How do people get by financially in California? (San Francisco: lawyer, house)

[SVTLightning]

I spent some time in Calirfornia in the navy, and I was wondering how people live and get ahead in life there when it seems so expensive?

I am not bashing in any way at all, so please don't take it that way, just wondering. I have job offers there and not sure I want to make that jump.

Thanks!

[Charles]

Originally Posted by SVTLightning

I was wondering how people live and get ahead in life there when it seems so expensive?

Same way anybody else gets ahead in life: live below your means, make wise financial decisions, inherit money, work longer hours, get a higher paying job, get lucky, etc.

[coyoteskye]

Originally Posted by SVTLightning

I spent some time in Calirfornia in the navy, and I was wondering how people live and get ahead in life there when it seems so expensive?

I am not bashing in any way at all, so please don't take it that way, just wondering. I have job offers there and not sure I want to make that jump.

Thanks!

i live simply and have no ambition to "get ahead".
ahead of what?

[SVTLightning]

Sorry, I guess you can't give an educated response if you don't even know what getting ahead means, Sorry to waste your time!

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by SVTLightning

I spent some time in Calirfornia in the navy, and I was wondering how people live and get ahead in life there when it seems so expensive?

I am not bashing in any way at all, so please don't take it that way, just wondering. I have job offers there and not sure I want to make that jump.

Thanks!

I'd really weigh the options too. If you're married, stay married. If you're single... Divorce in this state can ruin you financially. It certainly did it to me but regardless I was able to end up better off in the long run and even married again. However, there was no way we could afford a house here without becoming house-poor so we kept our expenses reasonable, saved and invested over the last 10 years and in less than two week we're moving into a home we just purchased in another state. It's on a lake in a park-like setting and here would cost roughly five times what it cost us there, even in today's market.

I don't take it as bashing at all. It's an important question when deciding your future and you're wise to ask it. As for less than flattering or obviously baiting posts, just ignore them, unless you want to play with them for awhile, and they eventually go away. Some people have no life.

[Twinkle Toes]

Pick an area of the state you like, find out what industry makes the most money in that area, and go to school for something in that industry. Get experience in that industry and be the best in it. Some professions, you will make a very good living regardless of the area you select (doctor, lawyer). Also living within your means helps - a lot. Millions of us manage to do it. There's no reason a savvy person can't live in this state.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by SVTLightning

I was wondering how people live and get ahead in life there when it seems so expensive?
Thanks!

California is the largest state in the union in terms of population. So there are all kinds of ppl living here from the poorest to the wealthiest and a lot of folks in between.

More than anything it really depends on you. It boils down to your personal, professional, family, lifestyle and financial goals. You have to balance all these things out to see if it might be a good fit. There is no one right answer for everyone. It is of course more expensive than many other states. But more Americans still manage to live here than any other state as well. So its doable.

Where are you from? What are you used to?
What is your profession?
What are your goals?
Do you have a significant other with preferences (climate, culture, geography, proffesional opportunities, etc...)?
How about children?
What would California offer you that the less expensive states not?
Do you have a strong desire to give it a try here or just a passing interest?

All these things and more factor into the equation in determining quality of life and the opportunities to get ahead in California.

Based on your goals Florida, Colorado, Washington, etc... could be better potential options.

Bottom line is you have to have a strong desire to live here and make it work for you. Otherwise pick somewhere else less expensive.

My 2c,

Derek

[MisterDuke]

Originally Posted by SVTLightning

I spent some time in Calirfornia in the navy, and I was wondering how people live and get ahead in life there when it seems so expensive?

I am not bashing in any way at all, so please don't take it that way, just wondering. I have job offers there and not sure I want to make that jump.

Thanks!

Have specialized skills in a job and industry that is in demand. People who have a hard time getting ahead are the ones who have skills shared by a lot of other people.

Or start off with a lot of money. Most everyone I know who lives securely received financial help/inheritances from family. It's easy to make money when you have money.

[ndfmnlf]

Originally Posted by Twinkle Toes

Some professions, you will make a very good living regardless of the area you select (doctor, lawyer).

A doctor married to a lawyer would be the best combination of all, financially speaking. It's the perfect hedge.

[Boompa]

Let me try to address the question,
Salaries are higher in California, much higher, normally that difference is made up in housing.
Other than housing many things in California are cheaper than other places.
A Federal Job that pays $28000 in the midwest starts at over $50,000 in San Francisco
but a row house might be $800,000. There are some people who are making out in the collapse of housing prices in some areas.