Affordability, Revisited

Thanks to Jon Ham over at The John Locke Foundation's blog, "The Locker Room" for the link to my posting on "Affordable Housing" in Orange County (NC). His reference to Cole's comment on Durham is right on the mark! The comments on "self-inflicted wounds" are so true. Unfortunately, Chapel Hill's world class medical facilities can't help with THOSE wounds.

Just so you have an idea about the tax situation he references:

According the the Department of Revenue, the tax rate per $100 property value is lower in the unincorporated areas of Durham County (between $0.86 and $0.92, depending on the fire district) than in Orange County ($0.87 to $1.22, depending on fire and school districts), but the biggest variation is in the cities/towns.

If you must live in a municipality in Orange or Durham Counties, be aware Carrboro is the most expensive ($1.65), the portions of Chapel Hill in Orange County ($1.55) are next, followed by Hillsborough ($1.46), Durham City limits in Orange County ($1.43), Durham City limits in Durham County ($1.39), and Chapel Hill Town limits in Durham County ($1.33). Unfortunately there is not very much of the latter portion!

Once again: If the politicians in Orange County are looking to find available "reasonably priced" land for "affordable housing" they'd better start looking in the unincorporated areas of Durham County.