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I doubt I'll ever be a homeowner on a single parent salary. Even a small starter bungalow is beyond our budget, the ones I have seen haven't been near to good (not great) salaries. I think we missed the chance by not buying sooner. Still...
hope springs eternal..
Midwestmom, I don't know where you live, but a lot of cities and states have first-time homebuyer programs. They allow you to buy with not a lot of money down, and with really good interest rates. The guy that bought my house in Cincinnati is paying 4.3% interest. Check with a local bank or real estate company. Hope does indeed spring eternal!
Thank you both for the suggestions about areas and programs to check. We're definitely looking into other areas, a lot depends on programs for my dd that I mentioned in another post.
From what I'm reading here on this forum, it sounds like its been more of a struggle in a lot of places recently, at least for folks with mid/mid-low incomes. I know there's no perfect place. Still, its heartening to read other posts where people have somehow or other found places where they're thriving.
It would be nearly impossible to be a new homeowner of a single family home in a nice neighborhood in the Washington DC area today. Because we bought our home 10 years ago when prices were more reasonable, it is possible to survive today on middle class wages. But not for a newcomer today.
I wonder if there is any place left where one can be a middle class person and own a nice home and live a comfortable middle class lifestyle. But with a healthy job market. (Many places have affordable housing but there is 2000 applicants for a single job opening at Walmart)
Here A Little Small List
1.Oklahoma-Oklahoma City , Tulsa
2.Ohio-Columbus
3.Indiana-Fort Wayne
4.Kentucky-Louisville ,, Lexington
5.Kansas-Wichita , Topeka
6.Texas-Austin , El Paso
7.New Mexico-Albuquerque ,Santa Fe
8.Arizona-Phoenix ,Tucson
9.California-Fresno , Bakersfield ,Visalia ,Modesto ,Stockton ,Sacramento
10.Arkansas- Little Rock Metropolitan ,WalMartVille Metropolitan
Just curious . . . what do you consider "middle class wages" and what jobs do you consider "service sector?"
I thought service sector referred to call centers, fast food restaurants, retail sales, etc. Most jobs of that type in the towns that have been discussed are not going to bring in more than $12/hr. So even w/ two people making wages of $44,000 a year - that is not going to buy anyone a middle class lifestyle.
So I am thinking I have misunderstood the wages that are involved w/ this question.
It can be done in Minneapolis. I know quite a few people in this city who bought homes while (continuing) working as delivery drivers, servers, bar tenders and even pizza cooks.
Just curious . . . what do you consider "middle class wages" and what jobs do you consider "service sector?"
I thought service sector referred to call centers, fast food restaurants, retail sales, etc. Most jobs of that type in the towns that have been discussed are not going to bring in more than $12/hr. So even w/ two people making wages of $44,000 a year - that is not going to buy anyone a middle class lifestyle.
Those could be considered a part of the service industry, but from my experience it means working in a restaurant or bar or an establishment that has a restaurant or bar.
That what I thought...working at wally world..most you can bring in is around $30k before tax? maybe 40k if you are manager or soemthing. I wont considered that as middle class...more like working class. Middle class is like bringing in $50k+-$80ks
It can be done in Minneapolis. I know quite a few people in this city who bought homes while (continuing) working as delivery drivers, servers, bar tenders and even pizza cooks.
I agree. I don't understand why a previous poster who "not" Minneapolis.
That what I thought...working at wally world..most you can bring in is around $30k before tax? maybe 40k if you are manager or soemthing. I wont considered that as middle class...more like working class. Middle class is like bringing in $50k+-$80ks
Well, according to gov't stats, it is hard for a family - parents w/ 2 kids - to make it in most areas if they make less than $50,000. And the OP wanted a house, right? I have not scrolled back but seems - wanted a house of 2000 or so sq. ft? I think middle class is hard to attain even at $75,000.
What I mean is . . . a nice home of 2000 sq. ft . . . hard to find under $150,000 anywhere . . . plus taxes/insurance wh/ can vary a lot depending what city/state . . .
I have a friend, single, who makes about $65,000 a year . . . and it is a stretch for her to pay for her $145,000 house (1600 sq. ft), an inexpensive high gas mileage car, gas, groceries, personal properties taxes, utilities, healthcare. She also has a son in college, and even tho he has some student loans, there are expenses she pays for . . . not much wiggle room for entertainment at all. And she is very good w/ stretching her money.
So i don't know. A couple w/ kids making even $50 -60,000 in service sector jobs, wanting a 2000 sq. ft house. It would be very hard in any city. Maybe if no car and the expenses w/ that . . . wh/ would mean a city w/ mass transit . . . and most smaller ones do not have that . . .
I am in Charlotte and my son would not be able to live here if he were to make $25,000 a year, unless he rented an apartment, and even then, it would be very hard. I know many young people here who have roommates and are renting and making in the high $20s and find it very difficult to make ends meet.
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Here A Little Small List
