110,000 K salary to work Herdnon where to live in Northern VA (Reston: apartments, renting)

[MUJK]

Hi, I have been offered a 110,000 K salary to work in Herndon. Is that a good salary to live in the area? If so, where should I live? It is only me and my wife.

[RecessionCasualty]

What are you looking for in housing? What is the max you are willing to pay in rent? Narrow that down and perhaps someone can give you advice.

[JfromReston]

Nice salary - live in Herndon or Reston.

[Abraham Walker]

What percentage of your income would you like to spend on housing? This will determine if this salary is a good salary.

[rome99]

I would buy a house. Apartment rents are way high nowadays.

[Abraham Walker]

Originally Posted by rome99

I would buy a house. Apartment rents are way high nowadays.

This would depend on his long-term strategy. If he buys a house now and moves in 2 years, he's more than likely going to be underwater and at a negative cash flow when he rents the property.

Buying vs Renting is a long-term versus short-term strategy conversation.

[TheTimidBlueBars]

That's a pretty comfortable salary, even for NoVa. Depending on what level of urbanity and cultural amenities you want, Herndon, Oak Grove, Reston, Sterling, Floris, etc. could all be feasible. Personally I'd do Reston because it has easy Metro access to get into DC and the inner suburbs, but even there you can get to from any of those suburbs.

[VRE332]

Originally Posted by TheTimidBlueBars

That's a pretty comfortable salary, even for NoVa. Depending on what level of urbanity and cultural amenities you want, Herndon, Oak Grove, Reston, Sterling, Floris, etc. could all be feasible. Personally I'd do Reston because it has easy Metro access to get into DC and the inner suburbs, but even there you can get to from any of those suburbs.

Depends on how you look at it. After tax, medical insurance, 6% 401k, he's looking around $6,300/month. Subtract vehicle payment, registration fees, tires, insurance, rent, power, gas, gym memberships, grocery, eating out, internet, cell phone, and general cost of living, that leaves him not many options.

[NOVA_guy]

I'm super late and idk if the OP will come back but it sounds like you're renting - you should check out Station On Silver, it's right off 28. They're really building Herndon up so there's a lot of new apartments that have been built in the last couple years.

Best of luck!

[Deeman804]

Originally Posted by VRE332

Depends on how you look at it. After tax, medical insurance, 6% 401k, he's looking around $6,300/month. Subtract vehicle payment, registration fees, tires, insurance, rent, power, gas, gym memberships, grocery, eating out, internet, cell phone, and general cost of living, that leaves him not many options.

Leaves him not many options for what? Sounds like a comfortable life if you have all of those things. Whatever is leftover can go straight to savings.