New Hampshire Living (Ashland: renters, homeowners insurance, crime)

[Brave Stranger]

Originally Posted by touretteboy65

One of my biggest concerns is the higher property tax. What's the low down? I hear everything from no-cap property tax (which is subsequently raised each year), to outrageous amounts that drive people out of the state. Are the tax rates stable? From various real estate websites, I've seen the property taxes listed for the homes for sale; some are high, but still pretty competitive to what we're paying here in Florida. I don't mind paying a higher property tax, as long as the sales tax remains non existent and my pension is not taxed. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Pick a low tax town when you look, there's enough of them. There is no sales tax, but there's an 8% meals tax. There's a 5% tax on savings over a certain amount, I don't know about pensions. If you're careful NH is a lower taxed place to live than Vermont or Maine, both of which are terrible. Quality of life is outstanding IMHO. It's not as cheap up here as it is in some of the sunbelt areas, or even in the upper mid-west. In the end it's all up to what you want. It's a great place to work with no income or sales taxes....as for retirement, not as good as some places, but not terrible either.

If you can avoid the high property tax towns you will be fine. Montonbrough up in the Lakes Region is very low taxed....always has been. Laconia & Franklin have a tax-cap. Taxes can only go up at the rate of inflation. Some towns ae runious, and you need to be careful where you move. Belmont NH is a no no. Very high property taxes.

[WannaComeHome]

Originally Posted by touretteboy65

One of my biggest concerns is the higher property tax. What's the low down? I hear everything from no-cap property tax (which is subsequently raised each year), to outrageous amounts that drive people out of the state. Are the tax rates stable? From various real estate websites, I've seen the property taxes listed for the homes for sale; some are high, but still pretty competitive to what we're paying here in Florida. I don't mind paying a higher property tax, as long as the sales tax remains non existent and my pension is not taxed. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

The low-down is basically that whether the taxes are high or low depend on what you're used to. In many cases NH town taxes are lower than other places, sometimes it's the same, sometimes it's higher. and remember that no matter who you ask, they'll always tell you that their taxes are too high (I've never heard anyone say "oh, I'm not paying much - go ahead and raise my taxes!")

Check the page with all the town tax rates and you can see how they vary. Just remember "buyer beware" and do your homework on what town you want to move to.

As to stability, again that can vary it depends on the needs of the town. It could be stable for years and now they need a new school and have to float a bond to cover it. your taxes will go up. The tax page has the town taxes for a few years so you can see how they stand by checking back a bit - it goes back to '99. NH Department of Revenue Administration - Divisions - Municipal Services

while there are people who would like to see sales tax or state income tax come in, so far the majority is holding firm to prevent it. No one knows what the future holds, but traditionally NH doesn't want either.

[touretteboy65]

Originally Posted by Brave Stranger

Pick a low tax town when you look, there's enough of them. There is no sales tax, but there's an 8% meals tax. There's a 5% tax on savings over a certain amount, I don't know about pensions. If you're careful NH is a lower taxed place to live than Vermont or Maine, both of which are terrible. Quality of life is outstanding IMHO. It's not as cheap up here as it is in some of the sunbelt areas, or even in the upper mid-west. In the end it's all up to what you want. It's a great place to work with no income or sales taxes....as for retirement, not as good as some places, but not terrible either.

If you can avoid the high property tax towns you will be fine. Montonbrough up in the Lakes Region is very low taxed....always has been. Laconia & Franklin have a tax-cap. Taxes can only go up at the rate of inflation. Some towns ae runious, and you need to be careful where you move. Belmont NH is a no no. Very high property taxes.

Thanks for the info. I've heard nothing but high remarks about the town of Laconia; it seems to be a nice place to raise a family and pretty affordable.

[touretteboy65]

Originally Posted by WannaComeHome

The low-down is basically that whether the taxes are high or low depend on what you're used to. In many cases NH town taxes are lower than other places, sometimes it's the same, sometimes it's higher. and remember that no matter who you ask, they'll always tell you that their taxes are too high (I've never heard anyone say "oh, I'm not paying much - go ahead and raise my taxes!")

Check the page with all the town tax rates and you can see how they vary. Just remember "buyer beware" and do your homework on what town you want to move to.

As to stability, again that can vary it depends on the needs of the town. It could be stable for years and now they need a new school and have to float a bond to cover it. your taxes will go up. The tax page has the town taxes for a few years so you can see how they stand by checking back a bit - it goes back to '99. NH Department of Revenue Administration - Divisions - Municipal Services

while there are people who would like to see sales tax or state income tax come in, so far the majority is holding firm to prevent it. No one knows what the future holds, but traditionally NH doesn't want either.

Thanks for the link. Among other problems Florida is facing ( inadequate schools, crime, congestion), taxes are on the up practically everyday; you wouldn't believe some of the property tax bills my friends/co workers are facing! I'll definately do the research. Can't wait to get out of the Sunslime State (Florida). Thanks again.

[Ken E]

Originally Posted by touretteboy65

Thanks for the link. Among other problems Florida is facing ( inadequate schools, crime, congestion), taxes are on the up practically everyday; you wouldn't believe some of the property tax bills my friends/co workers are facing! I'll definately do the research. Can't wait to get out of the Sunslime State (Florida). Thanks again.

I know exactly how you feel. I'm sure you'll love it in N.H. Like i said before there's not a whole lot up there not to like. The most important thing is do your homework. Good Luck!

[Tom Smyth]

Originally Posted by JoanD'Arc

Shelley: Mind if I jump in here? (hope not!)
I'm thinking of moving to NH and read on one post (someplace) that cost of living is cheaper on the coast and gets more expensive as you go west. Do you find that to be a fair assessment? It seems to me that living on the coast would be more expensive, but what do I know?
J

Hi all....I'm now living in Northern Europe and retiring at 62. We took a shine to New England a year or two ago, and decided to look into moving to and buying a medium size property ( say 4 bedrooms) there.

I am unable to find a ballpark figure for cost of living for two, property tax calculation, state and federal taxes on income & pensions, house insurance, auto insurance.....all the basic living costs we may incurr.

Can any of you kind people suggest approx. figures ?

Many thanks

Tom Smyth

PS: OK with cold weather

[WannaComeHome]

Well.... that's probably because you can't really do that. The taxes vary by town - and sometimes vary greatly. Check out NH Department of Revenue Administration - Divisions - Municipal Services and you'll see what I mean. It's cheaper farther north (and colder, too - but absolutely gorgeous) and since you will be retired you don't need to worry about the lack of employment opportunities.

There is no state sales tax, just 8% on prepared food (restaurants, fast food, rotisserie chicken at the grocery store...) and of course the hotel/rental car taxes you find everywhere. The only state income tax is I think 5% on "unearned income" (dividends - but I don't believe on pensions).

Car registration also varies by town, and I haven't seen any neat webpage that shows it all. It depends on the age and weight of the vehicle! so if you have a brand new big truck/SUV.. it can be $400 or so the first year (yep, it's an annual thing on top of insurance). But as the vehicle depreciates, the rate goes down. Kinda makes you want to buy a used compact just to keep the rates down!

Insurance.. you'd have to check with the insurance companies. Some people say theirs went up when they moved to NH (because of winter), some people didn't.

Other website you'll find helpful is [url="http://www.nneren.com/index.php?id=1&state=&county="]http://www.nneren.comURL] which is the real estate website for northern New England. You can check any town you find that you like the taxes on, and see what's available. Many of the listings also provide a recent tax cost on the house.

So I'm afraid there really isn't a 'good' simple answer, but there are websites with bits and pieces to give you an idea. Oh! Also, the city-data town pages and the Community pages http://www.nh.gov/nhes/elmi/communpro.htm list an average income. So you figure if they're managing on that, it should give you an idea of what you might need in the area.

Mind you, what usually costs the most is the heating bill! And that can change depending on how you're heating: oil, propane, wood/pellet stove.... there are many threads about these.

[NorthernOne]

Originally Posted by Brave Stranger

Pick a low tax town when you look, there's enough of them. There is no sales tax, but there's an 8% meals tax. There's a 5% tax on savings over a certain amount, I don't know about pensions. If you're careful NH is a lower taxed place to live than Vermont or Maine, both of which are terrible. Quality of life is outstanding IMHO. It's not as cheap up here as it is in some of the sunbelt areas, or even in the upper mid-west. In the end it's all up to what you want. It's a great place to work with no income or sales taxes....as for retirement, not as good as some places, but not terrible either.

If you can avoid the high property tax towns you will be fine. Montonbrough up in the Lakes Region is very low taxed....always has been. Laconia & Franklin have a tax-cap. Taxes can only go up at the rate of inflation. Some towns ae runious, and you need to be careful where you move. Belmont NH is a no no. Very high property taxes.

Do you know if Boscawen has high property taxes?

[nocturnal rooster]

Renting has it's advantages. No property tax.

[Valerie C]

You may not write the check to the town for property tax, but trust me, you're paying it indirectly While homeowners are usually able to deduct the amount of mortgage interest paid in the tax year from their income AND also the real estate taxes. Here is a pretty cool "rent vs. buy calculator" (disclaimer: I don't work for or with this company, I just like to use their calculator)
Rent Vs Buy Calculator

Originally Posted by nocturnal rooster

Renting has it's advantages. No property tax.