What do you like and don't like about living in Maine? (Auburn: condo, public school)

[TheKezarWoodsman]

so according to you and sub, even jacking up prices, 1.5 million for 20 miles square of forest (13k acres) its roughly 1k per acre, that is cchheeaapp

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by wolfhelm

so according to you and sub, even jacking up prices, 1.5 million for 20 miles square of forest (13k acres) its roughly 1k per acre, that is cchheeaapp

We bought two parcels of bare land, at two difference prices per acre. Both were less than that.

[znlwovuhrjw]

^ Exactly what I didn't elaborate upon, that you indirectly answered.

When you get into the pricier territory, typically beachfront property, you find that the property tax rates are actually lower and even in some cases the assessment values are also lower. You will definitely pay more in property taxes, but because most or all of the properties are high income mandated, so much revenue is being generated for that township, the township can afford to lower those rates while still accomplishing all of the typical goals of any other township. Wouldn't be surprised if the excise tax rates were also lower on vehicle property, because in the grand scheme of things, because more expensive cars will still lead to more money than economical cars even if the rates are lower, atypical to people who generally have more money. I would wager that "brokerman" is a reference to being a bank broker and thus those payments are more easily affordable.

You can see this when you look at the seacoast region in New Hampshire where the property tax rate in New Castle for example, is at 0.8% for the total assessed value of the home. In Maine, it can be often 0.5-1.2%.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by kingdomkz

... Wouldn't be surprised if the excise tax rates were also lower on vehicle

Vehicle Excise tax is the same through-out the state of Maine.

[znlwovuhrjw]

Originally Posted by Submariner

Vehicle Excise tax is the same through-out the state of Maine.

That is literally impossible, because I tried the excise tax calculators of 4 different townships on my car to experiment and every town was slightly different.

[Submariner]

Excise Tax, Property Tax, MRS

Excise tax is defined by Maine law as a tax levied annually for the privilege of operating a motor vehicle or camper trailer on the public ways.

WHERE DO I PAY THE EXCISE TAX?
Excise tax is paid at the local town office where the owner of the vehicle resides. When a vehicle needs to be registered, an excise tax is collected prior to the registration.

HOW MUCH IS THE EXCISE TAX?
The amount of tax is determined by two things:

The age of the vehicle
Manufacturer's suggested retail price ("MSRP")
HOW IS THE EXCISE TAX CALCULATED?

Excise tax is calculated by multiplying the MSRP by the mil rate as shown below. The rates drop back on January 1st of each year.

YEAR 1 .0240 mil rate

YEAR 2 .0175 mil rate

YEAR 3 .0135 mil rate

YEAR 4 .0100 mil rate

YEAR 5 .0065 mil rate

YEAR 6 .0040 mil rate

[znlwovuhrjw]

Originally Posted by Submariner

Excise Tax, Property Tax, MRS

If I'm not mistaken, it is possible those are the bare minimum values. It COULD be increased slightly per town for additional revenue or add a hike to the MSRP rate for the township specifically.

My car's suggested MSRP value is $30,230 and was made in 2014.

Saco, ME: $582.03

Waterville, ME: $529.03

Medway, ME: $580.03

Ellsworth, ME: $582

I guess the town could also tack on agent fees too.

[Submariner]

I pay the Maine state excise rates. I did not realize that some towns might add onto that rate.

I know the state has one property tax mill-rate for each county, and towns add onto that rate as much as they need for their revenue.

I did not know they did it for excise tax also.

[ilovemycat]

The only city/town excise tax out of whack was Waterville. The others are within a few cents or $2.00. I think the clerk in Waterville looked up something incorrectly, quoted the wrong line etc.

But to the original post, I grew up in NYC, moved to NJ for 25 years and retired in Maine 6 years ago. There isn't a day that doesn't go by, that I thank my lucky stars for Maine. Part is personal- my daughter, SIL and the 2 grandson's live close by and make my daily life full of joy. But, lots of that joy is derived from living in Maine. For instance, garage sales- found "Raphael" - the red teenage mutant ninja turtle, missing from the 4 year old's collection, for fifty cents. Made his day! My mom, who died at age 58, used to have bone china cups and saucers, but over the decades all the cups got broken, chipped etc. Found 4 sets, mint condition, from a lovely woman who said they were from her grandmother- for less than $5.00. Driving to the beach in less than 10 minutes, on Labor day weekend. The flowers, the sunny skies, the gardens, the Owls Head Transportation Museum, the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, the Portland Museum of Art, the laid back people, the friendliness, the way we help people, the architecture, the "quintessential Maine" look of so many towns. Thankful for Congresswoman Pingree, Senator King, and sometimes Senator Collins. Very happy how responsive they are, and how often we are on the same page. The water I drink from Sebago Lake (Portland Water district). Did you know that it is one of only 50 water supplies in the nation that does not have to be filtered? (Not the same as untreated). The watershed of 270,000 acres of forest above the lake that make the water so delicious. "These are a few of my fav-or-ite things".

[the Penquin]

Originally Posted by kingdomkz

^ Exactly what I didn't elaborate upon, that you indirectly answered.

When you get into the pricier territory, typically beachfront property, you find that the property tax rates are actually lower and even in some cases the assessment values are also lower. You will definitely pay more in property taxes, but because most or all of the properties are high income mandated, so much revenue is being generated for that township, the township can afford to lower those rates while still accomplishing all of the typical goals of any other township. Wouldn't be surprised if the excise tax rates were also lower on vehicle property, because in the grand scheme of things, because more expensive cars will still lead to more money than economical cars even if the rates are lower, atypical to people who generally have more money. I would wager that "brokerman" is a reference to being a bank broker and thus those payments are more easily affordable.

You can see this when you look at the seacoast region in New Hampshire where the property tax rate in New Castle for example, is at 0.8% for the total assessed value of the home. In Maine, it can be often 0.5-1.2%.

Interesting that someone recently moved from a differing state becomes an instant expert and wants to change how things are done here.