Our property taxes are very low especially if your home is old. Our home is valued at 300k yet we only pay 700/year in taxes. No state income tax either. Schools are terrible-right near the very bottom and other services not good or available. I think if states change to 401k's then people will think twice about being a public servant or teacher since you usually get a smaller salary in exchange for a pension. Both my DH and I could have made more $ in the private sector. Our state has raised the minimum retirement age with no penalty and if you were hired at 2010 you won't get health insurance when you retire. We pay a ton of $ for our health insurance with the state. Active employees get a deal but they really stick it to the retirees.