We lived in Illinois (property tax $4,000), then Michigan (taxes $5,000)before being transferred to East Tennessee (property tax $1200). It was like going to heaven! These taxes were on the same size home, but in TN it was on a full 1 1/2 acre of property opposed to a city lot. No State income tax in TN either. Wonderful climate, great people, no crime (Johnson City). Would have stayed there to retire if there had been more offered in the way of golf. Moved to FL and are very happy, but taxes are higher than TN...pretty hard to find a better place financially than that state.
Fed cutbacks combined with rising costs and a repub legislature that has attemped to control the growth in spending has led to the point where our infrastructure is falling apart. I like lower taxes too but its a trade off.
I live in a rural area (no prop taxes) but own property in matsu (pay prop taxes). After experiencing both places, I don't mind paying prop taxes one bit. You might not think that there's a direct correlation between revenue and quality of life but you're mistaken. When schools, medical services, roads, and just services everyone takes for granted come to a screeching halt, you ask yourself is it worth this? No joke.