North Carolina

[Bob]

Anybody live in N. Carolina? The reason I ask is, we are thinking about relocating to a cheaper tax based state, ie. school tax, state and local. I have heard N. Carolina may be the state. Anyone here live in the rural areas of N. Carolina that can shead some light on that?
Bob

[67RedCharger]

Forget that idea about cheaper taxes in the Tar Heel State.  We have one of the most expensive taxes on gasoline in the union.  The Govnor, Easily thinks that we all are idiots, and is going after taxes left and right to give the voters something to remember him by.  I'll remember him alright as the govnor that kept at it, until he got the moneys from a Lottery bill that the voters didn't want.  Now he has his hands in a lucretive pot where he can spend MO money, without someone looking over his shoulder.  Live in the city and you will have City and County taxes both, and the Hispanic situation that keeps growing is putting a strain on the school systems since the illegals gets free schooling , not to mention free health care through the rest of us paying the hospital bills for them though passing the buck.  Maybe that senerio is nationwide.  The school boards go after school bonds in the 300 million dollar range and the people that go to the voting booths don't understand that it ain't free money appearing off the money tree since the school boards reflect that it doesn't come from an increase in taxes.  RIGHT!  It comes off the money tree of course.  Funny thing that my County taxes have gone up consistantly in the past 30 years from $350.00 a year to now $1,400.00 a year, and the neighboring city is looking for ways to get their hands in my pockets and the neighboring city doesn't have a water supply, they buy their water from Burlington, N.C. at a double rate, and they pass along that double rate to the little city residents.  You have to have sewer service if taken in by the city along with water service.  Right now I have a well and septic tank, and I'll have to chuck that part of country living if the city moves in.  Done got rid of the cows, so the real estate people are eyeing the pasture for land development, and the city is of course rasing the value on the pasture land for tax purposes, hoping to get it high enough so that I will let it go since I can't afford the taxes on agricultural zoned land, that still is in pasture, but I have to mow with a bush hog.  No wonder we age to the point that we can't look back to the "Good Ole Days"  We are losing that aspect of wonderment, from the politicians, seeking ways to get into us suckers pockets.

[Bob]

Ok.......Wow. I thought I had it bad in PA. School taxes went from $950 to $2,5322 in 8 years. It's ridiculous. My wife and I are searching for alternative retirement choices. I guess I can scratch NC off my list. Anyone live in a rural are where life is still affordable? Thanks for the info 67RC.

Bob

[nh_mopar_fan]

NH is consistently rated 1st or 2nd in overall tax burden per capita. Prop taxes are high but we have no sales or income tax.

I'm not sure I'd retire here though. It's called winter....

How about Florida?

[Bob]

Florida is to hot. Went down about 3 months ago. Cost of living is not to bad but we like real trees, green grass and hills/mountains.

[4402tuff4u]

Try $ 8,480 per year in taxes for a small cape house on a 90 x 100 lot here in LI, NY. Just remember that where ever the taxes are less the income bracket will most likely be less, so one will offset the other. The ideal scenario would be to cash out at a high price sale of your realstate, if you are privileged to own some and move into an area where housing and taxes are significantly less. Perhaps buying realstate in that new rural area without a mortgage. Then the pressure of having to make a decent income is a bit less. It's getting harder and harder to find that area/section of the country where things are much more affordable. The energy prices and the turmoil of what is going in the middle east is going to impact our economy sooner or later.

My cousin moved to Wilmington, North Carolina by the cape fear river. He had a decent job here in NY. Manager of a large warehouse that sold home improvement materials at large scale - good paying job. However, his wages were not keeping up with the taxes and high cost of living on his waterfront home here in LI, NY; so he decided that enough was enough and made the big move. Sold his house at a decent price, moved to NC and purchased a brand new house (much bigger) with no mortgage. Now he works at a lumber yard and the pressure of having money to pay the mortgage is off. But as you know other money problems will come up sooner or later since his income is much less and his lifestyle that he is used to requires more income, it's innevitable. Just research it well before you jump in feet first!  

[Bob]

We are very fortunate not to have a mortgage to worry about. We could probably live off our investments and retire pay but actually don't want to get weighed down by high taxes and cost of living. We have traveled across the US a few times and have lived in a few of the states. We would prefer the east coast but are open to areas central also just not the west coast. Not that there is anything wrong with the WC just not what we are looking for.

[Orange_Crush]

We are very fortunate not to have a mortgage to worry about. We could probably live off our investments and retire pay but actually don't want to get weighed down by high taxes and cost of living. We have traveled across the US a few times and have lived in a few of the states. We would prefer the east coast but are open to areas central also just not the west coast. Not that there is anything wrong with the WC just not what we are looking for.

Don't let anybody scare you off.  NC is a great place to live and the cost of living is still WAAAAY lower than it is "up nawth."

[Bob]

Orange Crush,
Are you a homeowner in NC? If so, what are taxes (approx) on a 200k house in your area? You've sparked my interest.

Bob

[golden73]

My family is also looking at relocating to NC. The taxes there are 1/3 of what we are paying up here in NY.

[Orange_Crush]

Orange Crush,
Are you a homeowner in NC? If so, what are taxes (approx) on a 200k house in your area? You've sparked my interest.

Bob

I'm in Charlotte which means I pay Mecklenburg county property taxes which are higher than average for NC.  I pay approximately 3,000 dollars a year on a house valued at 285,000.00 dollars.  Now, a good place to move would be the Fort Mill, SC area which is just accross the border from Charlotte and real estate txes are MUCH lower there...but there's a kicker in that property taxes on cars, boats, etc are much higher.

[Orange_Crush]

What type of area are you looking to move to?  Urban, suburban, rural?  You like the mountains?  We got 'em.  How 'bout the beach?  we got that too.  How 'bout the best chopped pork barbecue in the world?  Just go see ol' Mr. Monk at Lexington Barbecue.

How about the world's greatest watermelons?  Just cross the border in pageland, SC. 

[Orange_Crush]

Orange Crush,
Are you a homeowner in NC? If so, what are taxes (approx) on a 200k house in your area? You've sparked my interest.

Bob

I'm in Charlotte which means I pay Mecklenburg county property taxes which are higher than average for NC.  I pay approximately 3,000 dollars a year on a house valued at 285,000.00 dollars.  Now, a good place to move would be the Fort Mill, SC area which is just accross the border from Charlotte and real estate txes are MUCH lower there...but there's a kicker in that property taxes on cars, boats, etc are much higher.

Incidentally, you may want to note that that's a 4,000 square foot house in one of Charlotte's "good" areas on a .65 acre lot that I could list tomorrow for 500,000 dollars and it would sell in a day.  The taxe rate does not go up and, while there have been several re-evaluations, the houses (tax value0wise) are still VERY undervalued.

[Old Moparz]

What type of area are you looking to move to?  Urban, suburban, rural?  You like the mountains?  We got 'em.  How 'bout the beach?  we got that too.  How 'bout the best chopped pork barbecue in the world?  Just go see ol' Mr. Monk at Lexington Barbecue.

How about the world's greatest watermelons?  Just cross the border in pageland, SC. 

Take it from a Hillbilly with an orange Charger.   

[Orange_Crush]

What type of area are you looking to move to?  Urban, suburban, rural?  You like the mountains?  We got 'em.  How 'bout the beach?  we got that too.  How 'bout the best chopped pork barbecue in the world?  Just go see ol' Mr. Monk at Lexington Barbecue.

How about the world's greatest watermelons?  Just cross the border in pageland, SC. 

Take it from a Hillbilly with an orange Charger.   

Hey man...c'mon down.  We need more hillbillies in Charlotte.

[hemihead]

Pa has the 2nd highest Gas tax in the U.S. ( behind Cali) but the worst roads.No jobs that pay in Southwestern Pa. . Plus there is a fine and fee for EVERYTHING here.

[Silver R/T]

I like it here in Pacific Northwest (WA) but we already got so many californians, texans, AZ's and others coming in here. Taxes are growing here like mushrooms as well

[dkn1997]

Long Island NY, taxes here are strangling everyone.  there are areas where a 2500 sq foot house on less than 1/2 acre will run you 8-10k a year in property tax. 

not to mention that you cannot buy a decent house for under 450k. unless you want to live in a shady area.....

[TK73]

As much as I hate the backward@zz State of Arkansas, it is probably still cheap there.

I am so sick of the property values here and HIGH cost of living. I have been priced out of the housing market.  Going back to Arky-ass is now looking like a good possibility simply to get a nice little place (starter home) for less than $300,000 

[bull]

Yup, finding a cheap house in the NW is more rare than a TK73 posting here.

[sunroofsuperbird]

Hi If you are interested in moving to NC and like old cars and mopars I will sell you my place. I am less than a hour from Charlotte live in the mountains and 3 Miles off I40 have a 8 acre Licenced Classic car Salvage yard with many mopars and lots of mopar parts, House, 1 50x30 garage , 1 50x50 garage, many storage buildings, 1 Rollback, 1 wrecker, about 1000 cars, and I would say much more I am forgeting I will take $400.000 for it or ?. I would like to move to Tenn. no property taxes there.

[Dave22443]

Virginia isn't bad (if you stay away from the cities).  Here in the country side we have reasonable taxes, fairly low crime rates, lots of grass, hills, mountains and lots of water front.  I would suggest looking into the Bowling Green, Essex and Westmoreland area's as they are still pretty quiet and close to major attractions and highways.

[dkn1997]

As much as I hate the backward@zz State of Arkansas, it is probably still cheap there.

I am so sick of the property values here and HIGH cost of living. I have been priced out of the housing market.  Going back to Arky-ass is now looking like a good possibility simply to get a nice little place (starter home) for less than $300,000 

TK, where the F have you been?  first time I have seen you here in months....

[Yendor311]

Anybody live in N. Carolina? The reason I ask is, we are thinking about relocating to a cheaper tax based state, ie. school tax, state and local. I have heard N. Carolina may be the state. Anyone here live in the rural areas of N. Carolina that can shead some light on that?
Bob

The tax base in the state are reasonable.  Been here since 1992 from Illinois, where the taxes can crush a dream.  In the rural areas the taxes could run as high as $ 2K/ year.  That's not bad!  Once you move here, plan to stay.  Don't think I'll ever leave.

[Highbanked Hauler]

  I have a deposit on a house north of Raleigh that should happen before Sept.I hope.