Re: I Come From Alabama

Like most states, different cities are much different. Huntsville is an excellent place to live. I moved there from Arlington a number of years ago. Our housing prices dropped by more than 50%; taxes went down at least that much and the schools were excellent. There are also a number of excellent private schools for those that may prefer a different perspective or a school that focuses on college preparation. I have never regretted the decision to leave the DC area.

Re: Protecting Your Retirement Income

Please heed the advice in the article to check and see what is the most current status of the tax rates. While Huntsville is quite preferable to the tax rates in Northern Virginia or Maryland, Huntsville and the City of Madison (just to the west side of Huntsville) are having to impose new taxes just to build the infrastructure to accommodate the moves. WHat's worse, is that the Huntsville and Madison City "leaders" are doing it the worst possible ways (i.e, they have not learned their lesson and are not doing their homework on how to do the best job for the citizens they are supposed to represent. The recent Bond issue in City of Madison failed because the local leaders don't understand that they MUST commit to using those taxes for what's needed rather than being allowed to decide to spend as they want. N. VA leaders had to learn that lesson long ago ... city services there are matured and well managed even if expensive. AL has to learn that lesson (may fail a few times 1st).

Re: Flori-DUH

Don't know when you moved here, but all the costs you mentioned went up because of hurricanes. Taxes are another matter. I'm originally from Bama and believe me, my taxes overall, are way lower than when I lived in Bama. The key is to research before you move so that you don't end up holding the nasty end of the stick.

Re: Flori-DUH

To Mgmt. Analyst, DoN

I moved here in the mid-1980s, when there were FEWER hurricanes and WELL BEFORE the "big ones" (Erin, Opal, Dennis, et al) made insurance rates go up astronomically.

I moved here because FL had no "income taxes" (like GA or AL). However, the "hidden taxes" in Florida far out-weigh any lack of formal income taxes.

Also, if one looks at federal and post-federal employment, the situation is also not good. Where a general engineer most other locations would be a GS-12/13/14, FL fed employees are notoriously under-graded under the guise that people will TAKE A PAY CUT to move/live/work in FL. Whether this is true or not, depends on the worker. But if one looks at the formal registers of local salaries, general wages are also low for non-federal employees of ALL career fields.

When you look at "the big picture", Florid-DUH sucks. Unless of course one is a beach bum, sun worshiper, sailor, or likes HOT, HUMID, BUG-INFESTED environs...

:-)

Re: Property taxes

If you are 65 and over the state exempts the first $150,000 of assessed valuation from property tax. Some locals exempt veterans even more, plus the state gives each resident 9including children) a dividend that varies accordding to the 5 year average of the states permanent fund. Too bad the winters are toooooooo long and cold. I'm leaving the first chance I get.

Re: Property taxes

Texas will freeze the 'tax rates' for those over 65, but the market value of the property will continue to increase your tax payments. The state also offers homestead exemptions for primary residences (15% of market value) and tax rate freezes for the disabled.