Do you ever get tired of all the taxes, high food, gas, "gotcha" taxes and fees? (San Bernardino: middle-class, buying a home)

[wehotex]

Seriously, I'd love to move back to Calif, but get so frightened when thinking of the above mentioned taxes, fees and costs. One has to earn so much more to live there and then besides all of that, the unavailability of buying a home. Has anyone ever claimed residence in a no income tax state but earned $$ from a calif company?

[Senno]

Central valley housing prices say "hi".

[slo1318]

Uhhh, you'd still pay state income tax in CA

[user_id]

I'm always amused that taxes get so much attention...goes to show many people don't understand their taxes. Taxes in California are only high for a relatively small part portion of Californians, namely those in the top 10% or so. For everyone else its moderate to low. Your average family in California is going to end up paying 1~2% in state income taxes. California taxes the wealthy heavily, the middle-class moderately and the working-class lightly. Many states with supposedly "low taxes" do the opposite and their overall tax burden is lower because the wealthy paying much less.....the working-class and middle-class can only pick up so much slack.

What fees and costs do you have in mind? I've found food to be cheaper in California...especially for someone that eats a lot of fresh foods.

By all means, stay in Texas.

[Tulemutt]

Do you ever get tired of all the taxes, high food, gas, "gotcha" taxes and fees?

Originally Posted by wehotex

Seriously, I'd love to move back to Calif, but get so frightened when thinking of the above mentioned taxes, fees and costs. One has to earn so much more to live there and then besides all of that, the unavailability of buying a home. Has anyone ever claimed residence in a no income tax state but earned $$ from a calif company?

Nope. Don't pay high taxes. Food is pretty cheap in California or the same as most anywhere. Add up the difference in gas and it's maybe a couple hundred a year higher than a cheaper state.

Originally Posted by user_id

I'm always amused that taxes get so much attention...goes to show many people don't understand their taxes. Taxes in California are only high for a relatively small part portion of Californians, namely those in the top 10% or so. For everyone else its moderate to low. Your average family in California is going to end up paying 1~2% in state income taxes. California taxes the wealthy heavily, the middle-class moderately and the working-class lightly. Many states with supposedly "low taxes" do the opposite and their overall tax burden is lower because the wealthy paying much less.....the working-class and middle-class can only pick up so much slack.

What fees and costs do you have in mind? I've found food to be cheaper in California...especially for someone that eats a lot of fresh foods.

By all means, stay in Texas.

This happens to be true. Good to read someone say it like it is.

[Fontucky]

I have no clue what you're referring to with the supposed high food prices and gotcha taxes.

Sales tax in Bexar County, Texas: 8.13%
Sales tax in San Bernardino County, CA: 8.25%

Food: today I paid .98 a pound for chicken thighs, 5.98 for a large can of Maxwell House, 1.38 a can for 30oz cans of pumpkin, 33 cents a can for 15.25oz cans of corn, and 68 cents a loaf for white and brown loaves of bread. Are those considered high? The stuff wasn't on sale, those were regular daily prices at WinCo.

[DocGoldstein]

Taxes in California are only high if you make good money.

If you make $42,000 a year, you don't even pay income tax here, in fact you get a fat refund to spend on some nice car rims.

[TVC15]

The tax system in this state is screwed up on many levels...it's a no brainer.

[makingthatnaborspaper]

Cost of living is a small price to pay for everything so cal has to offer ...whats the alternatives move back to Texas (no thanks rather keep out of the south) arizona is just a large version of the IE imo pass rather not live in Oregon or cold climates if I can help it. If my company expands to washington I may tolarate the cold and rain. Yes Traffic sucks taxes suck etc but I like working on the coast watching the water Im a picky eater when I want thai food I like being able to go to thai town and get some awesome thai food (living/working in west texas made me appreciate LAs food/shopping options i took for granted). Everythings in arms distance here. The best part about LA imo outside of the weather

[jeremy2788]

Originally Posted by user_id

I'm always amused that taxes get so much attention...goes to show many people don't understand their taxes. Taxes in California are only high for a relatively small part portion of Californians, namely those in the top 10% or so. For everyone else its moderate to low. Your average family in California is going to end up paying 1~2% in state income taxes. California taxes the wealthy heavily, the middle-class moderately and the working-class lightly. Many states with supposedly "low taxes" do the opposite and their overall tax burden is lower because the wealthy paying much less.....the working-class and middle-class can only pick up so much slack.

What fees and costs do you have in mind? I've found food to be cheaper in California...especially for someone that eats a lot of fresh foods.

By all means, stay in Texas.

Just a small example, but take avocados for example, it seems like in Texas you always have to pay extra for it on your food, but a lot of places in California it seems were trying to give away avocado!