<p>There was a somewhat related topic discussed on a recent “Freakonomics” podcast tha is available from a link I saw on the APM Marketplace website. Places going to “pay as you throw” plans, etc. Interesting & entertaining discussion, as are most of their podcasts.</p>
<p>Ours is included in the dreaded HOA fees so I have no idea how much I’m being gouged. Twice a week with once a week recyclables. Our taxes are sky-high which includes the usual…schools, police, etc. Water and sewer are combined and run $50-$75 (teenagers still at home), higher in the months we water the lawn. It’s hideous, but no worse then anyone else’s I suppose.</p>
<p>(btw, PeriwinkleVA, I have a son that is totally hooked on Freakanomics. He quotes the strangest things on a regular basis.)</p>
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<p>Ah…those are “free” along with your trash pickup :)</p>
<p>water/sewer/trash = $52/month, assuming you don’t go overboard on the lawn watering (which can easily double the water portion of your bill–we do live in a desert.) Trash picks-up are once a week. Trash carts are 128 gallons. Second trash cart costs an extra $12/month. </p>
<p>Recyclables picked up every week. Free unlimited amounts of green waste (tree trimmings, etc) picked-up at curb 3 times/year. 6 free large item pick-ups (mattresses, refrigerators, etc) allowed per residential account. No fee hazardous waste disposal and electronics recycling are included as part of your residential account.</p>
<p>kathie, it’s pretty interesting to read what you wrote… Your trash seems pretty similar to mine but your sewer is like three times as much and you’re only like what 15 minutes or so from me! I guess because we’re in different towns its probably different service providers. I used to have a friend that lives near that yard waste landfill. We used to drag stuff over to it all the time, haha!</p>
<p>We also have private trash in Maryland and it’s about $80 a quarter with 2x a week pick-up. It includes once a week one-stream recycling. They do not take clippings or big items unless you pay for an extra pick-up.</p>
<p>fendergirl, I can’t remember if you are in Allentown or Salisbury but, yes, over the hill where I live is different! 
We have quite high school taxes as well and the houses are more expensive, which is why many people choose to live in East Penn SD over us.</p>
<p>I’m in Salisbury. East Penn SD starts right up the road from me. That’s exactly why I originally decided to stop looking at houses over the hill - the taxes would probably have eaten me alive!! Plus my same house would have cost considerably more over there!!</p>
<p>I’m in PA too and we have private pick up service. Once a week with recycling every other week. $90 a quarter. Includes 1 large item but no clippings or leaves.
Sewer and water run about $140 a quarter even though for the past 6-7 years we had water issues in the borough and had bottled water delivered. Taxes are doable but preparing for large increases due to school district shortfalls.</p>
<p>laxmom, I think I know where you are… Any word as to when the new well will be finished for drinking water?</p>
<p>Live in a small town in central MA–we don’t have trash pickup. You can take it yourself to the transfer station where there is also recycling (fee is between $240-270–depending on if you buy sticker ahead of time). If you don’t want to haul it yourself, you can have a private trash hauler come to the house (I go to the transfer station, but I’ve been told that the haulers charge is equivalent to the transfer station fee). Don’t pay for water or sewer because we have wells and septic systems. However, both require some upkeep so there is some cost there.</p>