Cost of Living in Alexandria (Arlington, Hampton: lease, health insurance, student loans)
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It's me again! The semester is pretty much over, and even though I don't graduate until May 2010, my time is getting shorter. I still very much have my heart set on living in Alexandria or any of the surrounding areas depending on my finances. So I will more than likely start off working at a Human Resources Assistant since it's entry level. About how much would I have to make a year to have a decent standard of living in Alexandria because I know the COL is extremely high. I know thar HR assistants make anywhere between 30-50k or something like that. So my starting salary will probaly be between 30-35k. Would this be enough to live off in Alexandria? Also how is the job market in Alexandria and the surrounding areas? Are the any openings for HR Assistants? Thanks for all of your help!
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"One month until vacation."
(set 16 days ago)
Location: Sleep and work in Arlington, VA; party in Washington, DC
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brit3218
Hello everyone!
It's me again! The semester is pretty much over, and even though I don't graduate until May 2010, my time is getting shorter. I still very much have my heart set on living in Alexandria or any of the surrounding areas depending on my finances. So I will more than likely start off working at a Human Resources Assistant since it's entry level. About how much would I have to make a year to have a decent standard of living in Alexandria because I know the COL is extremely high. I know thar HR assistants make anywhere between 30-50k or something like that. So my starting salary will probaly be between 30-35k. Would this be enough to live off in Alexandria? Also how is the job market in Alexandria and the surrounding areas? Are the any openings for HR Assistants? Thanks for all of your help!
30-35k? I wouldn't attempt it but it can probably be done. The trouble is what kind of lifestyle do you want to live? You would pretty much have to stay in every weekend, have 3 or 4 roommates. not eat out often, live on Ramen noodles, have a car that is paid off, basically college without the fun. There is a reason why me (21 y/o 2011 college grad) and ScranBarre (23 y/o grad) are looking to relocate to cheaper areas in KY and PA respectively.
The job market here is better than most areas but with this economy no promises.
I very honestly would NOT recommend NoVA for a fresh graduate. Way too expensive to live well and still have fun.
I'm not sure that that's not a rather too dire prediction.
FYI - DD lives in Alexandria and these are "basic" outgoings monthly
rent - $1150 (studio, includes utilities)
car insurance - $140
health insurance $120
cell phone $50
internet $30
student loans $68
Obviously that doesn't include food, gas, repairs, entertainment or any of the other things you might consider necessary.
30-35k? I wouldn't attempt it but it can probably be done. The trouble is what kind of lifestyle do you want to live? You would pretty much have to stay in every weekend, have 3 or 4 roommates. not eat out often, live on Ramen noodles, have a car that is paid off, basically college without the fun. There is a reason why me (21 y/o 2011 college grad) and ScranBarre (23 y/o grad) are looking to relocate to cheaper areas in KY and PA respectively.
The job market here is better than most areas but with this economy no promises.
I very honestly would NOT recommend NoVA for a fresh graduate. Way too expensive to live well and still have fun.
Let me ask you a question. First, what school do you attend? And second, why do you think it's too expensive to live here?
Status:
"One month until vacation."
(set 16 days ago)
Location: Sleep and work in Arlington, VA; party in Washington, DC
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nemesis16
Let me ask you a question. First, what school do you attend? And second, why do you think it's too expensive to live here?
First, really none of your business but I attend a university that is based on Ft. Myer.
Second, because the $1350 my mother is breaking her back to pay for this 2 bedroom box we currently live in could get a decent 3br townhome back home in Hampton Roads or nearly any other desirable military town (my preference.)
Having a tight budget that prevents you from going out with your friends to dinner once in awhile or taking a vacation to visit family is not fun. And I want to have a somewhat social lifestyle. It's just of case of the benefits of NoVA not being worth the drawbacks for me.
Don't let some obviously bitter folks turn you off. I'm older than you and a different situation now but I moved here w/o a job (granted times were different 20 yrs. ago) - BUT! you don't have to live w/a kazillion people, my first place was a really large 3 br. and had 2 roommates, we got rid of one after a time and the two of us were fine there. You sound like you have a good head on our shoulders, I think you'll do fine. Read those stats Jennifer.... posted. Life is possible and fun on a budget.
Status:
"One month until vacation."
(set 16 days ago)
Location: Sleep and work in Arlington, VA; party in Washington, DC
12,036 posts, read 11,967,542 times
Reputation: 9292
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flamingo13
Don't let some obviously bitter folks turn you off. I'm older than you and a different situation now but I moved here w/o a job (granted times were different 20 yrs. ago) - BUT! you don't have to live w/a kazillion people, my first place was a really large 3 br. and had 2 roommates, we got rid of one after a time and the two of us were fine there. You sound like you have a good head on our shoulders, I think you'll do fine. Read those stats Jennifer.... posted. Life is possible and fun on a budget.
But don't disregard the bitter folks either. If I'm bitter that I see my mother work like a slave only to afford this apt that she absolutely HATES, then I think I have good reason to be bitter. I'm also mad that a friend who is a single mother has been forced to work 7 days a week just to pay for a basement apt that is an hour from her jobs.
I'm sorry but I think people who make under $35k here are signing up for some tough years.
I very honestly would NOT recommend NoVA for a fresh graduate. Way too expensive to live well and still have fun.
I tend to agree with this.
Yes, it's tempting to take the highest paying job possible (especially in tough times). But if there's a way you can swing life with a lower paying job, I think there's a lot to be said for spending a year or two in a beach town. Or some other "cool" town. You're only young once, go get a bunch of roommates and live the beach bum lifestyle for a while. Have some fun. There's plenty of time to move to Nova.
Of course, everyone has a different situation and a different personality. If you're ready to settle down and get serious about career and goals and that sort of thing, Nova's a great place for you. But, in general, I think Nova starts to be a lot more appealling after about age 25.
You're graduating soon and you have a job lined up -- so you have something to be thankful for regardless. Alexandria is expensive, maybe not quite as expensive as North Arlington, but certainly among the most expensive metro DC areas in NOVA. Whether you can get by on $30-35k depends entirely on the lifestyle you want to have. If you are willing to have roommates and forego buying a brand new car, etc, you can do it. The best thing you can do for yourself will be to work hard at your job and hopefully move up the career ladder to increase you income to a point where it becomes easier to afford living in the metro DC area.
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If I'm bitter that I see my mother work like a slave only to afford this apt that she absolutely HATES, then I think I have good reason to be bitter. I'm also mad that a friend who is a single mother has been forced to work 7 days a week just to pay for a basement apt that is an hour from her jobs.
