23 replies to this topic

[flotown]

I was born in NJ and have lived in SC for many years. However, I make it back home 1-2 times a year. It never ceases to amaze me at the tolerance of the people of NJ for taxes, property and otherwise.

My brother has a 30 year old 3 bedroom townhouse in Woodbridge and pays $6000 a year in property taxes, not to mention $150 in "maintenance" fees. My cousin lives further south but has a much bigger house and he pays over $10000 a year. In contrast, I have a 4 bedroom house on a large lot in a nice neighboorhood here in SC, and I was moaning about taxes going from $400 to $720 after a recent reassesment(the first in 15 years). Sure salaries are higher in NJ, education is much better and the pensions are better for teachers/police officers etc. But c'mon.  I priced out the salary for my career (health care) up there, and the difference was only $3,000 a year more. In NJ, both spouses have to work or you have to hold down a second job in order to own a home. Not so in SC, where for $40,000 a year you can live very comfortably in a nice house.

Then there is the cost of buying a home...the real estate market is out of reach for young home buyers. My home is appraised at $175,000; this house would be untouchable for under $500,000 in NJ.

Also:
A carton of Marlboro's costs $60 in NJ but I saw them at $22.99 the other day.

My brother (no DUI's) pays over $1200 year for liability only car insurance on his '99 van. I pay $850 for full coverage on a '00 Jeep.

In SC there are no tolls on roads.

In SC, charging to go on the beach would be met with a riot.

Etc, etc.


This isn't to say SC is a better state. SC is backwards in many ways, such as with alcohol blue laws. But I don't know how anyone can afford to live in NJ. I've often tought of moving back to be closer to the city, but the taxes and cold weather have changed my mind (cold weather....that's another thing, the outrageous heating bills!).

Will there ever be a revolt among NJ taxpayers?

Edited by flotown, 02 May 2006 - 07:24 PM.

[Jerseyman4]

flotown, on May 2 2006, 07:22 PM, said:

Will there ever be a revolt among NJ taxpayers?

No because everyone keeps moving out. The people who do not mind paying these outrageous property taxes are the New Yorkers from the city and Long Island that price out many native New Jerseyians! Theres supposebly 8 million people living in NJ but theres really 10 million or more unaccounted that are overcrowing homes, violating fire codes just for a place to stay. Its really ugly in NJ for people who are not making enough money to live comfortably! Eastern PA is the refuge for many who still want to work in NY/NJ and be close with friends & family.

[SouthJersey7]

flotown, on May 2 2006, 09:22 PM, said:

This isn't to say SC is a better state. SC is backwards in many ways, such as with alcohol blue laws.

NJ has those too (Bergen county!)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_law

[kickazzz2000]

SouthJersey7, on May 3 2006, 11:38 PM, said:

NJ has those too (Bergen county!)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_law

When I moved to Hackensack after living in NC pretty much my whole life, I thought it was bizarre that I couldn't buy a CD or even go to the mall on Sunday.

[waccamatt]

kickazzz2000, on Jul 31 2006, 11:37 AM, said:

When I moved to Hackensack after living in NC pretty much my whole life, I thought it was bizarre that I couldn't buy a CD or even go to the mall on Sunday.

You're kidding! I had no idea there were still blue laws in NJ. The only remnants of them here in Columbia are the parts the state won't let us get rid of by referendum: liquor stores can't open on Sundays and grocery stores can't sell beer and wine on Sundays. Bars and restaurants can.

Flo, I was born in NJ and moved to SC, too. Keep in mind that salaries are alot higher in NJ than in SC, too. Especially compared to small town SC.

[RaleighHeelsfan]

I think NJ is backwards in many ways myself.

In NC, you can buy beer at any convenience, or grocery store. In NJ you have to go to a liquor store just to get beer! How weird is that!  

In NJ, your screwed if you want to make a late night beer run. Unless the liquor stores stay open all night. Do they? But even if they do, it is out of the way and not convenient.  

We have it made down here  


I like NJ though. I am there a couple times a year to visit family. I just bring all the beer I will need with me, so I don't get stuck without it. Believe me, with my family, you need all you can get.  

[Cotuit]

Sounds like you have a drinking problem.  

[Jerseyman4]

RaleighHeelsfan, on Sep 28 2006, 10:30 PM, said:

I like NJ though. I am there a couple times a year to visit family. I just bring all the beer I will need with me, so I don't get stuck without it. Believe me, with my family, you need all you can get.  

Some advice,

Why not just buy the booze in NJ, its cheaper than NC! Jot down the cost of a 24 case of Bud in NC, then see how much a 30 case of Bud is in NJ. You will be saving 5-8 bucks on booze and get 6 more beers out of it. The savings (although similar) is also the case when buying liqour. Filling up your gas tank is another jersey advantage too due to cheaper gas taxes but your best off doing that in South Jersey near the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Other than that, BRING your CIGGERETTES, do NOT buy them in NJ, its double the cost.

Gas:
NC: 29.9 Cents
NJ: 10.5 Cents (believe its 14 cents including some other tax)

Ciggs (pack)
NC: $0.30
NJ: $2.40

Booze:

Beer Per Gallon
NC: 0.53 Cents
NJ: 0.12 Cents

Spirts Per Gallon
NC: $8.98
NJ $4.40

Source

[RaleighHeelsfan]

The gas stations are another thing I don't like.

You can't pump your on gas! I like to pump my own so I can fill it all the way up. When they pump it for you, you are short 2 gallons! Soon as the handle clicks, they stop! ergggg.   From NC, I can get to northern Jersey with one tank of gas. But when I leave, they fill it up for me, and I have to stop in southern Virginia everytime on the way back.

And yes, Jersey man. You are right about the Beer being cheaper. I cannot believe how much cheaper it is. They charge for 12 packs what NC charges for 6 packs! $4.50

I don't smoke, but yeah, the cigs up there are way expensive.

I am heading up next month, I will try to find something else to complain about...and bring it to your attentions...

Edited by RaleighHeelsfan, 10 October 2006 - 12:32 AM.

[RaleighHeelsfan]

Cotuit, on Sep 29 2006, 12:54 AM, said:

Sounds like you have a drinking problem.  

Yeah, I drink way to much beer. I always say it's time to cut back. But it taste to darn good!  

Ever had Warsteiner? That is some good beer!

[SouthJersey7]

RaleighHeelsfan, on Oct 10 2006, 02:30 AM, said:

Yeah, I drink way to much beer. I always say it's time to cut back. But it taste to darn good!  

Ever had Warsteiner? That is some good beer!

It is good, I had that when I was in Germany over the summer, around Hamburg and Berlin it's EVERYWHERE and cheap too!

[lammius]

Melee erupts outside Orange's housing authority

Some in throng seeking vouchers point to economic desperation

Thursday, October 12, 2006

BY KEVIN DILWORTH AND BARRY CARTER

Star-Ledger Staff

Chances at a federal housing voucher don't come often for working poor New Jerseyans like Karen Patton. So she wanted to be first in line when the Orange Housing Authority started handing out applications yesterday morning.

She got to the authority's Thomas Boulevard headquarters at 11 p.m. Tuesday -- 11 hours before the applications were supposed to go out. But there were already 75 people ahead of her by then. The crowd kept growing through the night and morning, forcing police to set up barricades to keep order. The throng got so big that officials started handing out the applications at 8 a.m., two hours ahead of schedule.

Then it got ugly.

People started pushing and shoving, police said. Some tried to force themselves into the building's entrance. The cops called for backup and released pepper spray into the crowd. Patton, scared for her safety, turned around and left empty-handed.

"It shows you the state of the economy when this many people show up because they are in dire need of housing assistance," said Patton, a 48-year-old mother of three who works full-time as an administrative assistant. But, she added, "it's more important for me to be alive than be crushed to death to get an application."



More...

[flotown]

RaleighHeelsfan, on Oct 10 2006, 02:26 AM, said:

The gas stations are another thing I don't like.

You can't pump your on gas! I like to pump my own so I can fill it all the way up. When they pump it for you, you are short 2 gallons! Soon as the handle clicks, they stop! ergggg.   From NC, I can get to northern Jersey with one tank of gas. But when I leave, they fill it up for me, and I have to stop in southern Virginia everytime on the way back.

I was up in July and was looking to fill up at a Hess station in Woodbridge; I was in a hurry as we were going to Philly to catch a game at the new ballpark. I pulled up to the pump and waited. And waited. And waited. The idiot in the booth was busy doing "paperwork". I honked my horn twice after sitting there...I guess this pissed him off, as he never came out. NJ needs to scrap this archaic law...to hell with the gas pumpers union. Give me the damn choice.

Ditto for the inability to buy a six pack in a convenience store. NJ is more backwards in many ways than my home state of SC....and that's pretty bad. Backwards....um, I mean corrupt. It's all about money and payoffs.  Why do NJ citizens not revolt? What is going on?

[Jerseyman4]

I too, am against the full service only law! Unless its a speedy 17 year old gas jock that is usually on top of things, the majority of the slow pokes take forever to get my gas pumped. Id rather pump it myself

[ocoee1]

Jerseyman4, on Oct 21 2006, 12:50 AM, said:

I too, am against the full service only law! Unless its a speedy 17 year old gas jock that is usually on top of things, the majority of the slow pokes take forever to get my gas pumped. Id rather pump it myself

Just an old school rule that was set in place for job security.  It needs to go!

[Lowerdeck]

On several occassions in Jersey I've pumped my own gas.  The attendants were non existant, and nobody ever noticed me doing it.  If anyone objected, all I got to do is just point to the plates on my car and play ignorance.

[lammius]

Add another thing to the list of high cost items in New Jersey!

Yesterday I went to Newark Municpal Court to try and plead down a moving violation I received under questionable circumstances (improper turn).  I took a lesser charge (unsafe driving) which comes with 0 points.  The fine?  Only $135.  So I go to the window to pay up... total?  $451!!!  That includes court fees and a $250 state surcharge attached to all moving violations!  Acting Governor Dick Codey and Mayor Cory Booker are laughing all the way to the bank!  Grrrrr

The good news?  I was interviewed by an AP reporter and included in an AP wire story on Governor Corzine's situation.  Here's a link to the story from Newsday.  Newsday everyday!  Newsday every day!

Edited by lammius, 19 April 2007 - 12:56 AM.

[nynjdude]

I too can't stand the required full service laws.  I have come across many situations where each tank had a parked car waiting, and so the only worker on hand had to juggle between pumping, and getting the money.  I could have pumped and payed for my own gas in the time it takes them to finally get to my car.  It is an inefficient old fashioned law that is not needed in these modern times.

[kickazzz2000]

Jerseyman4, on Sep 29 2006, 10:32 AM, said:

Filling up your gas tank is another jersey advantage too due to cheaper gas taxes but your best off doing that in South Jersey near the Delaware Memorial Bridge.

I-295, Exit 2C.  Pilot or Flying J.  Save yourself some money!

To those frustrated with the lack of pumpers, one piece of advice....NEVER fill up on the turnpike!

Edited by kickazzz2000, 29 July 2007 - 06:34 PM.

[Lowerdeck]

kickazzz2000, on Jul 29 2007, 08:30 PM, said:

I-295, Exit 2C.  Pilot or Flying J.  Save yourself some money!

To those frustrated with the lack of pumpers, one piece of advice....NEVER fill up on the turnpike!

The Lombardi Plaza (northernmost on the Turnpike) is a nightmare, Montvale's (northernmost on the GSP) is also pretty bad.  However, I fall into the same idea of ... hey, I can wait another 20 miles to get to Montvale, along with ... hey, I can get 20 more miles of $2.75 gas instead of needing 3.09 gas sooner.