Just Moved To Wi From Co - What's Up With The High Property Taxes? (Madison: rent, mortgage)

[drobi1070]

Just moved here from Colorado (Suburb southwest of Denver) and trying to get acclamated to Wisconsin. I have to say, now that I see property taxes are ridiculously high, we don't plan on buying property anytime soon. People continue to tell me taxes are high due to Madison having good schools. Our property taxes in Colorado were only $1900 annually and we lived in a nice area that offered an excellent school district. So why are the property taxes so flippin high, really? I'm not seeing any justification for Wisconsin to have the highest property taxes in the nation. Not getting it.

In addition, I can't believe people are asking mid $200,000's for a house that's not even 1500 sqft on a small lot. It's no wonder, houses are staying on the market here for close to a year. Because people are overpaying for the house to begin with. Very strange. It's pretty much a buyers market across the nation, but I find it hard to believe people are asking so much for a dinky little house.

[sillygal]

Why did u move to WI from CO? Most people make the reverse move?

[drobi1070]

for financial reasons mostly. was offered career opportunity which will help with career growth. plus better pay. plus the experience. now that we're here, i'm pretty shocked that a state such as WI has such high property taxes, not very appealing for new people in town.

[sillygal]

LOL........I am shocked at the housing prices in CO......? I guess it is all relative to what u are used too. May I ask what part of WI u are moving too, there are alot of places, little cities there that u can get a bargain. But, as u say taxes are a little pricey, not sure what that is all about......!!! Its not like WI has any of the best weather or anything.

Can u tell me about some cheaper places to move to in CO? Like an area where I can rent for $425 or under?

[BacktoNE]

You will find much better housing deals if you move to outlying areas, if that is possible with your job.

Be aware, in addition to the high property taxes in WI, you will also receive an extra bill whenever your street needs repaving, sidewalks rebuilt, sewer lines replaced etc. This is over and above your property tax bill. We couldn't believe that one when we moved here either, but yes, its the truth.

Good luck.

[MoMark]

It always pays to research an area before one moves to it so one can avoid unpleasant surprises....
I got my property tax bill/s yesterday. My property tax is $1374 for my 2300 sq. ft. home on 4.3 acres. $1200 is earmarked for schools, $96 for the local rural fire dept., and the rest is divided up for public libraries, senior citizen stuff, etc. The other tax bill I got is my "personal property tax" assessment. And that is regarding my truck. They assess my 98 Toyota Tacoma at $1550 for tax purposes and my bill is $79 for the year. I own my home free and clear, so when I get the property tax bills, I have to write the check out, not like having a mortgage where part of the monthly payment is reserved for tax time. Even so, I think it's a bargain and low, and I'm happy with it. But, before I moved to Missouri from Las Vegas, I'd already researched all these things and knew what I was jumping into.

[2beamissourian]

We actually looked at property in Wi.
I thought the property taxes were about the same as where i live now.

difference - people in Wi are nicer than Il.
The school system is better equiped
and the roads -wow I have never seen roads in the country so well built!!
I live on a road that is near the highway .. we have to stop and let people go by. if it rains we are flooded in! In Wisconsin all the roads looked like nicely paved highways to me!
Over allthe state is clean ...........and there are stores poping open everywhere ........... Those taxes are paying for something and you can see it! Unlike where I am .. we pay high taxes ............and our roads stink and our school system is about who you know - not the best person for the job!- that too is showing!

[mrkool]

I also moved from Denver suburub to Wisconsin (Milw area) several years ago.
Property taxes are ridiculous here. Roads are no better than Colorado which has much lower taxes. There are some very good school districts here, but I thought Colo had some pretty good ones too. State income taxes aren't too terrible and there are various breaks.
In my opinion property taxes are high in Wisc mainly due to:
1. For many years it's been sort of a socialist state. Generous social services and welfare. The latter has been toughened up a little bit.
2. Very generous pensions and benefits for state and local employess (civil servants).
3. This is the only one I'm OK with: An excellent state university system
(U of Wisc.) with many branch locations, and reasonable tuition. More choices of location and majors than Colorado, I believe. This is not important to everyone but good for us as I have one in college and another going in '08

There are a few worse states for property taxes. New York and New Jersey come to mind, and I recall that Florida and Texas are high in some areas also.

[cmb53208]

In order for those out-of-state to understand the tax system in Wisconsin, I would encourage them to go onto Netflix and get a copy of Deliverance Once they get it in the DVD player, imagine Ned Beatty's character a Wisconsin taxpayer. Now imagine the hillbillies that sodomize Beatty's character in the woods and make him squeal like a pig as the bloated governments and tax systems in this state. That pretty much says it all.

Wisconsin is truly a beautiful state with by and large great people. But the taxes are something that would make a communist blush and the so-called "limited government" Republicans have done nothing about it

[WIGooFan]

You have people from bordering states (*ahem) buying $100k "weekend getaways" which certainly does not help...