Are Virginia State taxes well spent? (buying a home, buying, construction)

[bizzyb&lovinlife]

I am a military spouse who is currently a resident of another state with much lower income taxes. We are moving to VA Beach next month and I may end up having to change my residence again if I work in VA, (I will definitely look into it more before I do). I would like general opinions on how well VA state taxes are spent. For example- how are the public schools, and do they have good resources available? My son will be attending one so I am very interested. How is road construction there- are projects started and finished in a decent amount of time? Overall, do you feel your taxes are well spent on any or everything they are applied to? What other misc taxes are there? Do you feel you get a decent amount back on your income tax returns? We most likely won't be buying a home while we are stationed there so property taxes probably aren't an issue for us. Any input is welcome and appreciated.

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by bizzyb&lovinlife

I am a military spouse who is currently a resident of another state with much lower income taxes. We are moving to VA Beach next month and I may end up having to change my residence again if I work in VA, (I will definitely look into it more before I do). I would like general opinions on how well VA state taxes are spent. For example- how are the public schools, and do they have good resources available? My son will be attending one so I am very interested. How is road construction there- are projects started and finished in a decent amount of time? Overall, do you feel your taxes are well spent on any or everything they are applied to? What other misc taxes are there? Do you feel you get a decent amount back on your income tax returns? We most likely won't be buying a home while we are stationed there so property taxes probably aren't an issue for us. Any input is welcome and appreciated.

The schools are very good in Virginia and despite the howling of Northern Virginians the good schools are all around VA, including VA Beach which is one of the best large city school districts. The car tax is not something I'm happy about and I also hate Virginia's aggressive traffic ticketing. Well I'm not getting killed on my state taxes, for instance I got money back from VA when I had to pay Uncle Sam $200 (which aint cheap for a working college student.) I don't think VA has the best tax advantages but there are a lot worse states like Maryland and quite possibly Kentucky (i'll find out soon enough.)

[Coconut1]

Taxes well spent? Absolutely not. Roads are a mess with holes, an assortment of different paving, congested tunnels and not enough lanes.

Everything is taxed, food, clothes, etc. can't think of anything that isn't taxed, actually.

I don't have a problem with taxes, I have a problem with taxes that don't provide anything in return. I would be in favor of more taxes if we actually got things moving around here (mass transit, improved roads, schools, etc)

Not too sure about the schools. There was some kid that tried bombing a school and another two that hatched a plan to drag a kid in the bathroom and stab him to death. I think it might have been Landstown on the bombing, can't remember the stabbing. I wouldn't send my kids to public school around here. Too risky, IMO.

Good luck with your move

[NJR]

Are Virginia State taxes well spent???

I would say yes. They are well.....spent.
On what I have no idea. I have to agree with Coconut1. Va has to be the capitol of the nickle & dime taxing. They tax everything, but the services are always lacking.

As far as schools you have to research. I did an extensive search before we moved here.