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A ‘local’ internet based publication that shall remain unnamed recently accused Bozeman Realtors® of ‘glossing over’ the fact that it snows here in June…and July…and occasionally August. I’d have to go on the defensive here and say this is simply not true – and I’m proving it with this blog post.
It snows in Bozeman, Big Sky and the surrounding Yellowstone Ecosystem yearround…and it is part of the reason I love this place.
I’m a Realtor and love that we get snow here year-round – we also have glorious sunny 80 degree days when people’s windshields are crumbilng into cars due to heat in other parts of the country. I think that is part of the charm of Montana – we’re not in a dustbowl, we’re are the mercy of Ullr, nature and its elements, there is water to drink and the forests get a welcome delay to the start of fire season. I don’t think the weather in Montana is a well kept secret – the state name means mountain in Spanish.
Interestingly, the Wall Street Journal simultaneously published this article about making sure you understand where it is you are moving before you move there – especially if you’re approaching retirement. Doing research on any investment (yes, I do believe that real estate is an investment) before jumping in is just plain smart. Many people worry about tax ramifications of moving to another area – but there is more to the equation. Read below for this snarky but entertaining piece on factors to consider.
BTW – it snowed 3″ in the mountains last night. It’s supposed to be 80 degrees in the valley in 3 days.
What to Consider Before Retiring Out of State – Taxes Are a Big Factor, but They Aren’t the Only Thing By Richard Kagawa June 15, 2014
Living in California, I often hear how expensive it is to live here, primarily because of higher taxes. But I’ve started to debunk that myth for my clients, and provide them with some information about what they need to consider before retiring out of state. I’m 61, and last year I had this idea about retiring in Reno, Nev.
It doesn’t snow much. It’s 4,000 feet above sea level, but not so high that I’d get congestive heart failure. And there’s no income tax. I thought it had to be the cheapest place.But I was wrong. I calculated the average cost of the house I’d want to buy, as well as expenditures such as gas, and compared them to what I’m paying in California. Everything was pretty much on par until I got to property taxes. In Nevada, property taxes are almost double what I pay in California. That killed my idea.In general, I think people rely on similar assumptions when they are contemplating a move for retirement.
So in deciding whether a move is prudent, people should research everything. Taxes are one of the biggest factors—everything from sales, property and income taxes to cigarette and diesel taxes. Certain states have special tax breaks for seniors. People need to read the fine print.There also are cost-of-living expenditures for things like food and heat, as well as state-by-state anomalies. For instance, I live on the beach. Salt invades everything. It pops through my driveway and ruins the landscaping. It kills the plants. In Florida, there are so many mosquitoes they could be considered the state bird. You may have a nice pool but you can’t enjoy it unless it’s screened-in. These are costs you need to consider.Before deciding on a move, people should first visit the state during the worst part of the year. If you love Maine and it will be your only residence, try living there in the winter and see what happens.