Retirement taxes in California

[thelopez2]

Originally Posted by Plantweed

It's all relative. California property/school taxes are about a THIRD of what we pay in the Albany, NY area: $7000+ on a 2000 sf home.

With mortgage and property taxes area turns out to be cheaper?

[eccotecc]

There is an old saying.... Governments will always get their pound of flesh, it just depends if they take an arm or a leg.

Lopez22 is correct, other states have higher school and property taxes, not to mention the higher utility bills in the colder parts of the country, and the taxes paid on those bills. The additional wear and tear on cars such as rust and snow tires.
A person has to also figure in the cost associated with additional cold weather clothes and boots. The quality of life issues associated with having to stay indoors a larger percent of the year because of the weather. Their are additional maintenance requirements on property associated with the freezing and thawing of concrete and the external weathering of structures.
There are many inherent reasons to live in California and it isn't all about taxes, it's about quality of life.

[Plantweed]

^ This. There's no free ride anywhere. If all you care about is tax levy, move to South Dakota. If all you do is sit in the house and watch TV, that's fine. If you have a zest for life, you gotta pay. Otherwise I'd have a 2500 sq ft midcentury modern home overlooking the French Riviera.