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I really don't have a question or a opinion to proclaim here but after seeing this link on NPR about how far a paycheck stretches in different metros I noticed that you can get far more bang for your buck in "non-trendy cities" vs "trendy" cities. For example, I noticed that a paycheck feels a lot less on in the Northeast, West Coast, and only two Midwestern Cities such as Chicago or the Twin Cities. However, you get the most bang for your buck in almost everywhere in the Midwest.
The Northeast isn't really that expensive. Rent is a little more costly, but public transportation can really give you a reason to ditch your car. And if you have a car, you probably dont need to drive it to work as transit options are solid enough. Also food and sales tax is cheaper. And unless you want to live in the most upscale neighborhoods, rent is reasonable. I think Manhattan kind of give people the perception that the Northeast is out of control expensive when its not. Chicago is cheap compared to other big cities.
The West Coast is by far the most expensive area. And there is very little to offset the high rent and property. Not only are normal people priced out of buying homes in decent neighborhoods, but transit sucks out West. So you need to drive way more often, which means car notes and gas. There is no other option but to drive. Public transit out west is a headache.
The Northeast isn't really that expensive. Rent is a little more costly, but public transportation can really give you a reason to ditch your car. And if you have a car, you probably dont need to drive it to work as transit options are solid enough. Also food and sales tax is cheaper. And unless you want to live in the most upscale neighborhoods, rent is reasonable. I think Manhattan kind of give people the perception that the Northeast is out of control expensive when its not. Chicago is cheap compared to other big cities.
The West Coast is by far the most expensive area. And there is very little to offset the high rent and property. Not only are normal people priced out of buying homes in decent neighborhoods, but transit sucks out West. So you need to drive way more often, which means car notes and gas. There is no other option but to drive. Public transit out west is a headache.
I'm glad you brought up Chicago being cheaper than the cities on the coasts. I'm going to be done with school in the fall and I'm debating between Indianapolis and Chicago (as my main options). Every time I talk to people about it, I almost always get the line "Chicago costs so much more." While on the surface that is true but a lot of people don't seem to realize I could get by in Chicago without a car whereas in Indy, I would need a car.
However to your point on the public transit on the West Coast, my understanding is that public transportation only sucks in SoCal, where as the BART in the Bay Area and the public transportation in Seattle and Portland is decent.
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