Hi everyone! We're bailing on AZ ASAP and were originally set on moving back to my wife's home state of CT, but mathematical realities have set in and I think it's now clear that we can't afford to live there if she's going to be a full-time stay at home mom (which we both want). I lived the first 27 years of my life in CNY and have been in AZ for 10. My wife has recently, for reasons still not completely clear to me, had a change of heart and is now willing to move to CNY, specifically the 'Cuse area (Manlius). She was originally against it, but this forum and Bellafinzi's photos have helped turn her around....
Anyway, we're doing an expense comparison but I don't really remember how much some home utilities/bills like gas heat, electric, car insurance, vehicle registration and homeowners insurance cost. We are familiar with the (huge) difference in property tax but welcome it, as belonging to the state that is 50th in education is quickly losing it's charm as our children move towards school age. You do get what you pay for!
For those who don't mind sharing, what do you pay to heat your home with gas (we won't consider buying a house with oil), and how much is the electric bill? I'm most interested in costs for houses that are approx 2000 sq ft, newer (post 1980) construction, since that's what we'll be looking to buy. I realize that it costs a lot more to heat in the winter, but if you could share the high/low/average monthly cost for these things it'd be great. I'm just trying to get an idea.
I think I remember the vehicle registration being something like $55 for 2 years in NY. Is that close to correct anymore? Here in Phoenix we get to pay a vehicle license tax along with registration, so our 2007 Honda cost about $470 for '07-'08. My 1998 Lexus was about $100 for the year. EDIT: I found
this list of registration fees....is it accurate? Are there other yearly taxes/fees associated with vehicles?
What about auto insurance and homeowner's insurance? I can't remember but I'd bet auto's not as high as AZ with all the stolen cars here. Homeowners could be more in NY, given the amount of wet weather.
I appreciate any help and am looking forward to reading your replies!
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Central NY needs all of the new young families it can get. I'm especially excited about the potential that Syracuse, Albany, Scranton, Rochester, and other cities in the Upstate NY/North PA region have for revitalization. Welcome in advance to NY, and I hope helpful folks like BellaFinzi come by soon to address your inquiries. 
