Can you live on 45k in Baltimore, MD? (Bowie: apartment, rent)

[anubukpo]

I live in Bowie, MD and I just got a job offer in Baltimore, MD for $45,000/yr. Do you think I can survive on that in Baltimore? I think it's low, since I have a master degree in Accounting. I know that a decent apart will cost around $800/month and I just want to make sure I have a decent life if I get the job.
Thanks

[North Beach Person]

I don't know about your $$ figure but if that's all you were offered with a M.S. in Accounting I'd keep looking for a job. The number should be at least 15K higher.

[rudy_d]

You won't be living large, but you can definitely get by on that. I survived here on less than that and still had some $ for a social life several years back. A roommate helps if you're looking for a nice apartment. That salary does seem a bit low for that field and having a graduate degree. Hopefully there's room for fast advancement.

[HandsUpThumbsDown]

If you think you should be making more, try to find more. Baltimore isn't nearly as expensive as the DC 'burbs. Are you looking to live in the city or county? County rent can be pretty high, whereas $800/month can get you a real nice place in one of the more interesting and safe areas of the city. Gas is much cheaper in Baltimore, as is parking, and public transit is also reasonable in price ($1.60 per ride, $3.50 all day).

However, Baltimore is certainly not paradise (as the Wire has so graciously pointed out). But there are plenty of good, safe and fun neighborhoods. They won't get many young folks like myself to put down roots here until they fix the schools (34 percent High School graduation rate - not dropout, but GRADUATION - meaning 2 out of 3 students drop out).

I do it on $32,000, which is the most money I've ever made (starving artist turned desk jockey). Hopefully next year I'll be doing it on more. Baltimore is considerably cheap for a city, so long as you stay in the city and don't flee in favor of the suburb$.

[RaisedWell]

Originally Posted by anubukpo

I live in Bowie, MD and I just got a job offer in Baltimore, MD for $45,000/yr. Do you think I can survive on that in Baltimore? I think it's low, since I have a master degree in Accounting. I know that a decent apart will cost around $800/month and I just want to make sure I have a decent life if I get the job.
Thanks

I think that's a very low salary for your degree as well. I considered moving to Baltimore and fell in love with the neighborhoods and their history a few years ago. I don't want to uproot my family because I don't know anyone in Baltimore. If I was younger and single I would move there. I think everything there costs less than the DC area, even a sandwich!!

[tagylyn]

I survived for 5 yrs very easy on 42,000. Just moved south 7 wks ago.

[DivineMsK]

You could live on it, sure, but it's a lowball job offer. A Master's degree should get you a higher salary than that, especially if you've got a few years' experience.

Check out www.payscale.com and www.salary.com for comparison rates... the first one is better, you plug in your experience, background, etc. and a zip code and it gives you all kinds of info.

[davecj]

I made $36000 living in Canton when I was teaching and did really well. Granted I was living with 2 others and paying $500 a month for my room.

[warmthpls]

I wouldn't hold out for too much of a hire salary, with this economy there are people with degrees working at McD's!

[ReefAreCoolToo]

Hi...you can definititely can...Look at those at the west, you can buy a joint for $4000 lol granted it's in the ghetto.
Yes you can live in Baltimore for that much