Livable wages in Northern Virgnia. Will I be okay? (Arlington: rent, health insurance)

[Guytheman]

Thank you all for your replies. Currently on the salary I have now, I do just fine. Noting that I do not spend money on healthcare, or rent I do live pretty okay. (I still go broke) I only go broke after having a blast on what I currently make. I pay all my bills, then I decide how soon I'd like to go broke, and what exactly do I want to go broke on. I'm sure with just a little bit more money I would not go broke, as I don't have an exspensive lifestyle, I just make dirt money now. I'm excited I'll be making much more than I do now. Gives me hope that I will not need to go broke anymore to enjoy life.

[MedvedActual]

Originally Posted by stateofnature

I don't know where in SE DC your apartment is, but take care that many parts of SE DC are REALLY bad. Like, some of the most dangerous neighborhoods, highest rates of murders and muggings in the ENTIRE COUNTRY. That kind of bad. But then SE DC also includes much of Capitol Hill, where your neighbors would be Senators and Congressmen and while there is some crime it's mostly fine. Make sure you're in the good part of SE!

You can always use this link to check your possible future living area:


Metropolitan Police Department


Specific crime report from the 7th District, which covers most of SE DC. http://crimemap.dc.gov/Report.aspx

[gomason]

I'm sure they mean a very safe neighborhood in SE DC like Capitol Hill or Navy Yard. I highly doubt anyone would choose Anacostia or some other unsafe neighborhood over Arlington.

[ChristineVA]

You are going to be fine at the salary. And the rental price is good for SE DC if you are in the better parts. I work at the Navy Yard and those rents on the new places are roughly about $3K for a 1BDRM. Be careful of the area there. Some areas are now great and some are bad.

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by tgbwc

I'd go as far as saying it's an excellent starting salary for a 22 year old.

I agree. I was making that in my late 30s, which wasn't that long ago.

[tgbwc]

Originally Posted by Carlingtonian

I agree. I was making that in my late 30s, which wasn't that long ago.

Same here. I know a 32 year old with a MA who would gladly take that salary.

[cowbirdcat]

I would love to be making that kind of money! congrats..you could live in the va suburbs quite well with that salary.

[thenewjs]

Im a Intern (9,10,11)
Make $48k.
Pay $900 a month for a 400sq foot basement apartment w all utilities paid.
Im a 10 min walk from the Clarendon Metro in Arlington.
I have a $260 a month car note and $100 car and renters insurance.

You could most def survive in Arlington on $72k.

[IsThisNameTaken]

Really? From what I read on other posts I would think anything under six figures would be down right impossible in this area. My salary is a bit a higher than OP and I almost had a panic attack thinking I wouldn't be able to afford to live out here.

[toosie]

Originally Posted by IsThisNameTaken

Really? From what I read on other posts I would think anything under six figures would be down right impossible in this area. My salary is a bit a higher than OP and I almost had a panic attack thinking I wouldn't be able to afford to live out here.

It depends what your priorities are. The OP is young and hasn't expressed a desire for an expensive car, home, lifestyle. It is an expensive area but, IMO, a lot of people make it much worse than it has to be because they care about status. My colleagues are appalled that I choose to live where I do. I value my 10 minute commute more than I would a spendy house in the outburbs. It's all about choices.