Downsizing without giving up gardening!

Rcarter31, I owe you an apology.  I may have started this thread down this route.   I love your gardening posts, and Susan1014 is right, I hadn't realized this was in the gardening category.  I'm glad you are happy there.

lizziecat said:
I grew up in a co-op in Queens.  I  remember nasty letters under the apartment door when board elections rolled around, character assassinations in the co-op newsletter, children insulted and bullied for their parents' beliefs, and a general atmosphere of unpleasantness, where there were 750 families, each one considering itself to be an "owner."  When my mother died I couldn't get rid of the place fast enough.  The rules  were that I had to sell it back to the co-op for whatever they decided to pay--which was way below market value--and they still tried to swindle me out of several thousand dollars.
 I would never, ever live in a co-op again.  Those folks do not cooperate with each other.

 You had the bad experience of a terrible co-op. And anyone who would buy anything under a requirement that the co-op could buy it for whatever they decide to pay made a terrible financial decision and was hoodwinked. My two co- op experiences were  nothing like that. They were well- managed, had very low maintenance and were run very well. and both made me a good deal of profit upon selling.

FilmCarp said:
Rcarter31, I owe you an apology.  I may have started this thread down this route.   I love your gardening posts, and Susan1014 is right, I hadn't realized this was in the gardening category.  I'm glad you are happy there.

 Wonderful! You are not common online! A learner!!!

susan1014 said:
A few of the comments here belong on Soapbox....just saying.
The OP isn't here trying to shill a piece of real estate.  He has lived there for years, posted a great deal about the garden, and is posting IN THE GARDENING THREAD to let other gardeners know that there is a large unit available in his gardening-friendly co-op.
Not everyone likes co-ops, and sarahzm's assessment of questions to ask seems spot-on.
Living in NJ costs money, and I can't imagine finding any attractive 2-3 bedroom options that are extremely cheap.  Mortgage/purchase costs on a $115K co-op plus $2000 a month for property tax, all exterior maintenance and snow removal, utilities, and a 24 hour a day doorman sounds like it would cost a lot less than keeping my money-pit of a single family home once we are retired and child-free, even though the mortgage will be paid in full.
The Newstead, for example, has a combination of condo fees and property tax that are at least as expensive, for amenities that include some utilities, 24 hour a day(?) doorman, exterior maintenance and snow removal, and a pool rather than a garden.  Newer construction, condo, and a South Orange address, so prices for the rare 3 Br unit there would probably be at least 4 times as high.  (The 2Brs currently on the market list for about $300K)
Ron's building is a block or two across the South Orange border, so I'm guessing that many of the residents downsizing from South Orange continue to do much of their shopping and socializing in South Orange. I'd take a look at the building when it comes time to downsize, given what I know now.

 Garden tours and unofficial building walks available most anytime, just message me!

The interesting aspect of the thread for me, is that many of the harshest posters have given us plants for the garden. 

Also, such intense negativity with out the facts!

Kinda proves why Network is again a hit!!!

Peace. Out.

The interesting aspect of the thread for me, is that many of the harshest posters have given us plants for the garden. 

Also, such intense negativity with out the facts!

Kinda proves why Network is again a hit!!!

Peace. Out.

We know many people who have moved there and they all really like it. We considered it ourselves, but we weren't ready to downsize quite that far. 

As for the neighborhood, take a drive by some time when you're on your way to 280. Take a look at what's being built in the area, and especially right next door. This is a neighborhood on the way up. 

And a new grocery store!

-Ron Carter

there is a high rise under construction on S. Harrison St in Orange that has $1M+ apts.

Back on topic, when we became emptynesters in Maplewood, we wanted to stay in town, but houses we could afford needed a lot of upgrading. So, we sat down and realized our $27K annual tax bill, our utilities expenses over one year, snow shoveling, etc etc expenses, maintence on a 6 bedroom house was literally thru the roof.

When you do the math on the home you are in and compare it to a $2000 monthly maintenance, you may think it a bargain. Plus, you get security and amenities you didn’t think you needed! More importantly for many, there are no stairs to worry about!

mtierney said:
there is a high rise under construction on S. Harrison St in Orange that has $1M+ apts.


Back on topic, when we became emptynesters in Maplewood, we wanted to stay in town, but houses we could afford needed a lot of upgrading. So, we sat down and realized our $27K annual tax bill, our utilities expenses over one year, snow shoveling, etc etc expenses, maintence on a 6 bedroom house was literally thru the roof.
When you do the math on the home you are in and compare it to a $2000 monthly maintenance, you may think it a bargain. Plus, you get security and amenities you didn’t think you needed! More importantly for many, there are no stairs to worry about!

Thank You, that's the facts!