Re: costs
I agree with a large part of what Russ said, and disagree with a little.
I livein in NYC now, and have a "budget" with the gas company and electric company here. My gas and electric combined in NY are roughly $600 per month. In FL, the cost of energy is much lower. I expect the cost to be closer to $200 per month based on my usage. With tenants in the house for about 1/3 of the year, I've never seen a bill for over $125 combined. The gas bill to keep the hot water hot is only $17 per month.
I realize the cold (and the need for heat) offsets the heat (and the need for cooling), but the unit cost of the energy is lower by a large factor (I will need to dig out bills to quantify if I can find them).
Labor related fees are also lower. I spend $100/mo here for lawn maintenance, and pay $60 in TV for cutting and weeding. Other things are just plain lower too. Look at the "Labor per Hour" sign posted n the garage in TV and at home.
R/E taxes (without the homestead) are about equal for me, plus the cost of the bond which I don't have here.
Full agreement on the other costs - cell, internet, etc are the same. And there are FL unique fees (e.g.; pest related) that increase cost in TV.
But overall, for me, the difference between the costs in NYC and the cost in TV is compelling. I presume much of the North East (Boston proper included) would be much more expensive than TV.
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