Why am I so expensive?

My DH has asked me this for a long time.  I never really gave it much thought until recently.

We currently live in this great little beach town, Point Pleasant Beach.  It’s adorable.  The beaches are pristine, the boardwalk is family friendly, the downtown area is littered with coffee houses, antique-y store, wonderful restaurants and the best bagel in the county.  I LOVE this town.  The school district is top notch with super small class sizes, every Friday night during the summer they have cruise night (bunches of old timer cars cruise the strip), fireworks, kid movies on the beach (beach version of the lyceum), a train station to hop to NYC or Atlantic City, close to major arteries and roadways, I could continue but I’ll stop boring you. 

We’re also looking at another town called Jackson.  It’s 20 minutes inland and most of my family lives there, good schools, good shopping, great parks, overall a nice place to live.

Here’s what $530,000 will get you in Jackson…a 5 bedroom, 3 full bath, basement, over 3000 sq ft, on an acre or more, maybe with a pool, 2 or more car garage, brand new construction or nearly brand new. 

Here’s what $525,000 will get you in Point Pleasant Beach…a 3 bedroom, 1 bath, built in the 1930’s run down beach bungalow without a parking space, driveway or garage, on a 50 feet by 50 feet lot 100 feet from the beach OR a 2 bedroom, 1 bath, built in the 1940’s but recently updated house on a 50 by 100 foot lot 3 blocks from the beach with a driveway and a shed in the backyard. 

WHY?  You must be thinking, “Kristen…this is a no brainer!”  Obviously I have completely lost my brain to be even considering buying a $525,000 shack!  Good news is the condo hasn’t sold yet so I don’t have to make any decisions this week. 

 I did get to go to the “dream house.”  The house is 4 in from the beach, seaside victorian with a wrap porch, three stories, 7 bedrooms, 3 baths. 

Sounds gloroius, right?  WRONG!  It’s more like a nighmare than a dream.  Everything is original to 1905!  Windows that were damaged are now glued back together.  The original plastered walls are flaking off and peeling, those that aren’t covered with fake wood panneling.  The stairs and banister were falling over and rocked back and forth as we crept up them to see the upper floors.  I think the third floor is being rented by a family of squirels.  So sad!