It's Official, the "Oregon Trail" to Freedom has Begun...

[Rob0115 1,105]

My NJ to FL experience has been a positive one. Between a 2400 sqft colonial to a 2400 sqfr ranch: property taxes dropped $10k, utilities dropped from $200 (with a new he system) to $60 (even with all electric), trash is private in both states but cheaper, water/sewer is even, food is even, sales tax is 7%, housing is cheaper (paid cash for brand new and saved $3k per month from old mortgage).

My only downside is sometimes it's tough to decide between the beach or my screened-in backyard pool to relax in after work each day. If the pool is a bit chilly, then I drive 10 minutes to the beach (free parking and free beach access)

Drive on by Sliders and park on the beach. Why walk at all?

[Ricky_Bobby 130]

My NJ to FL experience has been a positive one. Between a 2400 sqft colonial to a 2400 sqfr ranch: property taxes dropped $10k, utilities dropped from $200 (with a new he system) to $60 (even with all electric), trash is private in both states but cheaper, water/sewer is even, food is even, sales tax is 7%, housing is cheaper (paid cash for brand new and saved $3k per month from old mortgage).

My only downside is sometimes it's tough to decide between the beach or my screened-in backyard pool to relax in after work each day. If the pool is a bit chilly, then I drive 10 minutes to the beach (free parking and free beach access)

 

Posts like these are super helpful -

 

Just ballparking, we will go from a 1600SF cape cod to a 2500+ SF colonial or ranch, either way I can expect a minimum of 40% more square footage, for a home costing $100k less than what I am selling in NJ.  And the kicker, my home built in 1952 up here, probably will get a home 10-15 years old at the max down there, considered "needs updates" by many, although we have found some nice lots on brand new construction.  Our tough issue down there is finding 1+ acre to live on, a lot of the newer developments are bare and on row tracts with .25 acre lots which we are avoiding at all costs.

 

Property taxes will go from about $9k (cheap by Jersey standards) to about $2k (on the high end depending on which suburb we end up in), utilities, trash, food, etc I expect to remain even -

 

With those two changes alone its worth the move to me.