I know a lot of my audience is outside of the USA, but I imagine that most of you who are in the USA have probably heard about how Illinois is about to be the first state with a junk bond rating.
While Illinois has always been "home" to me and most of my family, I'm finally seriously considering leaving. I always thought I may head somewhere for a year or two just to experience something different but always figured I'd find my way back to Illinois.
I'm finally fedup. It looks like my income taxes are about to increase, property taxes are going to increase, business taxes are going to increase which as a business owner is going to hit hard and I'm sure Illinois will continue to raise fees as well for everything from car registration to tolls to gas taxes.
The worst part we have guys like Mike Madigan who have been in power for 30 years doing nothing but enriching themselves, their friends and their family. Only in Illinois can the guy who can pretty much singlehandedly raise property taxes also has a business where citizens pay him to then lower their taxes and that's only the tip of the iceberg in terms of his corruption
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/meet-the-politicians-getting-rich-off-chicagos-property-tax-scheme/
It doesn't look like things are going to get any better either as the politicians here want to continue to tax without cutting spending and people are fleeing the state in record numbers leaving fewer to pay taxes. Illinois has had the most people leave for the past 3 years in a row. The whole pension mess is going to continue to get worse as well
I'm wondering where you guys are from? If you like it? What the place has to offer? Basically looking for suggestions for places to flee to.
Areas at the top of my list are South Carolina (Charleston area), Florida (Tampa area), Tennessee, or possibly Colorado or North Carolina.
Any suggestions?