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Hey all - I've been patiently waiting to purchase a new car here in Texas but given I'm considering a move to JC, not quite sure if that's a good idea.
I want the car because of the following reasons:
1) Always wanted the car I'm thinking of buying (Audi S5)
2) Want to be able to take weekend trips to nice areas
3) Want to be able to drive during the winter months
If my primary reason for moving to JC is to have proximity to NYC, is a car overrated? Are there any major disadvantages of owning a car here, such as parking, or having to pay for parking to store it? What about crime/vandalism?
Depends where in Jersey City. Living anywhere downtown near the PATH, you can get by without a car and Uber/Zipcar as needed. Parking garages run another $300 per month or more. However, if you are going to be living more on the interior of Jersey City without that kind of access to public transportation, you should definitely have a car.
Depends where in Jersey City. Living anywhere downtown near the PATH, you can get by without a car and Uber/Zipcar as needed. Parking garages run another $300 per month or more. However, if you are going to be living more on the interior of Jersey City without that kind of access to public transportation, you should definitely have a car.
I'm trying to limit my rent to $2500 or so and I think that wouldn't get me a place near PATH.. so if I go further out, is parking still that expensive? $300 is steep!
I don’t have experience with that, but I would say no. Because you are likely talking about street parking then instead of a garage. There are some apartment towers away from the PATH that might have garages…those are likely cheaper than what you would find downtown. All depends on where you look.
Some apartment towers not by the PATH will run a shuttle for residents to the PATH. Lots of different options to explore, but I would say the general rule of thumb is that if you are not downtown, you ought to have a car.
Be prepared for a sticker shock - for rent, parking, and insurance. Insurance in JC is considerably high due to car break-ins, and the number of uninsured motorist.
If I were you, I'd wait until moving to JC to first to figure out -
1. rent $$
2. then determine the parking situation - if parking is included, if not, is it street parking or how much would it cost to park in a garage
3. and then find the insurance cost for the model you plan to buy
Only after you have all the variables figured out, then consider your budget and see if you need one. Very much possible that using zip car/uber for weekly getaways might be cheaper than owning a car in JC.
It would be easier to answer after you find a potential rental spot and we which neighborhood. Chances are that it will be tough to park regardless. I'd try to find a place for rent that has parking.
Be prepared for a sticker shock - for rent, parking, and insurance. Insurance in JC is considerably high due to car break-ins, and the number of uninsured motorist.
If I were you, I'd wait until moving to JC to first to figure out -
1. rent $$
2. then determine the parking situation - if parking is included, if not, is it street parking or how much would it cost to park in a garage
3. and then find the insurance cost for the model you plan to buy
Only after you have all the variables figured out, then consider your budget and see if you need one. Very much possible that using zip car/uber for weekly getaways might be cheaper than owning a car in JC.
I thought about how much I'm actually paying for car ownership if I were to buy one.. it's pretty much $20,000/year for 5 years, not including maintenance.
$71,000 for the car
$200/month insurance
$200/month parking
$50/month gas
Starting to second guess if it's really worth it now.
Not owning one would allow me to raise my rent budget a bit and invest the savings..
I had a car when I moved to Jersey City. Kept it for a couple of years and then sold it. Wish I had gotten rid of it sooner. It was more of a burden than an asset. Use zipcar or rent when you want to take a weekend away. Otherwise no need or desire to have a car here.
I thought about how much I'm actually paying for car ownership if I were to buy one.. it's pretty much $20,000/year for 5 years, not including maintenance.
$71,000 for the car
$200/month insurance
$200/month parking
$50/month gas
Starting to second guess if it's really worth it now.
Not owning one would allow me to raise my rent budget a bit and invest the savings..
Yes. I got rid of my car 12 years ago and estimated that I’ve saved $93,000 in that time. That’s almost a down payment on a condo.
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