Reasonable place to live along the Hudson? (New York, White Plains: health insurance, apartment)

[rekesk]

Hi all. I may be getting a job in the $45-50K range located in westchester county. I'm really having a hard time determining what would be a decent place to live in this part of New York state. For somebody earning my type of salary, where would you suggest taking up residence? Is living in White Plains a reasonable goal, or would taxes just kill the experience for me?

[mommytwingle]

I'm thinking White Plains might be a little steep on your income. New York can be pretty expensive everywhere but anywhere "commutable" to the city is going to be at the peak!

[dma1250]

White Plaines would be tough on that income, unless you're just after a 1 bedroom apartment. The very best "inexpensive" place in Westchester is Peekskill. Other good places that can be reasonable are Croton, Yorktown Heights, Ossining. But what are you after? Apartment, house?

[rekesk]

I'm after a 1 bedroom apartment. I'm a single dude. Should I consider renting a room that is part of somebody's home?


Now a slightly more technical question for ya: How much do you lose out of your paychecks when working in westchester county? I've heard that state tax eats up 13% of your paycheck, and when all is said and done, you are left with 3/4s of what your gross pay is.

[dma1250]

That sounds right, maybe a bit more in taxes. There's no city income tax in Westchester, so you're better off than in NYC.

[rekesk]

Am I correct to think that I will take home more of my paycheck in the Boston area as opposed to Westchester county?

[Nick1918]

At your income state income taxes will be minimal. Federal, Social Security, & medicare will be the same regardless of where you live. At a taxable income at 45k you are looking at $2100 per year in state taxes, at 50k you are looking at $2500 per year. Take out your preminum for health insurance and any 401k savings and your state tax will be a bit lower.

[rekesk]

Back from the dead. Well I finally got the offer and I now have to make a move to the NYC area. MY job is in Tarrytown, and I'm looking to find in an apartment that I can afford on 50K but that is not too far from the Tarrytown area. Any suggestions? Are places in Tarrytown worth looking at?

[cpiseco]

Tarrytown is a good area. I still think Ossining and Croton are good, too. You should even consider trying across the Tappan Zee Bridge and looking into Rockland County (Nyack, Pearl River, Haverstraw).