Affordable to Live? (Troy, Royal Oak, Ferndale: apartment, rent, insurance)

[gcsteven]

I recently accepted a $35k a year job in the Troy area, I'm a college graduate and start in a few weeks. I have no college loans.

I was wondering if it was affordable to live in this area, with or without a roommate on this salary. I'm aware that the areas surrounding troy vary in affluence, so any help anyone could offer would be great.

Thanks!

[jeanniepep]

I don't know how old you are or what you like to do, but Royal Oak and Ferndale are close by and a lot more fun! Not too expensive either!

(I grew up in Troy and it is BO-RING)

[Jwo85]

Here is a cost of living that some people tend to overlook when thinking of Michigan and around the Metro Area.

You have to drive everywhere to get to any place, so your Auto gas bill is going to be around $1,000-$2500+ a year.

The roads are filled with pot holes and garbage, so your looking at repairing your car a lot and it could run from $100-$1000+

Then insurance will cost $400- well off into the thousands for a year. Unless you have a the right vehicle, driving record and age to get the cost down.

Then you got your basic oil changes, windshield wipers and the other jazz that will add up. Prices vary on this one.

If you don't have a car, then your going to find it hard to get around somewhere like too and from your job. So you will end up losing some money due to this if you can't make it into work.

[MIEng]

You can afford to live in Troy with that income. You will be able to afford a rent on a small apartment or condo. The west side of Troy is more expensive but south and east are more affordable. Royal Oak and Ferndale are nice for singles but you will spend more on gas driving back and forth everyday, a lot of traffic in that area during the day. Live on Troy for peace and quiet, hit Royal Oak on the weekends for fun.

[jeanniepep]

@MIEng - I was going to add that too, Troy is totally affordable on that income. Someone could get a nice one-bedroom or studio alone, or share a townhouse with a roommate. I must say Troy is a nice town, you won't run into any "bad" areas. If you have kids, you'll be happy to know the schools are very good. Growing up, though, and even now I would find it very boring, but that's just a personal preference. I like to have a hoppin' downtown nearby! Troy does have some nice malls though, VERY nice. Not so hoppin, but totally sweet.

Depending on where in Troy you'll be working, you might also consider Clawson. There are parts of Clawson and Royal Oak that border Troy; I used to live in R.O. and work in Troy and was able to ride my bike to work every day as it was less than 3 miles away.

Michigan roads are definitely not awesome but saying you'll need so many repairs might be overstating the matter. My current vehicle (a tiny inexpensive Scion) has 97,000 miles on it and the only thing it's needed has been oil changes and one new set of tires. And I live out in the country, driving on hideously bumpy dirt roads every day! MAN I can't wait to move back to Oakland County.