[beach43ofus]

Originally Posted by masssachoicetts

theres a big difference between calling upper middle-class retirees from the Northeast looking for a snowbird home, coming from a land of "Failed Politics". You cant call the states with the highest education rates, lowest obesity rates, most disposable income, highest livability, most activity per citizen, highest desirability and happiest citizens to a 'failed state' lol. Im not saying low income =poverty, Im noting the poverty rates are higher and the people in those states would be more under the definition of a 'failed state'. With less opportunity and disposable income, it would be more plausible to say their politics failed them.

I mean everyone is entitled to their opinion, but it just makes no sense? Im trying to figure this out like 2+2=5

Many move out of the North to escape ever-increasing taxes. Many give their reason for moving to FLA as being low taxes. Who sets tax policy & rates?

The amount of wealth leaving high tax States for Florida is staggering, and its accelerating. The Northern States are feeling it, and their Pension funds are imploding. (see New Jersey Teachers' Pension fund that is only 42% funded, 80% funded is considered risky!).

New Jersey's considering a wealth tax on income topping out at 11% for those earning $1M/yr. Just the possibility of a future wealth tax is likely causing those who can move away, to start packing.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/money/ne...wealthy-exodus

Increasing #'s of affluent people can live anywhere they please. Fewer are chained to a workplace, and as soon as the kids go off to college, they are free as a bird.

Rather than reduce spending, the policy makers up there just keep increasing taxes & chasing high earners, and wealthy 50+'ers, away. Why won't they just reduce spending?

Causing affluent people (taxpayers) to move out of your state is an epoch public policy failure.

When tax rates are raised too much, LESS taxes are collected. It's like 2 + 2 = 3. When taxes are lowered, MORE taxes are collected (like the Feds are seeing right now) so its like 2 + 2 = 5.

Policy makers up North see what's happening, but they refuse to change their failed policy. That makes no sense, but Florida's benefitting by the Billions, so I guess I should be thankful that the policy makers up North refuse to stop over-spending, and many voters up there are just fine with it.

[Dave_n_Tenn]

The challenge for many is, the changing cost. The greater the local and state government are involved in entitlement programs and services, the greater the likelihood of out uncontrolled cost increases.

Property taxes as an example.

[beach43ofus]

Thankfully, I'm not the only person on Earth who thinks these Northern States are insane...

https://www.foxnews.com/media/david-...residents-flee

If you live in New Jersey, I suggest getting out right now before their Governor slaps an extra 10.75% of income taxes on you on your way out the door. I call it an exit tax, not sure what they call it. I'm not sure how it works. They can't be taxing future income just because you left the state. I guess its a lookback where they go back in time and extract and added 10.75% on your last 12 months worth of income. 900 New Jerseyans a day leave New Jersey for Florida! Wow...exodus.

The average person leaving makes $150,000/yr, so NJ wants to generate $1.451M/day off of these departing residents.

Can you imagine having to pay your state $16,000 just to be able to leave? I'd leave now before this bill passes.

We're going to be seeing a lot more New Jersey car tags in the days ahead.

[Dave_n_Tenn]

Please my northern friends... fix your state(s). Quit running.

[masssachoicetts]

An equal argument could be said about the Southern states. High crime, low education rates, terrible education systems, horrific urban sprawl, no gun control, high obesity rates, terrible healthcare systems, low life expectancy, high rate of diabetes and heart disease, a very alarming low rate of high paying jobs, etc. To boot, most of the South USA is less livable than 2nd world countries and are the laughing stock of the Western world.

The states with the highest livability are all... Up north. Yes you get taxed more, but you get more in return because the socialist programs in Florida and most of the south are not nearly as good as up north.

The main epedemic in the Northeast is funding affordable housing since everyone and their mother wants to be here, theres not enough units for that to happen so rent is over 3k q month. The taxes are what make our states top of the line and attractive for high paying jobs and keeps the citizens healthy, educated and in a dense built environment.

So it goes both ways, were losing population because the amount of baby boomers reaching retirement age is increasing and outpacing births and migratory rates. Thats just bound to happen? Livability, HDI, Equal Rights, Overall Happiness, Education Rates, Healthcare Access and Crime are far better in these failed states you talk about. We might get taxed more but its a far better package than most of the South.

[masssachoicetts]

Originally Posted by Hyper-Duel

Downside with the Northern States are the taxes. The amount that I save by living in FL is nuts. I was thinking about moving to Southern Maine, but the COL and the average salaries are lackluster for any decision to move up there. I pay so much less for driving a car than up North, no income tax, etc. However, I really hate the weather in FL, lol.

Yeah taxes get annoying, but when you realize the quality of what you get with the taxes its great.

[Dave_n_Tenn]

Originally Posted by masssachoicetts

Yeah taxes get annoying, but when you realize the quality of what you get with the taxes its great.

For some, but not in totality. Funny how Texas and Florida are growing so much... wonder why?

For me it was the water. I'm a marine engineer by discipline so...

[beach43ofus]

Originally Posted by masssachoicetts

Because those states dont have an absorbent amount of rich and wealthy older folk who want to make a second home in Fl to save money on their taxes.

Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas are so poverty strucken its quite sad.

So is The Sudan, but that is off-topic too!

[Trip Mcnealy]

Originally Posted by masssachoicetts

Yeah taxes get annoying, but when you realize the quality of what you get with the taxes its great.

I dont see you saying this with a straight face.

[Dave_n_Tenn]

Originally Posted by Trip Mcnealy

I dont see you saying this with a straight face.

Kinda like what Baghdad Bob would say.