Expert Opinions Needed - To move or not to move?

[30 Sec Flat]

Mason,

Think hard before you move, even if you do win that job. 38,000 dollars does not go too far in SoFla regardless of how the economy is doing.

Your option may be to find a rommate for a year and see how you do, before you decide to come down with you family.

I think that may be your best bet to find a nice, safe and affordable housing.

Good luck.

[Mason19]

Originally Posted by Wild Style

do you have a spouse and will they be working also? If so then you will be ok if you both make 35,000 plus dollars. I wish I could find the article from the sun sentinel that was talking about rent. Basically it was saying the average rent in Broward warrants 45,000 dollar a year income. So you can either A. have a spouse that works to make up the difference or B. Aim for more money.

There will only be one income for at least the first year of being there but I take your point on us both making 38,000 and being able to make that work.

[AJ1972]

Originally Posted by Wild Style

why not down size your house and live with in your means? That could possibly help. This person can live here and be ok IF they live with in their means, thats the key. But this is true of every city in America. If you live with in your means and stay within those limitations you can make a go of it.

I would like to stay in this area (my current city). There's not much downsizing there. Even home in the upper 200's are a lot. It's not the mortgage. It's the fact that the monthly payment for taxes and insurance will have on a serious budget, not to mention we have a $91k school loan (my husband graduated the PA program at Nova - expensive). Our monthly payments are almost $600.
Why not just move to a state were I can buy a BIGGER home, a bigger yard, lower home price, insurance about 85% less per year, and taxes 50% less.
But I do't want to hijack this post, so you don't have to reply to me. Sorry for hijacking. lol

[gasantpl]

I'm also thinking of relocating to Ft. Lauderdale from Pennsylvania. I may have to experience high humidty but imagine 0 degrees windchill. I'm sure you experience the same in Canada. I hear it's the same thing. You just run from your car to the house and the car to the office building. However, Ft. Lauderdale is so worth it to me. I've been there a few times. The excitement of so much to do, the gorgeous area, the warm ocean, and the warm nights are so wonderful.

If you were single than you could rent a room to afford Ft. Lauderdale for around $500 a month. I'm also from San Diego. What some San Diegans due to afford homes is they rent out their rooms. No joke. Here in PA many people are freaked out by that concept.

[CAinflorida]

Hi... I live ten minutes from the airport and pay 1000 a month for a STUDIO. I started out paying 875 when i moved in two years ago. My neighbors pay around 1250 for a one bedroom and then rent goes up from there. I wish I had better news for you - but I make closer to $50 a year and live alone and its NOT easy. I saw regular gas today in downtown Ft. Lauderdale for $4.05 a gallon... Anyway.. I think its really good that you are doing this research before you make a final decision. Feel free to contact me if I can be of any further assistance and Good Luck.
Ca

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by CAinflorida

Hi... I live ten minutes from the airport and pay 1000 a month for a STUDIO. I started out paying 875 when i moved in two years ago. My neighbors pay around 1250 for a one bedroom and then rent goes up from there. I wish I had better news for you - but I make closer to $50 a year and live alone and its NOT easy.

Well, I pay a bit less than 1250 for a 1 bedroom with nothing wrong with it and I live in WESTON. Do you live literally on the beach?!?!?!? If you are willing to go out west, 1250 is small, clean 2 bedroom territory. I'm not even sure how you could possibly continue paying 1000 a month for a STUDIO when going price is at least 2/3rds of that unless the location is REALLY spectacular.

[Mason19]

i'm really thinking twice about this. Thanks for the input, it helps.