Do both you and your spouse have to work to live in LI.

[slynn41072]

Originally Posted by GCGuy

Thanks...I don't know anyone, literally, that would take crap to me if I didn't have designer jeans or drive a BMW. Who does that??? Really, need to look into finding new people to associate with. Sure it happens, but to imply it's the stadard or the norm I think is a bit off base.

Let me get this straight, though...

You make $8 per month but can't afford what? My friend and his wife make $160K and bought a $375K house in Levittown. Even if you put 10% down ($37,500), you mortgage won't be more than $2042.50...$350K, 30 yr, at 5.75%. Say taxes are $12K (high), that's $3K per month. While it's not NOTHING, it still leaves you with roughly $5K per month for food, insurance, cars, living, etc. Am I missing something? Now, if you want a 4000 sq. ft. home on an acre, brand new, ok then you can't afford LI.

If 95,000 is before taxes ,than that really isn't alot of money if you are just starting the home buying process in LI and want a good area. I also wouldn't put down any less than 20% on a home in this market. Thats how people get into trouble. If you can't even save for the down payment, you have no business buying a home , you can't afford it. I don't understand why every time someone posts about how they truly can't make it on LI, you post that it must be because they want a brand new, large home on a acre of property. Not all of us can make 160,000 a year(like your friends) and live in a dream town like Levitown. I'd like to see where I'd end up with my income of way more than your friends.
To the poster: Glad you can take your NY salary when you move and the best of luck.

[newtoli]

I live in a good area, and we only made $15k more than than when we bought. We don't live in a super prestigeous fancy area, but its a nice, middle class area.

I bought with much less than 20% down, and can afford my payments. I just didn't get into an ARM mess, and read my paperwork.

[GCGuy]

Originally Posted by slynn41072

If 95,000 is before taxes ,than that really isn't alot of money if you are just starting the home buying process in LI and want a good area. I also wouldn't put down any less than 20% on a home in this market. Thats how people get into trouble. If you can't even save for the down payment, you have no business buying a home , you can't afford it. I don't understand why every time someone posts about how they truly can't make it on LI, you post that it must be because they want a brand new, large home on a acre of property. Not all of us can make 160,000 a year(like your friends) and live in a dream town like Levitown. I'd like to see where I'd end up with my income of way more than your friends.
To the poster: Glad you can take your NY salary when you move and the best of luck.

Why are you getting snippy with me? My point was that Levittown is not the fanciest area, but it's solid and they're happy. They made it work.

[ncc1701]

You can read more people complaining about how hard it is to get by here:

Readers: Rebates won't help high prices for food, gas - CNN.com

[newtoli]

Originally Posted by ncc1701

You can read more people complaining about how hard it is to get by here:

Readers: Rebates won't help high prices for food, gas - CNN.com

What a shocker, people struggle all over the country, not just in Long Island

Wait, wait, that article must be fake, there are people commenting from North Carolina, the promised land, that are struggling to get by!

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by newtoli

My husband and I now make more, but when we first moved here 2 years ago, we made about $110k combined. We bought for $400k and made it work.

I just don't understand all these people who say "people make comments/look down on me/chastise me for not owning a house/buying $200 jeans/driving a Lexus".

I've never had this happen to me here, and if it did, I would SURELY speak up about it rather than take it.

Hey! I have 10 pairs of jeans that are worth $200 total. Does that make me part of the 'in' crowd?

[slynn41072]

Originally Posted by OhBeeHave

Hey! I have 10 pairs of jeans that are worth $200 total. Does that make me part of the 'in' crowd?

Sorry, I will have to look down on you. You need to have a pair of 200.00 jeans and please keep the price tag on so I can check and make sure you didn't shop at a outlet store. LOL

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by slynn41072

Sorry, I will have to look down on you. You need to have a pair of 200.00 jeans and please keep the price tag on so I can check and make sure you didn't shop at a outlet store. LOL

*sniff*
*sob*
I feel so small and unworthy!