I'm wondering where to retire. It would have to be in a location where
housing prices are not outa this world, like San Diego, etc. But I also want
a place that I can grow wonderful vegetables most of the year. Even if that
means in a northern state with season extensions and a greenhouse. Or the
deep south. or, what's your thoughts on climate and taxes!!!? Don't vege's
taste better with less taxes?
~tom

In article ,
"tstovall" wrote:

I'm wondering where to retire. It would have to be in a location where
housing prices are not outa this world, like San Diego, etc. But I also want
a place that I can grow wonderful vegetables most of the year. Even if that
means in a northern state with season extensions and a greenhouse. Or the
deep south. or, what's your thoughts on climate and taxes!!!? Don't vege's
taste better with less taxes?
~tom

Texas has no state income tax, property and housing are lower in many
areas than in California, and South and South Central have loooong
growing seasons.
--
Peace! Om

"Human nature seems to be to control other people
until they put their foot down." -- Stephan Rothstein

tstovall wrote:
I'm wondering where to retire. It would have to be in a location
where
housing prices are not outa this world, like San Diego, etc. But I
also want a place that I can grow wonderful vegetables most of the
year. Even if that means in a northern state with season extensions
and a greenhouse. Or the deep south. or, what's your thoughts on
climate and taxes!!!? Don't vege's taste better with less taxes?
~tom

Florida has bunches of retired people living there and you can grow
veggies year around in most of the state.
A truck farming area that most people don't think about is western
Oregon, where you can grow different types of veggies all year. It has
a mild climate and lots to keep your peepers busy for the rest of your
life!!

Tom J
Geargia, where we have something in the garden most of the year

Texas is hard for me to figure the tax liability. Personal Property taxes
vary by local districts/towns. And my own liability is that I don't speak
Spanish. But it does list 41st out of 50 on my handy dandy state tax
comparison chart. South Texas is way too hot for me but central Texas is so
pretty and I think that the climate/soil for gardening in the hill country
is great.
~tom
"Omelet" wrote in message
news
In article ,
"tstovall" wrote:

I'm wondering where to retire. It would have to be in a location where
housing prices are not outa this world, like San Diego, etc. But I also
want
a place that I can grow wonderful vegetables most of the year. Even if
that
means in a northern state with season extensions and a greenhouse. Or the
deep south. or, what's your thoughts on climate and taxes!!!? Don't
vege's
taste better with less taxes?
~tom

Texas has no state income tax, property and housing are lower in many
areas than in California, and South and South Central have loooong
growing seasons.
--
Peace! Om

"Human nature seems to be to control other people
until they put their foot down." -- Stephan Rothstein

In article ,
"tstovall" wrote:

I'm wondering where to retire. It would have to be in a location where
housing prices are not outa this world, like San Diego, etc. But I also want
a place that I can grow wonderful vegetables most of the year. Even if that
means in a northern state with season extensions and a greenhouse. Or the
deep south. or, what's your thoughts on climate and taxes!!!? Don't vege's
taste better with less taxes?
~tom

Where in San Diego, except the barracks, are the prices
not out of this world? My experience is that $450,000 would
get you a fixer upper. Other than the price, gardening, especially
tropical fruit should be great. My brother is there, and grows
bananas in his back yard.
--

Billy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KVTf...ef=patrick.net
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0aEo...eature=related

You are right, my wording was wrong. I shouldn't have put a comma after
world.
~tom
"Billy" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"tstovall" wrote:

I'm wondering where to retire. It would have to be in a location where
housing prices are not outa this world, like San Diego, etc. But I also
want
a place that I can grow wonderful vegetables most of the year. Even if
that
means in a northern state with season extensions and a greenhouse. Or the
deep south. or, what's your thoughts on climate and taxes!!!? Don't
vege's
taste better with less taxes?
~tom

Where in San Diego, except the barracks, are the prices
not out of this world? My experience is that $450,000 would
get you a fixer upper. Other than the price, gardening, especially
tropical fruit should be great. My brother is there, and grows
bananas in his back yard.
--

Billy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KVTf...ef=patrick.net
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0aEo...eature=related

Thanks Tom J, but Florida and Oregon and Georgia all rank bad for taxes.
But I agree, for gardening, they are winners.
~tom
"Tom J" wrote in message
m...
tstovall wrote:
I'm wondering where to retire. It would have to be in a location where
housing prices are not outa this world, like San Diego, etc. But I
also want a place that I can grow wonderful vegetables most of the
year. Even if that means in a northern state with season extensions
and a greenhouse. Or the deep south. or, what's your thoughts on
climate and taxes!!!? Don't vege's taste better with less taxes?
~tom

Florida has bunches of retired people living there and you can grow
veggies year around in most of the state.
A truck farming area that most people don't think about is western Oregon,
where you can grow different types of veggies all year. It has a mild
climate and lots to keep your peepers busy for the rest of your life!!

Tom J
Geargia, where we have something in the garden most of the year

Actually, the soil in the hill country is pretty rocky.
The alluvial plains below it tho' are good, but then there is the danger
of tornadoes and bad storms.

There is a reason I live in the upper areas West of IH-35. The hilly
terrain breaks up the winds. The worst I've gotten here in this house in
20 years is a couple of bad hail storms.

I garden in all raised beds and containers.


In article ,
"tstovall" wrote:

Texas is hard for me to figure the tax liability. Personal Property taxes
vary by local districts/towns. And my own liability is that I don't speak
Spanish. But it does list 41st out of 50 on my handy dandy state tax
comparison chart. South Texas is way too hot for me but central Texas is so
pretty and I think that the climate/soil for gardening in the hill country
is great.
~tom
"Omelet" wrote in message
news
In article ,
"tstovall" wrote:

I'm wondering where to retire. It would have to be in a location where
housing prices are not outa this world, like San Diego, etc. But I also
want
a place that I can grow wonderful vegetables most of the year. Even if
that
means in a northern state with season extensions and a greenhouse. Or the
deep south. or, what's your thoughts on climate and taxes!!!? Don't
vege's
taste better with less taxes?
~tom

Texas has no state income tax, property and housing are lower in many
areas than in California, and South and South Central have loooong
growing seasons.
--
Peace! Om

"Human nature seems to be to control other people
until they put their foot down." -- Stephan Rothstein
--
Peace! Om

"Human nature seems to be to control other people
until they put their foot down." -- Stephan Rothstein

I too garden in raised beds and containers, especially self watering
containers. Thanks for the input on Texas. It's in the running. Where you
are describing sounds like around Abeline. Is that Zone 7?
~tom
"Omelet" wrote in message
news
Actually, the soil in the hill country is pretty rocky.
The alluvial plains below it tho' are good, but then there is the danger
of tornadoes and bad storms.

There is a reason I live in the upper areas West of IH-35. The hilly
terrain breaks up the winds. The worst I've gotten here in this house in
20 years is a couple of bad hail storms.

I garden in all raised beds and containers.


In article ,
"tstovall" wrote:

Texas is hard for me to figure the tax liability. Personal Property
taxes
vary by local districts/towns. And my own liability is that I don't
speak
Spanish. But it does list 41st out of 50 on my handy dandy state tax
comparison chart. South Texas is way too hot for me but central Texas is
so
pretty and I think that the climate/soil for gardening in the hill
country
is great.
~tom
"Omelet" wrote in message
news
In article ,
"tstovall" wrote:

I'm wondering where to retire. It would have to be in a location where
housing prices are not outa this world, like San Diego, etc. But I
also
want
a place that I can grow wonderful vegetables most of the year. Even if
that
means in a northern state with season extensions and a greenhouse. Or
the
deep south. or, what's your thoughts on climate and taxes!!!? Don't
vege's
taste better with less taxes?
~tom

Texas has no state income tax, property and housing are lower in many
areas than in California, and South and South Central have loooong
growing seasons.
--
Peace! Om

"Human nature seems to be to control other people
until they put their foot down." -- Stephan Rothstein
--
Peace! Om

"Human nature seems to be to control other people
until they put their foot down." -- Stephan Rothstein

In article ,
Omelet wrote:

In article ,
"tstovall" wrote:

I'm wondering where to retire. It would have to be in a location where
housing prices are not outa this world, like San Diego, etc. But I also
want
a place that I can grow wonderful vegetables most of the year. Even if that
means in a northern state with season extensions and a greenhouse. Or the
deep south. or, what's your thoughts on climate and taxes!!!? Don't vege's
taste better with less taxes?
~tom

Texas has no state income tax, property and housing are lower in many
areas than in California, and South and South Central have loooong
growing seasons.

You also have ticks, chiggers, rattlesnakes, fire ants, tarantulas,
scorpions, cactus and the Texas State Legislature. OTOH, you have great
food and some of the best musicians in the world. And you had Ann
Richards and Molly Ivins, both godesses.

Have you read the poem called "Hell in Texas"? It's about the devil
looking for a place for a hell. He visited Texas and said it's too dry
for a hell. I think Don Edwards (a Texan) recorded it as a song.

Picking on Texas gives us a great deal of pleasure, because my FIL and
most of the other homesteaders out here all came from Texas. All of
their kids speak with West Texas accents, even though none of them have
ever set foot in that great state.

Jan

I honestly don't know the zone. :-) I've never paid much attention to
those and I know that's not good, but... shrugs

I live in the Austin/San Antonio IH-35 corridor.
I'm sure there are zone maps that will show it.


In article ,
"tstovall" wrote:

I too garden in raised beds and containers, especially self watering
containers. Thanks for the input on Texas. It's in the running. Where you
are describing sounds like around Abeline. Is that Zone 7?
~tom
"Omelet" wrote in message
news
Actually, the soil in the hill country is pretty rocky.
The alluvial plains below it tho' are good, but then there is the danger
of tornadoes and bad storms.

There is a reason I live in the upper areas West of IH-35. The hilly
terrain breaks up the winds. The worst I've gotten here in this house in
20 years is a couple of bad hail storms.

I garden in all raised beds and containers.


In article ,
"tstovall" wrote:

Texas is hard for me to figure the tax liability. Personal Property
taxes
vary by local districts/towns. And my own liability is that I don't
speak
Spanish. But it does list 41st out of 50 on my handy dandy state tax
comparison chart. South Texas is way too hot for me but central Texas is
so
pretty and I think that the climate/soil for gardening in the hill
country
is great.
~tom
"Omelet" wrote in message
news In article ,
"tstovall" wrote:

I'm wondering where to retire. It would have to be in a location where
housing prices are not outa this world, like San Diego, etc. But I
also
want
a place that I can grow wonderful vegetables most of the year. Even if
that
means in a northern state with season extensions and a greenhouse. Or
the
deep south. or, what's your thoughts on climate and taxes!!!? Don't
vege's
taste better with less taxes?
~tom

Texas has no state income tax, property and housing are lower in many
areas than in California, and South and South Central have loooong
growing seasons.

--
Peace! Om

"Human nature seems to be to control other people
until they put their foot down." -- Stephan Rothstein

In article ,
Jan Flora wrote:

Texas has no state income tax, property and housing are lower in many
areas than in California, and South and South Central have loooong
growing seasons.

You also have ticks, chiggers,

I've never had problems with those in 20 years.
Since I control fleas for my dogs, I guess that's why. :-)

rattlesnakes,

Only captured one in the 20 years I've been in this house. I'm a
suburbanite. I live caught it and sent it to wildlife rescue. My worst
pest is Norway rats.

fire ants,

Ok, those are a bitch, but controllable.

tarantulas,

Those are welcome in my yard. :-)

scorpions,

Luckily, I've had zero problems with scorpions here.

cactus

Cactus is a problem?

and the Texas State Legislature.

California is worse. g

OTOH, you have great
food and some of the best musicians in the world. And you had Ann
Richards and Molly Ivins, both godesses.

Have you read the poem called "Hell in Texas"? It's about the devil
looking for a place for a hell. He visited Texas and said it's too dry
for a hell. I think Don Edwards (a Texan) recorded it as a song.

lol West Texas IS hell! The hill country is a bit of heaven most of
the time. I can post pics.

The further east you go, the more temperate it gets. There are pine
forests in some areas. Texas is a BIG state and has nearly every climate.
There is even swampland in the far east.

LOTS of lakes and rivers.


Picking on Texas gives us a great deal of pleasure, because my FIL and
most of the other homesteaders out here all came from Texas. All of
their kids speak with West Texas accents, even though none of them have
ever set foot in that great state.

Jan

It's all good. :-) I rather enjoy Texas (and redneck) humor...
--
Peace! Om

"Human nature seems to be to control other people
until they put their foot down." -- Stephan Rothstein

http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html

I tend to disagree with the map a bit in the area around Austin. Generally
speaking, its a bit cooler to the west in the hill country proper than
Austin itself during worst of winter.

Hill country proper, unless you're lucky enough to be in some bottom land,
you have to have raised beds. Or have the soil brought in. West of IH35,
may be lucky to have some locally usable soil of appreciable depth.

Water availability is always a problem in the summer in a typical year.

Texas has a 8.25% sales tax except for most foods. They tax vegetable
juice, but not potato chips. I don't know why either. All restaurant foods
are taxed same rate. Locally prepared bakery products are not taxed.

Property taxes vary by county AND local school districts within that county.
Looking at last year's tax bill, the school district's portion is the
biggest bite in taxes. I live in Hays county, in the Wimberley area subject
to WISD taxation. Well over 2% assessed value is tax rate. Austin is in
Travis county. Seniors get a property tax break at age 65 state-wide.

Got some decent rain today, with minor hail.
--
Dave

Parkinson's disease, not easy to define.
Much less cure.
"Omelet" wrote in message
news
I honestly don't know the zone. :-) I've never paid much attention to
those and I know that's not good, but... shrugs

I live in the Austin/San Antonio IH-35 corridor.
I'm sure there are zone maps that will show it.


In article ,
"tstovall" wrote:

I too garden in raised beds and containers, especially self watering
containers. Thanks for the input on Texas. It's in the running. Where
you
are describing sounds like around Abeline. Is that Zone 7?
~tom
"Omelet" wrote in message
news
Actually, the soil in the hill country is pretty rocky.
The alluvial plains below it tho' are good, but then there is the
danger
of tornadoes and bad storms.

There is a reason I live in the upper areas West of IH-35. The hilly
terrain breaks up the winds. The worst I've gotten here in this house
in
20 years is a couple of bad hail storms.

I garden in all raised beds and containers.


In article ,
"tstovall" wrote:

Texas is hard for me to figure the tax liability. Personal Property
taxes
vary by local districts/towns. And my own liability is that I don't
speak
Spanish. But it does list 41st out of 50 on my handy dandy state tax
comparison chart. South Texas is way too hot for me but central Texas
is
so
pretty and I think that the climate/soil for gardening in the hill
country
is great.
~tom
"Omelet" wrote in message
news In article ,
"tstovall" wrote:

I'm wondering where to retire. It would have to be in a location
where
housing prices are not outa this world, like San Diego, etc. But I
also
want
a place that I can grow wonderful vegetables most of the year. Even
if
that
means in a northern state with season extensions and a greenhouse.
Or
the
deep south. or, what's your thoughts on climate and taxes!!!? Don't
vege's
taste better with less taxes?
~tom

Texas has no state income tax, property and housing are lower in
many
areas than in California, and South and South Central have loooong
growing seasons.

--
Peace! Om

"Human nature seems to be to control other people
until they put their foot down." -- Stephan Rothstein

That is good information. sales tax at 8.25% is even worse than Tennesse.
and yes, I can't figure property taxes in Texas because each town is
different. plus school district taxation!!! ick. Gardening is getting
more expensive as I read.
Thank you!!
~tom
"Dioclese" NONE wrote in message
m...
http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html

I tend to disagree with the map a bit in the area around Austin.
Generally speaking, its a bit cooler to the west in the hill country
proper than Austin itself during worst of winter.

Hill country proper, unless you're lucky enough to be in some bottom land,
you have to have raised beds. Or have the soil brought in. West of IH35,
may be lucky to have some locally usable soil of appreciable depth.

Water availability is always a problem in the summer in a typical year.

Texas has a 8.25% sales tax except for most foods. They tax vegetable
juice, but not potato chips. I don't know why either. All restaurant
foods are taxed same rate. Locally prepared bakery products are not
taxed.

Property taxes vary by county AND local school districts within that
county. Looking at last year's tax bill, the school district's portion is
the biggest bite in taxes. I live in Hays county, in the Wimberley area
subject to WISD taxation. Well over 2% assessed value is tax rate.
Austin is in Travis county. Seniors get a property tax break at age 65
state-wide.

Got some decent rain today, with minor hail.
--
Dave

Parkinson's disease, not easy to define.
Much less cure.
"Omelet" wrote in message
news
I honestly don't know the zone. :-) I've never paid much attention to
those and I know that's not good, but... shrugs

I live in the Austin/San Antonio IH-35 corridor.
I'm sure there are zone maps that will show it.


In article ,
"tstovall" wrote:

I too garden in raised beds and containers, especially self watering
containers. Thanks for the input on Texas. It's in the running. Where
you
are describing sounds like around Abeline. Is that Zone 7?
~tom
"Omelet" wrote in message
news Actually, the soil in the hill country is pretty rocky.
The alluvial plains below it tho' are good, but then there is the
danger
of tornadoes and bad storms.

There is a reason I live in the upper areas West of IH-35. The hilly
terrain breaks up the winds. The worst I've gotten here in this house
in
20 years is a couple of bad hail storms.

I garden in all raised beds and containers.


In article ,
"tstovall" wrote:

Texas is hard for me to figure the tax liability. Personal Property
taxes
vary by local districts/towns. And my own liability is that I don't
speak
Spanish. But it does list 41st out of 50 on my handy dandy state tax
comparison chart. South Texas is way too hot for me but central
Texas is
so
pretty and I think that the climate/soil for gardening in the hill
country
is great.
~tom
"Omelet" wrote in message
news In article ,
"tstovall" wrote:

I'm wondering where to retire. It would have to be in a location
where
housing prices are not outa this world, like San Diego, etc. But I
also
want
a place that I can grow wonderful vegetables most of the year.
Even if
that
means in a northern state with season extensions and a greenhouse.
Or
the
deep south. or, what's your thoughts on climate and taxes!!!?
Don't
vege's
taste better with less taxes?
~tom

Texas has no state income tax, property and housing are lower in
many
areas than in California, and South and South Central have loooong
growing seasons.

--
Peace! Om

"Human nature seems to be to control other people
until they put their foot down." -- Stephan Rothstein

On Tue, 13 May 2008 13:26:37 -0400, "tstovall"
wrote:

I'm wondering where to retire. It would have to be in a location where
housing prices are not outa this world, like San Diego, etc. But I also want
a place that I can grow wonderful vegetables most of the year. Even if that
means in a northern state with season extensions and a greenhouse. Or the
deep south. or, what's your thoughts on climate and taxes!!!? Don't vege's
taste better with less taxes?
~tom


Check the more rural areas in the south east. We live in the Piedmont
region of North Carolina, in the county. The house and 3 acres cost
us just over $300,000. It is a brick house with 3 BR, 2 1/2 bath,
living room, dining room, family room, large kitchen and full
basement. Taxes are $2,500 a year. Electricity is not too bad, we
pay about $.07/KWH. We have a well and septic system.

We have 4 seasons. Last frost is somewhere between 4-15 and 5-1.
First frost is about 11-1. It is cold enough in the winter for fruit
trees. I find that the only time I am not working in or preparing for
the garden are November, December and January. By February I am
starting seeds in the greenhouse. By the middle of March I am setting
out the cool weather crops -- cabbage, broccoli, peas etc. The
broccoli is starting to develop heads, the cabbage is heading. I
picked some beets yesterday and have been picking broccoli rabe for a
few days. The asparagus season is over for the year and strawberries
are ripe. I just finished setting out my tomato plants, but I started
late this year. I will be picking them from July until late October.

Not exactly year around, but pretty good. In fact, I really
appreciate the winter rest period.
--
Susan N.

"Moral indignation is in most cases two percent moral,
48 percent indignation, and 50 percent envy."
Vittorio De Sica, Italian movie director (1901-1974)