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We are getting ready to retire in 1-2 yrs. Both of us will have SS and a state pension. We currently live in Cherry Valley, NY on a farm. We both would like to sell the farm and downsize. I'd like to go south because of the snow and cold but Hubbie would rather stay in NY because we have our vet, doctors, dentist, accountant, etc here (actually in the Saratoga Springs area).
Has anyone retired in NYS? Even though I would like to go south, the crime rate down there is amazingly high. Hubbie doesn't like the southern attitude and we have rescue dogs from the south that were abused. Even our horse came from the south through a rescue. He's upset about the attitude toward animals also. I tell him there are nice and crappy people everywhere.
I'm afraid that if we retire here that we won't be able to afford the property taxes. I like the Saratoga Springs area since we use to live near there, so if we do stay I'd like to go back.
Any advice or info would be greatly appreciated. thanks.
We did stat retirement in NYS, just 40 minutes SE of Saratoga, but became snowbirds,moving up fro 3 months to eventually 8.
I don't know how relevant our experience might be for you.
The southern half of the US is a really big place. And it is impossible to generalize about it. Do you have any particular part of the "south" in mind? Robyn
We were thinking at first SC- the Greenville area, recently either Tennessee (the Knoxville area) or Florida (the St Augustine area.) Florida is getting expensive. I have family down there. I recently saw a house for sale in Florida and the taxes were $5000/ yr.! Plus the high cost of insurance: both house and auto.
Tennessee has high sales tax: up to 8.75% or 9.75%. Plus the housing seems a little higher since "everyone" is moving south.
Both Tennessee and "upstate" SC get snow and can get cold (I realize not like what we get here). So is it worth moving to less snow but still snow and cold? We now can leave our house open and we never take keys out of our car (unless we go to the "big" cities).
Checking sites like city data show that burglaries, auto thief, and thief are very high. We know people who go on vacation yet leave their house unlocked so neighbors or someone can get in if they need to.
Since seniors can be a criminal target, it does worry us. Any thought on this? Thanks
Although your property taxes are high, you could sell and move to a smaller abode. And NYS doesn't tax SS or state pensions and there is no personal property tax. All things to keep in mind when considering moving to another state. What's that old saying? "The grass isn't always greener on the other side."
First - for most people - things like property taxes will make a (much) bigger dent in your budget than sales taxes. Unless you really shop a whole lot (in most places - you don't pay sales tax on things like grocery store food - medications - most services - etc.). Income taxes can be a big factor too - depending on your income (with 2 state pensions - I don't think you'll be low income/poor). Florida has no state income tax.
One thing to look into is the nature of your medical insurance/coverage if it's part of your retirement package. And how good it is if you move out of state. People from New York talk about this from time to time on the JAX forum. There seem to be lots of plans - and they're all different. I don't pay attention to the particulars of the discussions (because I ain't got no dog in that fight).
I don't find property taxes that high in the St. Augustine area (where I live). Perhaps because I moved from Miami - where property taxes are about double what they are here. Another consideration when it comes to property taxes are there are some very low cost parts of the state - including many in the Panhandle. Just about all resident Florida homeowners qualify for a $50k homestead exemption on their houses when it comes to property taxes. So - if you have a house that isn't worth a whole lot - your property taxes can be very low.
I seriously dislike winter weather in the northern part of the SE - like the middle of NC where my late inlaws used to live. Because - instead of no snow - or snow - what you often wind up with is ice storms. Which are worse than snow storms IMO. The roads are 100% impossible in terms of driving - and the ice can bring down trees/power lines - causing power outages in the middle of the winter. Not the kind of thing I care to deal with at all.
In terms of crime - I have never lived in any place that is totally free of crime - especially "pretty crime" (except when it comes to the inside of high rise condos). I lock the doors (to the house and the car). Just as a matter of habit. Even people who live on farms can be targets of horrible crimes (read In Cold Blood). I wouldn't feel safe sleeping anywhere at night with unlocked doors. And leaving keys in cars is an open invitation to stupid kids everywhere to steal things - take cars for joy rides - etc. No matter where you wind up - especially in most reasonably safe places - taking these small precautions (locking houses and cars) will go a long way in terms of preventing your becoming a crime statistic.
My husband was bitten by an abused "junk yard dog" while running in Connecticut. Should I conclude that people up north are all animal abusers? Don't think so . Note that the number of animals you have (which you mentioned in your JAX forum question) may be a problem in many areas - even upstate New York - if you sell the farm and move from a rural to a more residential area. That is something you should definitely check out. Robyn
In your shoes (and I kind of am, in your neighboring state), I would be inclined to stay put, see what NYS offers seniors for lowered property tax, and take a month every winter in Florida. You may not transplant well from our extreme 4 seasons and from all the services and friends you now have in place. If after doing a few years of a month down south, you'll better know whether you want to make it permanent.
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(in most places - you don't pay sales tax on things like grocery store food - medications - most services - etc.). Income taxes can be a big factor too - depending on your income (with 2 state pensions - I don't think you'll be low income/poor). Florida has no state income tax.
. Note that the number of animals you have (which you mentioned in your JAX forum question) may be a problem in many areas - even upstate New York - if you sell the farm and move from a rural to a more residential area. That is something you should definitely check out. Robyn
