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Not a grits, or biscuits person...just wish we could find a decent pizza. You would think, it`s just a pizza, no big deal......until you can`t get one. LOL
Understand you might not want to share your exact location, but are you in the Lowcountry, the Upstate, the Midlands, etc? If outside of Charlotte, I know the pizza place for you! Please understand I know your pain after many years in the south--dying for a cheesesteak--a real one!
Agreed, but lest we forget... the summers too. ;-)
And the bugs…big bugs ….lots of them
Giant Pythons — big enough to eat deer or your dog
Giant alligators — big enough to eat your dog … or you……
1st, haven't read all the Posts do know a couple posted, they moved in a neighborhood west of Hendersonville, NC. Very welcomed by the neighbors. Eastern Tennessee seems a popular location.
Must comment on culture. Road Scholar trip to Charleston. On a day to choose your own activity, I enjoy talking, hearing people's stories. Felt at times, why are you talking to those people, especially those serving at the breakfast buffet. Others were surprised I talked to them. Returning home, miss the slow cooked grits, B-B-Q !
I question some of the tax ratings in this guide - how can CA be rated as tax friendly, the same as FL (friendly) and better than AK (mixed) and significantly better than TX (least tax friendly) for taxes when CA taxes most income at high rates, has high sales, gas and property taxes yet these other states do not tax any income.
Never said we were going to relocate again. You need to do your own research, you can not depend on others to do it for you.....decide on what you want, and visit different locations.....one persons paradise....is another persons hell.
Agree. We moved to SC 15 years ago and we're very happy here. We did travel to different parts of the state as well as NC and TN before deciding.
Our area has tons of great restaurants. I can take back roads to avoid traffic. And when the chilly weather is too much, we can jump in the car and do a few days in Florida.
I question some of the tax ratings in this guide - how can CA be rated as tax friendly, the same as FL (friendly) and better than AK (mixed) and significantly better than TX (least tax friendly) for taxes when CA taxes most income at high rates, has high sales, gas and property taxes yet these other states do not tax any income.
California doesn’t tax Social Security. Maybe that’s a factor.
I question some of the tax ratings in this guide - how can CA be rated as tax friendly, the same as FL (friendly) and better than AK (mixed) and significantly better than TX (least tax friendly) for taxes when CA taxes most income at high rates, has high sales, gas and property taxes yet these other states do not tax any income.
If you click on the state you can go a more detail explanation as to why the state was given their ranking.
California
The Golden State's reputation as a high-tax state is built in part on how aggressively it goes after big earners, with a 13.3% income tax rate that kicks in at $1 million (for single filers) of taxable income. But the state's income tax brackets are actually very progressive, so for more modest incomes, the impact is far milder.
California doesn’t tax Social Security. Maybe that’s a factor.
Another factor is Prop 13 which helps keep property taxes under control once you purchase a house, but it benefits people that have owned their home for a long time the most.
With that said, there are other taxes that may not be labeled as taxes such as car registration which I believe can be significantly higher than most other states. Then there is the tax on gasoline, about 70 cents per gallon which helps to make the cost of car fuel very high in CA. Let's not forget the sales tax which varies by county but I think it's now averaging over 8% and can be as high as almost 11%.
Store food isn't taxed but all restaurant food is and I believe most services are too. Also, although not a tax, CA has among the highest utility rates for gas and electric in the country and you pay taxes on those utility bills. It all adds up quickly and nicely for the state.
I lived there for 50 years and was never a high income person. Even so, I had to pay state income tax every year. If you are single, don't have write offs such as owning a house to lower your tax burden, you really get nailed. I owned a house so that helped but I still payed state income tax. The state of CA is notorious for going after you even worse than the IRS.
Last edited by marino760; 01-28-2023 at 05:00 PM..
Another factor is Prop 13 which helps keep property taxes under control once you purchase a house, but it benefits people that have owned their home for a long time the most.
With that said, there are other taxes that may not be labeled as taxes such as car registration which I believe can be significantly higher than most other states. Then there is the tax on gasoline, about 70 cents per gallon which helps to make the cost of car fuel very high in CA. Let's not forget the sales tax which varies by county but I think it's now averaging over 8% and can be as high as almost 11%.
Store food isn't taxed but all restaurant food is and I believe most services are too. Also, although not a tax, CA has among the highest utility rates for gas and electric in the country and you pay taxes on those utility bills. It all adds up quickly and nicely for the state.
I lived there for 50 years and was never a high income person. Even so, I had to pay state income tax every year. If you are single, don't have write offs such as owning a house to lower your tax burden, you really get nailed. I owned a house so that helped but I still payed state income tax. The state of CA is notorious for going after you even worse than the IRS.
And all that needs to be considered when looking for a "retirement" state.
And all that needs to be considered when looking for a "retirement" state.
And that's exactly what I did. I didn't want a repeat of the place I just left.
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