The homeowners insurance and flood insurance (which we purchased even though we are not in a flood plain) is not expensive. Wind and Hail insurance IS expensive. However, the expense of the insurance is offset by the much, much lower taxes, much lower water and much lower power. We are fortunate to be on county water/sewer and it is wayyyy less expensive than what we paid in Virginia. The first $50k of our home's value is deducted since Jim is over the magic number in age. An example of personal property tax reduction: we paid the first QUARTER of pp tax that we owed Virginia and it was nearly $400. We paid the first ENTIRE YEAR'S taxes here in advance and it was $150. (That is the tax we pay to the local government for owning cars).

So, do I take this to mean if the hurricane comes here then you are safe there? If so, then I know where I'll go in the event of mandatory evacuation. Supposedly this house is built on the highest elevation in the area. There are several houses on my street that are not raised and built on a foundation such as ours. However, most of them are raised beach houses. Several of them are behemoths and make our house look like a child's playhouse, but they are directly facing the marsh. We already decided that we'll get outta Dodge if a hurricane is in the forecast. I understand what you mean about the trees. I think we're more at risk from the trees than the water. We had trees that fell constantly in Virginia and kept the big ones in the front yard thinned all the time. However, lightening struck one of them last week! I'm looking for a good tree surgeon in this area, so we'll keep the thinning process up. I truly would appreciate any type of mojo, dance (nude or otherwise) that you can do to keep the big storms far out to sea!!

 

Wow...that difference in personal property taxes is amazing!

 

The house looks great! Hope to see it when you've recovered more.