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Anonymous wrote:I've been looking at Cary, NC. It's diverse, near two biggish cities with a university and airport nearby. I'm not 100% about their taxes, though.

I struggle with where to retire. MoCo is too expensive, tax wise. But, MD has much better healthcare facilities. So, that's a big factor.

Serious question -- why are several of you so focused on the taxes? How much of a difference do you anticipate it making each year?

Why do you think retirees move to lower tax states like FL?

The 10 lowest-ranked, or worst, states in this year’s Index are:

Massachusetts
Hawaii
Vermont
Minnesota
Washington
Maryland
Connecticut
California
New Jersey
New York
https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/state/2025-state-tax-competitiveness-index/


MD
Individual Income Taxes - the rate for income at $100K is around 4.75%. That's not bad, but every county in MD assesses income tax - ranging from like 2.75% to 3.35%. So, now your income tax is about 8%.

Then there's the inheritance and estate tax, though most of people don't have $5mil in estate, enough around here do.

NC
Individual Income Tax - flat rate 4.5%, no county tax

Income tax difference is almost half. Also, I want to buy a smaller place when I retire, so my property taxes are lower.

Cary is expensive but not as expensive as MoCo.

Now rank services for people.

what kinds of services? Are they free?

NP here, but think beautiful parks, lakes, public transportation, safe/repaired roads, hospitals, well trained and responsive public safety officials.

I also want to live in a place where the young people all have access to good public schools. I don’t only think of my family. I think of the larger community.

You get that in pretty much all states. There are variations within the state, for sure, but even Mississippi has good schools if you are selective in where you live. Everywhere has parks and good roads. The south tends to have better roads than the north because the weather is kinder to roads in the south. I'm not sure what special services you get in Maryland that you can't get in any popular retiree destinations in NC or Florida or Arizona or what you have it. Florida has excellent healthcare on offer and for a good reason.

Where is there excellent hc in Florida??? I work on health care issues and the state is abysmal!!

Is the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville not good? Honest question.

One of the best hospitals in the world. South Florida has excellent healthcare too. There is poor access in other parts even on the east coast.

Cleveland Clinic
Univ of Miami Medical (especially the eye clinic which is the best in the country)
Moffitt Cancer Center

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Anonymous wrote:I've been looking at Cary, NC. It's diverse, near two biggish cities with a university and airport nearby. I'm not 100% about their taxes, though.

I struggle with where to retire. MoCo is too expensive, tax wise. But, MD has much better healthcare facilities. So, that's a big factor.

Serious question -- why are several of you so focused on the taxes? How much of a difference do you anticipate it making each year?

Why do you think retirees move to lower tax states like FL?

The 10 lowest-ranked, or worst, states in this year’s Index are:

Massachusetts
Hawaii
Vermont
Minnesota
Washington
Maryland
Connecticut
California
New Jersey
New York
https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/state/2025-state-tax-competitiveness-index/


MD
Individual Income Taxes - the rate for income at $100K is around 4.75%. That's not bad, but every county in MD assesses income tax - ranging from like 2.75% to 3.35%. So, now your income tax is about 8%.

Then there's the inheritance and estate tax, though most of people don't have $5mil in estate, enough around here do.

NC
Individual Income Tax - flat rate 4.5%, no county tax

Income tax difference is almost half. Also, I want to buy a smaller place when I retire, so my property taxes are lower.

Cary is expensive but not as expensive as MoCo.

Now rank services for people.

what kinds of services? Are they free?

NP here, but think beautiful parks, lakes, public transportation, safe/repaired roads, hospitals, well trained and responsive public safety officials.

I also want to live in a place where the young people all have access to good public schools. I don’t only think of my family. I think of the larger community.

You get that in pretty much all states. There are variations within the state, for sure, but even Mississippi has good schools if you are selective in where you live. Everywhere has parks and good roads. The south tends to have better roads than the north because the weather is kinder to roads in the south. I'm not sure what special services you get in Maryland that you can't get in any popular retiree destinations in NC or Florida or Arizona or what you have it. Florida has excellent healthcare on offer and for a good reason.

Where is there excellent hc in Florida??? I work on health care issues and the state is abysmal!!

Is the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville not good? Honest question.

One of the best hospitals in the world. South Florida has excellent healthcare too. There is poor access in other parts even on the east coast.

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Anonymous wrote:I've been looking at Cary, NC. It's diverse, near two biggish cities with a university and airport nearby. I'm not 100% about their taxes, though.

I struggle with where to retire. MoCo is too expensive, tax wise. But, MD has much better healthcare facilities. So, that's a big factor.

Serious question -- why are several of you so focused on the taxes? How much of a difference do you anticipate it making each year?

Why do you think retirees move to lower tax states like FL?

The 10 lowest-ranked, or worst, states in this year’s Index are:

Massachusetts
Hawaii
Vermont
Minnesota
Washington
Maryland
Connecticut
California
New Jersey
New York
https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/state/2025-state-tax-competitiveness-index/


MD
Individual Income Taxes - the rate for income at $100K is around 4.75%. That's not bad, but every county in MD assesses income tax - ranging from like 2.75% to 3.35%. So, now your income tax is about 8%.

Then there's the inheritance and estate tax, though most of people don't have $5mil in estate, enough around here do.

NC
Individual Income Tax - flat rate 4.5%, no county tax

Income tax difference is almost half. Also, I want to buy a smaller place when I retire, so my property taxes are lower.

Cary is expensive but not as expensive as MoCo.

Now rank services for people.

what kinds of services? Are they free?

NP here, but think beautiful parks, lakes, public transportation, safe/repaired roads, hospitals, well trained and responsive public safety officials.

I also want to live in a place where the young people all have access to good public schools. I don’t only think of my family. I think of the larger community.

You get that in pretty much all states. There are variations within the state, for sure, but even Mississippi has good schools if you are selective in where you live. Everywhere has parks and good roads. The south tends to have better roads than the north because the weather is kinder to roads in the south. I'm not sure what special services you get in Maryland that you can't get in any popular retiree destinations in NC or Florida or Arizona or what you have it. Florida has excellent healthcare on offer and for a good reason.

Where is there excellent hc in Florida??? I work on health care issues and the state is abysmal!!

They recently just about killed my friend, who was saved by transferring to a hospital up here!

No one takes these kinds of responses sincerely, knowing full well it's nothing more than hysterical prejudice and biases against a particular state's politics (and the more exclamation points the less convincing). Like all states, Florida has excellent healthcare and mediocre healthcare. Your access to healthcare is largely determined by two factors, proximity and socio-economic background. Rural areas always struggle due to lack of proximity and that is found in Maryland and Virginia and New York just as it is for rural Florida or Texas. Florida is a huge state with multiple cities and Miami and Tampa and Orlando and Jacksonville all have excellent healthcare facilities. And socioeconomic factors also plays a role. Baltimore has both JHU and several pretty terrible hospitals. NYC has shockingly abysmal hospitals along with some of the best hospitals in the country. An affluent retiree living in Bradenton or Miami or a working professional family in Orlando or Jacksonville are going to have a different healthcare experience than, say, a poor rural family in the panhandle. But as I pointed out, the same is true for Baltimore or DC too.

It is wise for retirees to factor in reasonable proximity to quality healthcare but it is also something that can be misleading too. Outside of specialist niche health areas, by and large most healthcare nationwide will be perfectly fine. You get what you pay for. What is important is proactive preventive care and lifestyle habits.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been looking at Cary, NC. It's diverse, near two biggish cities with a university and airport nearby. I'm not 100% about their taxes, though.

I struggle with where to retire. MoCo is too expensive, tax wise. But, MD has much better healthcare facilities. So, that's a big factor.

Cary is not diverse!!!

It is white white white vacation bible school white stupids.

NC has terrible politics and now that there will be no hurricane warnings good luck with that .. and no fema monies. Yes Cary gets hurricanes and it sucks.

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Anonymous wrote:I've been looking at Cary, NC. It's diverse, near two biggish cities with a university and airport nearby. I'm not 100% about their taxes, though.

I struggle with where to retire. MoCo is too expensive, tax wise. But, MD has much better healthcare facilities. So, that's a big factor.

Serious question -- why are several of you so focused on the taxes? How much of a difference do you anticipate it making each year?

Why do you think retirees move to lower tax states like FL?

The 10 lowest-ranked, or worst, states in this year’s Index are:

Massachusetts
Hawaii
Vermont
Minnesota
Washington
Maryland
Connecticut
California
New Jersey
New York
https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/state/2025-state-tax-competitiveness-index/


MD
Individual Income Taxes - the rate for income at $100K is around 4.75%. That's not bad, but every county in MD assesses income tax - ranging from like 2.75% to 3.35%. So, now your income tax is about 8%.

Then there's the inheritance and estate tax, though most of people don't have $5mil in estate, enough around here do.

NC
Individual Income Tax - flat rate 4.5%, no county tax

Income tax difference is almost half. Also, I want to buy a smaller place when I retire, so my property taxes are lower.

Cary is expensive but not as expensive as MoCo.

Now rank services for people.

what kinds of services? Are they free?

NP here, but think beautiful parks, lakes, public transportation, safe/repaired roads, hospitals, well trained and responsive public safety officials.

I also want to live in a place where the young people all have access to good public schools. I don’t only think of my family. I think of the larger community.

You get that in pretty much all states. There are variations within the state, for sure, but even Mississippi has good schools if you are selective in where you live. Everywhere has parks and good roads. The south tends to have better roads than the north because the weather is kinder to roads in the south. I'm not sure what special services you get in Maryland that you can't get in any popular retiree destinations in NC or Florida or Arizona or what you have it. Florida has excellent healthcare on offer and for a good reason.

Where is there excellent hc in Florida??? I work on health care issues and the state is abysmal!!

Is the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville not good? Honest question.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:I am happy here in Md. Best place for everything- moderate climate, the beach and the mountains, small towns and big towns, best Democratic leaders, events, theater, friends, shopping, and superb medical. Yes, taxes are higher, but why would I give that all up just to pay less taxes. Less taxes means less of the above.

Red states like TX have events, theater, shopping, etc.. But, I'll give you the medical care in MD for the elderly is better than TX. However, it's not better than some red states.

https://www.seniorliving.org/research/best-states-senior-healthcare/

https://seniorsite.org/resource/15-states-with-best-healthcare-for-seniors-in-2025-research-backed-rankings/

I really, really would pay extra not to ever live in a red state. I am very proud of Maryland-it's got it's conservative parts, and we've had a few conservative governors, but our legislature has always been for the people. Right now, more than ever am I glad to be in this blue state.

Do your kids a favor and don’t die in MD. The state estate tax is a major pain and is structured in a pretty ridiculous way.

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Anonymous wrote:I've been looking at Cary, NC. It's diverse, near two biggish cities with a university and airport nearby. I'm not 100% about their taxes, though.

I struggle with where to retire. MoCo is too expensive, tax wise. But, MD has much better healthcare facilities. So, that's a big factor.

Serious question -- why are several of you so focused on the taxes? How much of a difference do you anticipate it making each year?

Why do you think retirees move to lower tax states like FL?

The 10 lowest-ranked, or worst, states in this year’s Index are:

Massachusetts
Hawaii
Vermont
Minnesota
Washington
Maryland
Connecticut
California
New Jersey
New York
https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/state/2025-state-tax-competitiveness-index/


MD
Individual Income Taxes - the rate for income at $100K is around 4.75%. That's not bad, but every county in MD assesses income tax - ranging from like 2.75% to 3.35%. So, now your income tax is about 8%.

Then there's the inheritance and estate tax, though most of people don't have $5mil in estate, enough around here do.

NC
Individual Income Tax - flat rate 4.5%, no county tax

Income tax difference is almost half. Also, I want to buy a smaller place when I retire, so my property taxes are lower.

Cary is expensive but not as expensive as MoCo.

Now rank services for people.

what kinds of services? Are they free?

NP here, but think beautiful parks, lakes, public transportation, safe/repaired roads, hospitals, well trained and responsive public safety officials.

I also want to live in a place where the young people all have access to good public schools. I don’t only think of my family. I think of the larger community.

You get that in pretty much all states. There are variations within the state, for sure, but even Mississippi has good schools if you are selective in where you live. Everywhere has parks and good roads. The south tends to have better roads than the north because the weather is kinder to roads in the south. I'm not sure what special services you get in Maryland that you can't get in any popular retiree destinations in NC or Florida or Arizona or what you have it. Florida has excellent healthcare on offer and for a good reason.

Where is there excellent hc in Florida??? I work on health care issues and the state is abysmal!!

They recently just about killed my friend, who was saved by transferring to a hospital up here!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been looking at Cary, NC. It's diverse, near two biggish cities with a university and airport nearby. I'm not 100% about their taxes, though.

I struggle with where to retire. MoCo is too expensive, tax wise. But, MD has much better healthcare facilities. So, that's a big factor.

Serious question -- why are several of you so focused on the taxes? How much of a difference do you anticipate it making each year?

Why do you think retirees move to lower tax states like FL?

The 10 lowest-ranked, or worst, states in this year’s Index are:

Massachusetts
Hawaii
Vermont
Minnesota
Washington
Maryland
Connecticut
California
New Jersey
New York
https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/state/2025-state-tax-competitiveness-index/


MD
Individual Income Taxes - the rate for income at $100K is around 4.75%. That's not bad, but every county in MD assesses income tax - ranging from like 2.75% to 3.35%. So, now your income tax is about 8%.

Then there's the inheritance and estate tax, though most of people don't have $5mil in estate, enough around here do.

NC
Individual Income Tax - flat rate 4.5%, no county tax

Income tax difference is almost half. Also, I want to buy a smaller place when I retire, so my property taxes are lower.

Cary is expensive but not as expensive as MoCo.

Now rank services for people.

what kinds of services? Are they free?

NP here, but think beautiful parks, lakes, public transportation, safe/repaired roads, hospitals, well trained and responsive public safety officials.

I also want to live in a place where the young people all have access to good public schools. I don’t only think of my family. I think of the larger community.

You get that in pretty much all states. There are variations within the state, for sure, but even Mississippi has good schools if you are selective in where you live. Everywhere has parks and good roads. The south tends to have better roads than the north because the weather is kinder to roads in the south. I'm not sure what special services you get in Maryland that you can't get in any popular retiree destinations in NC or Florida or Arizona or what you have it. Florida has excellent healthcare on offer and for a good reason.

Where is there excellent hc in Florida??? I work on health care issues and the state is abysmal!!

Is the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville not good? Honest question.

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Anonymous wrote:We moved to MidCoast Maine. Heaven.

We are looking at this! Have you found any downsides?

DP here. Some might consider 6 months of winter a downside.

+1 we have friends who bought their retirement home in Maine but they also maintain a DC condo and spend winters here. And, now have a new grandchild here so they are spending even less time in Maine.

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Anonymous wrote:I am happy here in Md. Best place for everything- moderate climate, the beach and the mountains, small towns and big towns, best Democratic leaders, events, theater, friends, shopping, and superb medical. Yes, taxes are higher, but why would I give that all up just to pay less taxes. Less taxes means less of the above.

Red states like TX have events, theater, shopping, etc.. But, I'll give you the medical care in MD for the elderly is better than TX. However, it's not better than some red states.

https://www.seniorliving.org/research/best-states-senior-healthcare/

https://seniorsite.org/resource/15-states-with-best-healthcare-for-seniors-in-2025-research-backed-rankings/

I really, really would pay extra not to ever live in a red state. I am very proud of Maryland-it's got it's conservative parts, and we've had a few conservative governors, but our legislature has always been for the people. Right now, more than ever am I glad to be in this blue state.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am happy here in Md. Best place for everything- moderate climate, the beach and the mountains, small towns and big towns, best Democratic leaders, events, theater, friends, shopping, and superb medical. Yes, taxes are higher, but why would I give that all up just to pay less taxes. Less taxes means less of the above.

Red states like TX have events, theater, shopping, etc.. But, I'll give you the medical care in MD for the elderly is better than TX. However, it's not better than some red states.

https://www.seniorliving.org/research/best-states-senior-healthcare/

https://seniorsite.org/resource/15-states-with-best-healthcare-for-seniors-in-2025-research-backed-rankings/