How about the Lehigh Valley? My mother's side of the family are/were all from New Jersey, and most of my family members that are still living in that state want out. Also, they tax you to death too in NJ.
Allentown was my first residence outside of New Jersey.
It was more affordable
@Unity Speaking of which, the Allentown Fair is just around the corner, and I can hardly wait.
@SpikeTalon When is it?
@Unity Starts last day of this month through Labor Day Monday (six days total). Previous years it used to run for seven days, always the last Tuesday in the month, but since Covid hit it starts now on the last Wednesday in August. Hopefully they'll eventually switch back to the Fair lasting seven days.
I was raised in NJ just north of Philly, white suburban neighborhood. I left when I was 20 and only went back to visit the family. I'm done even doing that.
My mom is 91 years old. Like me she was born and raised in Newark. I'm convinced that is where she'll spend the rest of her days
I bought my house for $80K '02, paid it off 2017. My next door neighbor is renting $2500/mo. I could never afford that. Jersey City is $1K more than that? Might as well live in NYC.
It is literally right across the Hudson from NYC.
@Unity That's who's hiking up those rentals. That's where my neighbor's from. To him, my little rowhome in Fishtown is a bargain for $2.5K month. When I moved in my taxes were $600/yr now they're $4K, I can barely afford that because there's no monthly payment, it has to be paid in full annually. Gentrification.