Living in Lehigh Valley (Emmaus, California: real estate, car insurance, how much)

[Rosanne]

Hi Folks, my husband and I are most likely going to move to the Lehigh Valley area in about a year and a half. I've been researching online and reading posts in the PA City-Data Forum, and have gotten a lot of useful information, especially from the wonderful people on this forum. I thank all of you for it.

I'm getting a bit discouraged by how much annual property taxes cost (or should I say SCHOOL TAXES). I've definitely had a rude awakening. I live in Southern California now, have a house that is worth between $500,000 and $550,000 and our property taxes are about $3,000 per year. As far as I know, no matter where you live in California, the tax rate is about 1%, whereas in PA, it varies widely, not only from county to county, but city to city.

My husband says that we can't look at it as being more expensive to live in PA, just by the cost of the property taxes. We have to take into consideration what it costs for everything else, i.e. utilities, food, insurance, etc. He says even though the taxes are higher in PA, other costs may be lower, so things will balance out. It's kind of hard to figure out how much those will cost, so I'm wondering if anyone can give me an idea of the cost of living in PA. Any information you would like to pass on to me I'd greatly appreciate. Thanks much.

[virangos]

I would agree with your husband, I moved to the Lehigh Valley in 79 from Fremont. I found that everyone out here said the cost of living in Calif. was so high but it is really not that much diferent, At least then.
Some things are higher here yes, but quite a few things are lower also. Housing is definatly cheaper, and gas, but then you need to spend more to heat your house in the winter, so things definatly balance out.
Property taxes and school taxes vary from area to area, Check around.
Ours are about 1,200 each.
The Lehigh valley is a beautiful place, with a very diverse culture. About 2 hours from NY. about 1 hour from Philly, and more stuff in between than you could ever see or do in a lifetime.
In recent years housing has risen quite a bit but you can still find nice homes in nice areas from 175,000 and up.
Hope this helps.

[Rosanne]

Virangos, thanks for the response and information. We moved to So. Calif. in 1976 from NY, so we've been away from the east for quite awhile. We're just trying to get an idea of what to expect. It helps when we can get information from people who actually live in the area that we're going to be looking at. Thanks again. If there is anyone else that would like to put their two cents in, it would be greatly appreciated.

[loose cannon]

"diverse culture". I guess if you like Nascar and hunting.

[virangos]

Depends on what your hunting.

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by virangos

Depends on what your hunting.

Can we go quail-hunting for millionaire Republicans?

[sleeplessinpa]

I was just in San Diego in June for a week and Real estate sure is High out there. But I also heard Real estate Taxes are Way lower.
I feel food and gas maybe just a little higher in California verses Pa.
But Car insurance will be lower here.

I live in the Poconos but I shop often in the Lehigh Valley and my husband works with a few people from LV. They complain abot their taxes being so high.

So I went to Lehigh Counties website and started putting in addresses I know. I just put in Cedar Crest(this is in one of the Best School Districts and when you see the taxes you will know why).

And Yep the taxes are sure high!


A home on Cedar Crest Blvd that is in Emmaus with a apprasied value of $427,200(this is from an actual record) and assessed value of half of that value $213,600 pays the following taxes!
County: $2189.40
School: $8364.58
Municiple:$2099.69

for a total of: $12,653.67

[sleeplessinpa]

I was just in San Diego in June for a week and Real estate sure is High out there. But I also heard Real estate Taxes are Way lower.
I feel food and gas maybe just a little higher in California verses Pa.
But Car insurance will be lower here.

I live in the Poconos but I shop often in the Lehigh Valley and my husband works with a few people from LV. They complain abot their taxes being so high.

So I went to Leigh Counties website and started putting in addresses I knoew.

And Yep the taxes are sure high!


A home on Cedar Crest Blvd that is in Emmaus with a apprasied value of $427,200(this is from an actual record) and assessed value of half of that value $213,600 pays the following taxes!
County: $2189.40
School: $8364.58
Municiple:$2099.69

for a total of: $12,653.67

[sleeplessinpa]

Not sure in what price range your looking at for a home but expect to pay at least 50 + mills x half your house assessment to get an idea of total taxes.

Not sure where the other poster lives in the LV but their taxes are much lower. Again it all depends on the Assessed Value..

And remember when you look at homes and the Real estate Agent Brags Low Taxes. Ask them what will the taxes readjust to once you buy a home at the NEW higher Price!
It won't be the Old Rate I assure you. It will be at the New Price Tag the home sold for.

I have heard one complaint after another by New homeowners who faced that Rude Awakening with Taxes being adjusted after they bought the home. The Real Estate Agents Never told them taxes would increase..

Being a former Agent I know that is Bad bad business but I know many Agents will say anything to get a sale.. So beware...

[Rosanne]

Thanks Sleeplessinpa, I didn't realize about the taxes being adjusted after purchase of a house. So when I see a home online, and in addition to the price of the home, it also lists the taxes, I shouldn't expect to pay those taxes, I should expect them to change? That doesn't help someone trying to get an idea of the cost of a home, including yearly taxes, does it.