Considering Indiana for a potential relocation

[MillennialMaverick]

Sorry I keep resurrecting this thread guys, but I've been looking at more areas across the country and I gotta say--phew! I am so surprised at how seemingly overvalued properties are in other states when comparing them to Indiana and Ohio. I think Indiana and Ohio have spoiled me--though I could live with lower property tax rates haha. For the same price range (250k - 450k), I think you're getting a much better deal & value for homes in the suburbs of Indiana (specifically Indianapolis) and Ohio (Columbus and Cincinnati) than the other areas I've checked out.


Quick disclaimer, I am generalizing here. I found a few great values in these areas, but they were few and far between.


I checked out the suburbs of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, Milwaukee and Green Bay Wisconsin, Atlanta Georgia, and Jacksonville Florida. Perhaps it's just my opinion and preference, but I feel Indiana properties are offering so much more for that price range--spacious, multi-story and affordable homes in safe neighborhoods with good schools. Of the ones mentioned, I found the suburbs of Pittsburgh to be the most agreeable.



I also checked out the cities of Lincoln Nebraska, Wichita and Topeka Kansas, Des Moines Iowa, and Boise Idaho. Same story--I thought the properties were overvalued in comparison.



Now I'm not trying to bag on or insult these areas. Maybe I'm nitpicking, but I was feeling unimpressed in my research of other states. I think it strengthens my existing convictions towards Indiana.



What do you guys think? Am I imagining things, or does Indiana offer great property values in comparison to other states?

[Serious Conversation]

Originally Posted by MillennialMaverick

Sorry I keep resurrecting this thread guys, but I've been looking at more areas across the country and I gotta say--phew! I am so surprised at how seemingly overvalued properties are in other states when comparing them to Indiana and Ohio. I think Indiana and Ohio have spoiled me--though I could live with lower property tax rates haha. For the same price range (250k - 450k), I think you're getting a much better deal & value for homes in the suburbs of Indiana (specifically Indianapolis) and Ohio (Columbus and Cincinnati) than the other areas I've checked out.

Quick disclaimer, I am generalizing here. I found a few great values in these areas, but they were few and far between.

I checked out the suburbs of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, Milwaukee and Green Bay Wisconsin, Atlanta Georgia, and Jacksonville Florida. Perhaps it's just my opinion and preference, but I feel Indiana properties are offering so much more for that price range--spacious, multi-story and affordable homes in safe neighborhoods with good schools. Of the ones mentioned, I found the suburbs of Pittsburgh to be the most agreeable.

I also checked out the cities of Lincoln Nebraska, Wichita and Topeka Kansas, Des Moines Iowa, and Boise Idaho. Same story--I thought the properties were overvalued in comparison.

Now I'm not trying to bag on or insult these areas. Maybe I'm nitpicking, but I was feeling unimpressed in my research of other states. I think it strengthens my existing convictions towards Indiana.

What do you guys think? Am I imagining things, or does Indiana offer great property values in comparison to other states?

Honestly, I think you're 100% correct.

You can find really great deals, especially in the southern and western suburbs. The schools are good, the communities are safe, there are a lot of amenities (especially for families), and the job market is strong. Housing, at least for what you get near a major metropolitan area, is very affordable. You can find huge homes that are fairly up to date, often for below $100 sq./ft.

I think the biggest complaint is that a lot of the "value housing" is very "vinyl box" like, but obviously there's a lot of selection to choose from.

For instance, I'm looking at a job in Nashville. It's a government job and pays a little better than my last job in Indy. Even then and with the state income tax savings, the money probably wouldn't go as far as the last Indy job, because the cost of living in and around Nashville is so much higher. Where I am is probably slightly cheaper than metro Indy, but we also have a lack of professional jobs and very low pay for low to mid wage work compared to Indiana and Ohio. A person could move to coal country in southwest Virginia for dirt cheap living, but good luck finding a job at >$10/hr.

Ohio has higher property taxes, but it's still reasonable overall compared to many states. They really are good values.

[MillennialMaverick]

Originally Posted by Serious Conversation

Honestly, I think you're 100% correct.

You can find really great deals, especially in the southern and western suburbs. The schools are good, the communities are safe, there are a lot of amenities (especially for families), and the job market is strong. Housing, at least for what you get near a major metropolitan area, is very affordable. You can find huge homes that are fairly up to date, often for below $100 sq./ft.

I think the biggest complaint is that a lot of the "value housing" is very "vinyl box" like, but obviously there's a lot of selection to choose from.

For instance, I'm looking at a job in Nashville. It's a government job and pays a little better than my last job in Indy. Even then and with the state income tax savings, the money probably wouldn't go as far as the last Indy job, because the cost of living in and around Nashville is so much higher. Where I am is probably slightly cheaper than metro Indy, but we also have a lack of professional jobs and very low pay for low to mid wage work compared to Indiana and Ohio. A person could move to coal country in southwest Virginia for dirt cheap living, but good luck finding a job at >$10/hr.

Ohio has higher property taxes, but it's still reasonable overall compared to many states. They really are good values.

Yes I am starting to see all of this in my research. I recall when I was researching states with no income tax that the sales tax and COL tends to be higher as a result thereof. Haven't made up my mind whether that's a worthy trade off. Like you said, the money one would save might not be significant if living in the area is considerably more expensive.



Thanks again for always entertaining my inquiries!