Considering Relocation To The Austin Area (Dallas, San Antonio: condo, houses, neighborhoods)

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by AMJ27

Property taxes in IL are very high too. My property tax rate in suburban Chicago was the same as it is in Travis County. However, Texas has no state income tax, so we feel like we are ahead compared to IL.

To the OP...what is you or your husband's job situation? We moved here from Chicago for employment reasons. We love Austin, but I wouldn't move here strictly to escape the "urban ness" of Chicago and to have a lower COL. There are a lot of places closer to home that would satisfy that need and you could probably get by cheaper too.

Agreed, Illinois is a pretty high tax state. Property tax rates are in the 4.6%-5% range on 1/3 of the market value of the house. So your actual rates are something like 1.5% - 1.6%.

Homestead exemption is only 4.5K, in texas it is 15K.

So on a 200K house in chicago you could pay as high as 3.25K where in texas you might pay as high as 5.5 (3%), but more typically more like 4.6K (2.5%)

[hoffdano]

JayBrown80 - I think you overstate the impact of property taxes in Texas compared to other states. I also don't think property taxes per se are a major factor in lower home prices in Texas. The most basic answer is that the supply of homes is high, whether new or used. It's high because land is relatively plentiful and most parts of Texas are developer friendly. Most cities in Texas are not trying super hard to prevent people from living in suburbs.

Texas does have higher property tax rates than much of the country. But the only thing that really matters is how much you spend every year on property taxes. Rate times assessed value.

So that 2.5% rate against $225,000 = $5,625 per year. Is that high, kinda high, or really high compared to Chicago?

The Tax Foundation rates Illinois 10th highest nationally in per capita property taxes. They rate Texas 14th.

Although I don't think it should be a federal income tax deduction, property tax is deductible for most people. So the true cost of property tax may not be so high for many.

[Magpie425]

Austin97- Thanks so much for such helpful insights! I really do appreciate it. Everyone is really giving me a little food for thought. I'm sure that the cost of living isn't hugely different, but doing some research on comparable consumer spending, Austin does seem a bit more reasonable than Chicago. Honestly though, it isn't mainly a money thing for us. I have talked with friends who have lived in Texas (Austin area and San Antonio) extensively and I just really like what I hear. Again, the only negative things are the distance from family and the heat. I guess it's something my husband and I always tossed around, and I've always said, "Oh no! I can't survive without my family!" But over the years, siblings and cousins have started to move on as well. Things are changing, as they should naturally. I've become more confident as a wife and mother. And I don't want to have regrets. I love that Austin keeps coming up as one of the top ten places to raise a family. And I begin to think, "Why not? We could do it! Let's strike out and try something totally adventurous and different!" Maybe it's silly, but I love country/western. I picture our kids running around a big, fenced in backyard, with two big goofy dogs, learning to ride horses, learning to appreciate the beautiful natural landscape, and the community feel of a small town. I think, even though it is a lot hotter, the year round temperatures would be healthier for my kids as it affords them way more out door opportunities.
(BTW- how's the allergies down there, specifically the mold count?)
We love U of T too.
We just want to try living a life where we depend on each other, and make our nuclear family the number one priority, instead of my whole extending family (with good but misguided intentions) sort of interfering a lot.
Again, there are a lot of reasons. Sorry for the rambling! English-major. Old habits die hard!

[mark311]

Maybe you would be happier in Georgetown, Dripping Springs (if it fits your price range?), or maybe even one of the further out smaller towns. Just remember that if you want a small-town atmosphere and it sounds like you do, that your husband will probably have to commute about an hour each way to work and that all depends on where his job is.

I live in Round Rock and drive into downtown Austin everyday. I rarely see a cowboy hat. I see 100 exposed tattoos for every single cowboy hat that I see. It really sounds like you need to plan a weekend visit without the kids. Many of us in the Austin area are California transplants and we definitely didn't move into a "small-town country area in the South" when we moved to the Austin area. You're getting some extra questions from those of us that live here because perceptions of this area that are put out there by the media and the top-ten lists can be a bit mis-leading. The Austin area is definitely a great place to raise a family, but it might not be completely what you're expecting if you've never been here.

I'll let someone else answer about Austin area allergies because I don't want to sound too negative. I have no doubt that the Austin area could provide your large family a good home if you have all the facts.

[JayBrown80]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

JayBrown80 - I think you overstate the impact of property taxes in Texas compared to other states. I also don't think property taxes per se are a major factor in lower home prices in Texas. The most basic answer is that the supply of homes is high, whether new or used. It's high because land is relatively plentiful and most parts of Texas are developer friendly. Most cities in Texas are not trying super hard to prevent people from living in suburbs.

Texas does have higher property tax rates than much of the country. But the only thing that really matters is how much you spend every year on property taxes. Rate times assessed value.

So that 2.5% rate against $225,000 = $5,625 per year. Is that high, kinda high, or really high compared to Chicago?

The Tax Foundation rates Illinois 10th highest nationally in per capita property taxes. They rate Texas 14th.

Although I don't think it should be a federal income tax deduction, property tax is deductible for most people. So the true cost of property tax may not be so high for many.

Ok. Which is why I told her to research property tax and actually factor in it's cost when she makes her decision. No judgement on her part, only trying to point out something she might not have though of, that causes a large shock to other people.

I mentioned the wide open spaces too.

[Magpie425]

No judgment felt. You both have been so helpful and I really do appreciate it. It sounds retro, but my husband does most of the bills, so I really do need to educate myself better on concerns like property tax rates, etc. Again, thank you so much. Your advice is really appreciated.

[centralaustinite]

Generally, if you have mold allergies, you will be bothered all year round!

[jb9152]

While the public transportation is not good right now, there are ambitious plans to make a quantum leap forward in coverage and quality:

Project Connect

[wildflower_FL]

The Tax Foundation lists the average property tax for Travis County to range from 1.79% to 1.87% for the years 2007-2009. I don't think this accurately reflects what the typical Austin area homeowner pays. I've lived outside the Austin City Limits for over 10 years and have never paid less than 2%.

I agree with JayBrown80 that one should compare what they are currently paying to what is typical for the neighborhood they are thinking about buying in.

[OpenD]

Pollen allergies all year around, too, especially the dreaded "Cedar Fever" early in the year. There is something blooming here every month.