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What city on the East Coast, from DC on up, offers the following combination of attributes: relatively low property taxes, energetic and youthful demographic, in a state that either has marriage equality or a strong same-sex civil union law, attractive environment?
Frankly, I can't think of any place that currently competes with rather boring and geriatric Delaware for low taxes and a strong same-sex civil union law (going into effect on Jan 1, 2012). Is there any relatively youthful and cool city in the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast/New England that is tax and real estate affordable and in a state with strong legal protection for same-sex couples?
Thanks, I'll do further research on those for cost of living. I'm less concerned about real estate prices than property taxes and total tax burden. Actually, Ithaca was on our to-do list as far as visiting and I've heard good things about the city and location. Amherst I've likewise heard good things about but Mass. overall is apparently very pricey, no?
A rule of thumb for the Northeast is the further inland, usually the more affordable the area is. You might also like trendy or college oriented areas of Syracuse, Rochester, Albany or Buffalo.
You're describing New York state perfectly. I am not sure about the overall tax burden compared to the other NE states, but NY does have full gay marriage rights, college towns, plus awesome nature.
Upstate New York has some of the highest property taxes in the country.
Syracuse isn't overly homophobic, but some of the natives did become uncomfortable when urban planners like Richard Florida told the locals that one thing Syracuse had to do was increase its gay population.
You're describing New York state perfectly. I am not sure about the overall tax burden compared to the other NE states, but NY does have full gay marriage rights, college towns, plus awesome nature.
Yeah, but it's really two things that may be difficult: really big city or way cool small city atmosphere; and decently low taxes. I know we can't get Delaware low (no sales tax, low property tax - we pay only a couple thousand dollars on a house with a 500K market value, and a state income tax at about median level nationwide). NY's income tax isn't bad and I can live with sales tax. It looks like property taxes are very significantly higher than here. The other issue is what would be the coolest and/or most sophisticated city in upstate NY that would still provide relatively lower property tax.
NY's income tax isn't bad and I can live with sales tax. It looks like property taxes are very significantly higher than here.
Yeah, the only place in NYS where property taxes are really low is New York City. NYC has some of the lowest property taxes in the nation. However, we have additional city tax.
Keep in mind that home prices are lower in much of Upstate NY in comparison to many, if not most states. Property tax rates are higher because of this. Even when including property taxes, housing costs are still pretty low. Check a COL calculator for examples.
As for neighborhoods, Buffalo's Allentown or Elmwood Village, Rochester's Park Ave, Monroe Village, SouthWedge and East End, Syracuse's Hawley-Green and Westcott, Albany's Lark Street in the Center Square neighborhood and maybe even Schenectady's Union Street. Troy near RPI or Downtown might work too.
Last edited by ckhthankgod; 09-29-2011 at 06:01 PM..
What upstate NY city do you think is most sophisticated, urbane, cosmopolitan/diverse?
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