True-REAL-cost of living In MIssouri (Branson, California: house, restaurants, costs)

[misplaced1]

I've lived in small town California and small town Missouri.

Our vehicle insurance was higher in Missouri.

Our entire utility bill in Missouri (not including cable or phone) was lower than a normal electric bill here in Ca.

I shop out of town here in Ca. actually we shop in Nevada, food is cheaper in Nevada than Missouri. I couldn't afford to eat if I bought food here in small town Ca.

Gas in this Ca. town is now at 3.19. Gas here is much higher than Missouri.

Dr.'s in Ca. to be higher.

Car registration is higher in Ca.

Rent here for an older 2 bedroom is about 650 up.

[OA 5599]

Originally Posted by BeVeryWise

Then what's up with this "personal property tax" nonsense?

I'll assume that most Missouri folks will accept and faithfully fill out the privacy intruding, personal security threatening, anti-freedom "census" survey next year too.

Personal property taxes fund the school districts in Missouri. I pay something like $27.50/year for my two older vehicles. This system does create problems as districts located in areas with a higher income base (e.g. suburban areas of KC and St. Louis) receive MUCH more funding per student than schools located in lower-income areas...often by a factor of two to three.

And yes, we will all fill out the Census Survey....removing our freedoms since 1790!

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by BeVeryWise

Then what's up with this "personal property tax" nonsense?

Don't know where you are but where we are at the moment it's called "registration" and has to be paid every year.

"A rose by any other name..."

[joetownmom]

Originally Posted by BeVeryWise

Then what's up with this "personal property tax" nonsense?

.

If you want to license your motor vehicle in MO, you HAVE to pay personal property tax to your county of residence. Some cities and towns (including where I live) are talking about reinstating a CITY personal property tax as well because the city is broke.

[acuriousami]

Originally Posted by SpanielGirl

Thanks for the reply. Let me add to my orignal thread. Has anyone built a new house in Missouri? What did you pay in permits, maybe zoning, traffic mitigation,etc.?? Where I live in California-despite the fact that we have extremely high foreclosure rates, a permit to build a house is anywhere from $29,000 to $60,000. There are traffic mitiigation.utility hook ups,school impact, environ-mental. and zoning permits. Then there may be a home owners association to deal with, a community services, or resticted area permission. If you/your contractor/architect needs to block traffice for a delivery, or will have to slow-haul something up the road, you will need extra transportation permits. You cannot impact any neighbor, and if said neighbor complains, you can & will be visited by the county/city/state ispector for said violation. (prepare to pay$$$). I figure that if the trend keeps up, California will be the RV capital of the nation. So, please share your experience building "Mr. Blandings Dream House".

And Guess What .....It all belongs to GOD.......

[acuriousami]

And I'll say is it again..... Its all, every thing.... every board, every piece of uprooted of dirt, all the money, everything put in and everything taken away.....It all belongs to GOD. And mark my word He's coming Home, Yes He is ,then None oft the material stuff you all just wined about will matter. You need to wake up and realize that this is the hour and the time has come. Are you ready?????????

[christina0001]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

Don't know where you are but where we are at the moment it's called "registration" and has to be paid every year.

"A rose by any other name..."

I think Missouri has both an annual property tax on vehicles, etc., AND an annual or biannual registration fee. I've only been here 2 years...feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. Still much cheaper here than on the east coast, where I am from.

The only thing I might want to add in response to the OP's question, is that in rural areas, it is a challenge to buy organic. Local stores carry little or nothing that is organic. Walmart has milk, some produce and other items, but that's it. In the 'burbs, larger towns and cities of Missouri, it is easier to purchase these items.
Fresh fruits and veggies are available seasonally from local farmers, but most are not organic, at least not by me. Missouri does have wineries; I drink little wine so I can't speak for or against their products.
I have found vet prices to be quite reasonable.

[kshe95girl]

Originally Posted by christina0001

I think Missouri has both an annual property tax on vehicles, etc., AND an annual or biannual registration fee. I've only been here 2 years...feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. Still much cheaper here than on the east coast, where I am from.

The only thing I might want to add in response to the OP's question, is that in rural areas, it is a challenge to buy organic. Local stores carry little or nothing that is organic. Walmart has milk, some produce and other items, but that's it. In the 'burbs, larger towns and cities of Missouri, it is easier to purchase these items.
Fresh fruits and veggies are available seasonally from local farmers, but most are not organic, at least not by me. Missouri does have wineries; I drink little wine so I can't speak for or against their products.
I have found vet prices to be quite reasonable.

where are you in Mo? I know quite a few growers that are organic, along with organic cheeses, and organically, eithically raised meats.

Missouri - Eat Wild

Just one of many sites, hope this helps!

[misplaced1]

Originally Posted by christina0001

I think Missouri has both an annual property tax on vehicles, etc., AND an annual or biannual registration fee. I've only been here 2 years...feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. Still much cheaper here than on the east coast, where I am from.

The only thing I might want to add in response to the OP's question, is that in rural areas, it is a challenge to buy organic. Local stores carry little or nothing that is organic. Walmart has milk, some produce and other items, but that's it. In the 'burbs, larger towns and cities of Missouri, it is easier to purchase these items.
Fresh fruits and veggies are available seasonally from local farmers, but most are not organic, at least not by me. Missouri does have wineries; I drink little wine so I can't speak for or against their products.
I have found vet prices to be quite reasonable.

I had a great little garden of our own when I lived in Missouri, the growing season and moisture was excellent. Only issue we really had to deal with was hail beating up the plants.

[misplaced1]

Oh my husband is out in Missouri as I type and he's been getting gas for his little rental car for over a dollar a gallon cheaper than here in California.