| Author | Message | ||
     Microchop |
Hi All. The wife and I have been working on getting out of the People's Republic of California, and Mckinney Texas looks good, and we are taking steps to relocate. Who's from there? Tips? Advice? Thanks! - Jason | ||
| Speedfreaks101 |
Buy a house with a tornado shelter! | ||
| Whistler |
I don't know McKinney except that I think it's considered part of the DFW metroplex. I've always thought of Texas as a special place. I hope you'll enjoy your time here and I hope you'll feel welcome. Just for fun - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMhaehb5AnE | ||
| Slowride |
Jason, I live pretty close to McKinney. PM me with any questions you have and I will fill ya in. Micah | ||
| Strokizator |
My step-daughter and her family moved from Fresno to McKinney a couple of years ago. They love it. No mountains anywhere nearby and the only curvy roads are the freeway onramps but otherwise OK and it also has a much "free-er" atmosphere than here in the people's republik. Earlier this month I visited my daughter and her family who moved from SoCal to Austin about 2 years ago. Austin seems out of place in Texas and other than the food didn't impress me. As much as I dislike the way things are run here, I'd hate to give up on such a beautiful state. I may move to the eastern side of the sierras when I retire hoping that the 12,000 mountains offer some sort of buffer from Sacto,SF & LA. | ||
| Macbuell |
Say yes to no state income Tax!!!!!!!!! | ||
| Buellrider66 |
TEXAS State Sales Tax: 6.25% (non-prepared food, prescription and non-prescription drugs exempt); local option taxes can raise the rate to 8.25%. Gasoline Tax: 20 cents/gallon Diesel Fuel Tax: 20 cents/gallon Cigarette Tax: $1.41 cents/pack of 20 Personal Income Taxes No state personal income tax Retirement Income: Not taxed. Property Taxes Property tax is imposed by local taxing units. Click here for details. For homeowners 65 and older, $10,000 (in addition to the regular $15,000 homestead exemption) of the property's assessed value is exempt from school taxes and $3,000 is exempt from other local taxes. Once an over-65 homeowner qualifies for an over-65 homestead exemption for school taxes, that owner gets a tax ceiling for that home on school taxes. If the homeowner improves the home (other than normal repairs or maintenance), the tax ceiling is adjusted for the new additions. School district taxes are frozen for seniors (65 and older) and disabled persons at the level imposed on the residence the first year that the taxpayer qualified for the residence exemption. Counties, cities, towns, and junior college districts are permitted to establish a tax freeze on homesteads of those age 65 and older or disabled. For more information on exemptions, click here. Inheritance and Estate Taxes There is no inheritance and the estate tax is limited and related to federal estate tax collection. | ||
| Fahren |
What is the OP using as criteria for choosing? Is it all about taxes? Any close friends or family left in SoCal, or awaiting you in Texas? | ||
| Microchop |
Since you asked, my wife and I have been looking to improve our quality of life while allowing her to stay at home with the kids. Naturally, we started looking where my company has facilities (mainly CA, TX, New England.) Even though my wife is from New England, and she has family there, she decided that the winter weather was too cold. Texas seems to share our values, and CA is headed for certain tax-and-spend destruction. My parents came to CA in 1969, and there was so much opportunity. It is a shame that it only took one generation to squander it all. The weather is nice here, but we see a much better future in the Lone Star State. The housing prices and taxes are a real draw, as is the attitude toward individual freedoms. We have a few friends there (and more moving there every week it seems.) All of my family is within an hour of our current residence, but now even they are talking about Texas opportunities. Can't wait to meet some Texas Buellers once it all comes together. | ||
| Gofast |
I live in McKinney, been here since 1998. Send me a PM and I'll get you my phone number in case you have any questions. Be happy to show you spots around town etc. Also, Let's ride! | ||
| Fahren |
Tough call - I can't judge California, except that when visiting, I like what I see. Texas, well, I sweltered through two summers down in Houston, and I wished I was up in the hills instead. I often ask myself where the best place truly is to live (for my family and me - not trying to judge places for anyone else). I come from the NE, so I am pretty at home here. I may be foolish not to consider issues like taxes as primary, but I try to look mostly at quality of life, and sometimes these things are fairly intangible, and subjective, in a place. If it feels right and you have a good situation, go for it. Fresh starts can be great. What specific things will you miss about CA and what specific things would you look forward to in TX? (just curious). |
