Leaving New York.

This was my property tax bill for 2024:

 This is my current property tax bill, due NOW!

Not only did they raise the value of my modular home by $158,600 in one fucking year but they also reduced my STAR savings account (for a couple who earns less than $96,000 a year). There is no way in hell that my modular's home value increased by $158K! This is NOT a stick and stone, regular built home. It was built in a factory and delivered by truck and set on a pre-fab foundation. Give me a fucking break. To make matters even worse, for the first time ever, we didn't qualify for the Over-65 Tax Reduction. WTF? We're earning less. Not more. And as 'they' said, we missed it by $2,000. In other words, 'they' lowered the income level, so we didn't qualify. The earliest we can dispute this assessor's grievance is May 2026. In the interim, we have to pay an additional $4,140. 54 from what we paid last year. 

Let me say that again: WE HAVE TO PAY AN ADDITIONAL FOUR THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED FORTY DOLLARS AND FIFTY-FOUR CENTS MORE THAN WE DID SINCE LAST YEAR. That's a 212% increase! And this is why people are leaving New York in droves. We can't leave fast enough and get out of this night mare and god-forsaken blue state.

Yes, people are leaving New York due to its high cost of living, expensive housing, lack of space, and high taxes, which are driving many residents to more affordable and less expensive states like Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Remote work options also allow some New Yorkers to maintain their city jobs while living elsewhere.

Where are we going? Florida, of course. We've already booked our home-exploring trip and can't wait to relocate to a more hospitable place. We'll be selling high, since our area is in BIG demand and we'll be buying a home in Florida low because the state is shedding homes by the droves. Thankfully, we have the money to pay the higher NY taxes (for now) and we have the money to self-insure ourselves, should we have to, when we relocate to Florida. 

'They' couldn't even leave me alone and let me die of cancer in my own home of 25 years. I pray to God that He gives me the energy and strength to make this move. It's probably for the best since my sister and brother-in-law live in Florida and hubby and I will need them now more than ever. 

Welcome back to reality Cindy. At least I had a really nice summer. Something told me to do that. I'll post all the fun and adventures we had latter on in the week. I just want to get over this disappointing re-location news. Oh well. Such is life, right?