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11-06-2009, 02:33 PM
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Nov 2009
7 posts, read 1,946 times
Reputation: 10
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Possible move to Santa Barbara on 50K
I am living in Texas and got a job offer in SB. The base is 50K with potential with commissions to be at 70k. I currently live in Dallas where the cost of living is much lower and no state income tax. I have seen the outrageous rents on Craigslist and am unsure if I could actually swing this pay? And be able to eat. All of the apartments also look very old and run down and am concerned my standard of living ( in Texas we are use to newer construction) will be a shock.
Any advice on if this is even realistic? I flew out there for a quick trip for the interview and never got to see much of it. I had lived in Manhattan Beach about8 years prior and moved back to Texas because I just could not take living in old run down places and paying and arm and aleg and not having enough for savings or fun extras. I need a job with this economy after layoffs but am concerned it may not be worth it if I can't even enjoy the nice extras the city offers with no money. It may just be easier to struggle in TExas rather than Cali for now.
And save SB for later in life.
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11-06-2009, 03:38 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: California
193 posts, read 56,580 times
Reputation: 84
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With 50K, I wouldn't do it. You may live outside of SB and commute to work. You pretty much answerd your own questions with your post. You wouldn't have much money left over, you would live in a run down apt. And if you didn't like it before, you're probably not going to like it now. I live just north of SB, and go there once in awhile, it's a great place to visit, but too expensive to live there.
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11-06-2009, 04:08 PM
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Nov 2009
7 posts, read 1,946 times
Reputation: 10
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Thank you, I ended up turning this down. With debt, car payments and wanting to save a little it seemed impossible even if I had over achieved and hit the full commission targets. I love Cali and is very beautiful and will just try again when I can live the way I want.
Texas spoils you!
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11-06-2009, 04:10 PM
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MBA, CHFM, CRL
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Homes in Surprise, Az and Oxnard, CA and work in Ventura Ca.
2,466 posts, read 1,798,981 times
Reputation: 971
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Many people in your income range end up commuting from Ventura and Oxnard south of Santa Barbara. Chances are that will take you 45 minutes from the west end of Ventura with all the other commuters. Also available is the Vista Bus system that many companies send their people up to Santa Barbara from Ventura and Oxnard. One bright spot with that is you wont be far from City Data Forum as the buses have internet service.
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11-08-2009, 11:14 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Jun 2009
50 posts, read 12,166 times
Reputation: 22
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Even in Oxnard, that would have been a far cry. When I took a job here almost 10 years ago, I was making in the low 40Ks and I could barely make it then. Imagine what it's like now. Good you didn't take the job. Now if it was $90K-$100K with comission then it would have been great.
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11-08-2009, 07:27 PM
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Nov 2009
7 posts, read 1,946 times
Reputation: 10
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Yes, it was a very hard decision to make since it is so beautiful there. If best I would be at 100k the second year and that would be with commissions. With a 50k base still. Maybe some day I will get out there as I move up in my career.
Thank you all for such great feedback. It has been very helpful.
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11-10-2009, 12:55 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: In them thar hills
2,590 posts, read 1,050,987 times
Reputation: 713
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I see that they still think they can pay as if it were Arkansas and yet charge rent like it's San Francisco, in good old SB. Hubris combined with a slow / no growth mentality. Some things never change.
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11-10-2009, 06:42 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Apr 2006
470 posts, read 551,858 times
Reputation: 531
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly
I see that they still think they can pay as if it were Arkansas and yet charge rent like it's San Francisco, in good old SB. Hubris combined with a slow / no growth mentality. Some things never change.
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It is insane! When I lived there 4 years ago, we would have people turn down jobs starting in the high $90, 000 range after seeing the real estate prices. So many places have tons of people packed in to afford the rent and that can make street parking a real pain too! |
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11-12-2009, 01:26 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Oct 2009
150 posts, read 34,514 times
Reputation: 47
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You don't have a prayer on $50k. You'd need double that just to handle a condo. Pass.
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11-12-2009, 05:22 PM
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Formerly 'cre8'. Now just a character.
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Shallow alcove hidden from the telescreen
1,990 posts, read 2,201,234 times
Reputation: 635
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You can make it in Santa Barbara on $50k, but you would have to make some sacrifices and would not be able to own easily.
One thing I would do is find a place where I can take the bus or ride my bike to work and around town. Next, I'd make sure to get a place close to stores. Santa Barbara is very conducive to getting around with out a car, which can save more money than most people realize.
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