My husband’s background as a Silicon Valley engineer who transitioned from being a Samsung resident
to permanently settling in Silicon Valley is quite a story.
Being a tech-savvy individual, I already knew about his knack for craftsmanship.
Even though he’s currently working a full-time job, he dedicates extra time to meticulously document his craftsmanship on YouTube and his blog, explaining every aspect of his work.
Despite the fatigue that surely accompanies such endeavors, he finds genuine joy and satisfaction in them.
On the flip side,
I’m quite the opposite when it comes to handy skills.
I’ve had my fair share of mishaps, from accidentally rendering gadgets unusable
due to improper charging to botching DIY projects beyond repair.
Plants under my care tend to wither away, while those tended by my husband thrive.
As much as possible, I try to keep my hands off anything he’s nurturing.
The house we recently purchased in New Jersey is
a townhouse located in a small suburban community called Edgewater,
right along the Hudson River.
It has two bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, and it’s over 15 years old.
The price was $650,000, and
the Homeowners Association (HOA) fee is around $300 per month.
There were several reasons why we chose this house.
Firstly, its location was ideal : Edgewater
Edgewater, where we moved for the first time in New Jersey,
offers great accessibility for commuting to Manhattan.
It takes only about 40 minutes door-to-door, making it an appealing choice for us.
Secondly, we wanted a house situated in a higher elevation
Given New Jersey’s reputation for heavy rain and snowfall.
Being on higher ground means less worry about flooding
during heavy rainfall or snowstorms during winter.
Thirdly, my husband particularly liked the fact that there were fewer areas in need of repair
While the townhouse is over 15 years old, it didn’t require extensive renovations.
The kitchen cabinets, although showing signs of age,
and the outdated bathroom tiles from the early 2000s
were things my husband could easily fix.
Lastly, the price was right: Price, price, price
Considering our financial situation,
we focused on houses priced below $750,000.
I’ll share photos of the house we bought
and document the renovation process and progress as we go along.
