Why We’re Never Going to Move

Eric • 15th Jun 2007 • Family, Finance

I go in & out of kicks where I want to move away from here. It happens 4 times a year, right after I pay my state income tax. There’s nothing really holding us here, so I start looking.

Then I realize that my house, anywhere else in the country, is worth 2-3 times what it’s worth here. Even looking at this list of cheap housing markets, we’re still cheaper!

Start with a map of the US, and cross out the top half of the states when it comes to taxes paid. Then, cross off those areas where the ground could open up & swallow us alive, areas where there’s an express route to OZ, anywhere under sea level, and anywhere where a hurricane could hit. Oh, and rapid wild fires… don’t want them as my neighbor.

Next, we need 4 seasons (because, that’s what Buffalo has, so we’re used to it). So, too far south is out of the question. Alaska is gone, too (if it was still an option) because the winter nights are too long.

I want some nearby water, so droughts aren’t a problem. We need choices in school, cultural events, and a good size town nearby (big enough to hold a Home Depot, grocery store, and Target).

If we’re lucky, we could get $160k for our house. And that’s because we put a lot into it. So now take that $160k and see what we can find in:

• Grayling, Mich.
• Minot, N.D.
• Billings, Mont.
• Cadillac, Mich.

Now, there are some nice houses there, but most of the time, you’ll see we’d be downsizing to a $160,000, 1200 sq. ft. ranch. The Buffalo market has much more available.

Throw in the hassle and expenses of moving, and we’d be better off with my original plan: buy the neighbor’s house & tear it down, to give me more room. I wonder if Kenmore allows that…

I have to question why people leave this area… well, the job market stinks. I guess I don’t really care about that – but everything else is here. Including us, it seems.