Salary comparison----Please Help!!! (Charlotte: selling a home, school, maintenance)

[mpassaro]

I would really like some advice. I'm considering relocating from Long Island, New York to Charlotte. I currently make $60,000.00 per year here in Long Island. According to several online comparisons I did, they are telling me that to maintain my current standard of living, I would only need to make between 35-38 in Charlotte. Is this really accurate?? I'm just scared to move down there, and be in the same situation that I'm in here. I've talked to a few people and they tell me that those figures are pretty much correct. Can I have some of your opinions?? I'd really appreciate it.....Thank You!!!
Mike

[T.S.]

That is probably about accurate.

I sent you a private message to help compare salaries and cost of living between places.

[mm34b]

E-mail with web link sent.

[backfist]

mpsassaro, I have the same concerns.

I think it depends on what your occupation is and where your current salary is in terms of the NY market. If your salary is at the median, you might have some wiggle room in NC in terms of getting paid on the higher end. If you're at the high end already, then you might end up having to use more equity (if you're selling a home).

From what I understand about Charlotte, it's one of those metro areas where business can get away with underpaying. And it's not unlike cities like Denver or Sacramento where salaries tend to be hush-hush in order to keep them low. The good news is that people from New York and California are relocating there, and will be demanding higher wages. And if Charlotte wants to keep pace with cities like Atlanta and Houston in terms of a strong and diversified economy, businesses will begin to pay up.

If you don't mind saying, what do you do for a living?

[mpassaro]

I do bulding maintenance (light carpentry, plumbing, electric). I'm thinking about moving to nc though, and going to school for hvac.