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State-Local Tax Burdens, Calendar Year 2005
Rank State State/Local taxes as
% of per capita income
U.S. average 10.10%
1 Maine 13.00%
2 New York 12.00%
3 Hawaii 11.50%
4 Rhode Island 11.40%
5 Wisconsin 11.40%
6 Vermont 11.10%
7 Ohio 11.00%
8 Nebraska 10.90%
9 Utah 10.90%
10 Minnesota 10.70%
11 Arkansas 10.50%
12 Connecticut 10.50%
13 West Virginia 10.50%
14 New Jersey 10.40%
15 Kansas 10.40%
16 Louisiana 10.40%
17 Maryland 10.30%
18 Indiana 10.30%
19 Kentucky 10.30% 20 California 10.30% 21 Arizona 10.20%
22 Michigan 10.10%
23 Wyoming 10.10% 24 Washington 10.00%
25 Iowa 10.00%
26 Mississippi 10.00%
27 Idaho 10.00% 28 North Carolina 10.00%
29 New Mexico 9.90%
30 Illinois 9.80% 31 Georgia 9.80%
32 Massachusetts 9.80%
33 South Carolina 9.70% 34 Virginia 9.70%
35 Pennsylvania 9.70%
36 Oregon 9.60% 37 Colorado 9.50% 38 Nevada 9.50%
39 Montana 9.50%
40 Oklahoma 9.40%
41 Missouri 9.40%
42 North Dakota 9.40% 43 Texas 9.30% 44 Florida 9.20%
45 South Dakota 8.80% 46 Alabama 8.70% 47 Tennessee 8.30%
48 Delaware 8.00%
49 New Hampshire 7.40%
50 Alaska 6.40%
District of Columbia 12.20%
Source: Tax Foundation, 2005
The states I've emboldened are the ones known for their rapid economic growth. Nine of the twelve I've emboldened are in the bottom half. Just an interesting observation. That said, California's tax burden has become so stiff that companies are now leaving there and relocating to places like Texas and Georgia.
Charlotte is a decent city- read my recent post (above) Stay away from Tennessee- S Georgia and Alabama. NC overall is acceptable (Eastern only)stay out of the western areas.
I dont know about Texas, but I nedd to move back to one of the coasts after 10 years in the true south
If you want cheap taxes but city close by work in Charlotte and live in Fort Mill SC, property taxes in SC are about 50% cheaper than Charlotte
I agree with your assessment of Alabama, but remember that Huntsville is like a different planet from the rest of Alabama. It's a city full of engineers and rocket scientists, and I would venture to say that a big chunk of the population in Huntsville isn't from Alabama.
I spent a great deal of time in AL due to business over the years, and find you kind of have to 'break it down' and look at it area by area. IMO it's a very misunderstood state.
Birmingham - some parts of south Birmingham are really lovely. I love the Five Points area and the neighborhoods off Highland. I also love the southside neighborhoods, especially Mountain Brook, which IMO is as good as it gets.
Fairhope, Point Clear and the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay - a complete (and delightful) surprise to first-time visitors.
Tuscaloosa - not a half-bad college town.
Auburn/Opelika - same as above.
Huntsville - as you mentioned before; there are also some interesting town along the Tennessee River/TVA system (Sheffield, Decatur, Florence) that have potential.
Charlotte is a decent city- read my recent post (above) Stay away from Tennessee- S Georgia and Alabama. NC overall is acceptable (Eastern only)stay out of the western areas.
It's always a good idea to say why one should "stay away from Tennessee, S Georgia and Alabama." Remember that different people have different priorities...
Some may say OK isn't the true south, which may be true... it's somewhat region-confused. Mid-south is what many from there will call it. Either way, maybe you'd like it? Just a thought.
Yeh, Mid-South (or mid-south central) works for Oklahoma, or even better, call it what it truly is: the Old Southwest....Oklahoma obviously has southern culture, but cannot be considered completely southern because of geography (compared to a states of the Deep South such as MS, AL, Georgia, SC which are unquestionably southern).
For any outsiders be warned: It's not like the Midwest in case if you've never been. Oklahoma is a cowboy culture (yeh, we got the wildest Rednecks around baby) infused with southern elements.
In my opinion, I would look at the college towns that are surrounded by lots of natural beauty and lakes. College towns tend to have more diversity and they are used to people from other countries moving in. Some nice southern college towns are Athens, GA, Chapel Hill, NC, and Charlottesville, VA. There are others worth exploring too.
Hey- I was reading through your threads and wondererd if you had moved?? I know this is an old thread but I wanted to mention Charlottesville, VA....one of my favorite places in the south. they have a great website too if you google it. Lots of vinyards and wineries in that area too that offer some things to do...
Tennessee is a great place to check out. its in a convienant location, with several towns around NC, GA, arkansas, missouri, virginia, alabama, and mississippi& kentucky.
1- cleveland, tn. why? its a very small, safe town. its only half hour from chattanooga, where there is plenty of nightlife. its got many activities, such as whitewater rafting. also only about 2 hrs. from Dollywood. nice family environment.
2- Franklin, Tn- cute, safe little town with tons of little shops and cafes., close to nashville.
3- Johnson city, Tn- small town around VA with adorable qualities.
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