I have a possibility of a job in San Antonio. While researching the area I noticed the Excessive, and borderline oppressive property tax for even modest homes. My question is - how do you folk do it? For me to take the job I'd need at least 10K/year raise just to cover the ~$7000/year in property tax (figuring on a 10k raise I'd only clear about 7k, thanks to 'wealth re-distribution') on a modest $250-300k home. From further research I see jobs in SA don't pay particularly more than in other parts of the country. In my view, there's NO tangable, measurable return on that investment into the government. How do the good ppl of SA 1) Not riot in the streets over those kinds of tax rates, 2) Continually vote those folks responsible BACK into office? What is it about living there that keeps folks happily paying through the nose for no good reason?

I know I live in a strange land now - where property tax on a $250K home would be about $1000 per year, but even back in a pretty expensive area - near Seattle - we were 'only' paying $2700/year on a $250k home.
If I get offered the job, and take it, and end up in SA in a few months, I think there's little chance I'd ever be a home owner…maybe renting is the way to go? I sure see little/no benefit in buying and being responsible for those kinds of fees.

Thoughts?

 

wow... didn't really know that the taxes here were so high, but then again im not a home owner yet.

Most of my friends that are home owners live in modest 100k - 150k homes, taxes for them are roughly in the 2k range a year. I do know that some of the high end school districts do have some outrageous taxes, and then there are the small incorporated cities that are within the city limits of SA that have higher taxes. Which i never understood, they became inc.'d because they didnt want to pay city taxes, but now they pay more in taxes then SA residents....

I am looking to buy my first home with in the next year, but I plan on buying an older inner city home. I like the newer homes, but I don't like the small plots they are on. I would rather enjoy a nice big yard with privacy from my neighbors then a huge house that when i look out a window i am lookign at the house next/behind me.

 

Thanks - I assmumed most areas would be about the same. If there are lower-tax areas, that'd be good info.

I like newer homes - but LOVE older homes. I'd like a home built more than 50-60 years ago - 100 years if it's in good shape!

I agree about the new plots home sit on. We called them "McMansions" - near our previous house (block or two over) sat 4500 sq ft homes on 6k sq ft lots. Some lots were even smaller.

Sickening.

Oh - and these were priced over $500k frequently....$500k a couple years ago could have purchased 20 acres and a NICE newer home.

 

oh yeah... if you dont mind the commute into the city, there is still some nice hill country areas that are realtively untouched.

 

I know I don't Live in SA, but I'd thought I'd help you anyway. I live in Fort Worth, Texas and pay roughly 3200 a year on a 122k house.

The one thing you need to understand is that there are no income taxes here. So you are going to have to make the proper adjustments to your income level. Your gonna pay high taxes no matter where you are, its just how the locale collects them. I assure you that you will be paying property taxes regardless, because land owners def pass the cost down to renters.

 

State income Tax in Alabama = about $2600/year for me (Claiming 99 dependants).

Good point on the rent. Still - why would folk be okay with such horrible tax rates? Blows my mind.

$500+ per MONTH in tax on owning my own house. Unbelievable. (sigh)...

 

thats it... i quit im moving back to my parents house

 

Texas doesn't have a state income tax...so there's one difference. I didn't check, but is our sales tax lower as well? Usually runs a little above 8%.

I don't what 300K will buy in Alabama, but in SA, you should be able stretch that pretty far, and buy a nice house. Texas property values didn't increase that much during the boom, but they also didn't spiral out of control downward in the recession. I'd say f'ck the old stuff downtown and go live in northwest SA where they have some hills and views... but that's just me.

 

Thanks for the info - yeah, we're paying 8.5% sales tax.

250K here will get us at least 2500sq feet, granite, hardwoods, and an in-ground pool, on 1/4-1/2 acre.

Homes look pretty close there in SA.

I too would favour the hills...IF they offer, and if they'll bump me by about $12k...i think I'd take it.

 

if your looking for nice parts of town you might wanna look into anything on the northside in areas of shavano park, bulverde, hollywood park, blanco area, boerne, med center, schertz area, gold canyon and stone oak

 

Well, I can tell you that for ten years I commuted 35 miles to the medical center area from New Braunfels (hill country) and I love it but now I live in the city and I love it more due to the savings on gas and time but having lived all over I think San Antonio is great.

In New Braunfels I didn't think the taxes were too bad having owned two house there but then again my only comparison. My last house sold for 170ish and it was 2000 sq/ft on 1/2 acre. my taxes were under 3k in a nice neighborhood with a brand new school within walking distance.

I rent now and I really think its the best bet for me. You could do a lot of research but the prices of homes and taxed in other parts of teh country are crazy. My aunt (real Estate Agent) came to visit from upstate New York when my house was first built and she was stunned that I paid only 150 for my house to be built and said that in upstate New York my house would go for 300+ easy.

San Antonio is great and if you pick the right part of town you will be very happy. In my industry salaries are competitive but that is a whole other discussion.


Oh and Jigga is right with the exception of STONEOAK, stay away from anywhere near 281.

 

Thanks Jigga - will look around there. Saw a couple homes I liked - but again, the tax makes me throw up a little.

 

just live out of your car like jigga does

 

Good info! Thank you. I'm a fed employee, generally paygrades are straightforward, but the new Fed job has a 'salary range' from about 2/3rds of what I make now to about 1/3 more than I make now, so there is some flexibility on their part. I suppose this is cart before horse stuff anyway, but I do appreciate the info.

- darin


PS - As an aside, i've also made hire lists for Wiesbaden Germany (about 15 miles from where I was stationed as a Solider), Huntsville, AL, and Kabul, Afghanistan (6 months or 1 year assignment).

 

stone oak is awesome...

 

Oh young Jedi, stay away from the dark side. I have a customer at 281 and Stone Oak and it takes me an hour after work to get there from medical center.

 

Yes Yes Yes its all true! Stone oak dose suck *** to drive in......... see you guys there this fall!