[Alberta's Child]

It's worth noting that $7,000/year in property taxes might be a great bargain if you have school-age kids an you're living in a good public school district. In there area where I live, people are willing to pay $15,000+ per year in property taxes in towns where they see the public schools as comparable to top private schools that would cost far more than that.

That's why the rent vs. own comparison always has to be done with a specific set of life circumstances in mind.

[cuban leaf]

I sent my kids to Christian school when I had school age kids. No, we were not rich, and it really cramped our lifestyle, but we considered it worth it.

Now, I’d just homeshcool. The internet and places like Khanacademy.org make it just too easy.

I see public schools as a 19th century paradigm that outlived its usefulness in the early 21st century. Its primary functions today are to provide employment for over-educated mediocre college graduates and day care for parents that have sold themselves into indentured slavery.

So we’re getting into a separate topic on which I also have a fairly strong opinion. ;)

[commish]

It's worth noting that $7,000/year in property taxes might be a great bargain if you have school-age kids an you're living in a good public school district. In there area where I live, people are willing to pay $15,000+ per year in property taxes in towns where they see the public schools as comparable to top private schools that would cost far more than that.

I feel you on that one. We live in central Alabama -- Property tax on our 2000 Sq Ft home is $597 a year -- and the school system here reflects that.

We have LOW taxes but pay $8500 a year for our grand-daughter to attend private school.