Annual income of $84,000 qualifies as low income in OC (Orange: how much, homes)

[man4857]

Originally Posted by OptimusPrime69

If that's the case, just curious how teachers, nurses, mid-level office administrators make it in OC? Like the ppl that make between $45K and $60k a year? How do they afford to live there?

They simply can't. They live there because they spend a bigger proportion of their income on basic COL needs than what's recommended by avoiding saving for other things. Any other rationalization is just plain BS in my books. Income statistics will easily show you that's the case.

Exhibit 1:

Originally Posted by kishac

most experienced public school teachers in OC make over $80k


Many nurses make over $100k.


So if a teacher marries a nurse, they will make over $150k combined in most cases.

Like this guy. Pointing out the exceptionally rare case, if you meet all those conditions, viola you can live in OC! What he doesn't mention is, there's scores of other people out there besides these people. You know.. like teachers who aren't as "experienced", people who aren't nurses, and married couples who aren't nurses and teachers.

My first job out of college as an engineer, I made $65K. Think I could afford to live there? Maybe if I married another engineer sure, it's always possible. Heck marry a billionaire. But statistics shows, there are way more people who earn less than me, than more. As most professional/technical jobs are easily outnumbered by service/blue collar jobs and gets paid nowhere near what professional jobs get paid.

https://statisticalatlas.com/state/C...usehold-Income

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by man4857

They simply can't. They live there because they spend a bigger proportion of their income on basic COL needs than what's recommended by avoiding saving for other things. Any other rationalization is just plain BS in my books. Income statistics will easily show you that's the case.

Exhibit 1:


Like this guy. Pointing out the exceptionally rare case, if you meet all those conditions, viola you can live in OC! What he doesn't mention is, there's scores of other people out there besides these people. You know.. like teachers who aren't as "experienced", people who aren't nurses, and married couples who aren't nurses and teachers.

My first job out of college as an engineer, I made $65K. Think I could afford to live there? Maybe if I married another engineer sure, it's always possible. Heck marry a billionaire. But statistics shows, there are way more people who earn less than me, than more. As most professional/technical jobs are easily outnumbered by service/blue collar jobs and gets paid nowhere near what professional jobs get paid.

https://statisticalatlas.com/state/C...usehold-Income

Yep when it is said the "poor" are leaving CA it includes a Hugh number of people making less than $84,000.00. They are just "poor" in CA but not elsewhere.

Your last line is the sad truth and even with the push for everyone to go to college there simply are not enough jobs for all the graduates so they end up working elsewhere and have a nice sheet of paper to hang on their wall.

[man4857]

Originally Posted by expatCA

Yep when it is said the "poor" are leaving CA it includes a Hugh number of people making less than $84,000.00. They are just "poor" in CA but not elsewhere.

Your last line is the sad truth and even with the push for everyone to go to college there simply are not enough jobs for all the graduates so they end up working elsewhere and have a nice sheet of paper to hang on their wall.

That will always be the case. It isn't a sad truth. That just how capitalism works. There will always be a bigger proportion working at lower wages than at higher wages. It's just not possible the other way around (the free market would balance that out otherwise, oversupply -> lower wages).

However, more education is not bad. The more educated people are, the smarter people are, and in general, less drugs, crime, social issues, whether it is a good ROI or not for their degree. The only caveat is moderating the cost so that you don't have people who spend $150K to earn a fine arts degree.

The issue comes down to: is this high COL a good thing or a bad thing? As we've had many debates in the other thread. Some will think it's fine and others like myself think it's not fine.

[CaliRestoration]

I'll be honest, $84,000 for a family of 4 does seem pretty low income for some areas of OC.

[man4857]

Originally Posted by CaliRestoration

I'll be honest, $84,000 for a family of 4 does seem pretty low income for some areas of OC.

"does seem"? As if it's not obvious enough already? lol

[CaliRestoration]

Originally Posted by man4857

"does seem"? As if it's not obvious enough already? lol

Sorry, I've lost some perspective over the years. The last time I didn't have 10 digit net worth, Obama was still in his first term.

[payutenyodagimas]

are there Buffets here? Gates? 10-digit net worth? shouldn't you be passing your time basking under the sun over the pacific on your yacht? instead of posting here?

[saibot]

Originally Posted by payutenyodagimas

are there Buffets here? Gates? 10-digit net worth? shouldn't you be passing your time basking under the sun over the pacific on your yacht? instead of posting here?

Yeah, I didn't know we humble C-Ders were honored by the presence of a billionaire.

[CaliRestoration]

Originally Posted by payutenyodagimas

are there Buffets here? Gates? 10-digit net worth? shouldn't you be passing your time basking under the sun over the pacific on your yacht? instead of posting here?

Is that what your think rich people do?

[payutenyodagimas]

Originally Posted by CaliRestoration

Is that what your think rich people do?

neither do they posting here.


if they want their opinions heard, they usually submit editorials in the WaPo Or NYT or hire lobbyist to get what they want. not posting here