Seattle vs Portland? (Vancouver: sales, condo, mattress)

[zerp]

I may have the opportunity to move to Seattle or Portland for work. I am 34, male, single and enjoy the outdoors/camping. Which location would be better and why? I'd be looking for a condo around $250,000-$300,000.

I'm fine with not being close to a downtown, but would like areas where there are plenty of singles in my age range (27-37).

If I choose Portland, I was thinking of living on the Vancouver, WA side to take advantage of no state sales taxes.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

[pwright1]

I love both cities. I think either one is a good choice. Why live in Vancouver? The no state sales tax is in Oregon.

[zerp]

Originally Posted by pwright1

I love both cities. I think either one is a good choice. Why live in Vancouver? The no state sales tax is in Oregon.

I can get my official "office" designated as Seattle, WA but live anywhere in WA as long as I am close to a major airport. As such, I could live in Vancouver, WA and pay no state income tax, do any major purchases in Portland, OR and visit my customers in both metro areas as demand dictates.

Thoughts?

[scirocco22]

Folks more familiar with the Vancouver area can answer this better than I will attempt to do but Washington does have a "use tax" where technically, anything purchased elsewhere to be used in Washington state that hasn't been taxed "elsewhere," is subject to a use tax equivalent to the sales tax rate; or the difference if less.

Obviously, small items will never or can't be detected and I'm sure all Vancouver residents will take advantage of that. However, on big-ticket items, you may run into problems. SW Washington residents will have to clarify the procedures, etc.

I suppose it's similar to buying things on the internet. You are legally required to submit to the state of Washington, the use tax equivalent to the sales tax on items purchased over the internet but how many voluntarily submit that amount to the state??? Very few, if any, I'm sure.

I know for sure you're not going to get away with purchasing a car in Portland with the expectation of not having to pay the Washington sales tax, nor having big ticket items purchased in Portland and delivered to your residence in Vancouver, etc.

Again, if local residents will confirm and/or clarify what I have said, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks.

--'rocco

[zerp]

scirocco22:

Thanks for the info. Naturally I wouldn't do a new car purchase in OR then drive over to WA, because (at least in Georgia) the destination county/state information is captured by the dealership.

I was thinking of things like a television that I transport home myself or even a week's worth of groceries if I am on the way home from the airport.

[scirocco22]

Yeah, exactly ...I'm sure a lot of folks in the Clark county area will purchase "stuff" in Portland and carry it over.

Food, however, is not taxed in Washington either so you don't have to worry about doing your grocery shopping in Oregon.

--'rocco

[PNW-type-gal]

You pay the sales tax when you register the car, so it doesn't matter where you bought it.

The best reason not to buy it in Oregon is that the temporary tags they give you at the Oregon dealer are worthless in Washington and you can get ticketed for not having legitimate Washington temporary tags.

The use tax - yes, you are supposed to fill out a form and pay taxes to the Franchise Tax Board on certain items purchased in Oregon, but few (to none) private citizens do.

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by scirocco22

Yeah, exactly ...I'm sure a lot of folks in the Clark county area will purchase "stuff" in Portland and carry it over.

Food, however, is not taxed in Washington either so you don't have to worry about doing your grocery shopping in Oregon.

--'rocco

unless one enjoys dog food

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by PNW-type-gal

You pay the sales tax when you register the car, so it doesn't matter where you bought it.

The best reason not to buy it in Oregon is that the temporary tags they give you at the Oregon dealer are worthless in Washington and you can get ticketed for not having legitimate Washington temporary tags.

The use tax - yes, you are supposed to fill out a form and pay taxes to the Franchise Tax Board on certain items purchased in Oregon, but few (to none) private citizens do.

Furniture stores even hire private companies to truck your items from portand to washington. If you live in vancouver....if you buy furniture in washington, you can get them to subtract the taxed amount usually anyway. They still tax you technically, but they take it off the bottom line. Especially mattress companies. I like this better because its less sneaky and the tax gets paid to improve Washington, at the same time keeps money local. By the way, if you work and live in Washington, you wont have to pay income tax. Thats a payday that will pay off alot more than skimping on Oregons sales tax. Income tax in Oregon is like 9 percent. Prop taxes are similar in both states, except housing in Vancouver is cheaper than Portland. The glitch here is that you will not find too many jobs in Vancouver. Most of VC, Wa works in portland.

[scirocco22]

Originally Posted by sberdrow

unless one enjoys dog food

uh oh, did I goof? Is all food except dog food taxed in Clark county? I thought it was a state sales tax exemption on food items.

--'rocco