Can $90k buy you a comfortable life in Chicago? (rental, crime)

[zz4guy]

I see a lot of software jobs online paying $90-150k to work in the loop fulltime. Assuming you'd live in a decent part of town and not too far away (<30min commute), what would be the minimum salary you'd accept for that lifestyle?

Any ideas?

[oakparkdude]

Personally, I'd want at least 250k, but that's just me.

[surlycue]

This question is too broad. Are you single? Do you like to eat/drink/dance out regularly? What is your ideal neighborhood? Many people live in Logan Square or Humboldt Park on 30K a year comfortably, others live in Lincoln Park and struggle at 100K a year.

I don't think anyone would argue that a single person should be very comfortable in even the most expensive areas of the city on 90-120K/year.

[oakparkdude]

Yeah, its hard to say anything useful without more specific info from the OP. Some people would be happy with 30k, others with 100k. HSW would want at least 10 million, and I've told you already what my minimum would be. Everybody's different.

[Lookout Kid]

I made $28,000/year when I first moved to Chicago. I lived in Lincoln Park and went out three or four nights a week. I was comfortable, but had no kids, no car payment, and lived in an old apartment that was last updated in the early 1980s. Also, I split a 1-BR with my then girlfriend.

Now I've got much higher household income with money in the bank--but also have a family, a mortgage, a car payment, and childcare costs. And I have to say I'm a lot less comfortable with my financial situation now.

[Avengerfire]

Well according to some that post here one needs to make 300k to live comfortably and bring up a couple of kids.

[softdev]

Originally Posted by zz4guy

I see a lot of software jobs online paying $90-150k to work in the loop fulltime. Assuming you'd live in a decent part of town and not too far away (<30min commute), what would be the minimum salary you'd accept for that lifestyle?

Any ideas?

If you're single, I imagine you can live in near north/LP on that. A nice one bedroom and parking can be rented for $1600-$2000. Cheaper if you go with some of the dumpier places. Your commute will be less than 20 minutes.

As far as salary, good developers will fall within that range in 1-5 years experience. More with the right hedge fund.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by zz4guy

I see a lot of software jobs online paying $90-150k to work in the loop fulltime. Assuming you'd live in a decent part of town and not too far away (<30min commute), what would be the minimum salary you'd accept for that lifestyle?

Any ideas?

What lifestyle? You haven't given us a lifestyle, only a commute distance from downtown.

[zz4guy]

Yes, I'm single. No kids. One car. I don't want to be in any kind of a trendy place if it costs a lot of money. Just someplace comfortable. Not crime ridden and not an hour from the office. Go out maybe 1-2 times per week. I would like to be able to save $15k/year too, as that is what I'm doing now.

[surlycue]

^If it wasn't for the car I'd probably recommend South Loop but parking can be a PITA. West Loop gate is much less congested but still safe with brand spankin' new condos/lofts. Both of these areas will get you to say State and Madison in 10 minutes.