[BlueLancer]

"But property taxes that would shock a Californian."

Are you talking about Texas? I have 1.5 acres outside city limits in the country with a two-bed/two full bath house (a total of 10 rooms and a 25x15 covered patio and a 12x12 enclosed back porch) and I pay less than $100 a year on taxes. Buying an old house and fixing it up yourself goes a long way to keeping the taxes down, as does living outside city limits.

[FITZ]

Obviously you don't live in this part of Texas ---- maybe taxes in Texas aren't evenly divided. People are leaving this city because taxes are extremely high.