If New York State is so bad, why do we live here? (Buffalo: 2014, high crime)
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The CNN/Money cost of living calculator is my opinion? ha ha
The problem with that calculator is that it only goes to the metro level and isn't community specific like this: Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowedIt also shows the criteria behind the numbers as well.
You haven't showed anything, to be honest. You have given your subjective opinion though even in the face of countering examples. Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed
We saw that one. It shows Buffalo's housing index at 32. You think out of a average number of 100, housing in Buffalo is a 32. Hmmm. Numbers don't lie.
Any person can see that this is a comparison of the City of Buffalo to the City of Charlotte. The old "use the city numbers when its convenient, use the suburban numbers when talking about schools" trick. Which is exactly what I said when they average out city homes, it brings the median home price down. You can buy a house in the city of Buffalo for the price of a used car, and somehow you are propping this up as something positive?
PS- the metro numbers is what 99% of people care about
Are you saying that property taxes are making the cost of your house too high? Higher than in California!? Don't you get a STAR exemption? Maybe your house is over-assessed.
You better check the Sperling cost of living calculator before you do anything. Median home price in NY is definitely going to be lower than anywhere in California.
We get a STAR exemption. Even with that, our taxes are well over $7k for a 4-bedroom/2.5 bath, in probably the best school district in the Albany area. Even with, say, $300/month for HOA fees (not uncommon), we'll save thousands by getting a slightly smaller 3-bedroom condo in the desert. I don't place too much stock in online calculators, we've been researching this for a couple of years. We've talked with realtors and residents over three visits and crunch the numbers ourselves.
Taxes aren't the only factor, but they're a big one.
We saw that one. It shows Buffalo's housing index at 32. You think out of a average number of 100, housing in Buffalo is a 32. Hmmm. Numbers don't lie.
Any person can see that this is a comparison of the City of Buffalo to the City of Charlotte. The old "use the city numbers when its convenient, use the suburban numbers when talking about schools" trick. Which is exactly what I said when they average out city homes, it brings the median home price down. You can buy a house in the city of Buffalo for the price of a used car, and somehow you are propping this up as something positive?
PS- the metro numbers is what 99% of people care about
I already posted a similar suburban comparison that shows the Buffalo suburb being lower.
Also, the housing will vary in the city of Buffalo, of course. Again, the numbers are what they are and there are a range of neighborhoods in Buffalo.
We get a STAR exemption. Even with that, our taxes are well over $7k for a 4-bedroom/2.5 bath, in probably the best school district in the Albany area. Even with, say, $300/month for HOA fees (not uncommon), we'll save thousands by getting a slightly smaller 3-bedroom condo in the desert. I don't place too much stock in online calculators, we've been researching this for a couple of years. We've talked with realtors and residents over three visits and crunch the numbers ourselves.
Taxes aren't the only factor, but they're a big one.
I think the thing is about comparing like communities in different areas, not so much of entering in a community versus another random community.
I will say that the Albany area has a higher COL than points west in Upstate NY.
We get a STAR exemption. Even with that, our taxes are well over $7k for a 4-bedroom/2.5 bath, in probably the best school district in the Albany area. Even with, say, $300/month for HOA fees (not uncommon), we'll save thousands by getting a slightly smaller 3-bedroom condo in the desert. I don't place too much stock in online calculators, we've been researching this for a couple of years. We've talked with realtors and residents over three visits and crunch the numbers ourselves.
Taxes aren't the only factor, but they're a big one.
This can't be possible. You're using real world experience to make a decision? C'mon Plantweed, all the information you need is right on your computer screen.
*sarcasm*
Online calculators are good for a extremely baseline assessment of two different areas. That's pretty much it. Even then you need to look at several of them, because they're all different. Obviously, visiting 3 times and talking with people and pricing out the area side-by-side is going to yield much more information.
This can't be possible. You're using real world experience to make a decision? C'mon Plantweed, all the information you need is right on your computer screen.
*sarcasm*
Online calculators are good for a extremely baseline assessment of two different areas. That's pretty much it. Even then you need to look at several of them, because they're all different. Obviously, visiting 3 times and talking with people and pricing out the area side-by-side is going to yield much more information.
No one said that all of the information is on the computer and it can serve as a basis. My point is about similar communities in an area versus any random communities to compare. If the wants in terms of a different type of community are there, then the comparison is going to yield different results. I could say that I'm moving to some small town in Mississippi and say, "See, it is much cheaper"! That's a shock. So, context has to also be considered. I'm not saying that other posters are doing that, but you also have to consider the changes in location and environment relative to those areas.
And the CNN/Money shows an overall metro number, rather than two randomly chosen towns. Seems more accurate to me.
It may vary, but overall its a number of 32. That's an average in the city.
I'd say that the specific community seems more specific given the variation within a metro, let alone a town/city.
Also, if it is about the affordability, wouldn't you say that the lower number can be a plus, given the reality of the range of housing in Buffalo? Especially if you are a mobile person. I guess this is a bad area: Elmwood Village - Buffalo New York - YouTube
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