Retiring in Arizona...pros/cons? (Phoenix, Kingman: sales, car registration, insurance)

[rich67]

I am in an established career right now in Florida, and will be retiring in about 12 years. I am eyeing Arizona, in fact I am pretty much 99.9% sure that is where I will be hanging my hat three days after I have my retirement party (driving time ).
Here is my question for you Arizonanites:
1) We have no state income tax here in Florida, but I know they do in Az. I paid state income tax back in the day when I lived in California, but wanted to know how much Az generally takes out of your income.

2) I hear automobile registration costs are much higher yearly in Az. and wanted verification. I currently pay about $50 per year for a brand new truck here in Florida, about $14 a year for a small trailer, and $20 a year for my jet ski. How does that compare to Arizona's rates?

3) Homeowner's insurance here in Florida is a nightmare, and costs an arm and a leg. Considering there are not that many natural disasters I can think of in Arizona (besides flash floods and brush fires in some areas), what is the typical cost for homeowner's insurance out there?

If there's anything else you guys (and gals) can throw into the mix, I'd appreciate it. I am looking at living in northern Az, specifically in Page, since I am a water lover (Lake Powell!!), love to moutain bike (Utah), hike (Grand Canyon, et. al.), and just want to be in a city that is small and offers some outstanding views of the scenery Az has to offer.
I'd like to hear from people who are retired in Arizona, and if you relocated from another state how you would compare the cost of living out there to where you are from.

[WestcoastBrit]

Might be wrong but 2-3% state income tax I think. Auto registration is the killer. 07 Tahoe in FL was $48, AZ was about $550 & DMV gave me a break(was listed as year old). They go buy MSRP, not what you paid. Boat trailer about $120 for 2 yrs, boat about $40. Car insurance will go down about 30%. 250/300K home ins. about $850. Albertsons (LHC) about 20% cheaper than Albertsons(Park Blvd & 113TH ST).

[Bummer]

I've lived in a number of states including Florida and California but have chosen Arizona as the best one so far.

There are Positives and Negatives with every State, especially concerning taxes, but I believe the Positives win hands down in Arizona compared to both California and Florida plus the weather is far better.

[Ponderosa]

My boat trailer was about 50 bucks and is good forever - PERM plate never expires. I think you have to be (or tell them it is) less than 5,000 GVWR (may be more or less) to get the perm plate. Boat is by the foot about 2 bucks a foot. State income tax works out to around 15-20% of the federal amount you pay.

[esselcue]

Most of the above info is good stuff...but insurance and such varies from county to county, as does the general cost of living. Are you looking at siouthern or northern AZ?

[rich67]

Great info so far all, thanks! Esselcue, I am looking into Page, which is in Coconino County up near Lake Powell.
Excellent info, WestCoastBrit..nice to see a direct comparison between current Florida stats and Arizonas. Damn, the only thing that pops out at me is the car registration....no new car for me, I guess....probably grab a Jeep that's about 5 years old before I head out there! LOL

[kdog]

Originally Posted by rich67

probably grab a Jeep that's about 5 years old before I head out there! LOL

Just a little tip for you: Check out the Phoenix area in Craigslist and Autotrader.com, private sales only (no stealerships) for used Jeeps. You can pick up somebody's mall-crawler that they can no longer afford for a song. I traveled all the way down there from Kingman to buy my Jeep in Phoenix. Even the market in Las Vegas didn't come close. If you want to go exploring in AZ, you've got to have a Jeep.

[rich67]

Agreed!!! I have been looking into a lot of the little excursions in and around Page, and there's a lot of fire roads that reccommend 4x4 and high clearance vehicles. I definitely am grabbing one once I get out there. Gotta keep up the mountain biking and hiking!Oh...and kayaking...and jetskiing...etc lol

[kdog]

Originally Posted by rich67

Agreed!!! I have been looking into a lot of the little excursions in and around Page, and there's a lot of fire roads that reccommend 4x4 and high clearance vehicles. I definitely am grabbing one once I get out there. Gotta keep up the mountain biking and hiking!Oh...and kayaking...and jetskiing...etc lol

You're speaking my language. We'll have to hook up when you get out here.

[rich67]

Heck yeah. I'll see ya in about 12 years!