Prescott, AZ or Anchorage, AK for young family?

[Gretchen B]

Originally Posted by CA central coast

Has anyone mentioned the tax burden in Anchorage? It's non existant. No sales or income tax there. I imagine that if you are going to be making good money, you'd have a better life financially up there.

How are property taxes in Anchorage? Prescott's sales tax is high (8.3%). No city income tax, and I think the state income tax is probably about average (lower than where I moved from). It's usually the low property taxes that people like - about 1/2% (ex $300,000 home taxes would be about $1,500/yr).

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by Gretchen B

How are property taxes in Anchorage? Prescott's sales tax is high (8.3%). No city income tax, and I think the state income tax is probably about average (lower than where I moved from). It's usually the low property taxes that people like - about 1/2% (ex $300,000 home taxes would be about $1,500/yr).

I would much prefer a high sales tax (on non food items, that is) along with a low property tax (1% assesed value or less) vs. the other way around.

[Gretchen B]

Originally Posted by ArizonaBear

I would much prefer a high sales tax (on non food items, that is) along with a low property tax (1% assesed value or less) vs. the other way around.

That's me, too! Somehow, I prefer to be nickeled and dimed rather than having to cough up a big chunk o' change all at once.

[AZWildcat]

Originally Posted by Gretchen B

How are property taxes in Anchorage? Prescott's sales tax is high (8.3%). No city income tax, and I think the state income tax is probably about average (lower than where I moved from). It's usually the low property taxes that people like - about 1/2% (ex $300,000 home taxes would be about $1,500/yr).

Your question came at the perfect time, I just recieved my tax notice this week. Taxes work out to be about 1.5%. For our $311000 house, taxes are $4628. True that we don't have state income tax but we still pay federal. Anchorage has no sales tax but other cities around the state do have it.

[esselcue]

A sales tax affects everyone equally...meaning that even the bums and welfare folks have to help fund various things where they live. A property tax penalizes only the home-owners and is extremely unfair, in my opinion. But, what do I know?

[justa]

I'm sorry I forgot to mention two of the more important items you might use to enjoy the outdoors in ANC ... a couple of scarves .. a wool one to keep the chill from biting your nose and lungs in the winter.. and a silk one for the summer to keep from breathing in the mosquitoes .. think I'm kidding .. just take a gander at the folks jogging through Earth Quake Park in June or July trying not to breath through their nose's and breathing through their mouths .. with their teeth clinched..

[drwnorth]

Originally Posted by cinders67

We are deciding between Anchorage, Alaska and Prescott, Arizona for our new home.

We would welcome comments on raising girls, in both locations.

Our children are young, 6 and 3. Any thoughts about raising kids in Anchorage compared to Prescott?

I see the regional corridor between Cottonwood, Prescott & Phoenix becoming another congested megalopolis very much like southern California.

Ask yourself what type environment you wish to see your daughter's growing up in as pre-teens & teens?? Prescott is a lovely place which has exploded with growth & development and has already become congested, it will continue, and it will also be subject to many influences out of Phoenix, [already 1/5 largest city in the nation] both good & bad because it's close, just a 90 minute drive.