The Price of Housing: What's a Home Cost in Mayberry?

Today's New York Times offers a story about Brick Township, New Jersey, recently named the safest community in America. The article is headlined: "Their Own Little Mayberry on the Jersey Shore."

So what's it cost to live in Mayberry these days? The answer might come as a surprise. According to the article:

The Census Bureau’s 2005 population estimates show Brick Township, with 78,155 residents, grew almost 18 percent from its 1990 population of 66,473. It has a slightly older, more female population than the rest of the country, with slightly more high school graduates but slightly fewer college graduates. The median home value is $282,900, compared with $167,500 nationally.

Now, $282,000 is a lot higher than the national average. But it might not seem like all that much. It is a waterfront community, after all. But there are other things to consider. Namely, most of the houses seem to be pretty small. The article points to "side streets with small, single-story homes from the 1950s and earlier." It also describes a "mix of familiar strip malls, sandy woods, diminutive homes bordering lagoons and multimillion-dollar beachfront mansions."

So it seems that unless you can afford one of the multi-million dollar mansions, your $282,000 will probably get you diminutive home bordering a lagoon. How diminutive? The article doesn't say.

I only got to see Andy Griffith in reruns. But I don't recall his house being all that diminutive. Nor do I recall any lagoons.

Times change, no?

Seems like Mayberry gets pricier every day.

At least to me. I still rent.

Come on, bubble. Burst!

Comments

[sean mcdaniel]

this is unusual, isn't it? dropping housing prices and low mortgage rates...please don't wake me.

as for Mayberry, NJ, don't forget to add the highest average property taxes in the nation and all the other outrageous costs associated with the privilege of living in Sopranoland.