Getting nervous (Boston, Cambridge: to rent, crime, mortgage)

[dnbnv]

Husband is interviewing for a job this week in the Boston area. We live in the midwest and will have to relocate. We have 2 children and have been wanting to make the move but the cost of living increase of over 55% is really making us nervous. What would the minimum total salary income be for a middle class family to survive comfortably in the Boston area? We don't want to live paycheck to paycheck and we want to have enough money to enjoy the amenities of such a culturally rich city.

[Parsec]

Depends if you want to rent or buy. The U.S. govt did a study showing you'd need to make $68k for a family of 4 just for the basic necessities. That's also if you're renting. If you buy, then the mortgage would likely be much larger than your rent and you'd probably have to be making closer to $100k depending on where you decide to buy. Personally, I feel $60k for a family of 3 is just enough to rent and enjoy going out once a week.

[2KidsforMe]

It also depends on where you want to live and how close to the city you need or would like to be. Suburbs can very alot in pricing.

[dnbnv]

We are looking into the North Shore, South Shore and Middlesex County areas (I know - wide range). Schools and safety are our first priorities. Near the ocean would be nice, but I know we won't have an ocean view. We would likely have to rent at first...but we do have a large dog too, so that may be hard. I'd rather not have to move more than once, so if we could find the right house in the right town for the right price...that would be awesome!

[jenks9]

If it is only your husband that will be working then you should figure on just a little over $100,000 a year. Housing is very expensive here and even if you live further out it is still expensive. But the pay scale is higher here and the education is better here. Good luck.

[dnbnv]

If his job is in the greater Boston/Cambridge area, what areas are good to raise young children? We are doing tons of online research on schools and crime index, but it is hard to put it all together along with affordability. We would like to be somewhat close to the coast. Have also looked at houses in NH...how's that commute?