It sounds like I need to move to Kansas! lol. My taxes are $3,500/yr after the homestead exemption. I have a 4,000 sq ft home with 7 bedrooms built in 2003. I bought it for $630k in Oct 2022. I could maybe find a hot mess of a fixer upper in a bad part of town for $350k. But I'm not handy, so I'd probably end up out of pocket more than just buying a newer home that didn't need much work.

I don't believe Utah has any programs for seniors. There is legislation that's been introduced to allow a lottery in Utah (currently Utah's lottery dollars go to Idaho, Wyoming, etc.). If that passes and a lottery is created, they're supposed to use some of the proceeds to help ease the burden of property taxes.

I do not agree with property taxes paying for schools and emergency services and the like because the wealthier neighborhoods receive better services. That's inherently wrong. I agree that it is unlikely to change, but I still think the issue should be called out.