Better quality of life, but not necessarily cheaper

amother

Wed, Jun 26 2019, 10:40 am

Moving to Tom's River/ vs buying a small house in Flatbush.
Between higher taxes, higher upkeep costs, utilities, more cleaning help, travel expenses, it probably comes out to same or more...
Anyone have personal experience?

mig100

Wed, Jun 26 2019, 10:44 am

im also curious to hear from those who actually crunched the numbers or made the move.

id guess even the tiniest flatbush would be much more expensive than toms river. where in flatbush can you find a house for less then 6-700k - even small houses in marine park are going for more.

other expesnes- such as travel, car etc may be a lot less in flatbush.

amother

Mint

Wed, Jun 26 2019, 10:49 am

Are you a city mouse or a country mouse? Do you need space, peace and quiet? Or do you crave the energy of city life? Lights out at ten, or buying sushi at midnight?

amother

Floralwhite

Wed, Jun 26 2019, 10:51 am

Not all of those are fixed expenses. It's nice that you feel a bigger house equals more cleaning help, but it's a choice. No reason the upkeep should be more expensive either.

watergirl

Wed, Jun 26 2019, 10:55 am

amother [ Bisque ] wrote:

Upkeep is more expensive because you have gardening bills.

What?? Why? Buy a lawn mower and hedge clipper. This is also a choice.

amother

Chartreuse

Wed, Jun 26 2019, 10:56 am

I think its cheaper in TR. You get a huge house for under 600k with a pool, granted taxes are more but thats equal to a 900k attached home in Brooklyn (plus another 100k to fix up), there is no need to go away in the summer anymore so that eliminates the expense of bungalow colonies. And tuitions are several 1000 cheaper. Daycare and playgroups are cheaper too. One thing to keep in mind is the cost of commuting as well as that some jobs for women are hard to find (teachers, special ed etc) so there may be a loss of income

Iymnok

Wed, Jun 26 2019, 11:01 am

amother [ Bisque ] wrote:

Upkeep is more expensive because you have gardening bills.

Or you could research how to maintain a low-maintenance yard. Gardening is a wonderful and useful activity and skill. Mowing the lawn is not difficult if it’s a smaller size. As a teen I enjoyed trimming the hedge.
These can easily be outsourced to teenagers for much less than a gardener.

amother

Fuchsia

Wed, Jun 26 2019, 11:02 am

When we moved from Brooklyn to Monsey, everyone told us Monsey is cheaper. Well, that's not true. Monsey is more expensive. The only thing that's cheaper in Mosney is housing. Groceries and shopping is more. Even shoes and clothing is more expensive in local Monsey stores. And you need a car/taxi to get around.
I'm assuming the same probably applies to Lakewood, or you get more for your money.

amother

Wed, Jun 26 2019, 11:07 am

amother [ Chartreuse ] wrote:

It's possible to find a decent size move in condition home in Brooklyn for under 900k.
What about the extra pool related expenses? What about utilities like electricity, heat? Anyone know differences in pricing (pricing in general plus difference because size of house)??

amother

Wed, Jun 26 2019, 11:09 am

amother [ Chartreuse ] wrote:

I think its cheaper in TR. You get a huge house for under 600k with a pool, granted taxes are more but thats equal to a 900k attached home in Brooklyn (plus another 100k to fix up), there is no need to go away in the anymore so that eliminates the expense of bungalow colonies. And tuitions are several 1000 cheaper. Daycare and playgroups are cheaper too. One thing to keep in mind is the cost of commuting as well as that some jobs for women are hard to find (teachers, special ed etc) so there may be a loss of income

There is no "need" to go away also when living in Brooklyn....

amother

Wed, Jun 26 2019, 11:10 am

amother [ Chartreuse ] wrote:

We are paying between $4,500- $5,000 for each of our children in Brooklyn, how much is tuition in Lakewood? Do they give breaks?

amother

Linen

Wed, Jun 26 2019, 11:13 am

amother [ Bisque ] wrote:

Upkeep is more expensive because you have gardening bills.

I live in Lakewood and I do my own gardening. Mowing your lawn is better than going to the gym. The mower pays for itself in one season.

We plant our own flowers and spread our own mulch and weed killer, etc....cost under $50. And is a great family project, and very enjoyable and satisfying.

amother

Tan

Wed, Jun 26 2019, 11:19 am

amother [ OP ] wrote:

We are paying between $4,500- $5,000 for each of our children in Brooklyn, how much is tuition in Lakewood? Do they give breaks?

Boy's elementary school:
Full: $6,800
Break that they offer to everyone: $6,000
If you need more of a break you need to apply for financial aid.

This is not the most expensive school in town.

ShishKabob

Wed, Jun 26 2019, 11:19 am

amother [ Floralwhite ] wrote:

Not all of those are fixed expenses. It's nice that you feel a bigger house equals more cleaning help, but it's a choice. No reason the upkeep should be more expensive either.

The upkeep is totally more expensive. Consider the cost of landscaping upkeep, or plowing your long driveway and so on. More outdoor upkeep than indoor, however, if you have a very large house, it automatically takes longer to wash the floors and windows as oppose to a regular house in the city.

allthingsblue

Wed, Jun 26 2019, 11:21 am

ShishKabob wrote:

Don't forget heat and ac - the bills will be a lot higher.

Many people don't have the time to do the lawn on their own, and don't have teens to delegate to.

amother

Floralwhite

Wed, Jun 26 2019, 11:22 am

ShishKabob wrote:

Plenty of people do their own landscaping. Sorry, that's a choice. Owning a pool, with related expenses, is a choice. Washing floors and windows is not an expense.

allthingsblue

Wed, Jun 26 2019, 11:26 am

amother [ Floralwhite ] wrote:

Plenty of people do their own landscaping. Sorry, that's a choice. Owning a pool, with related expenses, is a choice. Washing floors and windows is not an expense.

Yes these are all choices (other than increased heat and ac) and many people choose to move for better quality of life and don't end up saving money. But they do have nicer surroundings and more space and privacy.

Last edited by allthingsblue on Wed, Jun 26 2019, 11:26 am; edited 1 time in total

amother

Wed, Jun 26 2019, 11:26 am

Can someone that bought a house in Tom's River for about $600,000 chime in? I would love to know an approximate cost breakdown.