Should we check out Austin??

[sandyart]

HI everyone,

Thanks for the generous reply's Sarasota Fla vs Austin. We are going to check it out over Labor day weekend. Was wondering if anyone knows personally of a good realtor who could show us around and help us with looking at Property. We like Steiner Ranch from the pictures, however we don't want to be far from Austin, especially Whole Foods!

Now, coming from Jersey with the highest property taxes in the country- - we pay around 12K; and don't want to come anywhere close to that number. When my husband and I were first calculating homes between 300-400K we thought we made a calculation error! The taxes in Austin are very high and I know there is no state income tax; however in Florida, Nevada, etc. there is not state income tax, but the taxes are much more reasonable. along with the homes in some areas. Any chance of tax reform for Texas??

thanks for the referral!
Sandy

[lisareier]

So which did you choose, Sarasota or Austin? We are in our early 50's & are trying to decide the same thing. I spent last winter in Sarasota & loved it. I've to Austin too and I think it's great there. So iwas was wondering where you went and if you're happy with your decision. Thanks! Lisa

[lisareier]

Please excuse my spelling errors. I'm typing on my iPhone.

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by lisareier

So which did you choose, Sarasota or Austin? We are in our early 50's & are trying to decide the same thing. I spent last winter in Sarasota & loved it. I've to Austin too and I think it's great there. So iwas was wondering where you went and if you're happy with your decision. Thanks! Lisa

Looks like this is sandy's recent post on a Florida forum...

Back for 2010 Hello everyone:

I started the post in 2007 and several years later we are going to retire in about 6 months-1 year. We did visit Austin, not for us. We liked the liberal vibe, but a real college town and did not liike the outskirts at all. Very conservative and super hilly- - I got carsick on one of our realestate tous and I don't get carsick!!!

Visited Charleston after saw rave review on the board. NOt for us, very expensive, hurricane insurance, boring grey atlantic as we have in NJ and very, very conservative. Just came back from Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC and while an interesting place (Durham had amazing food!) Chapel Hill was the nicest area and cost an arm and a leg. Going back to Charlotte, NC where we had a good feeling, but still have not decided. One thing is for sure about Satasota, we still think about retiring there and since the prices of homes have dropped quite and bit and still dropping- - we may be able to afford it! THe advantage for Charlotte is that we can build a house for 300K or below and it a nice modern city- - not sure about the town center of the smaller towns in NC and SC????

My husband and I never thought we would have so much trouble finding a place that was reasonable, somewhat liberal, culture, good food and friendly people- - -Who knew in 2007 from the post that the real estate was in for a crash. All I know we are out of NJ in 2011!!

Would love to know what everyone has decided or is still looking from 2007- -

SC

[222muchcoffee]

I have lived in Austin and still have family there. I now live near Sarasota. I find the people are very friendly in both places. I will not miss the cedar pollen that looms for a couple of months in the Texas Hill Country. It is commonly called "cedar fever" and comes from actually a juniper tree. The junipers are very abundant and on a windy day in December, you can actually see the hazy sky filled with a yellow -orange tint in the air. My whole family would feel like we had a cold for several weeks every year.