Want to relocate to southern State near water
 

My husband and I want to relocate to a warmer climate in a Conservative State with no State income tax. We would love to go to Texas because we have ties there but Tennessee is also a consideration. We are open; we have a 4 year old and want to be there in the next 2 years. We would like to purchase acreage near water where we can walk or drive a golf cart to our docked boat. Our daughter will likely go to a private Christian school, or a Montessori if one is available for older grades. ANY SUGGESTIONS? We started a bit later in life. We would prefer not to be on top of our neighbors- and an acre or more would be great. We aren't rich but our income is decent and can work from anywhere. It will be difficult moving but know it will be best for all of us in the long run- and I HATE COLD WEATHER!

South Carolina

After South Carolina seceded in 1860, Petigru famously remarked, "South Carolina is too small for a republic and too large for an insane asylum." This quote is still used to describe contemporary South Carolinian politics. ... Petigru died in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1863. He is buried in St. Michael's Churchyard.

What "water" is Tennessee near? Or do you mean a lake? All states have lakes.

Tennessee has grocery tax, so that will eat into your tax savings.

Turn on the tv, I don't think you want to relocate near water in Texas until they come up with some better emergency planning and building regulations. Also Texas has a lot of liberals.

Yeah...Texas would be off my list for a while. You may want to post how much you expect to pay for that acre of land, especially since you want it near the water. Why a golf cart? I guess I'm just curious there!

The political thing- it depends too much on the community you choose to settle in and the church you attend and the job you have. Every state has its liberal and conservative enclaves, and even if you are in a largely conservative town, you'll find liberals, or conservatives in a liberal town. So I'm not sure I'd base a move on that.

According to google, as far as no income tax goes your choices are:

Texas: well, hurricanes...
Tennessee: what appeals to you about it? I don't think boats when I think Tennessee
Alaska: Cold
Florida: Alligators, but hey, water. Also, I think you could find the golf cart lifestyle here.
Wyoming: cold, but if I wanted to live without people or income tax, I'd choose it. Plenty of water in the west. You'd have to trade that golf cart in for a pumped out Dodge Ram, though.
Washington: please don't move here. If you want conservative neighbors I will gladly ship you the local buffoon who actually filed a police report over his missing confederate flag someone ripped off his truck. Also, cold in the parts that don't have water, and expensive in the parts that do.
Nevada: a lack of water
South Dakota: cold
New Hampshire: cold and expensive

I would drop the income tax thing and that expands your options a lot...gives you 40 more states...

I live in NC. Many people from up north have moved here, thinking it is just like home only cheaper and warmer. Some even think we are all racist, which is so not true. Then they start complaining about stuff like roads and schools, which use tax money to maintain. And different food.

Visit first.

DebbieDoesDulles,

Best screen name ever, just sayin. ;)

Awesomemon,

Florida has parts that are very conservative and parts that are very liberal. There is plenty of water here both fresh and salty. The heat can be oppressive and you will not see any snow but we have been known to freeze from time to time.

So many thoughts going through my head. I so want the opposite of you and if only my husband would move. You say nothing about crime and drugs. My Fema flood insurance doubled and now I am sure it will go up again.

I have a town picked out in Vermont.

You may want to avoid moving too close to the coast where hurricanes and flooding are more prevalent. See what's happening in Houston.

I have lived in Houston and my sister lives an hour north- the only problem she has had was to tie her boat up as she is smart and lives on a hill on a huge lake. I was thinking more inland though if it is Texas. And, I understand about "other" taxes- Tennessee has a lot of lakes and the sales tax doesn't outweigh the no income/low property tax. Texas property taxes are high so that is an issue. I'm just looking for suggestions. I've visited Florida, NC and SC specifically looking for places we would like to live and haven't found that magical place yet. I guess I'm looking more for a place near a lake that I don't have to get in the car and drive to- hence the golf cart reference. On the water is always more expensive than near the water. So long as there is a dock/ marina; that would work.

SC has a LOT of lakes. I was quite serious about that recommendation.
Lake Wylie, near the state line at NC. Lake Toxaway. Beaches. No state tax. Rock hard conservativism.

<Florida: Alligators, but hey, water. Also, I think you could find the golf cart lifestyle here.>

Maybe not in a community that allows children--that's not as common. And an acre of land near water won't be affordable, either, unless you mean a lake.

If you mean a lake, take a look at Polk County. Famous for its chain of lakes, which you can boat between, sleepy, conservative. Fast growing, but still affordable. Sits kind of between Tampa and Orlando.

If you are also a climate change denier, I suggest a home directly on the Atlantic in Florida.

True, sadly--our current governor has banned the term "climate change" from state publications, including scientific studies, even as neighborhoods in south Florida experience standing water even when it hasn't rained.

You are pretty much limited to South Carolina, Georgia, and the armpit of Florida. This last is not a pejorative, just a physical description of how the state is shaped where the Panhandle and Peninsula join. You might like Apalachicola or Port St Joe if you want to be on the water. You can fly in and out of Tallahassee, but you are in deep woods only a few miles away.

Realistically, finding an ocean front acre is not very likely unless you are really rich. But you don't mention beaches, just a place where you can have nearby water access for a boat. There are lots of places where this is possible, lakes or salt water.

<<...Texas property taxes are high so that is an issue...>>

That's because they don't have a state income tax. The state and local governments have to raise money somehow.

I'm not a tax expert but states that don't have income taxes will usually have other revenue generators that the people living there have to pay. Like the old adage goes "You can pay me now, or pay me later".

Same in Florida--no state income tax, high property taxes to compensate. Good for renters, but the OP seems to want to buy a homestead...

<with no State income tax>

As others have mentioned, you will just be taxed in other ways. When there is no state income tax there will likely be higher sales tax, property taxes, etc. You need money to run a state.

We are getting our garbage rate raised because the county spent so much during Hurricane Matthew. Not people in towns just unincorporated places. We got hit with a bill because there was not enough for the fire department. You never know here in Fl. The money has to come from some place.

Doesn't registering a car in Florida cost an inordinate amount of money?

Someone has to pay for the corruption in Florida. I used to work with all state governments and I would say Illinois, Louisiana and Florida have raised the level of state corruption to an art form. But that was 10 years ago.

Imdonehere, we have Pam Bondi and dunderhead for Governor, it is unreal. She cut that deal with trump on his university for 25,000 for her campaign. I can't believe the bonehead moves the local officials make. Registering our fleet of autos is crazy here. Happy Birthday every year from them. You pay on your birthday month. I bug my husband everyday.
Off to kill the fire ants in the yard.

I really like Tennessee, some beautiful mountains.

This is really not difficult if you are serious about no state income tax because there are only two such states kind of in the south -- Texas and Florida. That's it.

Tennessee does have an income tax, it's just not on wage earnings but on some other types of income, like dividends and investments. Now if you don't have a lot of income from those, okay.

There are some states that have high taxes on everything, unfortunately, and I live in one of them (Maryland). You name it, property, income and sales tax, it's one of the highest in every category (at least in urban areas near DC for the property tax). California has real high taxes in various categories, also. So Tennessee has a high sales tax but it's still only 1 pct higher than Maryland's.

If I had to choose between FL, TN and TX, I'd choose Tennessee myself. I'd choose FL last. TN has some nice big lakes, but I think most are manmade or reservoirs. Lake Guntersville nhear Alabama would be worth looking at.

So many comments removed by moderators here. Wonder why? And why such strict policing here in particular, when others complain that nothing is being attended to where needed elsewhere?

I would recommend California. We have beautiful beaches and warm/sunny weather (in Southern California) pretty much year round.

We have managed growth with good zoning, good public schools with lots of school choices for many options, property taxes capped at 1.5 percent of sales price, excellent public services, etc.

But you'd hate it as we are a very progressive state. We have income tax and property taxes which of course pays for all the public facilities we all cherish and enjoy making life pretty wonderful.

There have been three posts removed by moderators which is unusual. I have a feeling someone posting on this thread asked specifically for them to be removed rather than the mods surfing around and finding something objectionable.

>>I have a feeling someone posting on this thread asked specifically for them to be removed <<

I think I saw at least one of the removed posts -- it was a slap at the OP for wanting a conservative place and making fun of her screen name. Don't know what the others were -- but that one was really more 'Lounge-appropriate'. Most likely someone else triangled it -- dunno . . .

nanabee's info is VERY general. >>But you'd hate it as we are a very progressive state.<< is only true in the major metropolitan areas (Basically LA, the entire Bay Area, and a few specific places like Davis or central city Sacramento. The progressive/left-ish regions are the major population centers so the State Government is also predominately left leaning. But many suburbs, and the mountain/inland areas are generally much more conservative or at least Libertarian.

>>We have managed growth with good zoning, good public schools with lots of school choices for many options,<

Again varies ENOURMOUSLY from place to place/school district to school district, In my metropolitan area we have some of the best schools in the state/country -- and some awful (truly dreadful) ones.

Managed growth? -- that is a laugh in most areas.

And we are one of the highest taxed states with among the most expensive residential real estate in the country.

There are rural areas that are exactly what she is looking for - but I don't think most places in CA would work for the OP - but mainly because of the cost of living.

Look no further than Central Texas. The Highland Lakes chain of the Colorado River (Lake Travis, Lake Marble Falls, Lake LBJ, Inks Lake, Lake Buchanan) has a lot of lake property opportunities. I won't comment on cost as I really don't know enough about your financial situation. There are certainly expensive areas (you won't find much affordable in the Austin area), but further up the river it turns more "country," more conservative, and more affordable. I can't speak to the school situation as our kids go to public schools, but you can do your own research on that.

No need to worry about weather ... no hurricanes, few and far between tornadoes, and it is WARM! Beautiful in the Fall, Winter, and Spring, and nasty hot in the summer. Happy hunting.

North Texas (let's say within 100 mile radius of DFW) has lake property choices as well, and are potentially cheaper and even more conservative than Central Texas. I prefer central, but didn't want to rule out other possible areas. I'm avoiding talking about SE Texas due to the hurricane potential already mentioned.

huh, I used to live in LA area, in Santa MOnica, and the idea that the entire state is liberal is laughable. I lived through Reagan out there, even urban areas are not all liberal, Orange County certainly isn't. They voted GOP in every Presidential election in almost a hundred years until you-know-who came along, which was a bit too much for even Orange County. Nixon came from there, after all.

Orange County may not be "liberal", but it's definitely purple now.

http://www.ocregister.com/2017/01/23...inks-gop-lead/

It's also, like all of So Cal, very expensive.

<Conservative State with no State income tax>

That list is very short actually:

Seven U.S. states currently don't have an income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.

I don't know about the other 6, but WA is like CA in the sense that while yes, it may have plenty of conservatives, the politics that run the state are not conservative. The ultraconservatives I know in Washington tend to have a persecution complex at worst and at best they tend to be bitter that the state votes blue. So I don't think the OP would be happy in California even if it was less expensive. Unless they merely want conservative friends, and they could find those anywhere.

I think you might be overstating the importance of the income tax thing. As you note, that can mean high property taxes, which an acre+ of waterfront property may get hit hard with. I'd consider looking at a measure of tax burden like that below, which may open more options. Perhaps the Shoals area in Alabama might be an option?

https://wallethub.com/edu/states-wit...-burden/20494/

Actually the total tax burden should be the guide. Always find it interesting that low taxes and conservative value are lumped together. Until the conservative need the gov't services.

<Actually the total tax burden should be the guide.>

I agree but that's not how the OP worded it. They only said "no State income tax".

Here in Washington we don't have one, but we have a whopingly high sales tax on everything. Plus we're not Conservative enough, so please cross us off the list!

The desire for a warmer climate already precludes Washington, so I'm not even sure why it has come up as an option regardless of political leaning. I know my vote will never count in Texas, so I don't care if more conservatives move in next door. ;)

You mentioned ties in Texas. That always seems to make a decision easier for me. Having connections with raising children is always a plus. Though I'm sure you will establish new connections through your church/school wherever you choose to move. I agree with others though… it looks like you'll want to stay away from the coast down there. I have never been there, but it seems like a very nice option.

As far as TN, I can answer any questions you may have. In particular, about the Middle TN area. Except for a semester in Utah, I've lived here since I was 12. For all the criteria you mentioned, TN does fit well. The only thing is, I'm not sure you will find an affordable home near water AND a Montessori school. I know Nashville area has one. But there are plenty of Christian private schools all over. There are three good ones in my small town alone. Well, technically more, but those are the 3 most well known.

Also, there is a huge homeschool network in Davidson/Williamson counties. (Nashville, Mt. Juliet, Brentwood, Franklin) Those areas cost significantly more to live in as well though. Spring Hill is a community partially in Williamson Co. that is a rapidly growing, yet still primarily conservative commuter town, basically. I home schooled two years, my friend one, and my sis-in-law several years.

There are many groups, tutorials and co-ops. And if you sign up through an umbrella school, you have the flexibility of learning style/curriculum. You also are not required to test at certain ages. This gives you freedom to have a Montessori style education. Some parents still homeschool even though they work, especially from home, because it is so flexible. Under TN law, when signed up through an umbrella school, you are considered a satellite location of a private school, even though you are simply homeschooling. There are plenty of them to choose from, with a small yearly fee. I used Home Life Academy out of Memphis. They keep your records, have an easy online form to fill out attendance and grades, and you are also automatically covered by the HSLDA, a homeschooling legal defense group.

If you sign up through the LEA (State), you must get testing, but are allowed to participate in school sports and possibly other extra curricular activities, provided the individual school approves it. It's been so long since I home schooled, so that may be evolving.

As far as public schools, Williamson Co. is ranked amongst the highest in the nation. But again, there are plenty of Christian private schools, varying in size.

TN is a BEAUTIFUL place to live and drive around in. Metropolitan areas, such as Nashville, might be more liberal, yet still largely conservative. In our town, you don't have to worry about a lot of the liberal colorfulness that seems to be growing elsewhere. Not to say it doesn't exist, but majority here are Christian. I grew up Christian, but am no longer religious at all. Though I maintain what I consider "christian values." So I appreciate living here, as I am more conservative than not. But people seem to be accepting of others, as is Christ-like to do, even if ideologies differ.

The downside of TN for me is your positive. The HEAT. The thing is, it is coupled with HUMIDITY, which makes it miserable for me in the summer, but others I know LOVE it. Texas I understand is the same or worse, so that equals out the two choices in that regard. August is typically in the high 90's, sometimes 100's… certainly more with the heat index! In winter, you never know what temperature to expect. On average, it hovers in the 40's/50's. Though the humidity makes the cold feel colder, I think. But we hardly ever have to bundle up. Especially if you have a 70 degree day, (that has happened near Christmas) followed by a 40 degree day. You can't always acclimate when it is so drastic. We usually get one or two snows (enough to stick) each year, in Jan or Feb. And if so, all the schools are out. The kids love that! I grew up in Michigan, so I miss the snow at Christmas.

There are several lakes, all man made that I'm aware of. I think more people around here have a river house than a lake house. My oldest daughter recently went with a friend to their river house. They have a boat and went tubing for hours. They also drove around a golf cart, and she absolutely LOVED that.

Naturally, the more rural the area, the cheaper property and home values are. I can give you an example in my town. I live in a subdivision near the north of town, with easy access to the interstate. Smallish town, but certainly not the smallest. Population over 37,000. Spring Hill is about the same, but rapidly growing. And traffic is annoying. That traffic issue is spilling down here though, too.

Our county has other, smaller communities that are nice, but then you have the commute to civilization. My husband and I lived in a rural county near here for 7 years, pop. of our former little blip: 734. The whole county is around 24K. We purchased our old home on an acre with about 1500 sq. ft. over a decade ago for $145K. Property tax was barely over $800/year.

Our current home was purchased 2 years ago for $198K. It is on half an acre just inside the city limits and was 2377 sq. ft. We remodeled and finished the basement, making it near 3000 now. Our realtor told my husband last spring that we could sell it easily for 250K now. And that is without her seeing our improvements/added living space. Just as another reference, the people we bought the house from paid 165K 2 1/2 years before us. And they upgraded the master bath. I mention this so you have an idea of the growth. A lot changes in two years.

The Mid TN area is booming right now. It seems to be a desirable place to relocate to. Also, tourism is huge. My friend just moved to Alabama. She had a 4th child, and needed more space, but couldn't afford it. She is in Florence, near Muscle Shoals, as another poster mentioned. It is up and coming, with nice public schools. But she bought a house nearly twice the size of her last for less money. I don't know about taxes and water access in that area.

Mid Tn to east is very hilly. I love the hills, but some may not. West TN isn't, but from what I understand, you wouldn't want to be near Memphis area. East, of course, is Appalachian country. We Tennesseans love our Smoky Mountains! There is also some huge waterfalls, in/near Fall Creek Falls National Park. And caves you can go spelunking in the Cumberland Caverns. They hold the Bluegrass Underground concerts occasionally televised on PBS there in the summer. And Mammoth Caves in KY isn't too far, either. And in KY, partially in TN, is the land between the lakes. You ought to google that area. A lot of water/shore. More of a vacation spot though. Also, it is about a 7 hour drive to the gulf, snowy-white beaches and emerald seas… gorgeous and family friendly area. It is a nice midpoint on the eastern side of the states, as far as traveling/vacations.

There is definitely Southern charm here. Various antebellum homes and festivals throughout the year. And Southern hospitality still exists. Our little town is known as the mule capital of the world, with annual Mule Day festivities. And every town has at least one such festival. Being near music city, there are a lot of fun events and cultural exposure.

Though I have fond memories of my childhood in Michigan, and would love to have a summer home there near Lake Michigan (if I ever had the funds to), Tennessee is my home. There is more to offer than I have personally been able to take advantage of, as is with many other states. They all have something to offer other areas may not. I definitely feel blessed to be where I am. I love the green, rolling hills. It isn't perfect, but where is? I DO miss a guaranteed white Christmas though!!

I know I already wrote a book, but if you have any other questions, I'd be glad to answer what I can! I just know the more info when making a huge life decision, with a family especially, the better. Good luck!!!

Most southern states have lower taxes, like property taxes vs the areas in the northeast.
Some southern states can be oppressively hot though in the summer.
I live in Virginia and the weather is quite pleasant most of the year. We have a short winter. The Richmond suburbs and rural towns lean conservative. Stay away from the suburbs to DC if you are conservative. Charlottesville tends to be more liberal and artsy.You can get a nice sized house and property in the Richmond area.
There are some nice lakes in Virginia, Lake Anna, Lake Gaston and Smith Mountain Lake. We also have the oceanfront communities which are nice in parts and there is a big military presence there, so very pro America.
I hear a lot about Tennessee, predominantly Nashville area and it seems to be a booming area to visit, and move to.

<and there is a big military presence there, so very pro America>

For the record, my cousins live the DC suburbs, their son is in the Navy, and they're very liberal and pro-America.