Home is where the heart is right? Well, what if the heart doesn’t know where it should be?
Differing aspects like low crime rate to a great education system are things to consider when choosing that perfect place that you and your family can call home.
Below is a list of the most important factors to help you find a home that suits the needs of you and your family.
How to Choose a Place to Live
First, start by figuring out what is most important to you and your family. If you’re single you might want to look into a bustling city. If you have a family, a small town might be a better option offering amenities that your kids will love.
Deciding between a small town and a big city is a tough ordeal. Here are tips that can help you choose a place to live.
Affordability
Living comfortably and within your means should be your first concern, no matter your pay grade. Affordability is so much more than just housing expenses. Factors like prices for consumable goods like groceries vary greatly from town to town. The price of gasoline, utility services including electric and water, and taxes, also varies.
For example, living somewhere like Los Angeles, the rent and cost of living is much higher than living somewhere like Philadelphia.
Taxes
Some states have no sales tax at all. Delaware, Alaska, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon don’t collect sales tax for retail sales and some services. In addition, Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming don’t collect individual income taxes.
Taxes are one of the most important factors when considering where to choose a place to live. The state-local tax burden is measured by the Tax Foundation, which calculates the percentage of income that taxpayers pay for state and local taxes. The latest report was from 2009 states, the taxpayers of New Jersey pay the most taxes, while Alaska’s residents pay the least taxes. Also, 40 states provide property tax credits or homestead exemptions that can provide homeowners with some additional tax relief. Consider local sales tax, income tax, and tax credits and exemptions when you’re looking for the perfect place to live.
Employment Opportunities
Employment opportunities vary from state to state and city to city, so spend some time researching the job markets in different areas of the country. Start by analyzing quality employment opportunities within your industry, then determine where the highest concentration of these jobs are located.