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Our family of 4 is looking to get out of Texas. We're looking for a family friendly area with a strong sense of community. Looking for a place that allows outdoor play/adventure, values education, and just a friendly place where we can plant some roots. We're aware that Western WA costs more, but is the QOL higher?
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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We are in Sammamish, WA, a city of 65,000 at about 615' elevation east of Seattle. Our 3,000 sf house costs us $11,000/year in property tax, now, it was about $2,000 when we bought 30 years ago. Still, its worth it for the outstanding schools, natural beauty, peace and quiet. With so many high tech workers from Amazon and Microsoft moving here the property prices have escalated dramatically. Since the median income is at $195k now the local prices are higher for everything. For example, gas at our closest station is at $5.29 (Shell) and $5.47 (76), while 5 miles away at Costco in Redmond it's $4.39. We have always been happy here, despite the high cost, it seems well worth it. Of course you can find much less expensive cities in western WA if you go north, south, or across the water to the Kitsap peninsula.
I would highly suggest the Ann Arbor area. The cost of living alone is a compelling factor with property taxes a tenth of the example given in WA in many instances with low crime, excellent schools and a very friendly area with a strong sense of community. Besides Ann Arbor check out the suburbs of Dexter and Saline.
I would highly suggest the Ann Arbor area. The cost of living alone is a compelling factor with property taxes a tenth of the example given in WA in many instances with low crime, excellent schools and a very friendly area with a strong sense of community. Besides Ann Arbor check out the suburbs of Dexter and Saline.
I agree and to get to either Ann Arbor or Detroit, a place like Plymouth in the Plymouth-Canton school district allows for easy access to both. It also has good schools, which are quite big. Canton and Salem are townships in that district as well. It is a district that crosses the Wayne and Washtenaw county line.
Last edited by ckhthankgod; 11-22-2023 at 09:48 AM..
Our 3,000 sf house costs us $11,000/year in property tax, now, it was about $2,000 when we bought 30 years ago.
My niece bought a typical 50s/60s tract home in metro Detroit last year. 1600sf, less than $200k. About $3k property taxes.
Then there is the Michigan Principal Residence Exemption that exempts you from paying the first 18 mils of property tax on your primary home. And taxes are assessed on 50% of the comps.
OP: washtenaw county mostly would be good.
Great schools, outdoor activities (as long as you're OK with never seeing a hill)
The homes in western Wa are about 2 mill+ but the ones in Wayne county that we like are about 1.2. Not sure about taxes I’m western Wa, but in MI, we’re looking at 23k a year, which is pretty substantial. Almost seems like a break even
The homes in western Wa are about 2 mill+ but the ones in Wayne county that we like are about 1.2. Not sure about taxes I’m western Wa, but in MI, we’re looking at 23k a year, which is pretty substantial. Almost seems like a break even
What are the taxes for the homes in Western WA that you’ve looked at?
The homes in western Wa are about 2 mill+ but the ones in Wayne county that we like are about 1.2. Not sure about taxes I’m western Wa, but in MI, we’re looking at 23k a year, which is pretty substantial. Almost seems like a break even
Where in western WA are you looking because there are many places where you don’t need to spend 2 million+ on a house.
Where in western WA are you looking because there are many places where you don’t need to spend 2 million+ on a house.
Issaquah/Sammamish even Woodinville is so $. So we’re wondering if the cost increase is worth the lifestyle…we’re not in tech. We can make it work, but we’re not sure if the trade off is worth it
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