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I have have been offered a position Charleston and have been looking around at different towns to buy a home in. I grew up north of Charleston but haven't lived in SC for many years. We will have a family income of 90-95k per year for the next couple of years for a family of four. We have very little debt. Now I know everyone has different standards of living but based off of these numbers does it sound like a family of four can live comfortably? I'm thinking of a home price of no more than 220k in a nice neighborhood. I realize this is a loaded question but I'm just trying to get a rough idea of the living affordability there because the location I live in now requires a family of four to make around 140k to live comfortably and I'm just paranoid I guess.
I think you can live like kings and queens down here on the $140k a year. I think there is a site on here city-data com will give you an idea of what the incomes are in this general area. I live in Ladson just north of North Charleston and south of Summerville. We moved here two years ago. We live on a medium income of $25k since we retired. We are making it here. I own a two story home @ $174K. I left a $100K job in the Washington DC metro area and am not regretting it one bit.
Thank you. Like I said we'd be on 90-95k for a couple of years until the wife goes back to work. Obviously we still have to "manage" our debt, but from all I can see through my research we should be OK. Like I said,I guess I'm just paranoid.
A family of 4 should be able to live reasonably on $90k/year here. Robynn's point about making sure you can be happy in a $220k house is important. Are there school age kids in your family?
LocalHero, yes we do have two school age kids. I was thinking Summerville from the reviews of my research. It looks like affordable homes, nice neighborhoods and good schools. Commute is not my biggest concern because I currently have a 30-45 minute commute now. I'll sacrifice my commute for good schools and affordable housing.
LocalHero, yes we do have two school age kids. I was thinking Summerville from the reviews of my research. It looks like affordable homes, nice neighborhoods and good schools. Commute is not my biggest concern because I currently have a 30-45 minute commute now. I'll sacrifice my commute for good schools and affordable housing.
I say a couple with 2-3 kids, living in a nice area (not the most expensive), owning your own home (3-4 beds, 2.5 baths, two car garage, smallish lot), having two nicer cars (not new nor expensive), able to enjoy one meal a week out (Applebee type, not Ruth Chris), takeout one to two nights (pizza, Chinese), reasonable debt, etc. lifestyle can be had in the Charleston area for as low as $60 per year and be more so at $80K per year income.
I say a couple with 2-3 kids, living in a nice area (not the most expensive), owning your own home (3-4 beds, 2.5 baths, two car garage, smallish lot), having two nicer cars (not new nor expensive), able to enjoy one meal a week out (Applebee type, not Ruth Chris), takeout one to two nights (pizza, Chinese), reasonable debt, etc. lifestyle can be had in the Charleston area for as low as $60 per year and be more so at $80K per year income.
Very reasonable assessment -- good evaluation of the area, jg
Thank you to everyone that has replied. This really puts me as ease a lot. I can't wait to move back home.
Robynn, I'll be working near the Law Enforcement Center.
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