Any negative to retiring in PA? (Harrisburg, State College: attorney, home, college)

[oteyjoe]

Hi everyone,

My husband and I are thinking of relocating to PA or DE in the next year or two, and are considering a nice place we can stay for retirement, which should be in about 5 years. Someone recently told me that in PA. children are responsible for their parents debts encountered before they die. Would anyone know if this is true?

Any input would be appreicated!

Thanks.

[WoodturnerMike]

Originally Posted by oteyjoe

Hi everyone,

My husband and I are thinking of relocating to PA or DE in the next year or two, and are considering a nice place we can stay for retirement, which should be in about 5 years. Someone recently told me that in PA. children are responsible for their parents debts encountered before they die. Would anyone know if this is true?

Any input would be appreicated!

Thanks.

We lived in Pa our entire adult lives, retired at 50 yoa in '02 and moved to Cape May NJ. When (If) we sell we're moving back to Pa, somewhere outside of Harrisburg. The taxes and cost of living are much lower than here. Anyway, getting to your question, I have never heard of children being responsible for the debts of parents. However, the estate of the deceased I'm "sure" would be responsible. An attorney in Pa. could certainly answer your question.

Mike

[oteyjoe]

Thanks for replying, Mike.

One of the places my husband and I were considering was near Cape May, NJ...as we like the ocean and thought it would be a change from LI. I'm curious what you don't like about it?

[Stephanie P]

Originally Posted by oteyjoe

Hi everyone,

My husband and I are thinking of relocating to PA or DE in the next year or two, and are considering a nice place we can stay for retirement, which should be in about 5 years. Someone recently told me that in PA. children are responsible for their parents debts encountered before they die. Would anyone know if this is true?

Any input would be appreicated!

Thanks.

I'm sorry, but I have to ask. Are you concerned that your children would assume any debt that you have after you pass away? Or did you plan on leaving them with your debt?
No offense, I just could not tell by your question.

[orrmobl]

Your children are NOT responsible, your estate, whatever it may, be is. Debts die with the debtor.

The only downsides to PA are the sometimes cold winter, hot humid summers, and taxes...that being said, I would retire to State College any day...or the Jersey shore though I would think that may be lonely/isolating in the winter and harder to get your fix of big city stores and restaurants...

[CosmicWizard]

oteyjoe wrote:

Any negative to retiring in PA?

Unless you enjoy long, cold, GRAY winters, and long, hot, humid, uncomfortable summers, PA is not a good place to retire. If the weather is not an important issue for you, then it is as good a place to retire as any other northeastern state.

[danwxman]

Originally Posted by NewAgeRedneck

oteyjoe wrote:

Any negative to retiring in PA?

Unless you enjoy long, cold, GRAY winters, and long, hot, humid, uncomfortable summers, PA is not a good place to retire. If the weather is not an important issue for you, then it is as good a place to retire as any other northeastern state.

Except PA doesn't tax retirement income, unlike some other Northeastern states.

[WoodturnerMike]

Originally Posted by oteyjoe

Thanks for replying, Mike.

One of the places my husband and I were considering was near Cape May, NJ...as we like the ocean and thought it would be a change from LI. I'm curious what you don't like about it?

As I mentioned in my original answer, the taxes here are higher, as is the cost of living. Our pensions, on income which we earned in Pa. are taxable as state income in NJ, in Pa. they aren't. Our property tax is double a comp in Pa.(depending on the area) Just in taxes we'll save upwards of $500 per month by moving back.

Having said that, the area here is quite nice as are the majority of people. We moved here because of the ocean. Several people here told us before we made the move; "after you're here a year or so you won't even think of the ocean and you'll go months without seeing it". They were right. It's nice but not worth the cost. Besides we miss the rolling hills and real seasons. Winter here is generally mild, rather than snow storms we get Nor'easters which are very dreary, windy, rainy days. Rarely any snow and when it does fall, the 2" or 3" are gone in one day.

Our home is listed but in this market it'll take awhile. Of course it's not like we're living in some hole and desperate. Patience...........

Good luck and choose wisely.

Mike