Arizona Pantera Owners Advice Please

Arizona is OK. Get's a little hot in the summer, but the rest of the year the weather is great.

I live in Peoria which is next to Sun City which is North West of Phoenix. We have a 3500 SF house and my property taxes are 1800.00 a year on a house that's worth $450,000.00+. When I bought this house 7 years ago, it cost $185,000.00 and there was nothing out our way. Now there is over 8000 houses in the area.

Property has boomed in prices here over the last 3 years but is finally stablizing.

If I were to sell this house and stay in Arizona, I would be looking North of here in the Black Canyon area or even further North. Arizona is fast becoming another Los Angeles.
Smog (not as bad as LA yet), crime and bullshit politicians are abundant.

When my my son, the last one graduates in 3 years, we are considering moving to the southern part of Oregon or the Northern part of Washington.

Personally, I'm tired of the desert, the dust and the heat.

Arizona has also recently pased the classic vehicle exempt law requiring no smog test for cars such as ours.

I live in Mesa, Az. where there are no city property taxes. I paid $125,000. 10 years ago, the same house across the street is selling for $650,000.00 right now. Cost of living is good, and employment is good. You can find almost anything you want here. About the only problem is how big the Phoenix metro area is becoming, is affecting traffic.

Skip the desert.....Check out the east coast. Charlotte and Atlanta are huge. there are many small towns outside of the large metropolitan areas. You would be halfway between NYC and Miami. Wilmington NC is great place by the Atlantic ocean. We truly have 4 seasons. Just a thought!

Try Dallas, one of the best low cost housing markets in the USA!

Emery: My vote is still for Phoenix! The desert is fantastic! Yah it's HOT- or should I say freaking hot only 4 months a year! Taxes are reasonable $2200 in my neigborhood, housing running $550,000. Hey we have a New Stadium! Cardinals have aquired some players? Perhaps this year they might get over .500 ball! We will host the Fiesta Bowl, the Insight Bowl, The BCS Championship Bowl, The upcoming Superbowl! Housing is calming down just like most places, Our Beloved Coyotes - Hockey Team, has Wayne G. the best player of the game as part owner and we just aquired Jeremy Roenik from LA Kings, Hockey may rock this upcoming season. Basketball the Suns did pretty dang good this year. And will be back for more next year. We got Nascar, and may even have a Champ car Race in the downtown area very soon just like the Long Beach Grand Prix! Also the Barrett Jackson Car auction is here and growing larger each year, and the Open if your into golf! We got lots of Costco's Malls and theaters here in North Phoenix. Heck we got sking 1-2hr away up at flagstaff depending if you drive a Pantera up = 1hr or family car = 2 hr. Great lakes for fishing, and boating. Oh did I forget to mention the Grand Canyon that little funky hole in the ground. How about Sedona and Red rock area, just missed being burned to the ground, and is still beautiful up there in the tall pines!! LA is 4.5 hr away for fun and San Diego is short ride for beaches! So come one come ye all! I still love it and been here since 1989 and have travelled 26 states regularly on business and seen most towns and still vote Phoenix, Scottsdale as top in my book!

quote:

Originally posted by hawaii:
I'm thinking of leaving Maui one day....and was thinking about moving to Arizona. Mostly cause I wanna retire and it's too expensive to retire here on Maui. Can you guys in Arizona advised which city you get the most house for the money that is still safe and still has Malls/theaters/Costco near by.
I was thinking about Austin texas but the property tax on a $700k home would be around $16K a year before exemptions!!!!! I think I pay $2200 a year here in Maui for property taxes. Whats it like in Arizona? Do you have to do any smog stuff on a 74 car?
Thanks the the advice in advance!!!!!!

Thanks for all the feed back guys!!! Keep it a coming! Jeff is the property Tax high in Dallas as well as austin?

quote:

Jeff is the property Tax high in Dallas as well as austin?

The cost of living here is pretty amazing. Take a look at this:

http://tinyurl.com/zlaea

BTW, Texas has just enacted property tax relief state wide ~25%.

i'm going to the ozarks,property taxes maybe 500.a year housing cost on water,unbeleiveable cheap,great hunting and fishing area,beautiful countryside,4 seasons,but it will snow one day gone the next,the neigbor just bought a house on a lake with some acerage,for 70k.taxes i belive he said 800.i'm very seriouse about going i'm sick and tired of our 6 month winter's and weeks of below 0* and snow up to your ass,as soon as the kid get's taking care of i'm gone.les

Jeff
Could you tell me more about the 25% tax relief in Texas?

quote:

Could you tell me more about the 25% tax relief in Texas?

Prop taxes are high here because that's how we fund schools. Move to an expensive housing market like Austin and your taxes will be high. Move to a good housing market, say D/FW or San Antonio, and your taxes will still be high as a percentage but significantly lower than Austin.

Anyway, school funding in the state was declared unconstitutional so they had to come up with a different way to fund schools. Under the current system, poor districts couldn't raise enough money through property taxes to fund adequate education, so the state would take money from the non-poor districts, a plan called "Robin Hood" since it, in effect, stole from the rich and gave to the poor. Rich, BTW, is a relative term. Even not very well off districts like the city of Dallas had money taken from them. That gives you an idea of how poor the poor ones really are. (Think south Texas.)

To eliminate Robin Hood, we are now going to raise money with a new tax on business, not an income tax but one based on revenues. This will allow the state to fund the poor school districts adequately without taking from the non-poor districts. As part of this plan, real estate taxes will be rolled back by about one third. I'm guessing that this means they will really only be rolled back by 25%, but who's to say.

So, Emery, how old are you? Once you hit 65 your prop taxes are frozen.

Jeff
6559

When does the 25% decrease take effect Jeff?? So your taxes rise every year until you hit age 65 then if freezes there until you sell?
I'm 49yrs old so i'm a ways off from the 65 exemption.
Austin looks really good but I can't do it unless the property taxes get more reasonable.
Heres a good site I found but, i'm still confused and slow on how to calculate it.
http://www.traviscad.org/
Heres the taxes charged on a $700K house in Austin.
Here is an example of the annual taxes on a $700,000 home in Austin before exemptions are deducted.

Tax Rate % Estimated Annual Taxes on a $700,000 home before exemptions
AUSTIN COMM. COLLEGE 0.0991 $693.70
AUSTIN ISD 1.623 $11,361.00
TRAVIS CO HOSPITAL DIST 0.0779 $545.30
TRAVIS COUNTY 0.4993 $3,495.10
TRAVIS EMERG SVC #3 0.0994 $695.80
TOTAL 2.3987 $16,790.90!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!per year!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't figure out the amount you subtract from what the primary residence exemption (homestead Exemption) give you....
I'm not 65 or disabled and don't have a farm or church......maybe I can send away to become a minister!

I live in the unincorporated area of the northern boundary of Phoenix called Desert Hills. Services are by the county. Everyone has a little over 1 acre. Unbuilt acres are currently selling for $300k -$350k. My residence is a 2800 sq ft Spanish adobe style which does not include the 2 bay garage. Homes are selling in the $600-750,000 range depending on size and landscaping. Since we do not pay for city services taxes are in the $2600 range.

I moved here from Boston in April 2002 and knew it was a mistake within a month. When it is 105-115 degrees from May to September you better plan on staying in the house.

Coz said it right when he states that this place is getting built out and there is a trememdous influx of people from CA. You would really not like the weather except in the late fall, winter, and early spring.

You woud have to look more north in the Cottonwood, Cornville, Sedona areas or surrounding region but be prepared to pay big bucks just for land not to mention a house.

I live here only because my wife's parents are elderly. We have both agreed that when our presence is no longer needed we will be leaving this oven for cooler climates, permanently.

While the landscape is beautiful, the heat sucks.

quote:

TOTAL 2.3987 $16,790.90!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!per year!!!!!!!!!!!

Sounds about right! Same home in Dallas is $250-300. 25% should take effect next year if I'm not mistaken. I think midyear or so. When you get ready to come look, give me a call!

Jeff
6559

Hey,

Arizona, why not come farther North? Northern Nevada is the place to be as far as I'm concerned with just about the right climate, not too hot in summer and not too cold in winter. Note I say Northern NV as I wouldn't consider Vegas as a place to live.

Like a lot of the West coast states bordering CA, Reno's property prices have been driven up by the influx of people. We left here in 2000 and came back late last year and in that time the home price had tripled, but it's leveled off now. Property taxes are reasonable I pay $2,800 on a $700K house, that is 3200 sq ft on 1/3 acre and it has the all important 3 car garage! There are also no state taxes in NV!!

If you want to go South out of town a bit you can still get an acreage at a decent price and proprty taxes will be lower still.

So, what's Reno-Tahoe got going for it you ask!

Good climate; Reno is at 4,500 ft elevation so max summer temp is around 108; winter in the valley doesn't see too much snow, the odd day or two, but the Sierra's accumulate a good depth for great skiing and winter sports. Summer water sports, hunting, fishing, dirt biking abound.

Being a Gambling town, the Casinos always have events, concerts, shows etc. to attract you even if you don't gamble. Some of the biggest City Wide events are Hot August Nights (15,000 Hot rods hit town), Air Races, Balloon Races, Rib Cook Off......

Summit has a store here, in fact I just came back from a Show 'n' Shine there. The local Reno-Tahoe Pantera club has about 25 members, so you won't be short of friends to hang out with too!

I reckon you gotta come visit each of us at least, to see what's on offer!
Julian

Maybe look into Sun City Arizona. My mom lives there and I visit the AZ Pantera boys each year I go to visit my mom. Sun City is a huge retirement city, and AZ really knows how to threat their population over 50 years old. Sun City has an abundance of pools and facilities, and best of all I believe the homes are very reasonable, leaving enough $ for you to buy a 2nd or 3rd Pantera.

All I will say again about AZ is when it is 85 degrees at 4:30 AM, 100 degrees by 10 AM and it is the hottest part of the day at 4:30 PM, then you better believe that unless you socialize and go outside during the hours of darkness after the sun goes down and before it comes up, you will bake like a stuffed haddock every single day and will dread getting out of your car to walk the 50 feet to the air conditioned store. Don't believe me? Take a trip here in between June-September.

BTW, that's just the air temp. The ground surface temp is probably 140-160 sucking up the sun all day.

When you see lizards and snakes digging holes under the shade of a bush, you better believe this place is not fit for human habitation in the summer.

All good stuff!! keep it a comin! Julian...hhmmmm sounds kinda good in Nevada. I believe the weather is not so hot and no natural disasters. Summit has a store there too!!!
RRS is scaring the heck outta me regarding the heat.
Anybody from Austin Texas out there?

Absolutely Julian. It's beautiful up there.
That's an area I would even consider when my time comes to get the get out of Hell.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Joules5:

Oh MY GOD Ronnie Stop being such a fair haired Pussy! You tough old bird you can take the heat if I can! 12 Ways to make in AZ SUN/ Heat... 1. You stay inside where the A/C is. 2 . Work where there is A/C. 3. Drive cars that have A/C. 4. Have pool to float in! 5. Have misting system on your patio. 6. Have an outdoor frig, stocked with cold beer or the beverage of your choice! 6. Have your grandkids spray you with the hose! 7. Drink more cold beer! 8. Have a garage that has an A/C unit like we put in at Dave's! 9. Go out to the lake with friend and use their boat and Gas and Drink their COLD Beer. 10. Go to San Diego for a long weekend at the beach! 11. Have a cabin in the high country in AZ to cool off. 12. When all else fails stick your head into the freezer for 2 minute therapy! Yeh it's Hot but not for that long. Remember Dallas gets snow regularly and icy weather.

quote:

Originally posted by RRS:
I live in the unincorporated area of the northern boundary of Phoenix called Desert Hills. Services are by the county. Everyone has a little over 1 acre. Unbuilt acres are currently selling for $300k -$350k. My residence is a 2800 sq ft Spanish adobe style which does not include the 2 bay garage. Homes are selling in the $600-750,000 range depending on size and landscaping. Since we do not pay for city services taxes are in the $2600 range.

I moved here from Boston in April 2002 and knew it was a mistake within a month. When it is 105-115 degrees from May to September you better plan on staying in the house.

Coz said it right when he states that this place is getting built out and there is a trememdous influx of people from CA. You would really not like the weather except in the late fall, winter, and early spring.

You woud have to look more north in the Cottonwood, Cornville, Sedona areas or surrounding region but be prepared to pay big bucks just for land not to mention a house.

I live here only because my wife's parents are elderly. We have both agreed that when our presence is no longer needed we will be leaving this oven for cooler climates, permanently.

While the landscape is beautiful, the heat sucks.

Jim: Stop that whining. Between you and Ronnie, everyone will think we live on the Suns surface here. Put some damn A/C in that garage and it won't be so bad working on that White Beast!.. Believe me I have done the time in your garage during that Hot weather my Brother! I know you aint' going anytime soon! So use my 12 coolling off tips and stop the belly aching! Mate .

John

quote:

Originally posted by Coz:
Absolutely Julian. It's beautiful up there.
That's an area I would even consider when my time comes to get the get out of Hell.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Joules5:

Hey John,
Pool? Jump in the pool? What do you think that I am nuts? It's bad enough to bake in the sun like a haddock. Jumping in an Arizona pool is like throwing a lobster into a boiling pot of water.

quote:

Remember Dallas gets snow regularly and icy weather

We do? You talking about Dallas County, Iowa?

Phoenix

Month Low High
Jan 43.4°F 65.0°F
Feb 47.0°F 69.4°F
Mar 51.1°F 74.3°F
Apr 57.5°F 83.0°F
May 66.3°F 91.9°F
Jun 75.2°F 102.0°F
Jul 81.4°F 104.2°F
Aug 80.4°F 102.4°F
Sept 74.5°F 97.4°F
Oct 62.9°F 86.4°F
Nov 50.0°F 73.3°F
Dec 43.5°F 65.0°F

Dallas

Month Low High
Jan 34.0°F 54.1°F
Feb 38.7°F 60.1°F
Mar 46.4°F 68.3°F
Apr 54.0°F 75.9°F
May 63.0°F 83.2°F
Jun 70.7°F 91.1°F
Jul 74.6°F 95.4°F
Aug 74.0°F 94.8°F
Sept 67.2°F 87.7°F
Oct 56.4°F 77.9°F
Nov 45.1°F 65.1°F
Dec 36.8°F 56.5°F

Hey, this is kinda neat. I didn't realize how good the weather really is here! I'm sure both towns would be good to live in. Pick your poison!

;^))

First off, if your pool is too hot, call me and I'll install a chiller for you. Second, very few people move to Phoenix for its summers. They are here for the fantastic fall, winter, & spring weather. Third I have lived almost half my life in Texas and the other half in Arizona, both great places! I prefer Az over Tx only because I'm a wimp when it comes to humidity and Dallas has plenty. While Az has a Dry heat. I work in it every day as a contractor so believe me when I say I dont really like either if you are only looking at the heat in the summers.

LOL....
Besides that Ron, we'd probablty melt. LOL.

quote:

Originally posted by RRS:
Hey John,
Pool? Jump in the pool? What do you think that I am nuts? It's bad enough to bake in the sun like a haddock. Jumping in an Arizona pool is like throwing a lobster into a boiling pot of water.

Dream on......
Try 107+ We've had 110+ many days already this year....
I wish it was like that....
It's 9:00 PM here right now and 95 derees.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jeff6559:

Jun 75.2°F 102.0°F
Jul 81.4°F 104.2°F
Aug 80.4°F 102.4°F
Sept 74.5°F 97.4°F

Hey Kevin.....

Sure, Arizona is a dry heat, but so is a blow torch, & we don't stand in front of one....

I beleive it was George Carlan that came up with that.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rapid:
While Az has a Dry heat.

Weather for today, 7-10-06:
Sunny, hot.
Temps: 5:30 am 86 deg
12 noon 105 deg
5 pm 113 deg

Wildfire danger: Extreme

See that map below, see the area on the lower left with the bright red heat overlay. That's the blow torch described by Jim Coz as Arizona. That's the desert where the only thing you see out during the day is an occasional hawk or vulture looking for rodent.

Weather for today, 7-10-06:
Sunny, hot.
Temps: 5:30 am 86 deg
12 noon 105 deg
5 pm 113 deg

Wildfire danger: Extreme

See that map below, see the area on the lower left with the bright red heat overlay. That's the blow torch described by Jim Coz as Arizona. That's the desert where the only thing you see out during the day is an occasional hawk or vulture looking for rodent.

So do you guys think it's cooler in Texas? I want to stay away from the coastal areas because of the Hurricanes. Less natural diasters the better.
Now a new can of worms....Do you feel the it's been getting hotter in Arizona over the years?? and if you think so, why? Do you believe in Global Warming?

I don't think that is an issue which any of us can answer. You might have to do some research on that. Global warming talks about a few degrees here and there and its effects on weather. It is just plain hot here, a few degrees either way when it is 110-116 every day is not going to mean anything as to how it feels.