$48000 in LA ?

[DreamerBoy]

Originally Posted by ryanms3030

First off, you should research average pay in LA for your job and ask for high end but it's too late for that. You should also ask for relocation assistance. A cheap one bedroom apartment in a decent area will start around $1500 so 50k to support 2 people will be doable but on a very tight budget. Where is the job located?

Thank you for your help ryanms3030 , the company is located in santa monica, It's too late maybe but I will try to save the situation by making that rate only for the first 4 or 5 months, maybe this will help Thank you again

[DreamerBoy]

Originally Posted by highlanderfil

Oh, goody, yet another new member starting a thread asking vague questions. Let me whip out my usual toolbelt of clarification:

- What kind of work do you do?
- Where are you moving from?
- Have you ever been to L.A.?
- Do you know where in L.A. you will be working?
- Do you currently or do you plan on having kids, pets, elderly parents or six-foot-tall cacti living with you?

Etc, etc. Give us more info - we'll give you answers. Otherwise prepare for the entire range.

Thank you for your help Highlanderfil, sorry for my vague questions, here are some clarifications,
I do graphic and motion designs
I'm moving from Ohio
I've been to LA for two weeks years ago
the company is located in santa monica
No kids,no pets,only me and my wife

The amouth of informations I read hear made me scared to go for such rate,but I'll will try to save the situation hopefully

[DreamerBoy]

Originally Posted by Lablitz

Yes, you can make it. I know people who made less than 50k and survived in LA.
What is the job?

If the job is $48,000 to wash dishes, it is a good deal.
If the job is $48,000 to do emergency open heart surgery at a hospital, it is a bad deal.

Thank you for your response,
I will be doing Graphic designs as an entry level, Is it bad,good ? what do you think?

[DreamerBoy]

Originally Posted by HB2HSV

With your wife? Will she be working? Any kids?


The biggest issue is housing cost. Plan for $1,500-$2,000 a month
Next biggest issue is car, insurance, parking, gas. Insurance is $200 a month. You'll need 2 cars if she works.


Can you live on $400/ week for everything else?

Thank you so much HB2HSV
you scared the sh**t-out of me the way you put it, I thank you for that, This helped me a lot to rethink about it

[highlanderfil]

Originally Posted by DreamerBoy

Thank you so much HB2HSV
you scared the sh**t-out of me the way you put it, I thank you for that, This helped me a lot to rethink about it

He was probably the most helpful of us lot.

I would start with taking stock of what you're making right now, then researching where your ceiling is in the position, as well as growth opportunities both within your current company and elsewhere. Then look at the 95th percentile of salary ranges for graphic designers. See if $48K is close. My guess is it's on the mid- to low side, even for entry level.

Will your wife be working? What kind of work can she do? Basically, how much can/will she contribute to the household's budget?

Santa Monica is a great place to work, but not a great place to which to commute, especially with this salary range, as you will not be able to afford to live anywhere near. Your best bet would be the San Fernando Valley with the ensuing nightmare of a commute. Unless your wife brings home at least $30K/yeah, I don't think you'd be comfortable living west of the 405 in close enough proximity to SM to be worth it.

[socal88]

Assuming your wife isn't working, $50K for two people in LA will be tough. The only way I could see it is if neither of you had cars (and the associated insurance) and only spent money to take public transport, had basic phone plans. and had very little discretionary spending.