I would have voted on Colorado as I live here but with the house prices going crazy, and losing the pro firearms stance that the state had with all of the Californians moving in there are likely better options
Good states to setup life
- Thread starter joegreen
- Start date
There isn't a perfect state and I'm somewhat well traveled. I would never live in Alabama, Mississippi or Louisiana. I don't care for the country of Texas but I could live there if I had to.
If I were to move, I'd look hard at Idaho. They live conservatively without injecting politics into their lives. Texas cant seem to do that.
If I were to move, I'd look hard at Idaho. They live conservatively without injecting politics into their lives. Texas cant seem to do that.
We’re moving to Lancaster PA from Hamden CT next year. The reasons are straightdorward:
Crime has exploded in New Haven County in the past three years.
Hamden has the highest debt and pension liability of any town in CT. $2.4 billion
CT has the third highest unfunded pension liability in the country. $88 billion
CT taxes everything. Usually at a high rate.
The state doesn’t create jobs at any meaningful rate. Especially jobs that pay $30 to $50k/year.
The jobs that are created are usually high value add. Such as Neuro Science research at Yale University. And hedge funds in Greenwich and Stamford. This had led to extremely wealthy communities and very poor communities.
The state is run by one party. There is no meaningful challenge from any other party at the state or town level. This isn’t healthy.
Lancaster county, while not perfect, has escaped most of the these issues.
Plus PA does not tax pension income at all.
Crime has exploded in New Haven County in the past three years.
Hamden has the highest debt and pension liability of any town in CT. $2.4 billion
CT has the third highest unfunded pension liability in the country. $88 billion
CT taxes everything. Usually at a high rate.
The state doesn’t create jobs at any meaningful rate. Especially jobs that pay $30 to $50k/year.
The jobs that are created are usually high value add. Such as Neuro Science research at Yale University. And hedge funds in Greenwich and Stamford. This had led to extremely wealthy communities and very poor communities.
The state is run by one party. There is no meaningful challenge from any other party at the state or town level. This isn’t healthy.
Lancaster county, while not perfect, has escaped most of the these issues.
Plus PA does not tax pension income at all.
No wife. Just parents. Oh and no gf either. Not putting time or money into any of that until i get my life setup. Seen too many people come out of the losing end early in life.
Sounds like you may want to check out Alaska.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
I have a brother-in-law that lives in the Brandenburg KY area. He's lived there about 20yrs. I didn't care for it the first few times we visited, because it's quite rural where he lives. Now, I would enjoy living there.
I'm not sure about the real estate situation there now, but it was super reasonable just a few years ago.
Most important question is: what do you do for a living and how much money do you have?
I have a recent bachelors degree in mechanical engineering but no job currently. I don’t like to discuss finances but will have enough.
We are probably going to stay here in IA. Weather here is good for about 9 months of the year. Taxes are not bad at all, and people are generally friendly. Outside of the major cities, crime is low, but Iowa City, Des Moines, and Cedar Rapids are really bad, though not as bad as East and West Coast counterparts.
2 major Interstates go through IA making it easier to get anywhere, and are really well maintained. IA also has some absolutely fantastic State parks if you like the outdoors, and great museums and historical sites if you like to be inside more.
It’s a very purple state politically. That makes it ride the line and not go one way or the other. Our current Governor has done a very good job to date.
As much as we would like to move to AR, VA, WV, or NC, we will probably just retire here.
2 major Interstates go through IA making it easier to get anywhere, and are really well maintained. IA also has some absolutely fantastic State parks if you like the outdoors, and great museums and historical sites if you like to be inside more.
It’s a very purple state politically. That makes it ride the line and not go one way or the other. Our current Governor has done a very good job to date.
As much as we would like to move to AR, VA, WV, or NC, we will probably just retire here.
We NEED the right dudes in WA state
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I think you are making a good choice svtrit. Iowa is a good choice. Regards to you sir.
What are your career interests for your ME degree ?
Lots of engineers on BITOG that can give some good advice for different career fields / networking for some job leads.
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GON
$150 Site Donor 2025
You mentioned you like the cold. If that is the case, hard to beat South Dakota as a place to live. State is very financially sound, great Americana roots, lots of opportunities in many fields. Only negative of South Dakota I kind find is the price of housing.
With a degree like that you can go into a number of different jobs and sectors. The internet is your friend here. Narrow down your searches to states that meet your prerequisites.
Once the weather warms up or whenever you are ready take a road trip if you have the funds. Go visit these places. You are in a good position right now with a usable degree.
When I was young and not long out of college I had a prestigious management job in a expensive Midwest city, was on an airplane every week. I had a wife and two small children. We were renters and house prices went up faster than I could save money to buy, not to mention the weather and traffic were awful. After about 5 years I decided I had enough - quit and took a different job in a mid size Southern City. Best decision I ever made.
If the OP has a Mechanical Engineering degree there are countless nice places in the South and West with lots of manufacturing jobs and a high quality of life.
With regard to FL taxes, we have no state income tax, no tax on investments and no personal property tax (think cars) and a 6% state sales tax.
However, we have local sales tax in many locations. Palm Beach County adds 1%. We also have a law that sets a home's taxable value on the sales price.
I pay $6K in property tax, as the assessed value and tax rate is limited by law. The next owner will pay 3x what I pay. Any way you slice it, $18K in property tax for a 3/2 on 2 acres AIN'T low.
Many new residents are shocked at just how much they have to pay in property tax.
However, we have local sales tax in many locations. Palm Beach County adds 1%. We also have a law that sets a home's taxable value on the sales price.
I pay $6K in property tax, as the assessed value and tax rate is limited by law. The next owner will pay 3x what I pay. Any way you slice it, $18K in property tax for a 3/2 on 2 acres AIN'T low.
Many new residents are shocked at just how much they have to pay in property tax.
I’m not sure I want to know how it could triple like that.
Makes think maybe I don’t want to ever move again.
