[bluedefooted]

Hi

My husband-to-be was offered a one year contract in Yale. It's a starting position so they don't pay well (around €40,000 p.a.). We know it would be a great opportunity but unfortunately I will not be able to work in USA, so he will be the only provider for a year.

My question is whether it is enough to live on in New Haven. We are quite low maintance and do not need a lot, but still it seems to be not that much. I did some research but am not getting enough info.

Can somebody help?

Also, if you could suggest a good area to live (close enough to Yale or at least in a cycling distance) that is safe (my main concern).

Thanks!

[inetlom]

You can do it -- I lived in East Rock for a year making Yale's starting salary -- but you will need to be pretty careful about how much you spend. I would avoid a car and rely on bikes, public transportation, and perhaps a Zipcar membership. I very rarely went out to eat and didn't go shopping for anything besides food. Still, I had enough to get by and keep some in the bank for emergencies, but you're right, it's not that much.

As for a safe area close to Yale, I'd recommend East Rock--I live there and walk or cycle to central campus every day. If your husband will be at the medical campus he can catch the shuttle bus down there since the medical campus is not as close.

[7 Wishes]

Generally, New Haven itself and points north and east are less expensive to live in than towns west of New Haven (especially west of Bridgeport as you approach some of the wealthiest suburbs of the NY Metropolitan area which has some of highest living expenses in the entire US).

If you do live outside of New Haven (though the East Rock neighborhood is quite nice), traffic going in is easiest from the towns north of the city (though the area where I-91 south meets I-95 can be quite rough). or if you are coming in via a side road instead of a major highway. Good luck!

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

I think you're saying 40,000 euros, which should equal ~$58,000USD. If so, you will be able to afford safe, decent accommodations in New Haven on that salary. Good luck.

[bluedefooted]

Nope, 40,000 in $

I was quite surprised too.

[JayCT]

Yale has a long history of not paying well. They feel it is a priviledge to work there and would look great on a persons resume. Many other prestigous universities do the same. Living on $40,000 will be tough but many people do it. Finding a good but inexpensive rent will be the hardest. Good luck, Jay

[renovating]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Yale has a long history of not paying well. They feel it is a priviledge to work there and would look great on a persons resume. Many other prestigous universities do the same. Living on $40,000 will be tough but many people do it. Finding a good but inexpensive rent will be the hardest. Good luck, Jay

I guess it depends on the job.

We have friends that work there...and their sign on bonus alone was almost double 40k, not to mention the annual salary was very generous.

Nurses and doctors do very well there.

[JayCT]

I am not talking about people with experience. I am talking about those just starting out at the bottom. My sister was offered a job there years ago and the pay was dismal. She found something somewhere else that paid significantly more. I think Yale feels that just having them on your resume is worth something to you (maybe it does) so they pay very low wages. Jay

[renovating]

Originally Posted by JayCT

I am not talking about people with experience. I am talking about those just starting out at the bottom. My sister was offered a job there years ago and the pay was dismal. She found something somewhere else that paid significantly more. I think Yale feels that just having them on your resume is worth something to you (maybe it does) so they pay very low wages. Jay

First year medical resident contracts this year at Yale are 50K. This is about 2-4k more than the average across the board. 2nd and 3rd year residents are paid a little more.

Definately competitive.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Perhaps the 2 of you are getting confused between Yale-NH Hospital, and Yale University? My understanding has always been that YNH is very competitive salary wise, but the University is not.