Christian Homekeeping

Most people would look at the cost of living in Ohio when it comes to all the taxes and question why would anyone want to live there if they had a choice?  I'm here to answer the question, but first, I will tell you just how taxed Ohioans are.  Besides paying federal, Medicare and Social Security taxes, when you live in Ohio, you also have to pay:

• Ohio State Income Tax
• Income tax in the city you LIVE in
• Income tax in the city you WORK in
• Income tax for the school district you live in

Yes, those are ridiculous!  However, not everyone has to pay the last 3 taxes but everyone has to pay state income tax.  Let's talk about the last 3:

1. Residence Tax - there are certain cities in Ohio that charge an income tax if you live in their city.  The highest I know of are 2.75%.  Some cities give you a discount off this tax if you are already paying a local income tax in the city where you work. 
2. Work Place Tax - several cities in Ohio charge you local income tax in the city that you work.  If you work in the city of Cincinnati for instance, 2.1% of everything you make goes to the city of Cincinnati.  You can't claim it on your taxes, you don't get a refund and you will never see that money again.
3. School district tax where you LIVE - If you live in one of the school districts that has voted in a school district tax, you have to pay this.  The highest school district tax is 2% of everything you make.  It doesn't matter if you have kids in the school or not, everyone that lives in that district pays.  Not every district in Ohio has this, so check to see if where you want to live has one.

There may be some people that gets credits on these, such as disabled, retired, etc.  I'm not sure, but for most people if you live or work in cities that charge these local income taxes, you have to pay.  I honestly don't know how they get away with this!

An average middle-middle class family of 4, would pay around $2,500 extra in Ohio taxes just because they live here!  That doesn't include the federal/Medicare/SS taxes.  You have to figure this in when you want to move to Ohio.  Check the city you live in for income tax and school district tax and check the city you will be working in.  You can't get away from the state income tax but you could possibly dodge these other local income taxes.

So why Ohio!?  We live a very nice life here despite the taxes.  It could be because of no tax on food and low sales tax (6.75%) or that housing is affordable compared to other parts of the country.  It could also be because the Cincinnati metro area is packed full of jobs and the pay is very good.  My family "feels" a very good feeling about the area we live in - it just feels blessed by God.  There are even cities named after the Bible places - so who knows LOL!  It just has a more peaceful feeling to this place and everyone I've spoken with has said they felt the same when they moved here.  Life here is good for most of the people we know.

Our pay went down $14,000 a year by moving to Ohio and we pay several thousands in additional taxes but we are still living the same level of life we lived in a higher-paying state with no state/local taxes, if not better!  We were also able to afford a home in a nice neighborhood here in Ohio.  Somehow, it is working - I just know God called us here and He can do anything!!

We are one month away from having lived in Ohio for a year.  I have to say that the newness has not worn off, I still love it here!  This is by far my favorite place that I have lived in my life.  God has really blessed us here.

Even though our pay was substantially lower, we are finding that the quality of life here is far more superior than in Washington state.  The income taxes are horrible here but it may be worth it because it is so beautiful here and full of life.  Did I just say that? LOL!  At least the sales tax is low and there is no tax on food.  We were able to purchase our first home before we moved here and have our first brand-new car.  I believe the time was right for us to enter into these "luxuries" and keep our debt-free lifestyle.

The kids love it here too, they are happy all the time and we never run out of things to do.  If anything, there is SO much to do in our area alone that it is overwhelming and even after a year, we haven't even touched the whole of it.  Then, there is all that is out to do just 90 minutes from here and then on - there is nothing like living in the eastern part of the US!  I was on the west coast for 18 years (Alaska and WA) and though I loved Alaska's scenery, it was horribly lonely there.  Washington was probably the worst place we have lived in my opinion, although my husband loved it but he is loving it here now possibly more than WA.

God led us in a new direction as He is showing us just what He called us to this city for, it is becoming very clear we have a purpose.  Many amazing things have happened as God opened doors to show us He is not limited in how He can use us in the future.  Our church is wonderful and the people are very loving and our oldest daughter is really growing in her walk with the Lord.  I also experienced something that I never thought I would experience in my life.  I thought that because of my past traumas in life that I would never feel like I "belong."  However, I finally feel like I belong!  It had nothing to do with my past traumas, it just had to do with being where God wants us.  I hope to blog on this very topic in the future about heeding God's voice above all and really having faith in Him.

The weather here is better than I expected.  I was thinking it would be horrible with the humidity but I've found after now living here through every season, it is not bad at all!  The humidity is hardly noticeable to me and I've only felt it "muggy" on a few days this summer.  I'm loving every season here and it is wonderful to have fall and see the leaves change - we missed that for 10 years in WA.

I think that about sums it up so far - thanking God for this city and our new life here.

The lighting wasn't that great for the living room photo but here are some pictures of the living room and dining room so far.  I really want a new look but that is not in the budget at the moment, so I worked with what we had.

We are finally moved across the country from Washington state to Ohio and I absolutely love it here.  We had some warm days in the 80's but it is now back to "normal" for here and about 60 with lots of fall colors and leaves.  We bought our house without even seeing it in person and it is great and the neighborhood can't really be beat.  The neighborhood is actually way better than Google photos showed us.  We have walking trails, tree-lined streets, a fishing pond, basketball court, large playing field and playground and then we live across from the lake - all of these amenities are for residents only, so it is very private, serene and quiet.  We are in the country but only 5 miles from everything in the next town - shops, restaurants, etc.   People are extremely friendly and our neighbors are great and have already offered just about everything in the way of help.  Our next-door neighbor is actually the coach of a big homeschool sports program in the area that plays the public/private schools.  Homeschool is HUGE here!  My head is spinning from how many groups and homeschoolers there are - I've never seen so many in one city.

Our church is small but the people are again, very friendly.  We have only been to 2 services so far, but in both, God was very real and the preaching was right on target.  We had a wonderful surprise when we pulled in for our first service - they had a welcome to our family on the church sign!

Of course it hasn't all been roses - our transmission died on the interstate and we had to put another one in it to keep our car.  However, God had worked ways to get us all our money back that we spent for this move!  People kept giving us money and I added it up and it practically paid for the whole move.  Then, the car thing happened and we had the cash to pay it.  We hope to continue to be debt-free (besides the home) as God allows or really, as we believe in faith He will.

Moving here and everything about it involved FAITH.  The pay is drastically lower - $13K lower.  The cost of living isn't that much different as far as food goes, and housing is cheaper only if you buy.  We had never been here and didn't know anyone, other than meeting our current Pastor one time a year ago.  To leave all that we knew and come to a place where the pay is lower and having to start over in many ways (friends to church, etc.) - took FAITH.  My husband and I finally came to the place that we knew beyond any doubts this was God's direction. The doors opened like crazy as soon as my husband lifted up his hand to God one night and said, "God, I will do what you want and move!  Please provide the way for us!"  The next morning, this house was listed for sale in the town we wanted, at the price we needed and exactly what we needed inside and out of it.  Then, my husband's company in this new city listed his job - they were hurting for help!  They gladly took him.  The finances and means of moving poured in like a wave to where we felt drowned in God's provisions!  It was a continuous click, click, click of open doors all the way.  Whereas all we got in WA was closed door after closed door.  I THANK GOD FOR EVERY CLOSED DOOR!!  We may not understand it but sometimes God lets us see the "why" later on and I'm so thankful.