Relocating from LaCrosse, WI to Hudson? (Green Bay, New Richmond: house insurance, houses, to buy)

[mmsirianni]

My husband has a job offer in the Roberts, WI area and Im trying to find a nice city that he can commute from that offers easy access to larger metro-area shopping, decent population, a nice housing area/community and a decent cost of living. Right now, our 1500 sq. ft. home has annual property taxes of $3200 which is always on the rise and the property is valued at $140k. We need something bigger for our growing family and Im concerned that Hudson is getting too "ritzy" and expensive for housing. Are there any areas that can be recommended w/o too much commuting?? What is the difference between North Hudson and Hudson? Are there newer areas of development like new subdivisions? What kind of work can be found in that area? Any info would be helpful!!!
~LAX

[Diggss]

Save yourselves a couple thousand in taxes and move to Woodbury, MN. or Stillwater. St. Croix county is the highest taxed in the state of WI. Hudson is a great area, but taxes are really high. Also I heard they will br getting higher once they build a new school.

[Diggss]

Most people that live in Hudson work in the Minneapolis metro. Not really many jobs in Hudson itself. I have seen that there are many houses building up around New Richmond as well which is much smaller than Hudson. RiverFalls is a College town and only about 12 miles from Hudson. I would still consider living on the Minnesota side. The commute out of the metro is easier than in. Also Hudson is the new expanding suburb. I love hudson but Stillwater is a much nicer town.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by Diggss

Save yourselves a couple thousand in taxes and move to Woodbury, MN. or Stillwater. St. Croix county is the highest taxed in the state of WI. Hudson is a great area, but taxes are really high. Also I heard they will br getting higher once they build a new school.

Yes, the property tax rate in MN is lower but the income tax rate is higher AND the houses are more expensive. You might be able to buy a garage in Stillwater or Woodbury for $140K. If you are looking to move up into a larger home expect to pay a minimum of $350,000 in Woodbury and more in Stillwater. You also run into higher insurance rates in MN too--about double what they are in Wisconsin.

[HKB]

Originally Posted by golfgal

You also run into higher insurance rates in MN too--about double what they are in Wisconsin.

I just moved to Hudson last year. I had someone tell me the same thing... that insurance rates were so much lower in WI. Much to my disappointment, I found out they're not. The rates are slightly lower, but certainly nowhere close to half that of MN. Maybe it was true at one time, but not anymore.

I really don't notice much of a difference in my income taxes either. Again, the rate is slightly lower, but honestly it's not enough to make a noticeable difference.

Home prices are lower compared to Woodbury & Stillwater. We bought new construction. A comparable house in Woodbury probably would have been $30-$50k more.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by HKB

I just moved to Hudson last year. I had someone tell me the same thing... that insurance rates were so much lower in WI. Much to my disappointment, I found out they're not. The rates are slightly lower, but certainly nowhere close to half that of MN. Maybe it was true at one time, but not anymore.

I really don't notice much of a difference in my income taxes either. Again, the rate is slightly lower, but honestly it's not enough to make a noticeable difference.

Home prices are lower compared to Woodbury & Stillwater. We bought new construction. A comparable house in Woodbury probably would have been $30-$50k more.

Maybe because Hudson is so close to the twin cities but Wisconsin insurance rates for the majority of the state ARE half what they are in MN. For a $1.2 MILLION dollar new construction near Green Bay, house insurance is $1550/YEAR. That is equivalent to a house in our are worth about $450,000. Car insurance rates are about half too.

We priced out Hudson several years ago and you are right, Hudson isn't really any more/less expensive then MN. It is pretty much a wash. I was just pointing out to Diggss that it isn't any less expensive to live on the MN side of the river even if our property taxes are lower.