What is considered a "high income" for a family in Northern VA? (Reston: coupons, 2010)

[nwlv]

Yeah, but there's better Mexican food in Springfield.

[Tone509]

I would agree that there is a whole lot of variables that go into determining what is a "minimum" income to make it in Northern Virginia: size of household, number of breadwinners, amount of debt, etc.

Even in today's economy, I believe that for a "typical" family of four who would like to live in a decent, not extravagant detached home on less than $100K/year, Fairfax and western Loudoun Counties would generally be a stretch while Prince William, eastern Loudoun, Stafford and Spotsylvania would be attainable overall. Of course, then there's the commute.

[ZakAttack]

Originally Posted by Newk

I did it. Moved from Springfield, VA to San Antonio, TX and my pay went up a good amount because I was stepping into a junior management job. Getting married in August and hope to buy a house btwn $180,000-$210,000 which would get us 4 bedrooms and 2,500 square feet. Two car garage.

Good move.

Showoff!
Well, NoVA is home for us and our large family and extended family, so we can't move away...it would mean losing the grandparents a.k.a. "free babysitters"! But I often think of how little my 400K (PWC) home would cost in other places. Probably similar to what NEWK is going to pay above. And in my job, my pay would stay roughly the same anywhere in the country so it is tempting to think about, but in the end you can't put a price on being near family, and allowing your kids to be able to grow up knowing their cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc.

We do the SAHM thing (stay-at-home-Mom), which we strongly value. My wife could easily work and put us over that 200K barrier, but we choose not to and do just fine. Of course, this is much easier in PWC.

[Newk]

I am also isolated and don't know anyone down here, so that is a negative as well.

[ZakAttack]

Originally Posted by Newk

I am also isolated and don't know anyone down here, so that is a negative as well.

Ahh, there goes the tradeoff. Well, I am not as jealous anymore then! heh

[Skapov]

Originally Posted by Tone509

I would agree that there is a whole lot of variables that go into determining what is a "minimum" income to make it in Northern Virginia: size of household, number of breadwinners, amount of debt, etc.

Even in today's economy, I believe that for a "typical" family of four who would like to live in a decent, not extravagant detached home on less than $100K/year, Fairfax and western Loudoun Counties would generally be a stretch while Prince William, eastern Loudoun, Stafford and Spotsylvania would be attainable overall. Of course, then there's the commute.

My husband & I just bought a house in Fairfax County, and we've actually been considering renting out the basement to bring in some extra $$$$ because life has gotten so so expensive now! We have only 1 infant, don't shop high-end and only have 1 car, no student loans or debt, and yet the $120K income we gross doesn't afford us the type of life we'd imagined. We're barely making ends meet!

I spend $225/month for VRE/Metro, Family Daycare for 1 baby costs me $900/month, and I don't see how we're gonna afford to have 3-4 children as we'd always planned. We have 4 college degrees between us, yet our standard-of-living is about the same as my younger sister who is a single mom to 2 children, with only a high school diploma, but living in Michigan where everything is dirt cheap! I'm thinking maybe I need to look for a new job that pays more or something, as my company didn't even give raises/bonuses this year.

I absolutely agree that you need at least $250k to be Middle Class in Fairfax County! I can't afford to replace my outdated 1970s kitchen appliances, I can't afford to get regular manicure-pedicures, and I can't afford to spend a couple of weekends at the beach this summer or to pay $600 membership to join a private pool club. That's the REALITY of life in NOVA when you earn less than a quarter-million.

[nwlv]

Yes, but what are your four degrees in?

[leighland]

Anyone who makes 6 figures and owns a home is middle class IMO

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by Skapov

My husband & I just bought a house in Fairfax County, and we've actually been considering renting out the basement to bring in some extra $$$$ because life has gotten so so expensive now! We have only 1 infant, don't shop high-end and only have 1 car, no student loans or debt, and yet the $120K income we gross doesn't afford us the type of life we'd imagined. We're barely making ends meet!

I spend $225/month for VRE/Metro, Family Daycare for 1 baby costs me $900/month, and I don't see how we're gonna afford to have 3-4 children as we'd always planned. We have 4 college degrees between us, yet our standard-of-living is about the same as my younger sister who is a single mom to 2 children, with only a high school diploma, but living in Michigan where everything is dirt cheap! I'm thinking maybe I need to look for a new job that pays more or something, as my company didn't even give raises/bonuses this year.

I absolutely agree that you need at least $250k to be Middle Class in Fairfax County! I can't afford to replace my outdated 1970s kitchen appliances, I can't afford to get regular manicure-pedicures, and I can't afford to spend a couple of weekends at the beach this summer or to pay $600 membership to join a private pool club. That's the REALITY of life in NOVA when you earn less than a quarter-million.

Skapov,

I bet you *are* feeling poor. As I stated in an earlier post, we are making roughly $170K (gross) and even I am still not comfortable making the move to Fairfax County from Prince William. Back when I moved from PG County (in the mid 90s), I really wanted to be in the Springfield area but it was always just out of reach (and I had two in daycare--YOWZA daycare was HIGH in Fairfax). I had to suck it up and move to Prince William. In the long run, the wise thing would have been to bite bullet and struggle for a few years in Fairfax. Our income certainly did grow quite a bit after we moved and it would have been doable. But I understand your pain. Maybe in a few years with a few promotions you'll get some breathing room.

Also, home ownership is so expensive. My house is just turning 15 years old and everything is falling apart. I just got a new garage door today ($1400--cha-ching) and then I need new windows ($10,000). My neighbors' furnaces are all going, so I know that's next. We have two so I'm thinking another $8,000. This will totally drain my savings. And then I have my oldest child entering college. Qualified for NO aid at all--too rich, ya know?

[tgbwc]

Originally Posted by ChristineVA

Skapov,

I bet you *are* feeling poor. As I stated in an earlier post, we are making roughly $170K (gross) and even I am still not comfortable making the move to Fairfax County from Prince William. Back when I moved from PG County (in the mid 90s), I really wanted to be in the Springfield area but it was always just out of reach (and I had two in daycare--YOWZA daycare was HIGH in Fairfax). I had to suck it up and move to Prince William. In the long run, the wise thing would have been to bite bullet and struggle for a few years in Fairfax. Our income certainly did grow quite a bit after we moved and it would have been doable. But I understand your pain. Maybe in a few years with a few promotions you'll get some breathing room.

Also, home ownership is so expensive. My house is just turning 15 years old and everything is falling apart. I just got a new garage door today ($1400--cha-ching) and then I need new windows ($10,000). My neighbors' furnaces are all going, so I know that's next. We have two so I'm thinking another $8,000. This will totally drain my savings. And then I have my oldest child entering college. Qualified for NO aid at all--too rich, ya know?

We are also similar. Between the two of us (both with Masters degrees) we have 30 years of experience with FCPS (that puts us at about $140k combined). When our only child was born 8 years ago we moved from a condo in the Woodbridge/Occoquan area further south into PW so that we could afford a small sfh. After 8 years of putting in a combined 64 miles into our commutes we decided if we were going to make the "jump", now was the time since we aren't upside down in our current house and the interest rates are good. Our jobs are secure. We are now moving to the 22152 zip, but it is quite a squeeze budget wise. We aren't crazy in our spending. We think the short commutes will help to make up for it.