exactly why I chose not to buy in the US! I think my taxes annually are similar to yours. I also paid cash for my home, no mortgage, no home owners associate. I also do not have home owners insurance. We do pay electric and water..but its maybe $10 USD a month.. in the future I will get solar. I think the only way to own a home without spending an arm and a leg, is to buy outside of the US.. the lifestyle there is impossible and even if you own your home outright, the taxes are outrageous.