My mom lived in her house in western NY until her death at the age of 92. My parents bought that house in 1967. By the time she passed her taxes were over $5000.
My mother in law just turned 80. My father in law will be 87 next month. They live about 2 miles from me in southern NH.
The taxes on their house are over $8000/year.
I wish my in laws would sell their house and at least move into a condo. I am the one called when they need something done.
So, I am somewhat familiar with the situation.
My taxes on my house are now almost $10,000 annually. I am 61.
However, in my 38 years of working full time, I have NEVER paid a state income tax. I have never paid sales tax on anything I purchased in NH. If I lived in MA I would be paying over 5% of my yearly income to the state.
I may move to another state or country when I retire. I have that choice. So does this person in Montana.
I have never paid a state income tax either but am not looking forward to the time I’m forced to move years from now and have no relatives to assist. No, I’m not willing to move now and give up the freedom of a reasonably-sized lot, house with more than three rooms total and known good neighbors.