[MrGompers]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

It always gives me a laugh when people applaud rankings that support their agenda yet discard the ones that don't. Confirmation bias at its finest.

The above list is garbage. There is no way D.C. and greater Bridgeport/Stamford are more expensive than San Francisco. Additionally, you missed the part in my thread where I noted it wasn't "cheap" there, but for my money, I get way more enjoyment/amenities than I would here. But you also claim Hartford has a sizzling hot economy, which speaks volumes.

Done with the pot shots?

I haven't claimed Hartford has a sizzling economy. You have me confused with Jay.

I will be eagerly awaiting your dollar for dollar savings analysis once you move to Northern Virginia.

[BobNJ1960]

Originally Posted by nep321

When I lived in Norwalk and worked in Stamford a couple years ago I was making $77K +22% bonus and was living comfortably as a renter. Granted, my apartment sucked, but that's besides the point. Home ownership was unattainable, however, in order to maintain a reasonable commute and not live in a fixer upper on a busy road.

Now I live in Hartford County and have determined that I can live comfortably here and save money on a salary as low as $40K. Contributing to retirement savings, however, would not be possible. The good news, is that I would qualify for the health insurance premium tax credit (Obamacare subsidies) if purchased on the marketplace, at that income level as well as food stamps and possibly Section 8 housing. I'm looking into it as we speak, because that could be a reality for me in a couple months.

Food Stamps you would not come close to qualifying for at 40k, its limited to 130% official national poverty wage (26k family of 3) and assets including bank accounts must be $2,250 or less. Section 8 also closed off in Ct to additions now that are able bodied and not in danger from others.

ACA subsidies, at least as long as they exist, you could qualify for.

Long-term to stay in Ct requires a fairly well paying job. Or a willingness to drain savings as applicable.

As for being broke at 100k in Stamford metro-understandable. Prices in lower FFC are absolutely insane. It got progressively worse as the area east of Norwalk saw its economic opportunities lessened-making more reliant on Stamford or NYC for meaningful work.

[BPt111]

Originally Posted by BobNJ1960

Food Stamps you would not come close to qualifying for at 40k, its limited to 130% official national poverty wage (26k family of 3) and assets including bank accounts must be $2,250 or less. Section 8 also closed off in Ct to additions now that are able bodied and not in danger from others.

ACA subsidies, at least as long as they exist, you could qualify for.

Long-term to stay in Ct requires a fairly well paying job. Or a willingness to drain savings as applicable.

As for being broke at 100k in Stamford metro-understandable. Prices in lower FFC are absolutely insane. It got progressively worse as the area east of Norwalk saw its economic opportunities lessened-making more reliant on Stamford or NYC for meaningful work.

#1 is you have make good amount of money to buy home and rent
#2 Housing costs drop Trumbull, Milford, Orange, Seymour, Woodbridge, Shelton, Monroe
#3 Housing prices drop not as bad Stamford/Norwalk area

[Raider111]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

There is little difference in cost between Trumbull and suburbs of New Haven/Hartford/Waterbury. Retirement cost won't be much different in Branford than it would be in Trumbull.

Correct, their both dirt cheap.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

Enough. I can't believe I'm going to back Nep, but you know darn well at his salary, he couldn't swing a home by himself in the Stamford area. Maybe acknowledge that, instead of always pushing back when people are giving their experiences.

Back when Nep loved in Fairfield County there were a number of homes/condos that he could have afforded but rejected for various reasons. These reasons included too long commutes
(he would not go further than 25 minutes), not being like new, too close together, too noisy of an area etc. He had a decent downpayment for a modest home but they were not good enough for him. I am not saying that Stamford is affordable but in his case, if what he posted back then was true, he could have bought a home if he wanted. Of course that was his decision but then he should not be crying about it either. Jay

[nep321]

Originally Posted by BobNJ1960

Food Stamps you would not come close to qualifying for at 40k, its limited to 130% official national poverty wage (26k family of 3) and assets including bank accounts must be $2,250 or less. Section 8 also closed off in Ct to additions now that are able bodied and not in danger from others.

ACA subsidies, at least as long as they exist, you could qualify for.

Long-term to stay in Ct requires a fairly well paying job. Or a willingness to drain savings as applicable.

As for being broke at 100k in Stamford metro-understandable. Prices in lower FFC are absolutely insane. It got progressively worse as the area east of Norwalk saw its economic opportunities lessened-making more reliant on Stamford or NYC for meaningful work.

Well even if I got a job that pays as low as $40K, I probably wouldn't even benefit from ACA premium tax credits anyway, because that's only if I purchased through the marketplace, which would likely cost much more than having employer offered coverage.

Moving out of CT is hardly an option, as (a) employers only want local candidates 95% of the time, and (b) moving with no job secured is extremely risky and I wouldn't even qualify to get an apartment with no proof of income, let alone being able to even find a job. I refuse to deplete my savings more than a couple thousand, at this point.

[nep321]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Back when Nep loved in Fairfield County there were a number of homes/condos that he could have afforded but rejected for various reasons. These reasons included too long commutes
(he would not go further than 25 minutes), not being like new, too close together, too noisy of an area etc. He had a decent downpayment for a modest home but they were not good enough for him. I am not saying that Stamford is affordable but in his case, if what he posted back then was true, he could have bought a home if he wanted. Of course that was his decision but then he should not be crying about it either. Jay

A condo is not an option for me. Having lived all these years in apartments and dealing with noises through the walls, ceilings and floors, do you really think I would be a happy camper in a condo?! I want a house.

Even so, any condos that I could have afforded in lower FFC were crap anyway. But I don't want a condo ever. I know exactly what I want, and that is a HOUSE.

As a real estate agent, you should know that buyers are entitled to have their own standards, criteria and desires. Stop trying to tell me what I want, what I can afford, etc. I know very well what I want and what I can afford. And if I can't get it, I'm willing to rent forever.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by nep321

A condo is not an option for me. Having lived all these years in apartments and dealing with noises through the walls, ceilings and floors, do you really think I would be a happy camper in a condo?! I want a house.

Even so, any condos that I could have afforded in lower FFC were crap anyway. But I don't want a condo ever. I know exactly what I want, and that is a HOUSE.

As a real estate agent, you should know that buyers are entitled to have their own standards, criteria and desires. Stop trying to tell me what I want, what I can afford, etc. I know very well what I want and what I can afford. And if I can't get it, I'm willing to rent forever.

You prove my point.

And I am not a real estate agent. Jay

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Back when Nep loved in Fairfield County there were a number of homes/condos that he could have afforded but rejected for various reasons. These reasons included too long commutes
(he would not go further than 25 minutes), not being like new, too close together, too noisy of an area etc. He had a decent downpayment for a modest home but they were not good enough for him. I am not saying that Stamford is affordable but in his case, if what he posted back then was true, he could have bought a home if he wanted. Of course that was his decision but then he should not be crying about it either. Jay

25 minutes in real life could be 90 minutes. You know this.

It's the biggest purchase of someone's life. Of course they should be picky. I am.

[Raider111]

Originally Posted by nep321

Not really. I wanted a small house on a small lot that requires almost no updating/improvements in a safe, quiet area and within a 25 minute commute to my job in Stamford.

yeah I think I recall posting a link to a single fam home once that met all those criterias (don't remember where it was) and it was shot down. Probably would have had a nice raise and 1/4 mortgage paid off by now DA.