[mlassoff]

Originally Posted by nep321

It seems like there are plenty of options in Ansonia, Derby, Stratford, East Haven, West Haven, Milford, Hamden, Shelton, Seymour and Naugatuck, for under $210K. I know some of those towns are not that desirable, but oh well, at least there seems to be more of a breadth of options than I thought. And there seems to be some rural towns that I would be able to think about later on down the road, such as Weston, Easton and Bethany. But that's for when I make $150K someday

I think I said this before... If so, I apologize.

You, like many young professionals, are likely going to see a rapid rise in your income over the next 10 years. What you can afford now-- or what you will be able to afford if you take this new job-- will likely be vastly different in a few years.

Good luck and congrats on all of this!

[nep321]

Originally Posted by mlassoff

I think I said this before... If so, I apologize.

You, like many young professionals, are likely going to see a rapid rise in your income over the next 10 years. What you can afford now-- or what you will be able to afford if you take this new job-- will likely be vastly different in a few years.

Good luck and congrats on all of this!

Thanks. But who knows. I feel somewhat underqualified for the job. Almost like I don't deserve the $80K. But we'll see what happens.

[willow wind]

Yikes- lose the " I don't deserve it" attitude. Don't let the head hunter you're working with sense the hesitation in you.

You deserve it. You went to school- you're gainfully employed, you work hard. You're taking care of obligations like student loans. You're planning on home ownership. You have plans for the future. You're doing all the things society expects of a decent, young person . Who would deserve it more than you ?

You deserve it. You wouldn't have even gotten this far in the prospective offer if someone didn't think you would be a good fit. You have lots of job competition in today's market. People have already decided you're qualified. And as with any new position, you learn the ropes and grow into it.

Go for it and keep telling yourself you can do it.

[nep321]

Originally Posted by willow wind

Yikes- lose the " I don't deserve it" attitude. Don't let the head hunter you're working with sense the hesitation in you.

You deserve it. You went to school- you're gainfully employed, you work hard. You're taking care of obligations like student loans. You're planning on home ownership. You have plans for the future. You're doing all the things society expects of a decent, young person . Who would deserve it more than you ?

You deserve it. You wouldn't have even gotten this far in the prospective offer if someone didn't think you would be a good fit. You have lots of job competition in today's market. People have already decided you're qualified. And as with any new position, you learn the ropes and grow into it.

Go for it and keep telling yourself you can do it.

Thanks for the encouragement lol. I mean, I have a "can do" attitude, but the position just seems like a stretch position for me, if you know what I mean. In other words, I meet about 50% of the qualifications for their ideal candidate. I just don't want them to have unrealistically high expectations for me. However, it is true that the scope of the job can change somewhat, during or after the interview, if they really like me enough.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by nep321

It seems like there are plenty of options in Ansonia, Derby, Stratford, East Haven, West Haven, Milford, Hamden, Shelton, Seymour and Naugatuck, for under $210K. I know some of those towns are not that desirable, but oh well, at least there seems to be more of a breadth of options than I thought.

Milford/Shelton/Stratford will have options, but i don't think you're going to find something move-in ready and private at that budget. Since you've expressed a previous willingness to consider Meriden, and you're mentioning West Haven now, i wouldn't rule out the North End of Bridgeport. The upper portions of Madison and Park have a decent amount of homes that would appear to fit your previously mentioned criteria, and the one's that are on the market should be under your proposed budget. Actually now that i'm thinking about it, the Lake Forest area of B'port might be just what you're looking for.

[dazzleman]

Originally Posted by nep321

Thanks. But who knows. I feel somewhat underqualified for the job. Almost like I don't deserve the $80K. But we'll see what happens.

That feeling will wear off pretty quickly. If they're offering it to you, it probably means you're qualified. I'm not sure I deserve what I'm making either, but the whole thing is very subjective. Apparently my company thinks I am.

Take the position and then work your housing around it. There are good options in the Milford area.

[nep321]

Ok, now I've been presented with an $80K job in Milford or an $85K job in Stamford. Which would be more wise financially? The thought of me commuting from Middletown to Stamford for 3 months sounds like total hell. But my lease does end in Oct. Not only that, but only making $85K will make me feel poor compared to the average FFC person.

[Stylo]

The salary difference is small and will be quickly eaten up by either renting in the Stamford area or commuting costs. Commuting from Middletown will be very expensive and very long.

Which company is better to work for, offers more benefits, more opportunity to grow, etc.?

[JayCT]

Strictly from the financial side of it, Milford makes more sense. Of course there is more to it than just money. Which company is better to work for? Which offers the best career opportunities? Is it your desire to be closer to NY? Commuting to Stamford from Middletown for a few months is not great but could be done for that short of a time. It will take you a couple of months to find a place wherever you move. Jay

[willow wind]

All depends on what you want from life. $ 85,000 in Stamford is not a lot.
You'll likely be shut out of the single family Fairfield county market until you get your pay into the $ 150,000 range, if that is even a reasonable expectation in your field. And how long might that be ?

Are you willing to wait ten- fifteen years or more to buy a home ? You might be able to find something affordable right away in Bridgeport or certain areas of Danbury. But that is still the commute from hell down to Stamford. So close in miles but the blankety-blank traffic.

Milford is probably the better offer unless the job in Stamford really offers quick advancement /salary increases.