This is why we will remain Texas residents for a very long time. Vince sent me this article this morning. Every time I’ve mentioned moving to Missouri, Vince says “Tell me why I would spend $X,XXX to live in Missouri!” He has it figured down to the penny (almost) what it would cost us in taxes to live in Missouri vs. Texas.
There are studies to prove just about anything you want to prove and there may be a study/article that shows living in Missouri costs less than living in Texas but I’d be surprised. Overwhelmingly, the studies show Texas is a good place to live. I’ve yet to see a story that compares states to states on rattlesnakes, scorpions, giant grasshoppers and extreme heat! 🙂
We would never (I don’t think) look at a this study and if we were living in Missouri, say . . hey . . let’s move to Texas but so long as things stay the way they are in Texas, we aren’t going anywhere. That doesn’t mean we won’t find a small house in MO and buy it . . if I have my way.
When you add to the tax benefits, free water (well), free sewer (septic tank), mostly free electricity (solar panels), property taxes in our county are frozen (the taxes on your homestead do not go up) after you turn 65, no need for cable because we’re too busy doing the things we do outside . . it really is a hard place to leave. But, when you think about Addie being in Missouri . . you know what wins for me!
On another expense related note, the groceries here are outrageous compared to what I pay at home. I have no idea why milk is $2/gallon more; bananas are 25¢ more per pound, green peppers are 22¢ more each.
When you live somewhere and never intend to move away, most of us don’t even think about these things but, when you’re in the position we’re in and thinking about moving, these things do factor in. The only states we’ve considered moving to are Louisiana and Missouri.
Maybe we’ll move to East Texas. That would put us close to Louisiana and if we moved to the northeast part of Texas, that would put us closer to Missouri. Or, maybe we’ll just stay where we are and continue talking about moving!
Donna says
You.ve got such a nice place in Texas and have put so much work into it. I know being close to Addie pulls at your heart but they could be transferred at any time and she will grow up and be too busy for you. Plus if you were there all the time she wouldn’t think being with you was as special as she does now. It would just be same o same o. Not trying to talk you out of moving just giving a different perspective. A place to stay when you visit sounds perfect.
Cathy W. says
You can’t put a price on family. When Addie is grown and off on her own, will you look back and say, “wow, we have saved a lot money and lived really cheap in Texas. I am so happy about that.”Or will you say, “I hardly get to see my granddaughter. Now she is grown and too busy for us. I wish we had lived near her when she was young so we could have spent more time together.” My parents wish they had done things differently. My nephew, their only grandchild, has lived 1200 miles away his whole life. He is 25 and living his own life now. They feel like they missed a lot. They tell everyone to move near their grandchildren because they regret living so far away from theirs.
Twyla says
I am with Cathy. So Vince a move to Northeast Texas it is.
pat says
very true on Addie when she grows up and away are you going to keep moving everytime chad and addie moves. You have a husband and a nice home. Look at the money you are spending on different homes. She will have her own life and she will move on in it.
I don’t see my grandchildren very much that is part of life and I wouldn’t keep moving to their homes or city. I miss them. but life goes on.
Judy Laquidara says
Whatever we buy here isn’t going to be our main home so . . when they move, we’ll just sell our place here and move there if we want to do that. The money isn’t going to be that much and I think she can have her life and can still see us enough to make it worth our while.
We’re all different and I’m glad you have a setup that works great for you and them but for me, being close to them, especially now that Vince has retired, is pretty important.
Nelle Coursey says
Why don’t you just wait a while, maybe 10 or 15 more years!! LOL you know I just want you to be around in case I need you to help me!! LOL
dezertsuz says
That was interesting. For business climate, neither of us ranks in the top ten, because of other taxes – TN is 46 for sales tax, but I don’t mind that because you can pick a lot of what you buy. TX is 37. Except for Alaska, WA, and FL, the income tax-free states are all the ones I’ve considered. The darned weather knocks out SD – WAY too cold! But I liked living there in the summer. =) You and Vince will figure out what the best plan is for you, and I do bet a house comes up within a week or ten days of your leaving!
Karen Sutton says
I don’t know if you’ve ever considered this but you could rent thru VRBO or AIRBNB. We do that on occasion for vacations – we’ve rented for a month at a time. Of course, that’s assuming there are rentals available where you want to be.
Diane Russell says
I think I would consider a motor home. You could get one with the pullouts and have plenty of room. You could also leave it a Chad and Nicole’s house. Then you would have the privacy you want and still be close to the family. Also much easier to move when the kids get transferred. It would also be great for then especially when the power goes out, they would have plumbing and electric {with a generator}. This is what I would do especially if I had the money for it.
Dar in MO says
I would second a nice motor home too. You could go on family vacations to fishing spots and it is real easy to move it to whatever city they might move too. Some of them are nicer than a small house — not as much to clean and no grass to mow! lol