Potential Move to North NJ from UK…lots to consider
Oct 1st 2017, 6:19 pm
#16
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Re: Potential Move to North NJ from UK…lots to consider
The OP might want to check out the cost of any sports that their kid wants to do. For me, that was the biggest cost surprise. Stuff that cost next to nothing in France to do, here in the USA they all seem to be training future Olympians. I breathed a sigh of relief when my son started rowing and I only needed to budget $250 a month + rowing gear, littlest went from cheap horse-riding in France to $250 a month for 1 group lesson a week. No chance of any competitions which run to $1200 a day once you've added horse lease, groom fee, transportation for horse and rider and competition fees. Other child did martial arts which was a very cheap $100 a month.
Oct 1st 2017, 6:22 pm
#17
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Re: Potential Move to North NJ from UK…lots to consider
Then there is summer camp... 
Oct 1st 2017, 6:24 pm
#18
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Re: Potential Move to North NJ from UK…lots to consider
Just meant that l think they could spend less then $500 if they wished, we do easily but then l like the Newark outlet mall!
Oct 1st 2017, 7:16 pm
#20
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Re: Potential Move to North NJ from UK…lots to consider
I didn't like the idea of sending my daughter away for most of the summer holidays. Fortunately her best friend's mum was European and felt the same way. They did an odd week or so at tennis day camp. Also when hubby travelled on biz...we went with him.
Oct 1st 2017, 7:17 pm
#21
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Re: Potential Move to North NJ from UK…lots to consider
$4,000/month for rent seems doable to me for a 3 bed in Montclaiir, which along with Maplewood/South Orange is one of the towns Brooklynites flock to. An example of a home would be https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...3-75683#photo8 OR https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...2-50394#photo1 (I can't see the backyard for this one). I would hope you are able to find something similar in Maplewood/South Orange.
Obviously the higher the budget, the more options you have. There are various parts of Montclair that are quite walkable, especially if your wife really doesn't want to drive. I do recommend having at least one car though.
PS: I do not live in Montclair, just a town over.
Obviously the higher the budget, the more options you have. There are various parts of Montclair that are quite walkable, especially if your wife really doesn't want to drive. I do recommend having at least one car though.
PS: I do not live in Montclair, just a town over.
Last edited by fbf2006; Oct 1st 2017 at 7:29 pm.
Oct 2nd 2017, 5:16 pm
#22
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Re: Potential Move to North NJ from UK…lots to consider
Hi all,
Thank you for all your help.
Weighing everything up (and keeping a spreadsheet updated) Ive decided not to take the offer.
We'll stay in Blighty for now!
Perhaps another time
Thanks all
Thank you for all your help.
Weighing everything up (and keeping a spreadsheet updated) Ive decided not to take the offer.
We'll stay in Blighty for now!
Perhaps another time
Thanks all
Oct 2nd 2017, 5:23 pm
#23
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Re: Potential Move to North NJ from UK…lots to consider
After all of that 
Seriously though, thanks for updating us as so many people hit and run and we never hear what happens next. Best wishes.
Seriously though, thanks for updating us as so many people hit and run and we never hear what happens next. Best wishes.
Oct 2nd 2017, 5:28 pm
#24
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Re: Potential Move to North NJ from UK…lots to consider
I'm disappointed but hey, next time...
Wouldn't hit n run, really appreciated all the help :-)
Thanks all
Oct 2nd 2017, 5:43 pm
#25
Austin. TX.
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,930
Re: Potential Move to North NJ from UK…lots to consider
I ran the numbers through that calculator and although I couldn't include your health insurance costs, the net salary was about $7k for a 2 weeks salary - $14K a month. With all your bills coming in at about $8k a month, that leaves a fair bit to live on.
eta actually not even to live on, just left over after bills are paid...
eta actually not even to live on, just left over after bills are paid...
Oct 2nd 2017, 6:13 pm
#26
Deep in the woods of CT
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,002
Re: Potential Move to North NJ from UK…lots to consider
I ran the numbers through that calculator and although I couldn't include your health insurance costs, the net salary was about $7k for a 2 weeks salary - $14K a month. With all your bills coming in at about $8k a month, that leaves a fair bit to live on.
eta actually not even to live on, just left over after bills are paid...
eta actually not even to live on, just left over after bills are paid...
Not sure the OP ever mentioned what visa the employer had in mind -- perhaps that was the deal breaker, not the numbers.
Oct 2nd 2017, 6:13 pm
#27
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Re: Potential Move to North NJ from UK…lots to consider
Plus having to keep up my uk mortgage on the short term though....no chance
Oct 2nd 2017, 6:29 pm
#29
Austin. TX.
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,930
Re: Potential Move to North NJ from UK…lots to consider
It depends on what you think the long term goal is - to become a permanent resident or to move back in a few years. Not many jobs will offer sufficient salary to pay rent on a decent house in the USA and pay a mortgage on an empty house elsewhere.
Anyway, like the others have said, thanks for coming back and telling us. Good luck !
Oct 2nd 2017, 7:09 pm
#30
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Re: Potential Move to North NJ from UK…lots to consider
I ran the numbers through that calculator and although I couldn't include your health insurance costs, the net salary was about $7k for a 2 weeks salary - $14K a month. With all your bills coming in at about $8k a month, that leaves a fair bit to live on.
eta actually not even to live on, just left over after bills are paid...
eta actually not even to live on, just left over after bills are paid...