Giving Up Hawaii for $30,000 More (Hilo: job market, neighborhood, college)

[VanHa]

Must have had one bad experience in Boston?!

[KAILANI]

Originally Posted by VanHa

We're talking $30,000 here folks....let's be true to ourselves....that's lots of Christmas presents for the family!!!

Depends on if you really need that extra 30k. I certainly wouldn't use it to buy more christmas presents...
Thats the problem with our society, people seem to think that the more they make, the better they are.. I'm personally "over it". I would much rather live in a place that provides for my interests, than a place that pays well.

I think you should do it though!!

[VanHa]

It's and interesting question, it provokes thoughts on values , economic situation, livability and the need to provide for your family...one can not be frivolous with providing for ones family regardless of what their personal preference is.

[kaimuki]

I never had a bad experience in Boston, its just not my cup of tea.

[VanHa]

Originally Posted by kaimuki

I never had a bad experience in Boston, its just not my cup of tea.

I understand! The reason that I ask this question is because I am faced with this dilemma and I know $30,000 might be a large/small amount depending on what your view is...but it is actually causing me great stress...do you move to a place where you don't want to be for economic gain, better ecducaton...etc. or do you stay hoping for better times...economic turnaround...and so on?

[KonaKat]

After taxes, how much more would you actually have if you moved? Who is going to pay your moving expenses?
And most importantly, don't forget you will have to buy real shoes, and probably socks too.

[Sweetbeet]

It's all relative. If I were making 0 and could make 30K in Boston, I'd probably go. If I were making 100K and could make 130K in Boston, probably not.

Might be better to ask as a percentage, and/or to allow some variation in the destination - would you leave Hawaii and move to a large east coast city, for x% more take home pay?

[VanHa]

Here is the breakdown:
1. $10,000 in relocation allowance - moving etc.
2. $5,000 in living expenses - first month living expenses until you find a place to live etc.
3. After taxes etc. $18-20,000 difference...new salary low nineties.
4. Wife...stay home mom.

Thoughts?

[newUHprof]

Originally Posted by kaimuki

I never had a bad experience in Boston, its just not my cup of tea.

Ha ha ha! Was that an intentional tea party joke?

Anyway: "solid living in Hawaii" question. I'm married. We are both professionals (so let's say we both make over $50K per year). No kids, so we don't have to worry about feeding them, clothing them, or paying for private schools. We sold a house when we moved here, so we had enough savings to give us a decent downpayment on a condo.

So we were able to buy a place we like in an area we like. We don't have to stress about making mortgage payments or feeding ourselves or the pets. There was a family emergency recently, and one of us was able to fly to New York on short notice because we felt it was important to do so. We can afford occasional dinners out and travel. We're not the wealthy people living in a mansion by the beach. But we're doing OK.

We're also lucky that, at least for now, neither of our jobs is in jeopardy. If either of us lost our job, it would be a much different story. But right now, $30K to live someplace we don't like as much doesn't seem that worth it.

[hilobound]

Thanks newuhprof i was just interested because my wife and I are also professionals and she makes enough for the both of us. I have had a hard time finding a job but hopefully that will all change after today's interview. The question about would you move to boston for $30,000 extra a year. Yeah, why not if you are interested in experiancing something new. We made the move to hawaii for exactly that. My wife will make $30,000 extra for the next three years for relocating to Hilo. So yes we made the move for $30000. Massachusetts also has a lower tax rate per capita so that $30000 will be more there. Good luck!