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But in all seriousness, NJ has some of the best public schools in the nation. We frequently rank top 3-5, sometimes even number 1 statewide. NJ is a great place to raise a family. I'm sure the same goes for some other high-taxed states. Whatever town you live in, if it's a middle class or above town, I'm willing to bet it has excellent public schools.
You do get what you pay for...
Allow me to bring another angle to this story. The schools rank high not being of high property taxes, but because of NJ's demographics- the high percentage of Indians of living in NJ who push their children to excel in studies.
There is nothing wrong with someone posting a story regarding taxes, cost of living, demographics etc. of any kind. I appreciate all of them and do further research.
Property taxes will impact us because wherever we might move in the future, we want to buy a high-end, large estate home.
There is nothing wrong with someone posting a story regarding taxes, cost of living, demographics etc. of any kind. I appreciate all of them and do further research.
Property taxes will impact us because wherever we might move in the future, we want to buy a high-end, large estate home.
You're right - everyone has different goals.
We have a high income but prefer a nice, but not palatial, home. That's why Texas works for us - we don't pay income tax and since we choose not to live in an estate type of home, the property taxes are not a significant concern to us, because we're coming out so far ahead by not paying income taxes.
Allow me to bring another angle to this story. The schools rank high not being of high property taxes, but because of NJ's demographics- the high percentage of Indians of living in NJ who push their children to excel in studies.
That's so false that's laughable. The high school in my town was 13th in the state a few years ago and my town is 95% white.
We have a high income but prefer a nice, but not palatial, home. That's why Texas works for us - we don't pay income tax and since we choose not to live in an estate type of home, the property taxes are not a significant concern to us, because we're coming out so far ahead by not paying income taxes.
I wouldn't want a palace myself, but I'd sure love a home that is around 3,000+ square feet in a beautiful and safe neighborhood with lots of amenities and great weather like we have now, no "special taxes" or what is referred to here often as Mello-Roos taxes.
I'd love for our forever home to be right here in the San Francisco Bay Area; however, we have so many "newly wealthy immigrants" buying our properties for cash around here that we can't compete for the nicest homes in the best neighborhoods unless we pay in cash, and I don't want to do that.
States that don't tax out-of-state government pensions are good for us, in addition to those that don't tax income at all, but property tax in those states is often very high and with no limit on their rise.
Unless I'm mistaken, Texas property taxes can go up more than our fixed amount here of a maximum 2% (ever since Prop. 13 was passed in 1978.)
I switch back and forth from Texas and New Mexico - 95 miles apart. My wife works in Ruidoso but the income tax is low for her- the real estate taxes are especially low $1079 a year for a 2500 sq ft house with two ponds and 17 acres.
My income is generated from Texas and I am licensed there. It works especially well.
As for good schools and education - at the higher level no one can touch California and its 2 and 4 year college system. The University of California ( especially Berkeley ) puts any public school in NJ to shame and their property taxes are lower. The k-12 might be better too except for the large and notoriously poor districts in LA.
States that don't tax out-of-state government pensions are good for us, in addition to those that don't tax income at all, but property tax in those states is often very high and with no limit on their rise.
Unless I'm mistaken, Texas property taxes can go up more than our fixed amount here of a maximum 2% (ever since Prop. 13 was passed in 1978.)
I don't think any other state has the mandated property tax limits that Prop 13 provides. When it passed the other states panicked and quickly passed legislation essentially preventing their states passing a similar law.
The important thing is, how much actual property tax you pay. In some states with a high tax rate, you will be paying a lot less money out for taxes due to the lower property value in the state with the high tax rate.
Then the next factor is, other taxes, including things like state income taxes, sales taxes, etc.
One state may have high tax rates like Texas, but prices are much lower resulting in lower property tax payments. And Texas does not have as many taxes to pay as a lot of states do. Total taxes paid for the year will much less than some other states.
As a native Californian we raised our family in the high priced section of Silicon Valley. We live in a home that is 3,700 sq. ft. 4 level home that is large, unique and first class on a 5 acre estate property in the county across the street from the upscale area of town. In our old area, we are talking a few million for such a place if you could find it, and here it is a few hundred thousand. Taxes are just a pittance of what they would cost in the Silicon Valley. Overall far lower taxes than we would owe in the Silicon Valley.
Overall real estate tax rates really only tell a small portion of the story.
Middle income/no deduction Americans pay European tax rates while receiving nothing that high European taxes buy. Ohio, on top of the high property taxes, + state, + local, +school tax allows legal theft of your property if property taxes are not paid. One could lose $150,000 house for let's say $300 property taxes he owes. Ohio is not alone in allowing this sort of "public private" predatory partnerships that may rob you blind. For the people indeed.
Last edited by RememberMee; 08-19-2015 at 12:19 AM..
Oh, so I guess you got 'guidos' from the movies then.
Yeah, too many movies.
Or I lived one state over in NY and I already stated I worked in NJ periodically.
This blaming tv or movies is as weak as your states reputation.
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