Taxes in Chicago (Detroit: neighborhood, living, restaurant)

[djkkt6]

...says the person who spends so much time sitting on their ass that they average 350 posts a MONTH, just on here alone...

[analyticalkeys]

Originally Posted by djkkt6

...says the person who spends so much time sitting on their ass that they average 350 posts a MONTH, just on here alone...

He has so many posts because he's always helping people..

[eevee]

Originally Posted by djkkt6

...says the person who spends so much time sitting on their ass that they average 350 posts a MONTH, just on here alone...

that's b/c, unlike you, there are posters here who spend their time actually posting HELPFUL advice to the people who post here. don't know what's your hang up over how much people posts. don't you have your own life to tend to? if people want to spend some time posting on a forum, why do you freaking care so much?

go away already; you've already posed 56 posts in 11 days, and most of them were BS (since you're so caught up on post counts)

ETA: your not going to last long on online forums if you don't put any effort into answering some of your own easy questions. people here aren't always going to hand over answers on a silver platter. people, it's called a "search function", use them, both for the internet at large and the search function on this site

[aragx6]

OK guys enough is enough. Back on topic... or is there even anything left to say? LOL ...

I'll say this: To me, it's not the sales tax or the income tax that will make me leave Chicago. It'll be property taxed -- they are horrific.

[cubssoxfan]

I think it's a look at total cost of living. Taxes are big part. Housing costs, utilities, fuel, groceries, clothing, education and recreation. Also factor in long-term job market and earning power. Did this last spring comparing with Texas. Overall cost of living was lower in Texas. However, utilities seemed to be as much if not more because of needing more A/C. Of course with the volatility of Natural gas prices sometimes heating in winter costs more than cooling during a TX summer. Texas board is full of valid post about high property taxes. Using % of home value, they are more than Chicago area. Overall, if you stay in house under 3300SF, they are lower becasue homes are overall significantly cheaper for same size house. They also have no state income tax. I do know the Chicago job-market is relatively stable and pays well. I percieve that some industries pay less in TX. Then comes final consideration which is personal preferences and happiness. Chicago has a tendency to promote the growth of very strong roots for those who have lived here a while or grew up here. Despite my beefs with the winter cold & gray (getting older sucks & I'm not even "old" yet) this is a very liveable and desirable area. Family, good suburban school systems, good job opportunities and wonderful summers keep me here. Higher cost of living compared with many areas of the country I would seek to live in (that excludes most of the coasts)the inept Il & Cook County political fiefdom, and the winter climate stir my wander-lust to leave. I hope all of us who are concerned about taxes and cost of living will remember this in 2010 when county and state elctions are held. The Chicago Tribune is reminding us every day on the bottom of their editorial page with a ticker that states how many days we have paid more sales tax and how many more days until we can do something about it via our vote.

[MSchemist80]

Chicago vs Rest of USA.
- income tax is 1/2 of average being 3% most being 6% like MO and WI.
- Sales tax in Cook County obscene; Downtown, Ludicrous.
- Property taxes also bad. Numerous other fees as well
- Traffic awful same as NYC, CA, ATL. Parking is ludicrous.
- Weather is terrible
- housing and Utilities very high but not as bad as some other places CA again
- Politics corrupt beyond belief. We are a national joke and the politicians barely hide it anymore. We are worse than New Orleans and Detroit. Despite paying more and more the government particularly in Cook County offers less and less. State and Cook county gov's nonfunctional.

I have lived here all my life, but now that I am beginning my career I am leaving. I wouldn't mind living in IL but away from Chicago.

[Lookout Kid]

Compared to WI, our property taxes are quite low. My parents' house and my condo have a similar value, and I pay about HALF of what they pay--and I'd say they have a much lower level of services in return than a typical Chicagoland resident.

[almost3am]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Compared to WI, our property taxes are quite low. My parents' house and my condo have a similar value, and I pay about HALF of what they pay--and I'd say they have a much lower level of services in return than a typical Chicagoland resident.

Help me understand what that last statement means. What kind of additional services could a Chicagoland resident expect above that of a WI resident?

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by almost3am

Help me understand what that last statement means. What kind of additional services could a Chicagoland resident expect above that of a WI resident?

Better and much more frequent snow clearing from roads.

[Lionel671]

hi my name is lionel i want to know why the sales tax is 10.25 keep it like 8.25 or 9.25