Pensions are not taxed at all in PA, as I understand it. Is the property tax reduced or just frozen at 65? It's astronomical now. Why would you want to lock that in? Also, they can always undo anything.
Will you move when you retire???
Quote from greenhouse_gal :
there's a freeze on them at age 65 for couples with less than $80k in yearly income
I've never heard that before.
Victor, the property tax is frozen at 65, and you know it's not going to go any lower than it is at that date so it's better than nothing and at least it won't go up. Also, if you consider all those other factors, property tax alone isn't going to make or break your staying in or moving to NJ, and it may not even be a net loss on balance.
Flowerjen, you have to apply at your town hall or municipal building for the freeze. You pay your taxes as assessed and then receive a rebate in the amount over what you were assessed at age 65. The township gets their money and the state sends you the difference. I don't know whether this program is totally secure with the new governor, though, of course, but it was a partial solution for property tax relief a few years ago.
Hi GHG, thanks for the info. I knew some of that, but not all. HMMM... that may change things a bit. At least we are near one set of grandkids, so wouldn't want to move soon anyway, especially after the kitchen gets done. Yeah, we're still in the initial stage. Not having heat out in the garage, Jeff hasn't been able to work on anything. We did order some appliances though. Besides he works 16 hours a day on schoolwork. (at least it seems like that long)
Hi, Jan! I'm glad that helped. We were paying our accountant the annual taxes visit when we started discussing the relative merits of different states for retirement. His son lives in Florida, and at this time in his life he's better off there because there's no state income tax, but we were fascinated at his analysis of retirement in NJ. He's a prof at Stockton, too, and seems very knowledgeable.
Very interesting, Victor!
Yes - I have citizenship in a country with universal health care - and grandchildren!
LOL, glad everyone likes my name. I know it's a bit pricey in the USVI, but hey, I live in New England where the cost of living is higher than most of the rest of the country, so I figure I probably won't find a huge difference. And I won't have to buy heating oil! Or sweaters! :-D
HAHAHAHA CGC!!! I really like St John, cuz so much of it is park. I'm sure it is more built up though since we were there in '86.
I haven't been there since 2003, but it's still mostly unspoiled. No casinos, nothing like St. Thomas. It's also not as hot & humid as, say, Florida in the summer.
Oh, and I'll probably be able to go off my anti-depressants once I get warmth and sunshine into my life! Still more savings. :-)
A country with universal healthcare where anyone with influence/money comes to the US for important procedures! Another one just last week - the Newfoundland premier was here for heart surgery. ^_^
If your income is low, there are many options - Fed and State, such as Medicaid.
I like the idea of a freeze on property tax at 65---here in CT they'll probably double it instead---we are taxed on everything---twice.
That's rough, Sherrie. Hopefully, something will change.
You have personal property tax in CT too, right Robin?
The problem is the people in the middle, Victor. The wealthy and the poor have resources but those who make too much to be eligible for special programs but can't afford to pay on their own are really stuck. I'm so sorry to hear about that, schickenlady!
Yes, I know. And the middle is quite large.
I think you can do that anywhere, but last I heard there was a five year lead period here, not three. But that was a while ago so it may have changed.
yes you can do that anywhere - some rules have changed like the waiting period.
Yes, we do a personal property tax here in CT---NH has no state income tax---that's a bonus!
I grew up in Arkansas. Joined the Navy for 20 years. Married a girl from Maine when I was stationed here. I've served all over the country (including Flordia); my ancesters come from the TN/NC/VA area; but They'll have to dynamite me out of Maine. I have good medical coverage and a hospital is close by. The area I live in probably has less than 100,000 within 100 square miles. So I'm set!! One thing I have learned is that no matter where you live there are pros and cons. I would highly recommend that whereever you decide to move to that you spend as much time as you can in that area prior to your final move. I would think that you might even want to pray about it. Peace
Thats good advice Frank. Spending time in the area is a smart move. Praying.....even better.
Amen!, Frank. That should probably be the first thing to do.
Weird thing... asked hubby this question and he said he never thought about it.
Wow. Was he raised in NJ?
Yep. Me, too.
Me three...
Interesting thread - I am new here and enjoyed reading it....
I have lived in Quebec, western NY (Hammondsport area) and moved to Concord NH. As soon as I moved there I fell in love with Maine and eventually got to move here. So as a transplant the roots took pretty good. Have a little modular house that is energy efficient on 5 acres of mixed forest about a 100 feet back from Frenchman's Bay. Nice summer neighbors and in the winter I get to enjoy my solitude and the beauty of this place. I live on a single lane dirt road with grass growing down the middle. I will stay as long as I can - and probably longer. When heating oil hit $4.89 a gallon got a wood stove and have heated entirely with wood for the last two winters. Carrying wood up a flight of stairs and shoveling snow are aerobic activities - no need to join a fitness club.
Besides, I love the challenge of gardening with just a couple of inches of "soil" on top of bedrock. Son in Baltimore and wanting to come back to Maine (d-i-l is from Maine) and a daughter in western NY who thinks her mother may not live at the end of the world but on a clear day she can see it from here.
Schickenlady - I hear you on health care. It is us folks in the middle class (or who used to be in the middle class) who are hurting without health insurance. To buy health insurance the payment would be the same as my mortgage each month. It is too cold to live outdoors in down east Maine in the winter!!
I'll be visiting Quebec this summer!
Maine is an interesting choice; it's so cold there in the winter! We looked into moving to Maine when we came back from the west coast, but the only jobs in our profession were up in Aroostok County, and we said, "No, thanks!" We are glad we decided not to go there, because there's enough snow and ice and cold weather here for our tastes. It's just beginning to warm up here and it's none too soon for us. Ledgegardener, I hope you have people you can call if you're ill or get hurt; that's the only drawback to solitude.
What are you going to be doing in Quebec, Victor? We actually have land up there north of Ontario, but we haven't been there for years. DH went up with a friend for a fishing trip a while ago, but other than that we don't use it.
Vacationing - mainly Quebec City, but probably will venture into the country as well.
Greenhouse-gal: I have to admit "The County" as it is called here is pretty isolated. I turned down a job up there too when I was looking to move to Maine.
Yes - There is a neighbor out on the paved road who drives back in here after storms, reportedly to check for trees down at the summer places (no need - I do that), but I think to check on me without offending me. I have the people who plow too and the Internet.
Actually, my son and his family had a lot more snow in Baltimore than I have had here this winter.
The picture is of the garden asleep. The snow is just about gone now (until we get more). It really has been an easy winter.
Right, we were looking for something more around the Rockport area. We love being near water!
It's nice that you have a support system there! Do you have a way to reach people even if the phone lines are down and/or the power is off?
Here's my garden asleep; it's waking up now, though, and thankfully the snow is almost all gone. We probably got almost as much as Baltimore did this year.
I nearly moved to Maine.My cousin lives there and when I visited I fell in love.
BUT I would have needed a independent income to aford to do it.
I had a big investment in a studio on the back of my property and a business.I couldnt go anywhere and start over at 65.
I stayed until the Potterybusiness just wasnt paying anymore.
My daughter and her husband and I sold our houses and bought a 3000.sqft one in the suburbs.
It has a 800sq ft mastersuite on one end. Thats my private space altho I have the run of the house.
I garden as feuriously as I potted,it keeps me sane.
I have seen enough of the retirement communities to not want any part of them.
That is lovely to be able to share quarters and expenses with your daughter and SIL but still have privacy for both of you. Retirement communities work well for some people and not for others; good to know if they're your cup of tea before you take the plunge!
My parents lived in a independant living place.I think it killed them faster than having to get up everyday and maintain the house.
Aunt and Uncle were in one too,I have friends who live in them thats why I know its not for me.
My aunt is in a multi level assisted living in Vero Beach, she'll be 90 in June she said it's the best thing she ever did. She is now pretty much taking all her meals in her apartment and at this stage they do pretty much everything for you. When she was still able to get around (before hip surgery) they would drive you anywhere you wanted to go.
I think if you are are real active person you have to find a place that has a lot of activites and will let you have a garden.
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