Man, EVERYONE wants to live here (Seattle, Tacoma: 2015, low crime, tenant)

[Shooting Stars]

Originally Posted by homesinseattle

It is mandatory for anyone on the east coast who hits the age of 65 to move to Florida, always has been. There are stiff penalties if you don't comply.

Have you heard of the "Half-Backers"? Those are the people who move to Florida from the northeast and can't take the heat, and then move half way back . . . to North Carolina.

[Shooting Stars]

Originally Posted by cmswazey

I checked a couple states where housing is far cheaper and in both of them, the property taxes were triple what they are here. One still might come out ahead, but it should be factored in.

Go to North Carolina. The houses and property taxes are both lower, though there is state income tax. Asheville is the exception. It has gotten expensive, but probably not as expensive as Seattle.

Tennessee has both low property tax and no state income tax, but houses around Nashville have gone up because the city is booming. Probably still cheaper than Seattle.

[cmswazey]

Good to know. I've lived in TN and parts of it are nice.

But for me personally- guess I'm ok staying put. Don't owe too terribly much on the house and have gotten most of the repairs and renovations done. Figure it won't be too costly to retire someday.

But that's not the same for everyone. I'd like to see everyone situated and doing well in life.

[ncrunner77]

Originally Posted by jrt1979

It's like Austin on steroids.

Perfect description.... Brilliant!

[ncrunner77]

Originally Posted by Shooting Stars

Have you heard of the "Half-Backers"? Those are the people who move to Florida from the northeast and can't take the heat, and then move half way back . . . to North Carolina.

They exist! I live in Raleigh. There used to be more half-backers but word spread and now they just move straight here from the Northeast.

[Seacove]

Originally Posted by Shooting Stars

As a former Floridian, I can tell you that you are mistaken about the Gulf. The Gulf is only that way in Texas. A lot of West Coasters go to Texas and visit the beach and make the assumption that it's ugly "because it's the Gulf."

On the Florida Panhandle, the Gulf beaches have sugar-white sand made of pure quartz that washed down the rivers from the Appalachian mountains . . . and crystal clear blue-green water.

Actually all the Gulf beaches in Alabama and those that run down the length of Florida are beautiful, with the Panhandle beaches being the best of the best. The beaches there have been on "Most Beautiful Beach" lists repeatedly and it's known as "The Emerald Coast" for the color of the water.

Go to Destin, FL next time.

The water is not only brown in Texas. Biloxi has the brownest, murkiest water, at least as bad as Texas. Yes, Florida has some beautiful turquoise water but most of the Gulf Coast is not pretty at all, so it has two strikes, the second being the South. North Carolina looks okay but it's definitely the South. And what's with all the North Carolinians posting here?

[Shooting Stars]

Originally Posted by Seacove

The water is not only brown in Texas.

Biloxi has the brownest, murkiest water, at least as bad as Texas. Yes, Florida has some beautiful turquoise water but most of the Gulf Coast is not pretty at all, so it has two strikes, the second being the South. North Carolina looks okay but it's definitely the South. And what's with all the North Carolinians posting here?

MOST of the Gulf of Mexico?

Here is a map. Gulf of Mexico Map - Mexico Maps, Gulf of Mexico Facts Location - World Atlas

The one-third in Texas to Mississippi is ugly.

The other two-thirds are Alabama to Florida and Mexico beaches, which are gorgeous. Not to mention part of Cuba.

[Seacove]

Originally Posted by Shooting Stars

MOST of the Gulf of Mexico?

Here is a map. Gulf of Mexico Map - Mexico Maps, Gulf of Mexico Facts Location - World Atlas

The one-third in Texas to Mississippi is ugly.

The other two-thirds are Alabama to Florida and Mexico beaches, which are gorgeous. Not to mention part of Cuba.

My apologies, I didn't know we were including Mexico and Cuba, I was speaking to the United States specifically. When referencing the United States specifically, Texas through Mississippi represents a great deal of the Gulf Coast with Florida already mentioned. You previously said the water was only brown in Texas. That is not true. It is also brown and murky in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Plus it's the South and North Carolina, in addition to being in the South, has a 5.75% state income tax.

http://www.wapt.com/weather/Biloxi-B...rning/22293766

[Shooting Stars]

Originally Posted by Seacove

Plus it's the South and North Carolina, in addition to being in the South, has a 5.75% state income tax.

Higher tax rate. Lower overall cost of living.

You'd still come out ahead financially. No shade on Seattle, which is a great place. But it's expensive as hell.

[VirtualErik]

Seattle is calling me, can't help it! lol, but yup I'm working on getting up there myself.