Couple of questions from you Austin members. How much are plates and registration on our cars? Do the troopers enforce tinted windows and no front license plates? I haven't paid for new plates yet here in CA, but, I think they are close to $1000... Also, is there plenty of places to open up our cars safely? What's the top speed limit there on your highways? I'm excited about moving. I just sold my place today and plan on relocating in the next several weeks. I'll be flying there looking at property the end of this month. Is Round Rock a good area? Thanks in advance for any info you can supply
Im confused by the $1000 plates. What if the car is worth $500? In any event, be sure to check out the new formula 1 track!
http://www.txdmv.gov/vehicles/registration/registration_fees.htm In addition to annual registration, annual inspection is about $40/year, and cars prior to 1996 or do not have OBD-II are subject to rolling sniffer test in large metro areas. Can't speak about Austin, but up in Dallas, the only time LEOs notice my lack of front plates or tint is during a traffic violation. Welcome to Texas. We love our guns.
MotorMouth, The plates and registration in CA are based on value of your car. The more expensive the car, the more you pay. Before Arnold became governor of CA a few years back, the cost of yearly plates were expected to increase dramatically, Arnold said if he were elected, he would change the law and decrease the fees involved for yearly fees. That was one of his promises he made if he were elected. And he delivered on that promise.
mdoan300, Thanks for the link and information. It sounds like your fees are very reasonable. Here in CA I haven't had front plates for years and have never been stopped or ticketed. Also, I've tinted my windows on all of the cars I've owned for the last 30 yrs and only received one ticket from a woman CHP officer. I wasn't speeding or doing anything wrong and she pulled me over for lightly tinted windows. So it sounds like it's pretty relaxed there in TX as far a window tinting and displaying front license plates? thanks again for your help and welcoming me to TX
It doesn't really matter how much plates and registration costs in TX, because you will be way in the BLACK from the fact they do not collect state income tax! The TX property tax on your primary residence will be higher in millage (%), but maybe not in absolute $ since housing is cheaper for similar digs. TX is one of the few places I would live, enjoy!
Downtown Austin is expensive with condo prices and the associated property taxes and association fees akin to ocean front condos in San Diego! I own homes in Phoenix and Coronado (San Diego), but rent a condo in downtown Austin. Pay a lot of attention to the school districts (if you have kids) and the commute distance/time. Austin has sprawled and there are plenty of people with 1+ hour commutes. My company offers our employees bus service into our downtown HQ to ease the stress. Austin is a very cool town....on my very short list of US cities in which I would choose to live. Step very far outside Austin though and you're in a different country. Mods may want to move this thread to the Texas section.
I was there for the Grand Prix and couldn't quite see what all the fuss is about? Downtown was kind run down, cops everywhere,(I'm sure because of the GP) kinda flat in comparison to CA, prices seemed similar on a lot of things except gas. Didn't get a chance to check out some of the nicer areas. Not what you want to hear but I was glad to be back in CA to stay. One TX freeway has the highest speed limit in the country though at 80 MPH.
If you think it's flat, you didn't see much of Austin. And I'm a CO native. Have dinner at the Oasis some time then reevaluate. Ignore the Disney feel. And it's ok With us if you stay in CA! The TX freeway that has the high sped limit happens to be the same highway that takes you to COTA. How cool is that?
On this note, also keep in mind the electricity and natural gas costs to maintain a house in TX (at least Dallas). Moving into a big house will cost more in property taxes and heating and electricity costs during Summer and Winter. Many residents up in my neck of the woods are from CA; they cashed out of their houses and bought the equivalent cost house here when they should have bought the equivalent size house instead; they realize their mistake after evaluating the first year heating and electricity costs...
30% tint on the side windows is the lowest legal limit; I believe you can go less than that on the rear side windows and rear window. Inspection stations are supposed to measure your tint level on annual inspection before giving you a new sticker. Some inspectors remember to do so, some are too lazy or forget to do so... especially if you pull in with the windows rolled down... I've in the Dallas area for over 20 years and the only times I got tickets or warning for no front plates was during a traffic violation (speeding).
First off I want to welcome you to Texas and Austin is fantastic. As mentioned registration is barely $50/year unless you get custom plates like myself which cost me $200/year. As someone who redirected their career path at 45 and got into law enforcement I can tell you that tinted windows in regards to the front passengers compartment will be more prone to traffic stops aswell as not displaying a front license plate. Yes you may get away with both for awhile but it is illegal and displaying said plate on the dashboard of your vehicle is also illegal for the mere fact they are "illegible" for LEO's. 1. Learn to use your 'cruise control' set at or below the speed limit and enjoy the ride. 2. Display a front license plate, ALWAYS! 3. If pulled over be respectful and say nothing but "Yes/No Sir and Yes/No Mam". If you want to fight your ticket, if you recieve one, do it in court and NOT on the side of the freeway. Welcome!
here are couple of answers to your questions. There are many nice places to live in and around Austin. Roundrock is nice, Georgetown, Leander and Cedar Park are all up north of Austin, nice as well. It pretty much depends on where you will work and what your tolerance is for the commute. North-south highways are congested at rush hour, east west highways are better. Westlake is very nice but pricey, Lakeway is similar. Both are west of the city. West of Austin is the area known as hill country. there are plenty of roads where you can exercise your car. Many of the local car and motorcycle groups ride out that way. We have the newly opened circuit of Americas for F1 racing and the highway nearby has a speed limit of 85mph. Can't answer the tint question, but you will see many cars without front license plates in Tx even though they are required. You can PM if you have specific questions
Welcome to TX. Mild tint is legal. I have been driving without front plate for the past 7yrs. Never got cited so far ( law requires front plate ). Austin... nice place to have some beautiful cars to cruise around. Property tax is higher for bigger houses as somebody mentioned. Many roads you can open up your car. You are close to the F1 track. Good Luck.
CAracer if you are more specific about what you like I am sure the Austin folks on the forum can provide better insight. I personally like living outside of Austin in the hill country. I would figure on 2.5 to 3% property depending on where you live but no state income tax. So depending on your income and the home value and tax rate you could come out ahead.
Gee, a couple of days and lots of great responses and information. I'm getting a good feeling about moving to Austin after reading all your posts. To answer some of your questions, I'm retired so no traveling to work daily. Unfortunately my Girlfriend will continue to work. I'm assuming she will be employed in downtown Austin. I do understand that the property taxes are very high compared to other parts of the country. So I will take your advice on purchasing a smaller home and saving a few bucks. I currently live in a small condo at the beach, so any house in Austin will seem like a big house. I'm looking at four bedrooms with a three car garage, approximately, 2200 sqft. I like the idea of the higher speed limit in Austin. But, CA really doesn't enforce the 65 mph limit either. I want to thank you guys again for all your help. I will watch this post and read and use your information as you post it. We should be opening escrow on Monday. I anticipate moving to Austin in the next 30 days. I will be flying out there soon to check out some homes. I'm looking for a newly built home, but, will consider a home a few years old. My biggest need is a three car garage. I now only have a one car garage and it sucks. Of course, my girlfriend has her list of needs too. Thanks
Make sure you file for a Homestead Exemption when you purchase your home - that'll save you a little bit in many places. If you want to get an idea of what your taxes on a particular property in Travis County would be, you can go here... of course, your R.E. agent would be able to provide that for you, as well, for the prior year - this page also lists the amounts for various exemptions: Travis County Tax Office - Collecting property taxes, registering voters and motor vehicles.
The above blurb about homestead tax exemption is a good one. You'll quickly find out the ins/outs and misc. details about $living$ in Texas, but the above posts have hit most of the biggies. However, you mentioned living by the beach in CA(not sure exactly where, tho). Be aware that Texas(pretty much entire State) has been in extreme drought the last couple of years. Aside from some of the crackpots who post in the Silver P&R section, I personally think that's the wave of the future, due to global warming. This has -major- considerations for most of the State, including Austin, as large parts of the State rely on rain water to supplement underground aquifers for water supplies. Locals here can report on this better than I(I don't live near Austin), but I do remember seeing stuff on TV about the puddles; err, former lakes in the area really drying up. So, net is, you're gonna FRY during the summer and probably have monstrous air conditioning bills, and in Austin, it ain't a 'Dry Heat' like in other parts of the State. These last couple of summers have been sumpin' else, heat-wise... Water rights are percolating up enough to get attention from the legislature, but it'll end up being a battle between residents vs. irrigated farming vs. industrial usage, so it ain't gonna be pretty(read: voters vs. $corp$ money vs. corrupt politicians). Texas makes a lot of noise/gets attention cuz of idiots like Rick Perry shooting guns, threatening to secede, blabbing bout the 'economic miracle', but in reality, Texas, like the other two BIG states(CA/NY) is likely to have some real issues going forward, in dealing with population, poor people, changing demographics(which will change the politics), etc., etc., etc. At some point, even the vaunted 'No Income Tax' thing is likely to bite the dust, but that one's a ways out there at this point. That said, Texas sure as hell ain't CA or NY, so you may end up really enjoying living in the Austin area, especially if'n you wanna leave behing lala land in LAX. Just be aware that it ain't all Cadillacs w/horns on the hood, and oil wells in everyone's back yards - that belongs to old reruns of 'Dallas' on da TV tube. And, as I've seen written before, "The Past is not the Future", so don't assume that the Texas you've heard about or seen during visits is what you're gonna encounter 10 years out from now...I've been around here long enough to remember when Austin was a sleepy, out of the way place that just happened to house the politicians...so, things can certainly change.
If you need any help in shopping for a house, drop me a line, a long time good friend who used to run DE events in the area assisted in my purchase of a house last year. I'm sure you are hounded by RE agents, but this one is top quality. She probably has an account on here as well. When you come to shop houses, drop me a line, and I can show you around a few places if our schedules line up.
Thanks for your thoughts. Lots of things to consider before moving. Someone asked where i'm moving from, Huntington Beach. It's a nice area with good surfing and decent weather too. But, I'm ready for a change. So things are heating up in TX, weather wise? CA has had some hot days as well. Last summer was pretty hot here as well. I know I'm not looking forward to those high electrical bills. My electric bill per month here in CA is $35 Anyway, thanks again for all the advice and info. I"m looking forward to meeting you guys once I get settled there.
