We retired to the Ozarks and pay less in taxes than we did in a large SW city. There we would not have been able to retire and pay the utilities and taxes on a 1200 sf home on a small lot. Here we have 75 acres, 1600 sf home, huge double garage, barn and outbuildings, taxes less than $1,000 a yr. Can afford to go out for dinner once in a while :-)