Do I buy in RI or MA?? ~Please Help!~ (Middletown: condo, credit)

[minnievelour]

I have been working in Middletown, RI for 15 years. I'm single with no children, so school system has no bearing on my decision. I have rented in Rhode Island for most of my adult life and am more than familiar with RI politics, economy, etc.

This is my year to buy! I am looking for a condo or small house (~$250K) My problem is where do I buy??? I have been never lived close to work and have been doing a 80+ commute for a long time now. My ideal scenario would be to buy something closer to Middletown but the personal/property taxes are so high in Rhode Island compared to Massachusetts!

Does anyone know if you are "double taxed" if you live in MA but work in RI? From everything I've read, it is much more tax friendly in Massachusetts and I could live in a border town like Seekonk or Swansea.

I will be a first time home owner and any advice would be great! Thanks!

[Hollytree]

Have you taken into consideration what it costs you to commute- both in terms of gas, other car expenses, and personal time? Who knows how much gas will go up again? If it were me, I'd buy close to the job and even if the annual taxes were slightly higher, I'd consider it well worth the trade off. Also, if you buy under 250K the difference is not going to be huge in taxes bet. here and MA. Even 1k would be offset by car expense.

I don't think you'd be double taxed if you did buy in Ma, it just makes doing your taxes more complicated at tax time because you have to do additional forms.

It's a great time to buy now- there are a few places in Middletown in your price range (there wasn't much before!) and you could take advantage of the 8K credit.

[1979]

This really depends on where you feel happy. If you live in Middletown and like it, then move there. Consider that being on an island, you are at the mercy of either the bridge or route 24; if you move to MA then you'll have to consider the tedious drive. I don't know why you think MA has lower taxes. My experience has been that they are both comparable; MA is often appraised higher, with a lower rate per $1000.

[terrasurf]

Congrats on taking the next step. Now, I did hear my coworker who lives in MA but works in RI talk about double taxes, but I forgot the detail. Please check out rhodeislandhousing.org -there are all sorts of things for first time homebuyers. Good luck.

[Hollytree]

The tax question was answered here before- ProfSenator has the best answer....

http://www.city-data.com/forum/massa...de-island.html