Living on $27k (middle-class, for rent, house)

[ffknight918]

Is it possible? I was supposed to go for an easy test for FDNY EMS. However, I turned it down because I didn't think living on that salary was possible. I'm now going to graduate from college in Milwaukee, WI in Dec 08. I was considering it again. My ultimate goal in NY would be to become a firefighter for the FDNY. However, this might be a good start.

Would it be possible to live on that salary though? I'd save a little money by not owning a car. Still not sure how possible it is. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks.

[mead]

Rent a room for $500 a month and live cheaply.

I think that 27k a year salary is only until you graduate from the fire academy? Once you graduate I thought the salaries increased to the 40k range?

[ffknight918]

This would be only EMS, not fire. I'd eventually want to be fire, but it will take some time because there is so much competition. It's 27 for a year I think.

Are there places that give fire, police, ems discounts?

[DITC]

Finally one of the good guys is moving to town. We need more people like you doing REAL jobs that contribute to the community. People who dont think the world is about some bohemian adventure of irresponsibility and voluntary poverty or daddy funding their high class penthouse and red carpet dreams. Its a shame your offer is so low.

I wouldnt advise NY on this salary, but it can be done. Whats better about your job at this salary as opposed to a Manhattan graphics job or coffee shop barista is you should have job security and more benefits. To make ends meet, you would have to move way out in Queens and live frugally.

I doubt there are discounts for firepolice and ems, but maybe you can find a landlord in one of these professions who might cut you a break. Youd have to go without a car. After tax your looking at $18k, figure $7k for rent, $2k for utilities, $5k for food, $1k for metrocard, and the remaining $3k for whatever necessities. If you have money saved up though, you should be fine.

[009]

Might I add that somewhere convenient besides cheap. Getting to Fort Totten for training is not an easy task if you don't have a car. Estimated 2 hour trip going and 2.5 heading back home from my location. I had to skip 2 training sessions to save up for a vehicle.

[SeventhFloor]

when you move here you should take a look at hpd....you may get lucky and end up getting a place thats based on your income, you may also get preference in the lottery cause you're a city employee.

Housing Preservation and Development

[vincentnyc]

yes if u live in the pj's.

[user376]

It's possible in the short term, but you will be in a not-so-desirable part of town, with roommates. Not to mean you have to live in a slum, but it might be far from the subway, or have a long commute, etc. In any case, I wouldn't recommend it, because even though it will work in the short-term, it will be hard to build a future, buy a house and start a family on a middle-class salary here.

[ontheGtrain]

You cannot have any kind of decent life on that. You will be in the projects. Stay where you are.

[Ace Rock]

On $27k, you'll be forced to live in a neighborhood where you yourself might need EMS services.

It's unfortunate that the types of workers who are needed to make the city run can't really afford to live here in a semi-decent area.