cost questions (Murfreesboro, Jackson: for sale, homeowners insurance, house)

[budgey]

I was wondering if someone could share their expenses with me inorder for us to get a better idea of the cost in east Tn. I know that there are different variables such as age of house, use of utilities, and lifestyle. We are just looking for some averages. Thanks in advance. By the way we are looking around Sevier and Knox counties. Here in South Carolina our expenses are:

electric: 145.00 a month average ( Heat/AC, hot water, stove, dryer )

cable/internet: 92.00 ( middle package on cable )

water: 45.00 a month ( county )

homeowners insurance: 545.00 a year ( basic policy, no flood )

house property tax: 505.00 a year ( with homestead exemption ) 1045.00 without exemption.

car taxes/reg: 600.00 a year ( 2007 nissan suv/2006 saturn ion )

telephone: 58.00 a month ( basic package with caller id and .07 minute long distance )

groceries: 140.00 a week ( for a family of 5, 2 adults- 3 small kids )

gas: 2.96 a gallon (01/03/08)

Our house is 6 years old, energy efficient, 1800 sq ft, located in the county and worth approx 140,000.00
Once again thanks for the info and help

[budgey]

any help here?

[Mike in TN]

Unless they having some going on in east TN that is drastically different from the rest of the state, you probably shouldn't pay any more than $200/yr on car taxes and registration. Hopefully an east TN resident will correct me if I'm wrong.

In Jackson I paid about $40/yr and here in Murfreesboro it's something like $90/yr per car.

Most of your other expenses should be very similar.

Also, kudos to your family for buying food for 5 for that much!

[mbmouse]

Originally Posted by budgey

I was wondering if someone could share their expenses with me inorder for us to get a better idea of the cost in east Tn. I know that there are different variables such as age of house, use of utilities, and lifestyle. We are just looking for some averages. Thanks in advance. By the way we are looking around Sevier and Knox counties. Here in South Carolina our expenses are:

electric: 145.00 a month average ( Heat/AC, hot water, stove, dryer )
$180 a month, but we have 5 computers, 2 fridge and an extra freezer and a dang heat pump

cable/internet: 92.00 ( middle package on cable )
Satellite $82 but includes 2 extra pay packages

water: 45.00 a month ( county )
$113 that includes water/sewage and trash pickup

homeowners insurance: 545.00 a year ( basic policy, no flood )
$540 a year

house property tax: 505.00 a year ( with homestead exemption ) 1045.00 without exemption.
$600 a year, county only taxes

car taxes/reg: 600.00 a year ( 2007 nissan suv/2006 saturn ion )
$48 per year for tags, 2 cars Mustang cobra and PT Cruiser but it doesn't matter what kind of car, same fee for tags for all cars.

telephone: 58.00 a month ( basic package with caller id and .07 minute long distance )$110 but that includes upgraded package and DSL

groceries: 140.00 a week ( for a family of 5, 2 adults- 3 small kids )
$575 a month family of 5 which is 2 adults and 3 teenage, heavy eater boys

gas: 2.96 a gallon (01/03/08)
About the same

Our house is 6 years old, energy efficient, 1800 sq ft, located in the county and worth approx 140,000.00
Once again thanks for the info and help

Our house is a 4/2 12 years old about 1600 sq foot in county worth also about 140k.

In TN there is no state income tax, no personal property tax, no extra school tax (unless you live in the county and want to transport you children to city schools) you will also use your air conditioner about 40 days less a year than in SC, but your heat a few more days a year so it might even out.
(oh and my answers are the ones in blue. ) I am in North East TN, Tri-Cities area but seeing as no one else answered you from the Knox/Sevier area, thought I would throw that in there. Not sure if there is much difference except the property taxes might be higher in Knox Co.
Hope that helps.

[Living in East Tennessee]

mbmouse is right on with his feedback. I live, and am a builder in Sevier county so I am very in-tune to your questions. There is a big advantage to living in SC though. Because we have to cope with traffic, most all of the attractions in the area offer a discounted rate for their shows. Example, we went to the Smith Family Theater this past weekend. Tickets are normally $27.95/each, because we are SC residents, we went to the show for $5.00.

The School System is very good. I am pleased with the education my child is getting.

A 1600 sq ft. house is probably going to be in the 180-200k range depending on where it is located. Not all housing in this area is on city water/septic... some areas have septic systems on the property, and the water bill will average about 30-40 dollars/month.

If I can answer any more questions, or point you toward some properties I know of that are for sale at a good price in SC, let me know. I am not familiar with Knox county, so I could not help you out there.

When are you considering coming our way?

[budgey]

Thanks for the replies. We maybe moving around June. My wife is finishing up her nursing degree. What is the average cost to build per sq. foot? Here in SC
it's around 85.00 to 95.00 a sq. foot. Thanks again for the help, Andy

[budgey]

Living in east Tn, have you ever heard of Monolithic dome homes? They are dome homes made from concrete and a few other materials. Do you or anyone you know build them?