South Orange Losing Population?

I'm glad that you're happy in your new community, Jayjay. It wouldn't do for us at all.

We can't blame ANY town because we have seen our children grow up, go through the schools, and move on, and we still have our same, large property tax bills.

That's how towns are funded, and that's the law in NJ. The municipality can't cut you a break due to your age or lack of children in the home. It's silly to complain that the municipality should do something about that, because it can't.

Nobody's asking for a break. But if a community is built on "diversity," they may want to consider what they offer in terms of age-appropriate housing. That's all. If they only want to attract young upwardly mobiles, that's fine too. But realize that seniors do not increase school enrollments.

We two seniors (in our 60s and 70s) have no desire to move to a 55+ community. Not to say that it is not for some people, but I enjoy having the sound of my two year old twin neighbors laughing so hard in the backyard that I can hear. We also arent retired yet and the 70 year old still works part time at NJIT. Maybe retirement communities are for some, but I prefer to add to the diversity of South Orange by retiring in place.

Our "wants" for our retirement years have to be aligned with our means. Even with a good plan you might not end up with the retirement you envisioned. Our personal plan (the Mrs. and I) revolves around a series of compromises so that we can afford to live to a ripe old age (if we are so blessed) but still have a comfortable and fulfilling lifestyle. That plan does not include $23k in property tax so we will not be retiring in our current home. If it were something we wanted we would need to prepare for it. Perhaps adding another 5 years to our work life or not pulling out of some investments as early as we plan. Its mostly on us to make it happen. Our list of preferred retirement destinations is based on what we believe we will be able to afford and how seinior friendly they are but we certainly don't fault places we would love to live but cant make happen.

Different strokes for different folks... it's very hard to know what type of environment or situation will work best for you even five years down the road. I really don't know why some feel compelled to look down on people like jayjay for making the choice they made. (Don't some of you tell me that you're not. You clearly are.) How many of you have ever actually set foot in one of those 55+ communities? I have. Some are really, really nice. Like little villages, with everything at ground level and architecture/design that really does promote a feeling of community. And they often have planned activities that facilitate making new friends among people you likely have more in common with than your neighbors in your old town. I've got quite a few years before I qualify for residence in a "retirement" community, but my kid is older elementary age and already I'm starting to feel like a bit of a foreigner, with all the families with babies and preschoolers moving in around us...

I spent a lot of time in a retirement community when my in-laws were alive. Both my husband and I disliked everything about it, and we don't want to live in one.

I am not trying to sell you on it, just realize that all these communities are not all alike. For us, it was as much about location as anything else. Our "downtown" is Montclair, and we can draw on everything it has to offer. Because of its proximity to NYC, it tends to attract a fairly cosmopolitan populace. Lots of professionals. The "community" is not just about the type of housing and its location and services. Its about the people too.

I'm just over 55 and a couple decades from retirement, but I really enjoyed the evening I spent at Winchester Gardens during the post-Sandy power outage. There was a very strong sense of community and camaraderie.

What has jayjay done?

jayjay said:
I am not trying to sell you on it, just realize that all these communities are not all alike. For us, it was as much about location as anything else. Our "downtown" is Montclair, and we can draw on everything it has to offer. Because of its proximity to NYC, it tends to attract a fairly cosmopolitan populace. Lots of professionals. The "community" is not just about the type of housing and its location and services. Its about the people too.

I know what you mean, jayjay. Before I moved to SO, I lived in a cohousing community in the DC area. In cohousing, everyone has their own condo but is also involved in community operations (landscaping, group meals, etc.) and you know all of your neighbors. In contrast, thesuburban single-family-house lifestyle can be very isolating.

I don't understand what 55+ housing is supposed to do to keep seniors in town.

Let's say you've paid off your mortgage, and you are left with the supposedly unaffordable property tax bill. The average in SO for 2014 was just under $17K per year. That comes out to around $1400 a month.

What kind of apartment are you going to find for that? I don't see where the savings comes in.

jayjay said:
I am not trying to sell you on it, just realize that all these communities are not all alike. For us, it was as much about location as anything else. Our "downtown" is Montclair, and we can draw on everything it has to offer. Because of its proximity to NYC, it tends to attract a fairly cosmopolitan populace. Lots of professionals. The "community" is not just about the type of housing and its location and services. Its about the people too.

That sounds nice.

jayjay - You've previously mentioned that you were moving to a Four Seasons community near Montlcair. There is a Four Seasons in North Caldwell. Is this the type of building that you're in?

http://www.55places.com/new-jersey/communities/four-seasons-at-north-caldwell

No. We're not in North Caldwell. That complex is much smaller and only offers apartment-type units. Very small clubhouse with only an outdoor pool. Our complex is on Valley Rd just beyond Montclair State. Many different styles of housing, with lots of ranch-styles.

BTW, since Seton Hall is building a medical school very close to us, in an odd sort of way, I still feel that tie to SHU, however weird that seems.

And lest I forget to mention, there are underground utilities, which saw them through Sandy.