Two of my client couples moved from California to NJ, about 10 years ago. Both were from Silicon Valley so they were used to high taxes --- after all, somebody has to pay for all that sun, oceans and earthquakes. But, when they found out what prices were like in NJ, and what their taxes would be, both couples were shocked. "What exactly are we paying for," one asked. "I mean, I have to drive 2-3 hours to get to the ocean, and I can only enjoy that 3.5 months a year. The only thing really good about NJ is that it's close to NY." Well, I don't agree with that, but I do wonder just how high our property taxes can go before we see a mass exodus to the sun states. Although, I can remember when you could buy a mansion, in North Carolina, for just under $300k. One of my clients just moved there, and his 2,800 sf home was $950k. He tells me he's been meeting as many NJ residents in NC as he ran into at the Market Basket, in Franklin Lakes.
Chris Christie employs a lot of bluster, and a lot of thuggery, but at the end of the day, he can no more slash taxes than jog to the beach. My forecast is he's pushing for a vice-presidential nod, and I say "good riddance," This state has suffered enough --- from the Passaic County floods to the ongoing mess Asbury Park (my hometown) continues to try to dig out of (still signs of the 1968 riots) to the tragedy Camden has become.
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