We all have thoughts about one day retiring or even moving out to a more simpler lifestyle where we can relax and breathe a little easier. I have done some research, looking for places that have somewhat desirable weather, good growing seasons, rainfall, water supply etc. but the one of the biggest issues for me is taxes. I hate paying taxes. I don't disagree that we need to fund some government functions but one of the most unfair methods is property taxes.
I don't believe I should pay more or less because my property is worth more or less. Does it cost more to fix the road in front of my house than it does in front of you house? or does it cost more for police protection in my neighborhood than the slums? (OK I admit bad example) does your garbage cost more to dispose of than mine? You see the property tax structure/system is pure communism, you or I pay more because we can afford it. I would not have as big a problem with it if I got one vote in all elections for every $1,000 of total taxes I paid, that might be a system I could live with. I really like the idea of the Fair Tax, I believe it would boost our economy so much and business would come back so fast we would be begging Mexicans to come here to work. I think it is criminal that we can buy a piece of property and through hard work build a nice homestead and be taxed out of it because we raise the value too much. I promise you if the founders of the country saw this coming there would be a constitutional amendment preventing it. 
I have thought of even building a big house boat to avoid property taxes, sometimes I think the people with the most freedom in this country are the homeless. When it comes to property taxes you don't even have the option of not paying because they will send some goon to throw you in the street and put a lock on the door. So the question is what can a person do? Where can we go to avoid the government control? Does anybody have the slightest idea of what freedom means besides the choice of watching American Idol or the Bachelor.
While Alaska isn't perfect (no place is), it ranked #1 in personal freedom in last year's poll by Forbes or one of those economic outfits. Can't remember who.
ReplyDeleteJust my two cents' worth.
Rev Paul, I would like to visit Alaska some day, who knows what could happen. Thanks.
DeleteAnother well written, stop and make you think posting. We do seem to have many of these within this blogging group.
ReplyDeleteMy dad pays $1,700.00 a yr prop. tax in MN for 5 ac. valued at $134,000.00 with a older mobile home, on a river feed lake.
Rob, my point exactly, why should the government charge him $17K a year to enjoy his property. His tax should be on his spending not on his saving.
DeleteDuke not 17k its one thousand seven hundred dollars a year $ 1,700.000. My dad is going to be 70 this year. When he passes it will be mine. I will pass it to my kids. He also has a house in the city, but my brother can have that.
DeleteRob, my bad, I meant to say $1.7K. Thanks.
DeleteShort answer, no. Government control covers the nation end to end. Like Rev. Paul said, Alaska or northern Idaho or western Montana. Your best bets. Let me know and I'll travel with you.
ReplyDeleteAgreed but we allow them to have more than they should sometimes, the barter system works good as well.
DeleteDuke,
ReplyDeleteThe government controls every location. Alaska has more freedoms as indicated by Rev. Paul and Stephen. I hope you find a wonderful place to retire!
Thanks Sandy, I will keep looking and pass along any leads.
DeleteDear Duke - as Stephen mentioned, the dang gov covers your entire nation. same as ours. but we pay very low property tax here - about $500 a year and we have about 9 acres. back in the city we had about a quarter of an acre and paid $3700 a year. it sucked bad!
ReplyDeleteif you want to come here and get yerself some land - we'll adopt you!!!
your friend,
kymber
Kymber, we have the same here, some states like NY and CA you could pay $5K to $10K a year in property taxes and other states pay less than $1K for the exact same size property and improvements. Thanks for the invite.
DeleteHave you looked on this website? It's on survival blog.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.survivalrealty.com/
There's some good properties listed there.
Grog
III
Grog, thanks I will check it out for sure.
Deletehttp://money.usnews.com/money/retirement/slideshows/12-states-without-pension-or-social-security-taxes
ReplyDeleteReg T, thanks for the link will check it out.
DeleteIt wasn't that long ago when I figured out what you are saying for myself. I never would have thought that once I paid for property that I actually had to pay someone else, every year, just to keep MY property. It never entered my mind because it doesn't make any sense.
ReplyDeleteThen I learned how the REAL world worked. What a disappointment.
I got REAL excited when I heard North Dakota might vote to abolish property taxes a month ago or so. But, I heard they ended up voting to keep property taxes. What a shame.
It makes me feel like I'll never be truly free because no matter what, I'll always have to pay something to someone. Ugh.
OJD, I read the same thing about ND, if ant state did this they would have a boom on their hands, it is criminal to have to pay property taxes. Many people have been taxed out of their homes. Thanks.
DeleteGood points all! The best 'freedom' I know of is a friend and his wife who sold all their stuff and live in a motor home, stopping where ever they feel like, and whenever they feel like... They 'maintain' a Texas address (their son's house) so they have no income taxes and live on their military retirement pay.
ReplyDeleteOld NFO, thanks for the response, although I did not mention it that idea about the motor home has gone through my mind as well.
DeleteThoughts on property tax... we live off grid, generate our own power, on a private road, no trash disposal, no school buses, no fire protection, no police protection nothing. We receive zero benefits from property tax. A tax that has gained 225% in the last four years! The one time we contacted the sheriff's department for a break in... they told us the road was too ruff... however, they have been out to our property twice on a joy ride, to ask questions about building permits... Sorry but our country is lost.
ReplyDeleteJason, You list a good example of worthless taxes. Thanks my friend.
ReplyDelete