Where do Austinites fed up with Austin move? (San Antonio, Fort Worth: buying, taxes)

[Return2Paradise]

I've been here in Austin for 19 years and I'm considering moving back to Southern California. While we're not at California level pricing yet, our housing costs are skyrocketing. I figure if I'm going to have to deal with that, the overpopulation and terrible traffic, I may as well do so in a place that has nice weather, a much wider range of outdoor activities and a better art and entertainment scene (yeah, yeah, live music capital. There's more to culture than that.). Factor in the allergies, mosquitoes and the fact that the weather and crowds often prevent me from enjoying what Austin does have to offer, and it's a no brainer for me.

So bring on the hippie (I'm not), liberal (I'm not) and "Don't let the door hit you on the way out" comments.

[tom331]

Originally Posted by Return2Paradise

I've been here in Austin for 19 years and I'm considering moving back to Southern California. While we're not at California level pricing yet, our housing costs are skyrocketing. I figure if I'm going to have to deal with that, overpopulation, and terrible traffic, I may as well do so in a place that has nice weather, a much wider range of outdoor activities and much richer and more diverse art and entertainment scene (yeah, yeah, live music capital. There's more to culture than that.).

So bring on the hippie (I'm not), liberal (I'm not) and "Don't let the door hit you on the way out" comments.

Good for you! After 30 plus years in Austin, we also consider moving to San Diego or Seattle. The property tax at Austin is too high. We can get the similar house in these two cities from paying the similar or even lower property tax with nicer weather. California state income tax is a negative factor, but it might not hurt us that much when we retire.

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by Return2Paradise

I've been here in Austin for 19 years and I'm considering moving back to Southern California. While we're not at California level pricing yet, our housing costs are skyrocketing. I figure if I'm going to have to deal with that, the overpopulation and terrible traffic, I may as well do so in a place that has nice weather, a much wider range of outdoor activities and a better art and entertainment scene (yeah, yeah, live music capital. There's more to culture than that.). Factor in the allergies, mosquitoes and the fact that the weather and crowds often prevent me from enjoying what Austin does have to offer, and it's a no brainer for me.

So bring on the hippie (I'm not), liberal (I'm not) and "Don't let the door hit you on the way out" comments.

Well said. I grew up in San Diego, in Clairmont. My Dad bought our house for $12K in 1966. It's probably worth $500K now, for a 3/1.5/2, 1000ish sqft. We never had Air Conditioning either. Didn't need it except when the "Santa Anna Winds" came through and it would be a scorching 89 degrees.

I've always thought California in general had too much tax overhead for my taste, but your comments are spot on and good food for thought. It's not what you pay to live somewhere, it's the value of what you get for what you pay. San Diego does suit a myriad of lifestyle choices and offers a climate unlike anywhere else.

Steve

[HappyTexan]

And if the City Council and Lone Star organization gets the waiver from the state you will have yet another taxing district in your property tax bill..the Lone Star Rail taxing district.


Council OKs changes to Lone Star Rail agreement - Austin MonitorAustin Monitor

[tom331]

Originally Posted by HappyTexan

And if the City Council and Lone Star organization gets the waiver from the state you will have yet another taxing district in your property tax bill..the Lone Star Rail taxing district.


Council OKs changes to Lone Star Rail agreement - Austin MonitorAustin Monitor

Unbelievable! Adding another tax entity again! They added Travis County Health District years ago with low entry rate to lure the voters. Since then, the rate has increase more than 100%. With all the tax entities, the working class and even the middle class would be eventually driven out of Austin. We pay $12K a year for the property tax while my sister pays $8K property tax a year for a nicer and better view property in Seattle. She paid $5K/y property tax in Southern California before moving to Seattle.

[HappyTexan]

Originally Posted by tom331

Unbelievable! Adding another tax entity again! They added Travis County Health District years ago with low entry rate to lure the voters. Since then, the rate has increase more than 100%. With all the tax entities, the working class and even the middle class would be eventually driven out of Austin. We pay $12K a year for the property tax while my sister pays $8K property tax a year for a nicer and better view property in Seattle. She paid $5K/y property tax in Southern California before moving to Seattle.

I left when I retired. I lived in Travis county and my taxes went from $2K to $7K in less than 10 years.

I'm now in Milam county where I pay $2K again with 7x the acreage

What's killing Austin IMHO is that all these districts are formed and tacked onto people's properties.
And each year each of the districts want "just a little bit more".

But these districts were all voted upon by the people who voted yes so it's really the people of Austin shooting themselves in the foot.

[AustinTraveler]

Originally Posted by HappyTexan

I left when I retired. I lived in Travis county and my taxes went from $2K to $7K in less than 10 years.

I'm now in Milam county where I pay $2K again with 7x the acreage

What's killing Austin IMHO is that all these districts are formed and tacked onto people's properties.
And each year each of the districts want "just a little bit more".

But these districts were all voted upon by the people who voted yes so it's really the people of Austin shooting themselves in the foot.

We left too once we retired...but we moved to California. We sold our house in Central Austin and bought another one in Central California for less money. Our property taxes are half what they were in Austin. As retirees, we can control our income so state taxes have not been a big issue for us. What we've gained is beautiful weather, less crowds, no traffic, and tons of things to do. We loved our time in Austin but it got to the point that we kept questioning whether we should bother going to events because we were sick of fighting crowds and traffic. We also do not miss summer!

[HappyTexan]

Originally Posted by AustinTraveler

We left too once we retired...but we moved to California. We sold our house in Central Austin and bought another one in Central California for less money. Our property taxes are half what they were in Austin. As retirees, we can control our income so state taxes have not been a big issue for us. What we've gained is beautiful weather, less crowds, no traffic, and tons of things to do. We loved our time in Austin but it got to the point that we kept questioning whether we should bother going to events because we were sick of fighting crowds and traffic. We also do not miss summer!

I agree. I stopped going because of the same reason..the crowds and fighting for a parking spot.
Overcrowded events just aren't that enjoyable with long lines, booths too crowded to even get to see what they have, overpriced goods, etc.

I stayed in Texas because I like Texas. It has just enough winter for me vs Florida.
And when this ranch gets too much to handle I'll move again probably towards the coast (Rockport or some other smaller town near the coast).

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by HappyTexan

And if the City Council and Lone Star organization gets the waiver from the state you will have yet another taxing district in your property tax bill..the Lone Star Rail taxing district.


Council OKs changes to Lone Star Rail agreement - Austin MonitorAustin Monitor

Uh, no.

It's not another taxing entity. It's just the city giving them a cut of _their_ taxing revenues, at the same rate as before.


It's a _very_ good thing.

[HappyTexan]

Originally Posted by Novacek

Uh, no.

It's not another taxing entity. It's just the city giving them a cut of _their_ taxing revenues, at the same rate as before.


It's a _very_ good thing.

Think about that. Homeowners won't pay any more because Austin is going to give up some of their revenue.

And when more money is needed to build (because we all know costs increase each year) Austin is going to give up more of their revenue amid all the issues Austin has now ?

Sounds good on paper doesn't it ?

The Lone Star district is already showing up on Travis CAD accounts.