Graduated from Sparta H.S., joined the Navy, spent 6 yrs on submarines, got out, I have been a property Mgr. ever since. I live in North Stonington CT now and it, reminds me of Sparta. Great video. Thank you!
Sparta is a nice town. Kids castle was taken down and put back together but they made the play ground plastic instead of wood because it was giving people splinters and the wood was starting to rot.
Sparta/Lake Mohawk in NJ: Sussex County is the #1 Foreclosure area in the USA....Unless you are a doctor, lawyer, realtor - THERE ARE NO RETAIL salaried jobs above bank teller, manicurist or fast food ( Burger King only - McDonalds not interested ). Property taxes doubled between 2010 and 2015. The property taxes for a home valued at $250k is approx $7500 - almost like a 4% mortgage that NEVER gets paid off and the payments only go up. There is no industrial tax base. No public transportation - they turned down a line into NYC. Lake Mohawk dues are a $3000 upfront fee and $1250 per year PLUS any special assessments. In the fall and winter, it is guaranteed you will lose power for several days or even weeks. Population is rather narrowly-focused and suspicious of outsiders - those from "down below" - a term they use for people who live below Route 80 about 15 miles south. Sparta & Sussex County's motto should be " Resisting Positive Change & New Ideas Since 1850."
A critical and not uncommon complaint. But fairly applies to much of nJ. We left in 2010 and thought taxes were peak then. We did get to really enjoy the natives and others in the area. As people go, they are like small towns everywhere. But, yes this is more insular than some and high taxes are not enticing. Now Near Pensacola fL we feel out retirement dollars go twice as far. 2yonder.com is not S FL.
Sussex County: Resisting Change Since 1800 - and train routes - and public transportation - and places to work - and a tax base to offset the 4% property taxes that people are fleeing from. The best jobs in Sparta - unless you are a doctor, lawyer or realtor - is supermarket cashier, nail salon employee or bank clerk. You can't flip burgers because McDonalds won't even come to Sparta.
