Chicago COL (apartments, credit card, student loan)

[mzcnic]

How much should one make to live comfortably in Chicago? I'm a 20 something female, no kids almost done with schooling. I don't know what my salary would be, but it would be at least 50,000. Is that enough to live comfortably?? Also is it hard to make friends?

[jmims]

You probably could live comfortably on that. It depends on what type of lifestyle you want. I've been looking at apartments in Chicago and I see studios in the gold coast for about 940-1200 a month and cheaper the further north you go.

[Jandur]

You can be pretty comfortable on 50k if you have little or no debt. You probably won't be in a luxury building or buying designer clothes, but if you have a reasonable lifestyle and are financially responsible it's a wage that will afford a pretty solid life.

Meeting people just requires effort on your part. People are pretty friendly here, you just have to put yourself out there.

[msamhunter]

Have you started looking for employment? Sounds like you are nearing graduation. That will be a better gauge once you start getting offers and compensation packages. Fresh college graduate coming out of school making 50k really isn't the norm.

[Chicago60614]

Totally depends on your expense factors. I came into the market with no school debt, no car and no credit card debt. I was making a little over $50K at my last job and felt like I was living like a king compared to my friends. I had a $1,000 a month apartment, utilities and phone and the other half of my disposable income was mine to spend as I pleased.

I know friends making much more than me who were making credit card payments, $400 a month in studen loans and hundreds a month in car payments. That alone made them much more strapped than I ever was.

[marothisu]

Yes, easily..especially if you don't have much debt.. .my girlfriend made less than 40k last year and was still able to live close to Wrigleyville and live comfortably. Don't let people fool you about here...especially for a city this size and quality...very affordable especially out of downtown

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by msamhunter

Fresh college graduate coming out of school making 50k really isn't the norm.

It definitely is for certain things...i made a good deal more than that, starting salary, out of college and know many whodid too

[bauerdm]

I was about to ask the same thing! I just got offered a job in Chicagoland and will be moving from Milwaukee in about 7 weeks after I graduate. My salary is just under $50,000 but it's more in the west suburbs so cost of living is pretty close to what I have now in Milwaukee. Chicago is a lot more affordable than I thought. It pretty much just comes down where you want to live. That will be the biggest cost factor for you.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by msamhunter

...
Fresh college graduate coming out of school making 50k really isn't the norm.

It's not that unusual for STEM graduates.

I graduated 17 years ago, and the inflation-adjusted salary I took then was equivalent to about $57,000 today. And it can grow quickly, too. Three years after that I was earning what would be the equivalent of $87,000 today, which is certainly possible today for STEM graduates who work hard and make astute career choices.

[Chicagoist123]

It's possible.

I was making $40k, have a lot of student loan debt (like $500 a month), lived on my own in a nice studio in Logan Square.

$50k is certainly fine. Just don't splurge too much.