess, my hubby grew up in "the township". Graduated Westwood in 1986, MIL still lives there. Can I tell you how much I hate Bergan County? |
Me2
Citizen
Username: Me2
Post Number: 224
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 9:01 am: |
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Bob K, thanks for the insight. I have never understood why our taxes are so high. Whenever I tell someone outside of Maplewood what I pay in taxes, they simply don't believe it. If density is part of the problem, why are we continuing to build more apartment buildings and such? |
kws
Citizen
Username: Kws
Post Number: 119
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 9:32 am: |
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Another part of the problem and one that is uniquely New Jersey is the fact that almost every town in this state insists on its own police department, fire department and school district.
Thank heaven we share a school district with South Orange.
Imagine the added cost if we did not. |
shoshannah
Citizen
Username: Shoshannah
Post Number: 1180
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 9:47 am: |
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How 'bout Haddonfield, NJ? |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 10670
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 9:57 am: |
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Kevin, I think SO is more into encouraging residential development than Maplewood. The two projects I know about in MW, the "loft like" condos on SA and the "Adult" development on Burnett aren't likely to bring a lot of school age children into the community. |
Me2
Citizen
Username: Me2
Post Number: 225
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 7:51 pm: |
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Thanks all! |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 998
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 8:02 pm: |
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Me2,
Would you consider staying in town and downsizing? |
Me2
Citizen
Username: Me2
Post Number: 226
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 8:43 am: |
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kmk, we talked about downsizing to lower our tax bill, but we really feel that the size of our current house is just about right. We would hate to have to downsize, but may reconsider if we can't find a town that we think we will be happy with. |
chiquita
Citizen
Username: Chiquita
Post Number: 71
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 10:27 am: |
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Hillsborough--My sister lives there--large lots, lower-priced houses, good school, but very boring--split-levels, mcmansions, no nice downtown, you have to drive to everything, and ongoing development is eating up all the farmland and giving way to talk of the need to expand the schools (we all know what that will mean for taxes).
Haddonfield--My brother-in-law lives there (but is moving soon)--beautiful old houses, awesome school system, really nice town center, a lot like Maplewood in terms of housing stock BUT not diverse at all, expensive housing, and similarly outrageous taxes. My brother-in-law is moving out because of the taxes and lack of diversity. |
Mozek
Citizen
Username: Mozek
Post Number: 64
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 1:28 pm: |
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Okay, what chiquita says about Haddonfield is also true of Moorestown. The two towns are very similar. Moorestown does have a lot of new homes (in addition to many old, historic ones). The new growth has been on farmland that used to surround the town (when I grew up there). Moorestown and Haddonfield are also far away (at least an hour and a half). |
spol
Citizen
Username: Spol
Post Number: 12
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 1:46 pm: |
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Chiming in on Hillsborough - grew up there, went to school there, moved right out of there! It's a great town if you like driving everywhere or farms. Lots of strip malls definitely and not one but TWO Dunkin Donuts (within 5 min of each other). The schools are good, but I know my parents recently relocated out of there after the taxes went up again.
I second Verona - I think it's adorable. I also love Hightstown and Cranbury. |
melicious
Citizen
Username: Melicious
Post Number: 364
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 7:42 pm: |
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Red Bank is nice and coolio, but as someone who works in Special Ed, there seem to be autism clusters there - something to consider.
I LOVE Lambertville, very funky,but am not sure you can commute easily.
Verona has tax issues, too, but the Superintendent there is fabulous.
Westfield is so snooty, as is Summit.
Have you thought about moving to the developing area of Montclair? Stuff can be reasonable (for NJ) and the taxes are a bit less the closer you get to E. Orange, but same funky vibe.
if you want to see listings with their taxes,
try
www.gsmls.com - Enter as a guest, by clicking on Search for properties.
Good luck |
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