Retiring? - Look somewhere else
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4/12/2011
We built a home and moved our family from California to Manatee County Florida 5 years ago. What a mistake! Local Government; with Republican County Commissioners leading, were caught up in the booming real estate values and increasing tax revenue and spent ... spent .. spent.. My property taxes for my new homes peaked over $11,000/year while my neighbors who bought 2 years prior were paying $6,000 or less a year in property taxes.
Now .. 5 years later .. I cannot retire because the property taxes continue to take 10% of my annual income. The County Government just opened a new recreation center while record number of foreclosures are reported, unemployment is higher than the National Average, critical public safety services are being cut.
Stay clear of Manatee County and most of Florida.
Steve | Parrish, FL