Good states to setup life

[alarmguy]

Here in Utah since they have done away with state inspections-it seems bald tires and headlights, tail lights, etc., have become much more prevalent. Have you noticed these things in your state? I worked for a company in Spartaburg, SC. Beautiful area.

I don’t know, lived here for 16 years and never have there been inspections.
I would think you are correct but I don’t have any first hand knowledge of those issues.

Love South Carolina, going to miss it moving a couple miles over the border to NC.
Hope we don’t regret moving.
Was in Spartanburg today visiting son and family for Christmas.
Greenville very nice too, haven’t been there much though.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Here in Utah since they have done away with state inspections-it seems bald tires and headlights, tail lights, etc., have become much more prevalent. Have you noticed these things in your state? I worked for a company in Spartaburg, SC. Beautiful area.

We have never had state inspections, so its always been the same. Lighting seems to be kept up though - a light out around here will get you pulled over instantly. There looking for other stuff so its really just a PIB, but otherwise most people don't like being pulled over so they keep that part up.

As for bald tires and mosquito killers, there are some, but a lot less than you would think.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Some know that my grandmother recently died. I was taking care of her. I now have the ability to move anywhere. I have lived in ny most of my life. I enjoy freedom. I want to have low taxes and politicians that are pro gun. Warm climates are nice but I’m not opposed to cold either. I want to know where would you live and why or why do you enjoy where you currently live? What are some things i should be looking for when looking for a new place to live!

What about education (future children) and job opportunities?

Do you want to live in a place where the local economy is subject to boom-bust cycles or govt largesse (ex, Medicare, defense contracts)?

 

[pbm]

Here in Utah since they have done away with state inspections-it seems bald tires and headlights, tail lights, etc., have become much more prevalent. Have you noticed these things in your state? I worked for a company in Spartaburg, SC. Beautiful area.

In NY a vehicle inspection is required every year and even when the car is brand new. While I can understand the need for inspections as vehicles age, IMO it’s a money grab to require a 1 year old vehicle with 10 or 12k miles to be inspected.

 

[supton]

In NY a vehicle inspection is required every year and even when the car is brand new. While I can understand the need for inspections as vehicles age, IMO it’s a money grab to require a 1 year old vehicle with 10 or 12k miles to be inspected.

In NH i’ve had brand new cars get inspected. I’m sure it involved running the lift up and then right back down, but it had to be done.

But the way some drive, 12 months later it could be be in need of parts already.

I have no love for it but… i’m reminded of how locks keep honest people honest. i’d probably skimp on too many things if the yearly inspection did not loom over me.

 

[fisher83]

I'm in Nebraska and I like it here. Winter weather isn't my favorite however the people are neighborly, the job market is excellent especially here in Omaha, and the cost of living is also very affordable. I believe our sales tax rate is 7%. Property tax is not bad either. You can get a very nice home here for not much $$.

 

[IndyIan]

Do you have any hobby's or outdoor activities that are best done in some types of geography or weather? I'd put those areas at the top of the list.
Or if you like urban some stuff then put the cities that have what you interested in at the top of your list.

 

[joegreen]

Do you have any hobby's or outdoor activities that are best done in some types of geography or weather? I'd put those areas at the top of the list.
Or if you like urban some stuff then put the cities that have what you interested in at the top of your list.

Sure. I like wrenching on vehicles and having a Small garden maybe some fruit trees and some animals

 

[LDB]

I'm a native Texan. If I couldn't live in Texas I'd look into TN and FL first for no state income taxes. Then I'd probably look into KY, KS, OK and MO in no particular order. Our town/city is always one of the top ranked places to live in Texas. Property taxes are higher than they should be, especially in some areas of the state. The weather is hot here along the coast. We've had far too many "foreigners" move here and continue voting as if they were back where they came from and it is turning the state purple and all a bad thing. And before anyone too easily offended goes off, "foreigners" are anyone not a Texan. Good luck figuring it out.

 

[Dave Hess]

In NY a vehicle inspection is required every year and even when the car is brand new. While I can understand the need for inspections as vehicles age, IMO it’s a money grab to require a 1 year old vehicle with 10 or 12k miles to be inspected.

That’s another reason why I like Florida, no yearly inspections or smog testing.
Very low cost tag renewal unlike other states that base your tag renewal on value of vehicle.

Every state / city has its pros and cons. I would definitely visit the places you are considering moving to. Go where there’s opportunities and lower crime rates.

 

[alarmguy]

If I couldn't live in Texas I'd look into TN and FL first for no state income taxes.

I was fooled by this, we almost bought in Florida back around in June, heck I still have the unsigned contracts in my inbox.
I love in SC and have state income taxes.

All I can say is watch out if you think something is "free" government spends money and it comes from someplace.
Ok, so I will pit South Carolina against Florida in this case.

South Carolina has state income taxes and Florida doesnt.
We passed on buying that house in Florida for two main reasons as much as we loved the area.

One, compared to SC, Florida taxes are much more expensive, trust me, they make up for not having income tax.
A 2000 sq foot home in Florida compared to our 3000 sq ft home in SC

Property taxes on Florida home $4,500 ++++ (read on) a year, Property taxes on South Carolina home $2000 a year
Community Development Fees and HOA fees IF you chose to live in a community (unique to Florida are CDD frees) in the range of $2,400 to $3,600 a year for CDD fees and $1000 a year in HOA for Florida.
With that said these fees can also be switched around HOA vs CDD but all told, between these fees and property taxes, just on a new 2000 sq ft home on a sandwiched property in Northern Florida we were looking at up to $8300 + in property taxes, CDD and HOA fees for a nice community with sandwich size tiny lots.
Throw in way more expensive food, gasoline and lets not forget way more Florida homeowners insurance.

To be fair, I am not sure if Florida annual has vehicle tax fees. SC does and depending on the county can be expensive and we happen to live in one of the most expensive counties in SC. Our cars, boat and motorcycle run a bit more than $1000 a year. Granted, there is no sales tax if you buy any of these items new, better said a sales tax cap of $500 on any purchase no matter how much. Buy an $80,000 boat or car $500 tax.
I have nothing against Florida, I have said many times, I LOVE Florida but one thing for sure, it ain't cheap just because there is no state income tax, use reason, the money has to come from someplace, it doesnt come out of thin air... Sure if I still lived in NY maybe that it would look like a bargain but not really anymore.

Oh on more thing, Florida does not give property tax breaks to senior citizens. (except for low income OR if you lived there for 25 years)
SC gives you the first $50,000 of home value as an exclusion, not much but it is something and adds to the already low cost of living here.
With all the above said, until our house is finished early next year in North Carolina, at the right price and right community we actually could go to Florida but that is looking exceedingly unlikely. I do love the state and I suspect will will still always vacation in the area but not as much sure now that we will be in a coastal area of NC but I suspect we will because I like the crowds and action in places like St Johns shopping areas, places to eat in Destin can be awesome, with real chefs names on the menu.
I still kind of have this "thing" for Florida but somehow ending up in NC *LOL* I think maybe because I made so many trips there I know the entire area well. Not as much in NC

 

[brianl703]

All I can say is watch out if you think something is "free" government spends money and it comes from someplace.

Just like Virginia -- supposedly "low" real estate taxes, but they make up for it by having the highest personal property (vehicle) tax of any state.

And the real estate taxes in Northern Virginia, where the highest paying jobs in the state are, aren't that "low".

 

[Ws6]

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.

I did the exact same thing. I am very pleased that I did. This is the border of my back yard.

And a little range...

 

[TmanP]

I'm in Nebraska and I like it here. Winter weather isn't my favorite however the people are neighborly, the job market is excellent especially here in Omaha, and the cost of living is also very affordable. I believe our sales tax rate is 7%. Property tax is not bad either. You can get a very nice home here for not much $$.

I spent four years in Nebraska and really liked it. I lived in Omaha and think it’s a fantastic city that’s quite underrated on the national stage. The metro is approaching a million people, so there are very few things that it’s missing, but it is an easy place to live in terms of traffic, cost of living, etc. The restaurant/bar/entertainment scenes are stronger than expected, and its zoo is considered to be one of the best in the nation.

The Nebraska welcome signs say “The Good Life” and I think that kind of gets at the point I’m trying to make…

I once heard someone say that “(insert more desirable large city here) is a good place to *go* but Omaha is a good place to *be*” and I think that really gets at the heart of it.

In my opinion, it’s as good a place as any for a drama-free, middle class life. You get all four seasons (in fairly even portions), reasonable cost of living, nice folks, good opportunity (low unemployment etc.), plus a relatively central location. The state is prettier than people assume based on having never visited (or only driving across on I-80).

I’d be very happy to end up back in Nebraska again - it’ll be at the top of my list next time I’m looking to move.

 

[Joel_MD]

Sorry to hear about your grandmother. God rest her soul.

I moved to North Texas a few years ago. I'm in the "reddest" congressional district in the US, and Texas is pretty red in general, so pro-gun is a given. I'm in a city of 100K people, ~120 miles from the DFW metro area. The people here are genuinely nice, church-going folks. It seems like half the vehicles on the road are pickup trucks or large SUVs.

It gets very hot here in the summer, but the tradeoff is a mild winter.

One thing I really like about this area is the lack of "woke" politics, pronoun nonsense, wearing face masks, etc. I lived in MN, CA, and MD for much of my adult life. That leftist crap is so loathsome for me. Throughout the virus craziness of 2020-2021, one could still walk through a supermarket here without a face mask and not cause a flurry of indignance, unlike many areas of the country.

The job market is less than ideal here for jobs that pay $60-100K/year. If you need to find a well paying job, the DFW area has a more vibrant economy.

 

[Ws6]

Sure. I like wrenching on vehicles and having a Small garden maybe some fruit trees and some animals

We wanted similar stuff. I hate to tether him, but he runs and does not return if you don't. He's a shelter dog I think is the issue. Lived there for a year. It's a 75ft tether with shade, a dog house (Igloo), and water and so forth. As good as I could do without him literally running off.

 

[GON]

I was fooled by this, we almost bought in Florida back around in June, heck I still have the unsigned contracts in my inbox.
I love in SC and have state income taxes.

All I can say is watch out if you think something is "free" government spends money and it comes from someplace.
Ok, so I will pit South Carolina against Florida in this case.

South Carolina has state income taxes and Florida doesnt.
We passed on buying that house in Florida for two main reasons as much as we loved the area.

One, compared to SC, Florida taxes are much more expensive, trust me, they make up for not having income tax.
A 2000 sq foot home in Florida compared to our 3000 sq ft home in SC

Property taxes on Florida home $4,500 ++++ (read on) a year, Property taxes on South Carolina home $2000 a year
Community Development Fees and HOA fees IF you chose to live in a community (unique to Florida are CDD frees) in the range of $2,400 to $3,600 a year for CDD fees and $1000 a year in HOA for Florida.
With that said these fees can also be switched around HOA vs CDD but all told, between these fees and property taxes, just on a new 2000 sq ft home on a sandwiched property in Northern Florida we were looking at up to $8300 + in property taxes, CDD and HOA fees for a nice community with sandwich size tiny lots.
Throw in way more expensive food, gasoline and lets not forget way more Florida homeowners insurance.

To be fair, I am not sure if Florida annual has vehicle tax fees. SC does and depending on the county can be expensive and we happen to live in one of the most expensive counties in SC. Our cars, boat and motorcycle run a bit more than $1000 a year. Granted, there is no sales tax if you buy any of these items new, better said a sales tax cap of $500 on any purchase no matter how much. Buy an $80,000 boat or car $500 tax.
I have nothing against Florida, I have said many times, I LOVE Florida but one thing for sure, it ain't cheap just because there is no state income tax, use reason, the money has to come from someplace, it doesnt come out of thin air... Sure if I still lived in NY maybe that it would look like a bargain but not really anymore.

Oh on more thing, Florida does not give property tax breaks to senior citizens. (except for low income OR if you lived there for 25 years)
SC gives you the first $50,000 of home value as an exclusion, not much but it is something and adds to the already low cost of living here.
With all the above said, until our house is finished early next year in North Carolina, at the right price and right community we actually could go to Florida but that is looking exceedingly unlikely. I do love the state and I suspect will will still always vacation in the area but not as much sure now that we will be in a coastal area of NC but I suspect we will because I like the crowds and action in places like St Johns shopping areas, places to eat in Destin can be awesome, with real chefs names on the menu.
I still kind of have this "thing" for Florida but somehow ending up in NC *LOL* I think maybe because I made so many trips there I know the entire area well. Not as much in NC

AG,

Great post- thanks.

Another thing I would look into for states like Florida, is what impact, if any will happen when migration from other states slows. Florida gains on average over 10k new residents per month. These new residents spend a lot of money that directly and/ or directly supports the state's budget. Driver license fees, vehicle plates, sales tax generation for items needed by the new resident, all bring great revenues to the state of Florida, as compared to the state of South Dakota.

I mention South Dakota as it might be the strongest state in the USA fiscally. But South Dakota does not depend on outside sources to support its government (with the exception of its secretive banking laws). I suspect states like Florida and Texas need continued strong growth to maintain a no state income tax status. What happens if that growth is no longer strong?

 

[Ws6]

AG,

Great post- thanks.

Another thing I would look into for states like Florida, is what impact, if any will happen when migration from other states slows. Florida gains on average over 10k new residents per month. These need residents spend a lot of money that directly and/ or directly supports the state's budget. Driver license fees, vehicle plates, sales tax generation for items needed by the new resident, all bring great revenues to the state of Florida, as compared to the state of South Dakota.

I mention South Dakota as it might be the strongest state in the USA fiscally. But South Dakota does not depend on outside sources to support its government (with the exception of its secretive banking laws). I suspect states like Florida and Texas need continued strong growth to maintain a no state income tax status. What happens if that growth is no longer strong?

I have a state income tax in MO. It costs me about $4K a year at my income level. Far less than I'd be paying in property taxes in many states without an income tax...and as I age, I intend for my income to drop, while my estate increases.

 

[jstert]

i can’t help much with a search for a “best state to live” as i’m looking myself. i retired a bit early from an overseas career and came to the atlantic coast that isn’t home to help care for my now deceased mom. 2a is also one of my litmus tests.

if o.p. is willing and eligible he might consider a stint in the armed forces now. why: he will experience other places and peoples (of his own age); he will get credible job experience, veteran’s preference/benefits and a security clearance; sometimes everyone needs a bit of forcing to try something and someplace new; with a university degree he can likely enlist at a higher grade. if me, i would look at a six-year usaf enlistment that allows enough time for two different permanent duty stations and a better choice of longer technical training. i would choose a career field that offers lots of temporary duty assignments to see as much of the u.s. (and world) as possible.

 

[Pablo]

The area with the least amount of people lying around.

I had to step over people sleeping off their whatever right in front of my new doctor's office yesterday.

Find the state with the least amount of FSA members.