Hburg American "Hburg a budget town" - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Oct 5, 2004

Hburg American "Hburg a budget town"

Date: Oct 5, 2004

Then I certainly hope someone will invite them to attend the symphony tomorrow, the game Thursday, or to hear Matthew Sharpe at the Center for Writer's session on Monday. My retired friends are going to all three.

Date: Oct 6, 2004

I cringe every time I see this "Hattiesburg = low cost of living" crap.

Facts: Mississippi has one of the highest sales tax rates in the country (7% with exemptions only for prescriptions - even in "Taxachusetts" the sales tax rate is 5% with full exemptions for prescriptions, groceries, and clothing). The only reason that groceries and other basic items are a little cheaper here is because our only choice is Wal-Mart, sacrificing quality and choice for a little savings. True, purchasing a home is generally cheaper here (as long as you avoid the gated communities proliferating west of town), and property taxes tend to be lower than many other states in the northeast or on the west coast. But, really, if the cost of living is so low here then why does Mississippi have one of the highest poverty rates in the nation? Probably, the boosters will say, because Mississippians don't NEED as much - they can make do without health insurance, or fresh fruits and vegetables, are housing where the roof doesn't leak, . . . . My suspicion is that when the business promotion crowd touts the "low cost of living" they also are trying to entice new businesses to the area to take advantage of the very real low wages. For business, Mississippi should be a mecca, but most major companies also want a thriving intellectual/cultural environment, which they are hard-pressed to find here.

Sorry to so pessimistic, but there are limits to the hypocrisy one can take.

Date: Oct 6, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Angeline
"I cringe every time I see this "Hattiesburg = low cost of living" crap. Facts: Mississippi has one of the highest sales tax rates in the country (7% with exemptions only for prescriptions - even in "Taxachusetts" the sales tax rate is 5% with full exemptions for prescriptions, groceries, and clothing). The only reason that groceries and other basic items are a little cheaper here is because our only choice is Wal-Mart, sacrificing quality and choice for a little savings. True, purchasing a home is generally cheaper here (as long as you avoid the gated communities proliferating west of town), and property taxes tend to be lower than many other states in the northeast or on the west coast. But, really, if the cost of living is so low here then why does Mississippi have one of the highest poverty rates in the nation? Probably, the boosters will say, because Mississippians don't NEED as much - they can make do without health insurance, or fresh fruits and vegetables, are housing where the roof doesn't leak, . . . . My suspicion is that when the business promotion crowd touts the "low cost of living" they also are trying to entice new businesses to the area to take advantage of the very real low wages. For business, Mississippi should be a mecca, but most major companies also want a thriving intellectual/cultural environment, which they are hard-pressed to find here. Sorry to so pessimistic, but there are limits to the hypocrisy one can take."

I have to agree with you Angeline. The low cost of living is based primarily on the lower than average real estate taxes, which lead directly to lower than average public services including education. I have found everything else to be more expensive than I am accustomed to in other parts of the country (having lived in the West, Midwest, South and Northeast).

Date: Oct 6, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Angeline
"I cringe every time I see this "Hattiesburg = low cost of living" crap. Facts: Mississippi has one of the highest sales tax rates in the country (7% with exemptions only for prescriptions - even in "Taxachusetts" the sales tax rate is 5% with full exemptions for prescriptions, groceries, and clothing). The only reason that groceries and other basic items are a little cheaper here is because our only choice is Wal-Mart, sacrificing quality and choice for a little savings. True, purchasing a home is generally cheaper here (as long as you avoid the gated communities proliferating west of town), and property taxes tend to be lower than many other states in the northeast or on the west coast. But, really, if the cost of living is so low here then why does Mississippi have one of the highest poverty rates in the nation? Probably, the boosters will say, because Mississippians don't NEED as much - they can make do without health insurance, or fresh fruits and vegetables, are housing where the roof doesn't leak, . . . . My suspicion is that when the business promotion crowd touts the "low cost of living" they also are trying to entice new businesses to the area to take advantage of the very real low wages. For business, Mississippi should be a mecca, but most major companies also want a thriving intellectual/cultural environment, which they are hard-pressed to find here. Sorry to so pessimistic, but there are limits to the hypocrisy one can take."

Another example of the myth...my car tag in TN was substantially cheaper than my car tag in H'burg last year. Also, no state income tax in TN (for now!). Though real estate is much more expensive here...at least in larger cities. And the grocery tax seems to be higher, as well.