Anyone In Columbia From Ny Nj Or Pa? (Williams: shop, market)

[dbpaul]

hi
i live in Atc, NJ and i am thinking of relocating also

glad to hear that there are s oamny NJ NY people there.

Also glad to hear about the
pizza too.

Is there alot of shopping there?

Also is there tax on clothes as well as food?

thanks

[waccamatt]

Sales tax on groceries is less than on other items. Sales tax in restaurants/prepared food is different. I believe clothes are taxed at the same rate as other items. There is plenty of shopping to choose from, though the highest range department store is Macy's. There are a some higher-end locallly owned retail stores, though, and plenty of medium range stores. The Village at Sandhill, Columbia Place, Columbiana Center and Richland Mall are the main shopping centers with more of a village type atmosphere in Five Points and The Vista.

[Can'tWaitToMove]

Waccamatt:

Groceries aren't taxed as of (I believe Jan '08) it's a recent change. If my memory serves me: at first, they lowered the food tax on groceries at the end of last yr. to maybe, 4%, then, eliminated it altogether recently. I've recently gone food shopping at the super walmart in town and nope, no tax on groceries (no food tax and no sales tax). Restaurants and prepared foods/take out is taxed. Furniture places (seems like alot of them) every now and again have "tax free sales". These kinds of items, I believe are usually taxed at 7% aren't they?

Is it just a 'town' taxation change or some other complicated formula?

Thanks and have a great new year!

[waccamatt]

I didn't realize there was no more tax on groceries. I don't go grocery shopping very often, lol.

[Can'tWaitToMove]

Waccamat:

LOL yeah I try not to go too often myself

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by Can'tWaitToMove

Waccamat:

LOL yeah I try not to go too often myself

I know; I'd rather go out to eat in the Vista or Five Points.

[josephj7677]

Originally Posted by Can'tWaitToMove

Waccamatt:

Groceries aren't taxed as of (I believe Jan '08) it's a recent change. If my memory serves me: at first, they lowered the food tax on groceries at the end of last yr. to maybe, 4%, then, eliminated it altogether recently. I've recently gone food shopping at the super walmart in town and nope, no tax on groceries (no food tax and no sales tax). Restaurants and prepared foods/take out is taxed. Furniture places (seems like alot of them) every now and again have "tax free sales". These kinds of items, I believe are usually taxed at 7% aren't they?

Is it just a 'town' taxation change or some other complicated formula?

Thanks and have a great new year!

The tax rate depends on the county and town as well since they can tack on extra percentages for school & municipal improvements in certain areas. Here's a list of the base sales tax rate by zip code:
http://www.sctax.org/NR/rdonlyres/AC...t439_61705.pdf

Here's some info on the food tax issue: http://www.sctax.org/NR/rdonlyres/91...icerevised.pdf

Tax free holidays usually come around 1-2 times per year and the Department of Revenue publishes a list of what is taxable and what isn't.

[Kiernan]

This is an old thread, but I thought I'd tack on a new question for my fellow transplants.

How do you think food prices compare here? I'm from southeastern PA and it seems like most packaged food is slightly more expensive. I also expected fresh produce to at least be a little cheaper, not cost more!

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by Kiernan

This is an old thread, but I thought I'd tack on a new question for my fellow transplants.

How do you think food prices compare here? I'm from southeastern PA and it seems like most packaged food is slightly more expensive. I also expected fresh produce to at least be a little cheaper, not cost more!

It's probably a lot cheaper if you go to one of the farmer's markets.

[Kiernan]

Matt, which is the best?