Need info about Columbia (Northwoods, California: student loans, house, good schools)

[shangyer]

I was given an offer from a company in Columbia. I am a fresh Ph.D and they offer me $46,000/year. I have no idea if it is a good offer or not (personally I think it is low). Anyone can give any thoughts about this? Thank you!

[8 SNAKE]

Originally Posted by shangyer

I was given an offer from a company in Columbia. I am a fresh Ph.D and they offer me $46,000/year. I have no idea if it is a good offer or not (personally I think it is low). Anyone can give any thoughts about this? Thank you!

Gonna need more info about the job, industry and your goals to give much feedback.

[Northwoods Voyager]

I agree. More info would be helpful in order to answer your request. Such as where is this company located, what are you looking for? Housing, schools, night life, restaurants, etc.??? Columbia is a very interesting city. University of Missouri, V.A. Hospital, quite a variety of shopping available. Good schools, good housing available. Depends on your needs. Good luck to you.

[Clipperlover]

A lot depends on the type/quality of life you want. Columbia has more culture and diversity than most cities of its size because of the Universities in the area. It's going to be more liberal than most cities of its size. If the added artiness/leftiness appeals to you, that's a plus. It's not a big city--but you're not going to get a nice 2,200 square foot house with a nice yard for 200K in a big city. For some people, it's too small and slow compared to a very large city. On the other hand, it can be liberal and congested for small-town people more accustomed to rural living. It's all about perspective...I laugh at people that think Columbia has traffic. I'm originally from Southern California...I know traffic. There is no real traffic in Columbia.


I came here for grad school and stayed. I visited schools before I settled on Mizzou. Like I said, it's about perspective...you probably should visit to see if it's too small, too big, or just right for you.

[shangyer]

Originally Posted by Northwoods Voyager

I agree. More info would be helpful in order to answer your request. Such as where is this company located, what are you looking for? Housing, schools, night life, restaurants, etc.??? Columbia is a very interesting city. University of Missouri, V.A. Hospital, quite a variety of shopping available. Good schools, good housing available. Depends on your needs. Good luck to you.

I am scientist and the company locates in the city of columbia. I have a family, a two year old toddler. so I really need an average house. My wife might not work. I just wonder how is the pay. Is it enough to support a family.

[8 SNAKE]

Originally Posted by shangyer

I am scientist and the company locates in the city of columbia. I have a family, a two year old toddler. so I really need an average house. My wife might not work. I just wonder how is the pay. Is it enough to support a family.

$46k/yr for a PhD scientist seems low to me, but I have no idea what your job entails.

I can't really tell you if $46k is enough to support your family in Columbia because that's a very subjective question. There are people that get by for a lot less than $46k/yr and people who couldn't get by on half of that.

There are a lot of people who would be happy to help you out, but again you need to give some more detailed information. What size house are you looking for? What standard of living are you accustomed to? Do you have other fixed expenses (vehicle, student loans, etc)?