Is making 55k in boston good? (sales, rent, home)

[Mightmove8]

Can you live comfortable living on 55k in Boston? I might have found a position that offers 35k base pay....then approximately 20k in commission for first year reps.

I like to party and go to events on the weekends.

Would I be alright if rent was about 1k?

Just not sure...because in NYC 55k is NOTHING.

[wanderer71]

Others will probably disagree, but I think anything less than $100K is tough in Boston. They'll tell you to get roommates, but if you plan to be on your own, $1K will get you a studio or tiny 1 bedroom in a far-out suburb or iffy neighborhood.

$55K doesn't go far in Boston. It will go a little farther than NYC, but not much.

[Cliff Clavin]

Per your other posts...you're moving with a couple buddies right? If so, I say go for it. You're only young once.

[Cantabridgienne]

I lived on less than that. It's doable, you just need to prioritize and set your expectations accordingly.

[Highwyre237]

55K is fine if you have roommates and are in your 20s. If you're debt isnt too bad, you should have enough to go out on the weekends, go out to eat somewhere decent a few times a week, and not be overly worried.

I mean, it'll be paycheck to paycheck of course, and working a sales job, it'll be tough during slow months, but if you're smart with your money you shouldnt have a problem

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by Mightmove8

Can you live comfortable living on 55k in Boston?... Just not sure...because in NYC 55k is NOTHING.

A good "rule of thumb" that can be applied just about anywhere is to compare what that City or County pays certain public employees like cops, teachers, etc... and comparing that number to your home town.

another useful tool:
Cost of Living comparison calculator

hth

[JacksonPanther]

55K in any major city can be enough to live on. If you're with roommates, then definitely it's enough - you can even save.

Stay away from the daily Starbucks $5 coffee and $4 pastry, however. Spend $10 at breakfast, another $10 at lunch, and then go out for dinner most nights, and you will wonder why you have no money at the end of the month. It adds up.

[unit731]

Originally Posted by MrRational

A good "rule of thumb" that can be applied just about anywhere is to compare what that City or County pays certain public employees like cops, teachers, etc... and comparing that number to your home town.

another useful tool:
Cost of Living comparison calculator

hth

This is a good rule of thumb but many cities/towns around Boston the public employees cannot afford a home nor rent.

[IDASpaceman]

Hope you like Roman noodles...

[Mightmove8]

I don't need to go out to dinner...I would be living with 2 other roomates, likely in cambridge. Rent wouldn't be too bad.

I almost always make my own food and I don't have expensive habits (asides from going out to party on the weekends, but I'm sure pregaming would deter me from spending too much money)

I suppose it's doable...I like to workout and play basketball so I'd probably be very occupied with that during the week.

The sales job fell through, but I have a recruiter working on landing me another job.