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Old 01-16-2017, 07:06 AM
 
Location: Central Virginia
6,562 posts, read 8,398,266 times
Reputation: 18809

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Quote:
Originally Posted by HenryThe8th View Post
Currently, I earn $53k, and we are paying $800 a month. So, take home is currently is almost $3800, but I suspended 401k contributions last year to help with a huge financial mess, but am ready to put that back in.
So the additional rent alone would eat up the increase you would receive. You're making much more than the median family income in a low cost of living area. I don't know where you are so I'm not advising you to stay put but perhaps someplace other than NoVA would be better for your family. Is there something that is drawing you to NoVA?
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Old 01-16-2017, 11:21 AM
 
9 posts, read 12,069 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HokieFan View Post
So the additional rent alone would eat up the increase you would receive. You're making much more than the median family income in a low cost of living area. I don't know where you are so I'm not advising you to stay put but perhaps someplace other than NoVA would be better for your family. Is there something that is drawing you to NoVA?
Yeah, its a very specific job. The field I work in its like that. You have to move with the opportunity. I'm ok if housing eats the raise. As long as additional living expenses don't eat what I already am able to set aside I'm good. Thats what I'm concerned about. My bills are really low.
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Old 01-18-2017, 07:47 AM
 
518 posts, read 925,447 times
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Shop around, it's possible. My wife and I make around that much and have 2 kids. We own a townhouse in Woodbridge and commute to Springfield where I catch the metro to Alexandria.
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Old 01-18-2017, 11:37 AM
 
3,109 posts, read 2,974,026 times
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Your spouse could drive a school bus and bring the kids with her....starts at about 19 per hour...could also reduce your insurance costs. Desperate times call for desperate measures...people do it every day. I recall seeing people using their youngsters to deliver new phone books on weekends....kids were barely three feet tall. I think families in your situation have suffered the most during these last eight years of pain....you make too much for subsidies, but you likely have dreams at night that you are running without getting anywhere. You also took the full brunt of the ACA, and have also seen rents rise dramatically, to the point that home ownerships will be impossible. This world is full of nice places to live on 65k per year....Nova is't one of them. How does 2500 for a root canal and crown sound? Or 90 per hour so your car will pass emissions?
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Old 01-18-2017, 02:05 PM
 
Location: annandale, va & slidell, la
9,267 posts, read 5,122,800 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HenryThe8th View Post
So how about it? Can you survive on $65K? Can you afford to live any? A single car payment, no credit cards debt, some medical, and student loans?

Thanks for your help!!!
No. Two adults = $120K min; + 2-kids $40K = $160K total minimum. Less is not realistic. Sorry.
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Old 01-18-2017, 02:06 PM
 
Location: annandale, va & slidell, la
9,267 posts, read 5,122,800 times
Reputation: 8471
Quote:
Originally Posted by roninsedge View Post
Shop around, it's possible. My wife and I make around that much and have 2 kids. We own a townhouse in Woodbridge and commute to Springfield where I catch the metro to Alexandria.
The OP asked about Northern Virginia. Woodbridge is a stretch.
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Old 01-18-2017, 03:46 PM
 
Location: Suburbia
8,826 posts, read 15,324,401 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by finalmove View Post
The OP asked about Northern Virginia. Woodbridge is a stretch.
You think?

I consider Woodbridge to easily fall within what is considered Northern VA.
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Old 01-19-2017, 03:30 AM
 
Location: Central Virginia
6,562 posts, read 8,398,266 times
Reputation: 18809
Quote:
Originally Posted by finalmove View Post
The OP asked about Northern Virginia. Woodbridge is a stretch.
Woodbridge is part of Northern Virginia. I live in Lake Ridge and commute to Alexandria. My husband has commuted to DC (45 min in HOV via carpool), Reston (45 min) and now Alexandria (60 min).

If OP means Fairfax City, his commute would be 35-50 minutes depending on his departure times and what part of Woodbridge. It's a straight shot up Rt 123.

I think a family of four on $65k is doable with no debt and if they are very frugal. My concern is that an unexpected expense comes up, and suddenly they are no longer debt free and now struggling to live paycheck to paycheck.

I'm a summing the children are not school age yet. OP, will your wife be able to contribute to the household income once the kids are in school?
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Old 01-19-2017, 04:31 AM
 
Location: Virginia-Shenandoah Valley
7,670 posts, read 14,247,500 times
Reputation: 7464
Quote:
Originally Posted by finalmove View Post
The OP asked about Northern Virginia. Woodbridge is a stretch.
Um, all of PWC to include Woodbridge has been part of NOVA for many years.
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Old 01-22-2017, 02:12 PM
 
Location: annandale, va & slidell, la
9,267 posts, read 5,122,800 times
Reputation: 8471
Quote:
Originally Posted by tgbwc View Post
You think?

I consider Woodbridge to easily fall within what is considered Northern VA.
OK, I'll try again. The OP wanted to know if it's possible for a family of four to survive in Northern Virginia on $65K before taxes.

Fairfax County or Arlington County, absolutely not. Loudoun County, unlikely.
Long commutes in this region are notoriously hateful.

Even with the lower rent in the remote boonies of Southern Prince Williaim, it's not realistic.
Our cost of living rivals Seattle or NYC. They would struggle and risk financial ruin.

I'm sure someone could do it. I just wouldn't advise it.
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