Another Newbie "thinking of moving to DE" thread (sorry!) (Dover: sales, HOA fees)

[goldfive]

Sorry folks-- Another out-of-stater newbie here starting one of those "thinking of retiring to DE" threads.

I'm 49,single and currently live in Northern NJ in a 2900 sq ft home (however, the property taxes on it are nearly $16k a year)

I would consider myself a homebody with various (indoor) hobbies, so proximity to the beach/fancy restaurants/nightlife is not important. Due to some recent events, I am in a financial position to possibly retire early, so finding work in DE would not be of primary concern.

Basically, I just want a nice house on an 1/2 acre or more, in a ***quiet** area where I can enjoy life in peace.

I've driven through DE but never actually visited any particular area. Online, I've been focused on properties in Kent and Sussex Counties, since they seem to offer the best relief from the excessive property taxes I pay now in NJ. I really like Chestnut Ridge by K Hovnavian, located near Magnolia. But I am really on the fence about paying HOA fees. I used to live in a condo and I know they go up year after year, and that residents have little-to-no-control over how the "committee" spends the funds. I never suffered a "special assessment" but I know it's always a possibility.

All that being said, I feel that I have an excessive preoccupation with the "property tax thing", and so I am really trying to get a handle on the other costs I would incur on a monthly basis. I've come across some comments by people who've relocated to DE that the property tax/no sales tax savings are offset by the high costs of other things in the state (i.e utilities, food, etc.).

According to my research so far, I get the impression that the following things cost more in DE, relative to NJ:

groceries
natural gas
electricity
water service
health insurance premiums

Some of the homes I've seen online would save me $14k in property taxes which seems awesome, but I wonder how much of that savings would be offset by the higher cost of the services/utilities above. Can anyone comment? Thanks in advance for your help!

[retiree2011]

not sure how helpful I can be, but I moved to Delaware last year. I have a 2-bedroom/2bath place, gas heat and stove, electric water heater. Last gas bill $15.15, electric $34 and change but I wasn't using AC then. Highest gas bill in winter under $60. Just paid quarterly sewer bill - $109.80. No recent water bill. Cable, phone and internet thru Comcast $118 and change a month. I find food less expensive here, as well as gasoline. I shop at Byler's in Dover and Produce Junction in Dover and occasionally the other nearby stores, including Aldi. I am single so some costs may be higher for a couple. I am happy with the cost of living in the Dover area, plus it's just a nice place to live.

Good luck.

[nuts2uiam]

We live in Rehoboth and I find the price of produce to be high, regardless of season. The only other expense that is higher than on Long Island is our water, Tidewater Utilities. The water itself is not the driver of the cost, it is the almost $70 per quarterly administrative fee, that irks me. Our insurance, lack of sales taxes, cost of car registration etc, that make De. a perfect place for us. Interestingly enough, the above was the added bonus for us, we came for the cost of homes near the beach and then all the rest followed.

[nuts2uiam]

Be aware that the tax incentives changed in Jan. You now need to live here for 10 years and attain the 65 age to avail yourself of the up to half off, not to exceed $400. Regardless, my before tax break taxes are $1486 on a 2400 plus square foot home.

[goldfive]

Thank you for the responses. As far as the 'retirement discount', it will be quite a few years until I hit my 60's, so it's not a concern at this point. My biggest worry-- addressed by the poster Candibanks above, would be selling the home I grew up in in NJ and moving to DE to escape the insane property taxes--only to find that other costs in DE cancel out the savings and it's more or less 'a wash.'

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by goldfive

Thank you for the responses. As far as the 'retirement discount', it will be quite a few years until I hit my 60's, so it's not a concern at this point. My biggest worry-- addressed by the poster Candibanks above, would be selling the home I grew up in in NJ and moving to DE to escape the insane property taxes--only to find that other costs in DE cancel out the savings and it's more or less 'a wash.'

Something's wrong with the above Math.

We're in Kent County, Delaware, in a small town.
My town taxes per year are $667.30 which includes the $300/year trash bill.
My county taxes per year in the Caesar Rodney School District are $286/year.
Total taxes per year = $586/year including the trash bill. Ours is an older, improved home, about 1900 sq.ft.
Here's a photo of our town summer party, at our place.

[rdlr]

^ Correction: Total tax bill for the year (county and town) $653.30

[NYJoe]

Gold, just like nuts, we moved here from L.I. Been here almost 3 yrs. My taxes were a little over 12k. I assure you that in no way is it even close that my expenses equal the tax difference. Add in cheaper gas, no sales tax, and $2 ice cream cones at Bylers( just increased from a buck. Darn inflation), and you should have plenty of spare cash available to go blow it at Dover or Harrington casinos. (I’m still trying for the big one, rdlr)!

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by NYJoe

Gold, just like nuts, we moved here from L.I. Been here almost 3 yrs. My taxes were a little over 12k. I assure you that in no way is it even close that my expenses equal the tax difference. Add in cheaper gas, no sales tax, and $2 ice cream cones at Bylers( just increased from a buck. Darn inflation), and you should have plenty of spare cash available to go blow it at Dover or Harrington casinos. (I’m still trying for the big one, rdlr)!

TWO DOLLARS ????? YEE GADS! What do they think this is, NEW YORK ???

[nuts2uiam]

Originally Posted by rdlr

TWO DOLLARS ????? YEE GADS! What do they think this is, NEW YORK ???

We need to do a roadie to that place. NYJ you are holding out on us, even I don't recall that price for more years than I can recall in NY,