Port Richey Questions. Please help (Spring Hill, Holiday: low income, sales, 2009)

[SwampRat621]

Just wanted to ask some questions of people who live or are familiar with Port Richey area.
I am living in NY and going thru divorce right now, I have 2 choices as to what I am going to do.
I can either buy my wife out of my NY house but in doing so between high cost of mortage payment (after refinancing her half to pay her) and high taxes, insurance, cost of living etc.... I can continue to work and get by saving a few bucks a month but not living as well off obviously as when I was in 2 income household.
The other option is retiring (I am eligible) My wife and I sell the house and split profits. I also would get a nice severance check upon retirement. Between my check and NY house sale money I would have more than enough money to buy a Port Richey house outright.........no mortgage...
My pension would be approximately 60,000 per year. (not eligible for social security for awhile)
I am crunching numbers and it looks like I can actually live better off financially NOT working in Port Richey then I could live working in NY.
Can someone who lives in Port Richey or knows area give me an estimate as to what the monthly bills would be on a 1500-1600 square foot home?
Between taxes, insurance, utilities etc....??
I am trying to figure out what my monthly expenses would be (around)
Here in NY I am paying 9000 a year in taxes
400 a month in gas/electric
I suspect Port Richey would be ALOT less
How is the insurance (if I am not right on the water)
Is it crazy expensive?
I would be by myself no kids so I am not concerned with schools, but I do want to know how safe area is? From what I read there is no big crime or gang problems rampant in the area.
I do not need a crazy nightlife, just some close stores, decent restaurants, a movie theater and I am fine.
But more so than the reviews of Port Richey (which I still like to read) I am more interested in figuring out my monthly expenses for the house.
Any help, advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!

[rich67]

Quite doable. I can't give you an accurate estimate of taxes, but it is definitely less than New York for sure! I have a 1600 square foot home I rent right now. I pay about $100 in electric (I live with a roommate),$60 in water, and $144 in cable and internet (Brighthouse with premium channels, HD, and DVR, plus Roadrunner cable internet...fast!).

[SwampRat621]

Thanks
but also looking for home owner who can give me Insurance and taxes if possible.
trying to get feel for ALL montly expenses.

[Florida Mustang]

I live in Holiday, about 6 miles south of Port Richey. Are you looking to buy or rent? I own a 1600 sqft house with a huge back yard on the west side of 19. Bought in 2004 for 127,900. Now you can get an even better deal on homes with the market the way it is. Just be careful of what neighborhoods you look at, lots of undesireables scattered around, even in the best of neighborhoods. Property tax is decent, mine were about 1000 last year. I pay about 90.00 for water, a month, electric anywhere from 100 - 250 a month, depending if its summer or winter. Obviously summer is more. What is drawing you to Port Richey?

[SwampRat621]

I am looking to buy not rent. As far as why Port Richey. I am looking in that area. I just found the homes affordable and the area seemed nice from what I have seen. Thats part of why I am here on the board, to ask about the area, I like what I see online and hear from a couple of people but I want to know more.

[~Sonny]

Just remember, costs are not "fixed" costs. The variable is CONSUMPTION. How much water you use; electricity used. Tax rate millage in this area is relatively low, its all based on newly revised appraised value, minus homestead exemption. What once was - is even now lower - almost literally everywhere in Florida. Yet, insurance can be a problem, in certain 13 county WIND ZONE areas. (meaning hurricane prominent areas). More inland, less hurricane possibilities, depending on certain areas, translates to lower insurance premiums.

Yet, homes with "hurricane windows" get a break. This is a special laminated glass, capable of withstanding wind speeds over 130mph. Many have upgraded; most have not.

Be sure to inquire about "sink hole" locations in this area, a prominent feature.

Overall, just use due dilligence. Here is some info on Fla taxes:
[SIZE=3]FLORIDA
[/SIZE][SIZE=2]Sales Taxes
State Sales Tax: 6% (food, prescription and non-[/SIZE][SIZE=2]prescription drugs exempt). There are additional county sales taxes which could make the combined rate as high as 9.5%.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Gasoline Tax: 33.2 cents/gallon
Diesel Fuel Tax: * 29.0 cents/gallon
(Local taxes for gasoline vary from 5.5 cents to 17 cents, plus there is a 2.07% gasoline pollution tax.)
Cigarette Tax: 33.9 cents/pack of 20[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Personal Income Taxes
No state income tax
Retirement Income: Not taxed. Starting in 2007, individuals, married couples, personal representatives of estates, and businesses are no longer required to file an annual intangible personal property tax return reporting their stocks, bonds, mutual funds, money market funds, shares of business trusts, and unsecured notes. For details, click here.

Property Taxes
All property is taxable at 100% of its just valuation. In certain counties and cities homeowners 65 and over can receive a homestead exemption from property tax of $25,000 if their household income, as defined by the federal tax code, is at or below $27,539 (single) or $30,917 (couples) per year (2008 figures). The income limitation is adjusted each year based on the cost of living index. In many instances the definition of household income excludes Social Security. Permanent residents may also be entitled to a homestead exemption regardless of age. Residents 65 and older are entitled to both exemptions ($50,000). The senior citizen's homestead exemption applies only to tax millage levied by the county or city, and does not apply to millage of school districts or other taxing authorities. The homestead exemption for all residents applies to all property taxes, not just city and county taxes. Annual increases in the assessment of homestead property are limited to 3% of the prior year's assessed value, or if lower, the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for the prior, as long as there was no change in ownership. A 2006 law provides a property tax discount on homestead property owned by eligible veterans. To be eligible, a veteran must have an honorable discharge from military service, be at least 65 years old, be partially disabled with a permanent service connected disability all or a portion of which must be combat-related, and must have been a Florida resident at the time of entering military service. This discount is in addition to any other exemptions veterans now receive. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]A 2007 law allows local governments to give those age 65 and above - with low incomes - an increased homestead exemption. Cities and counties have the option of doubling an existing homestead exemption on primary owner-occupied homes from $25,000 to $50,000. To qualify, taxpayers must have an annual income of $20,000 or less.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2] For more details on property taxes, click here, then find the link for the county property appraiser for the county in question. For more information on Florida property tax exemptions, click here.

Inheritance and Estate Taxes
There is no inheritance tax and only a limited estate tax.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]To review information for new residents, click here.

For general information on Florida taxes, visit the Florida Department of Revenue site or call 800-352-3671.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]* Includes local county taxes

Compare these taxes to other states, clicking this link: [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]

For general information on Florida taxes, visit the Florida Department of Revenue site or call 800-352-3671.[/SIZE]

Compare other states, by clicking this link:Taxes by State
The states are broken down by alphabet.

Hope this helps.

~Sonny

[SwampRat621]

I am well aware costs such as power or water consumption are not "fixed".
I am simply inquiring on this board for anyone who can give me a GUESSTIMATE a round about number of what costs would be for a single person living alone in a home about 1600 square feet or so.
I figured maybe someone living in Port Richey in a similiar situation could give me his numbers.
I am not holding anyone to the accuracy of their answer.
I am just trying to get a rough figure on my monthly expenses if I move to the area.
Thats all
Just looking for help and advice.

[Songbird42]

Don't live in Port Richey, but further North, I'll give you what I pay for various things, can't be much higher or lower in Port Richey.

Home 2000 sq. ft. 3/2/2, 5 people in home

Electric with pool.....$182.00 monthly higher over $200 in summer
Water.....................$29.00 higher in summer because of sprinklers
Taxes.....................2008........$1,300 with homestead
Homeownder Ins. 2009........ $1,739 with sinkhole coverage
Lawn monthly..........$55.00
Pest Control............$85.00 every other month
Inside Pest Control...$325.00 yearly with three applications around home plus
inside applications
Pool Service............$70.00 includes chemicals/cleaning 4 times a month

Plus occasional pressure wash of driveway/lani $75-100 yearly

Again this is all approx. hope that this can help you. Good luck on your search.

[Florida Mustang]

You pay wind insurance WEST of 19, EAST of 19 I dont think you do. At least not in Holiday. Wind is the biggest chunk of the insurance cost. Depending also which neighborhoods you look at there also may be sinkhole insurance and flood insurance required. Also keep in mind that homeowners insurers may drop your policy like a hot potato at a moments notice, always that danger.
Port Richey isnt bad, neither is NPR or Holiday or Spring Hill. Not too much to do really but it seems that the roads are always congested (19 is a nightmare) so people must be finding entertainment somewhere.
There are lots of restaurants, buffet style included if you are into those, and retail/grocery stores.
Also forgot about cable/phone/internet. I got rid of my landline, so I only have Bright House internet and cable and that runs a bit over 100.00 a month.
I guess we have covered just about everything now? LOL.
Have you tried the websites Zillow or Realtor.com?

[Karianne215]

I would reccomend New Port Richey lol...but yeah its alot cheaper than NY its a different slice of life though. I went to Gulf High School in New Port Richey. If you have kids involve them in extracurricular activities...not much to do there. And it is the south, if you are not big on trucks, trailers and civil war reactors its not for you.