Mass on $100,000 a year? A serious question (Boston, Lowell: crime, houses)

[darkone]

Massachusetts is a middle class state. Greater Boston / E. Mass. is solidly middle class and that is the general feel of the area, perhaps with a blue-collar tinge. Yet the housing prices aren’t aligned with that reality. The only thing keeping many of the people here are their highly specialized jobs in certain industries which are heavily concentrated here. So to the OP - you should certainly move here and join the crowd if this is where the best job opportunities are in his field. And look for a house in a Billerica or Tewksbury, etc.

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by darkone

Massachusetts is a middle class state. Greater Boston / E. Mass. is solidly middle class and that is the general feel of the area, perhaps with a blue-collar tinge. Yet the housing prices aren’t aligned with that reality. The only thing keeping many of the people here are their highly specialized jobs in certain industries which are heavily concentrated here. So to the OP - you should certainly move here and join the crowd if this is where the best job opportunities are in his field. And look for a house in a Billerica or Tewksbury, etc.

This is not true. You dont get a middle class vibe in boston at all compared to other cities
.You're either a yup or in section 8 housing. Not a lot in between. Middle class has been fleeing for a long time.

[YorktownGal]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

This is not true. You dont get a middle class vibe in boston at all compared to other cities
.You're either a yup or in section 8 housing. Not a lot in between. Middle class has been fleeing for a long time.

Agreed.

We moved from Westwood, MA to Westchester, NY. A decade ago, we were shocked at how much more expensive Westchester was. Now I look at Zillow and I am shocked at how much our old neighborhood has risen in price. I doubt we could afford to buy our old house back.

Between Westwood and Boston, there aren't any middle class, nice suburban areas.

I wouldn't trade the time I spent at home with my children for anything in this world. Don't get a job because juggling sick children with no extended family support doesn't work.

OP, beware that snow and ice will be a factor in your husband's commuting.

SERIOUS QUESTION: why doesn't your husband ask his new employer where his co-workers live? Can they help him find a realtor? Why don't you visit the area before you decide whether or not to move? Until you are physically in these neighborhoods, you can't decide. Not everything can be done over the internet.

[scorpio516]

Originally Posted by Sweetbottoms

God these responses are making me feel like it’s not worth even considering unless he’s making $200,000... I’m pretty deflated looking at all this.. this is a 90% raise for my husband but honestly doesn’t seem worth it. Yah we live in a really cheap area of the country and live comfortably in a 2,000 sqft 3/2 on only $50k. On the flip side we are also away from family and wanted better for our daughter than what the Bible Belt anti-progressive pro-religion everywhere and in everything has to offer.

I’ve seen other posts and people are telling people they can’t afford to live in/around Boston on a $750,000 housing budget and Im starting to think there’s just a lot of negativity on here too. I’ve seen homes in north shore for way less than that and people telling the best they’ll ever get is a condo.. so I’m not sure what to think of opinions on here. While I’m trying to absorb them all I suppose some I have to take with a grain of salt.

Take every single thing you read here with a big ole grain of salt. The regular posters here are out of touch with 75% of the eastern and central mass population.
They always say you should never think of moving here unless your combined income is well above $150k and can afford a million dollar house.

Simple fact is that million of people live in eastern and central mass on much less than that. You can rent in a lesser town in metrowest and be very happy and not one step from ruin. Rents have gotten insane in the last few years, but you can still find a 2b/1b apartment in Framingham or Ashland for under $2k. I know someone who rents a 2b apartment walking distance to Natick Center MBTA stop for $1600. Salem maybe, but it's a bad commute IMHO.

A 100% raise is nothing to scoff at!

[simplexsimon]

OP, don't feel deflated...people here are crazy.

You're going from $50k income to $110k income. Yes there's going to be some changes in quality of life but you'll figure it out (and you seem to know what to expect). Your housing costs are not going to increase by $60k/year. Ok ok, it's less than a $60k difference if you account for taxes, maybe it's closer to $50k/year.

I bet you'll pay off the MBA debt faster living here than in NC.

[darkone]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

This is not true. You dont get a middle class vibe in boston at all compared to other cities
.You're either a yup or in section 8 housing. Not a lot in between. Middle class has been fleeing for a long time.

So what do you consider Burlington, Woburn, Reading, Wakefield, Wilmington, Chelmsford, Natick etc. etc. ? They are solidly middle class communities with definite blue collar attributes. The home prices in these towns would suggest otherwise however ... until one sets foot in these towns.

[bugelrex]

Also consider that living near Boston also opens up more career opportunities for higher wages in the future. Dont focus too much on what you can afford today unless you strictly only want 9-5.

[johngolf]

Sweetbottoms

Maybe it is time to put the nippers in public school and you go to work. His $100K and your $50K will make life comfortable.

[BostonBornMassMade]

the VAST majority of Essex County survives on well under 110k. You're fine. Come on up.

[BostonBornMassMade]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

This is not true. You dont get a middle class vibe in boston at all compared to other cities
.You're either a yup or in section 8 housing. Not a lot in between. Middle class has been fleeing for a long time.

Boston and MA are two different things though. Boston also has a lot of middle class feeling areas. Albeit with poor quality housing.