Living in Texas or New Mexico

[GTM]

For those who know Texas or New Mexico what do you think of retirement there.

I like a city where there is activity but not too expensive.

I have read about Las Cruces New Mexico and it appears to have alot to offer for a small city.

Anyone care to advise

 

[BUM]

My brother in law retired near Austin. He and his wife love it there... won't shut up about it.

BUM

 

[Mr._johngalt]

Both have much to recommend them. Austin wouldn't work for me,
but......whatever floats your boat, etc....................Of the 2, we chose Texas due to A. I was quite familiar having lived there from
1994 to 1998, and B. It has a lot more "big water" which was a
must.

JG

 

[REWahoo]

For those who know Texas or New Mexico what do you think of retirement there.

New Mexico is a great retirement location, especially the Ruidoso and Cloudcroft areas. Alamogorda is a decent-sized desert town just down the mountain from both.

As to Texas, I don't recommend it. Astronomically high property taxes, scorpions, snakes, fire ants, JG, heat (and humidity), and full of Texans carrying concealed handguns. But some people really love Austin, although the traffic congestion is bad beyond description and the snakes are all in city politics. My recommendation is that you look elsewhere.


REW

 

[wildcat]

As to Texas, I don't recommend it. Astronomically high property taxes, scorpions, snakes, fire ants, JG, heat (and humidity), and full of Texans carrying concealed handguns

JG is supposed to be the most dangerous of them all, especially after 2 cups of coffee.

 

[Mr._johngalt]

JG is supposed to be the most dangerous of them all, especially after 2 cups of coffee. 

Damn straight!

 

[Ol_Rancher]

Austin, Texas  ... think again

None of the civil servants of the city that I know will be able to sustain retirement in the city or surrounding county on a defined benefit plan  + S.S.  ... tax eviction within 3 to 5 years

Property taxes in the state of Texas begin at about 2.2% to 2.3% sales taxes in Austin and Travis County are 8.5%  to  8.75 %.  The city owns all utilities, even the largest hospitals, and each bill for water or electricity has a list of fees (pot hole fee, environmental fee, waste water fee, and three or four more)

Homes are tax appraised at full market value.

Austin loves  to spread the cost of giving away money and services to redistribute wealth. This is best acheived by creating taxing authorities (CC college, hospital, bus, EMS, and a couple more)

You pay useage fees and parking at any green spot that is city owned.

My favorite bumper sticker:   WELCOME TO AUSTIN, TAXES

 

[Mr._johngalt]

Austin, Texas  ... think again

None of the civil servants of the city that I know will be able to sustain retirement in the city or surrounding county on a defined benefit plan  + S.S.  ... tax eviction within 3 to 5 years

Property taxes in the state of Texas begin at about 2.2% to 2.3% sales taxes in Austin and Travis County are 8.5%  to  8.75 %.  The city owns all utilities, even the largest hospitals, and each bill for water or electricity has a list of fees (pot hole fee, environmental fee, waste water fee, and three or four more)

Homes are tax appraised at full market value.

Austin loves  to spread the cost of giving away money and services to redistribute wealth. This is best acheived by creating taxing authorities (CC college, hospital, bus, EMS, and a couple more)

You pay useage fees and parking at any green spot that is city owned.

My favorite bumper sticker:   WELCOME TO AUSTIN, TAXES

Damn it OL_Rancher..............REW and I have been trying to steer
people to Austin. If they must move into Texas, let them settle there.
We know it's a cesspool of PC/liberal group-think and limpwristed do-gooders.
But, let's not let on.
Come on now.............. Help us spread the word. Our mantra should be
"Texas is just awful, except for Austin!"

JG

 

[Ol_Rancher]

Easy for you guys. I live 60 miles west of the beast called Austin. Its tentacles grow ever longer. One day in the not so distant future every ridge in hillcounty will be covered with roofs.

I would recommend eastward of Austin where the Pine forests provide cool shade, green grass covered soil, and lower property prices. Try Bastrop county.

Otherwise, be advised that we all have guns here and ammo is availiable in any local store. Hunting as an economic base in hill country affords easy targeting of errant Californians and 'DY's (Damn Yankees)

 

[Eagle43]

Anywhere in the Hill Country is good. Like Marble Falls, Lake Buchanan, or Fredricksburg, for that matter all the way to Johnson City. There you have the advantages of Austin and/or San Antonio without all the hassle.

Don't worry about all those Texans packing heat. Just get your license and bring your own.

Be warned. Texas property taxes suck, and they will get worse!

 

[Texas Proud]

For all you people who complain about the property taxes... remember that we do not pay INCOME taxes!!!

And, our houses are valued at a lot less than those poor saps in California and New York City (or for that matter, most of the East Coast)

 

[charlie]

For what it's worth, property taxes in Texas will be cut up to 1/3
under new legislation going through the Texas legislature. The
flip side of the coin is that sales taxes will go up again ..... and
we already pay 8.25% in places like Dallas.

Yes, Austin is like a transplant from La La land. All you libs are
welcome to come there ..... you can't ruin whats already spoiled.

Cheers,

Charlie

 

[Kitty]

"SOB"
Here I was looking at Texas property on the web....then you guys come along and bust my bubble....

Actually I knew that the real estate taxes in the cities are awful, I don't know how people can stand it. Although in the small rural communities it is not as bad. That sales tax will get you no matter where you live, wow 8.5% and up in some places that is HIGH...

I would like a place of my own a few acres a barn, corral and a small house where I could ride a horse and play with my dogs. Neighbors that do the same things, get together for a BBQ a few times a year and mind their own business other times of the year.

East Texas seems nice up near Tyler or even by the lakes
as long as the taxes and urbanites don't move in. As for the packing a gun; I lived in Arizona where it is legal to pack a firearm in plain sight; concealed you need a permit. In the rural areas and highways down by the border it is advised to be able to protect yourself. I kept a .45 in the car and a 9mm in the truck and I do know how to shoot. 

Oh yes, scorpions, fire ants, snakes, killer bees, cactus, coyotes (2 and 4 legged), flashfloods, 100+degree heat, dust storms,  lightning storms, are familiar. Just adds a little spice to life like salsa. 

Wanting to do the above where else is there that doesn't have snow storms, freezing cold, high taxes, high cost of living, traffic jams, and all that urban stuff.

Kitty

 

[Austin_Explorer]

Complaining about property taxes and not taking into account the total tax bill is pretty short sighted. Sure property taxes are high, but there are no income taxes. What's the total tax burden of the average Texan? Below average, at least according to this:

http://www.retirementliving.com/RLtaxburdens.html

And I don't want to hear about what a great state Alaska is because it has the lowest tax rate. That's because the state is the benefactor of the largest influx of government subsidies (from YOUR pocket) and state distribution of oil and gas revenues. JG might call that socialism. And you guys rag on Austin! :

 

[wildcat]

I would take northern NM but that is me. A bit less flat, a bit less humid and more outdoor recreation.

 

[LEX]

I was born and raised in Texas. I live in Arizona. EOM

 

[GTM]

Anyone have any opinions on living in El Paso?

 

[haha]

Anyone have any opinions on living in El Paso?

Nice town but unbelievably bad air. Its sister city Juarez is a lot bigger than El Paso, and has many cars with no emissions control. El Paso used to have a dirty Asarco smelter- I don't knwo if that still operates.

 

[LEX]

Asarco has shut down. Juarez air pollution has more than made up for it. El Paso is a good low cost place to base for ER. Its income tax free since it is in Texas, but its closer to major cities in New Mexico, so its a more Southwest type of lifestyle. Nice place to get by on less than 20K/year. 8)

 

[GTM]

Austin Texas, what parts are the desirable areas with new and existing construction reasonably priced.

How much for a small 3 bedroom is the norm.

 

[wildcat]

Austin Texas, what parts are the desirable areas with new and existing construction reasonably priced.

How much for a small 3 bedroom is the norm.

From what I know Austin is pricey for Texas. I think you could score a pretty realistic price on a good house right outside the city. Round Rock maybe? Just everyone wants to be right in the middle of Austin.

 

[Austin_Explorer]

Austin Texas, what parts are the desirable areas with new and existing construction reasonably priced.

How much for a small 3 bedroom is the norm.

This might help:

http://www.austin-real-estate.org/austin-texas-neighborhoods.htm

http://kip2.kiplinger.com/features/archives/2005/03/12placesfull.html

In general, Austin is pricy for Texas. However my home's appraised value has fallen for the last two years. I'm not complaining since we have no plans to move and that just means lower property taxes for us in the interim.

 

[vic]

Property taxes are not cheap in Texas. However, the average home is and there is no income tax as was already mentioned. You are not paying tax on a $800K condo but more likely on a $100-200K house.

Our homestead in Bastrop county 3/2/2 on 1 acre costs $2400 in prop tax. Our 2/1/1 house in Central Austin (Travis county) is $4200 but non-homestead and appraised slightly higher.

No telling what the average 3/2/2 cost in Austin. South and North Austin will be 50-80% less than Central Austin. Anything in Central Austin that is in move-in condition and up to today's standards will NOT be cheap.

Lots of folks at work do the 1 hour commute to the city because it is cheaper living out in the county. They just forget to account for the cost of 2 hours of commuting agony and the wear and tear on the car. I am also more of a liberal city girl than a conservative redneck.

Once we have completed the renovation and addition of our house in Austin, we will move there. Will probably go back to one car only. Everything is right there. The savings of getting rid of one car and cutting back on the mileage will probably pay for the prop tax anyway.

Central Austin real estate is quite hot, you can rent out about anything. However, I don't think landlording is very profitable there. E.g. our house was renting out for $1000+/month with a 50 year old kitchen, poor maintenance, no insulation, no heating at all, window A/C and total 700 sqft of living space. Median selling price for comparable properties: $170K (we did not pay that though). An updated family size home is difficult to get there and sells for high $$$.

Out in the county you can get much cheaper stuff. I looked at a 3/1/1 for rental. Asking price was 29K, average rent $650. Backed out because of a pain in the ass realtor. Some good deals around though. My colleague bought a brick duplex a few months ago. Total rent $1300. Total monthly cost $650. Got to be lucky to get them though.

Vicky

 

[Mr._johngalt]

Property taxes are not cheap in Texas. However, the average home is and there is no income tax as was already mentioned. You are not paying tax on a $800K condo but more likely on a $100-200K house.

Our homestead in Bastrop county 3/2/2 on 1 acre costs $2400 in prop tax. Our 2/1/1 house in Central Austin (Travis county) is $4200 but non-homestead and appraised slightly higher.

No telling what the average 3/2/2 cost in Austin. South and North Austin will be 50-80% less than  Central Austin.  Anything in Central Austin that is in move-in condition and up to today's standards will NOT be cheap.

Lots of folks at work do the 1 hour commute to the city because it is cheaper living out in the county. They just forget to account for the cost of 2 hours of commuting agony and the wear and tear on the car.  I am also more of a liberal city girl than a conservative redneck.

Once we have completed the renovation and addition of our house in Austin, we will move there. Will probably go back to one car only. Everything is right there. The savings of getting rid of one car and cutting back on the mileage will probably pay for the prop tax anyway.

Central Austin real estate is quite hot, you can rent out about anything. However, I don't think landlording is very profitable there. E.g. our house was renting out for $1000+/month with a 50 year old kitchen, poor maintenance, no insulation, no heating at all, window A/C and total 700 sqft of living space. Median selling price for comparable properties: $170K (we did not pay that though). An updated family size home is difficult to get there and sells for high $$$. 

Out in the county you can get much cheaper stuff. I looked at a 3/1/1 for rental. Asking price was 29K, average rent $650. Backed out because of a pain in the ass realtor. Some good deals around though. My colleague bought a brick duplex a few months ago. Total rent $1300. Total monthly cost $650. Got to be lucky to get them though.

Vicky

Gosh Vicky, you sound quite sensible, except for the moving to
Austin thing

JG

 

[vic]

Not everybody is a redneck or feels comfortable in a population of 100% rednecks

Already had the perpetual burning cross (electric) across the street - I think it was religious. Maybe to fend of the evil influence of my non-christian husband with not-so-white skin?

I think I am very sensible to move