What about Vancouver WA (Portland, Gresham: relocate, insurance, income)

[DJipa]

Ok so are there many people who live in Vancouver, WA and work in the Portland area? How does this work with your state income tax? What about if you were to make a big purchase like a car in OR where there is no sales tax while living in Wa? I currently live in Phoenix, AZ and my girlfriend and I are getting ready to relocate to either Portland, Gresham, or Vancouver.... probably rent for a year then buy a house. Any thoughts, advice, etc would be much appreciated.

[st33lcas3]

You can't escape sales tax buying a car in OR and registering it in WA. When you register it, the state will get it's share.
If you live in Vancouver and work in Portland, you still have to pay OR state income tax which is bullsh*t since you have no say in how the money is spent. Unfortunately no one in power is willing to do anything about it.
Still, if I have a want to buy something over $100, I'll go to Portland for it since they don't have sales tax. Some places that deliver your goods like furniture stores may charge you tax if you live in WA, but some don't. You just have to shop around.

[DJipa]

Thanks for the quick reply... what if you work in Vancouver and live in Portland?

[st33lcas3]

You'll still pay OR income tax. However, you'll be going in reverse when it comes to rush hour traffic so it can be a little easier in that regard.

[Nell Plotts]

Read the discussion of 'Columbia Crossings', the study of options to address the congestion on the I-5 interstate bridge. Also watch the Oregon DOT traffic web cams to see what we are talking about.

[janb]

better move this to WA forum, as you stand good chance of getting axed if you respond with a WA response on the OR forum. (even tho the physical locations are ~ 2 min apart and many of us make multiple trips / day.)

[Nell Plotts]

I have lived in both Oregon and Washington. There are differences in how each State approaches transportation but, interestingly both tend to vote for the same political party. Washington supports its government by sales tax, Oregon by income tax (with some nuances in each state business taxes) - and all of us try to pay as little as possible. I have scanned the responses to the question and most have replied with factual information. There is no heaven on earth but most of us want to know about the generally acknowledged issues when making a move.

[pshinspections]

To buy a new vehicle and bring it to WA without paying sales tax, buy it in OR under your wife's maiden name, keep it registered in OR for a year, then she can gift it to you and then register it in WA without getting jabbed.

[Nell Plotts]

Don't park a car with OR plates long at a residence in WA - neighbors are known to turn you in. Bad nasty tickets are issued to WA residents driving OR registered cars. My husband was once stopped when he was driving a car owned by his parents (OR residents). He stretched the truth a bit when he said his car was in the shop...

[EmmaDahling]

I temporarily live here in AZ and after investigating their taxes and insurance rates, WA is by far cheaper to license your vehicle in than here.

43 days and counting till I am home where the taxes seem more than reasonable especially after all the methods this state uses to get every last dime they can from you.

EmmaDahling

Footnote to the licensing fees here in AZ, my dealer after doing the math, told me we come out way ahead over those electing to live here amongst the 360+ days of sunshine...