How Do People Do It? (Orlando, Deltona: mortgage, credit, mcmansions)

[bdpop]

Based on the current cost of housing here in Central Florida, how is anyone able to afford it on the low pay! I grew up here in the 1970's and remember when this was a very nice and affordable place to live! that was when Martin Marietta and NTC Orlando were the major employers here.

[kater07]

We bought our house in Deltona, and I'm able to be a SAHM. My husband commuting to Maitland is worth it for the better mortgage and being able to be home with my children. There's affordable living in the DeLand/Deltona/Lake Helen/DeBary area.

[Nirvana-Guy]

Originally Posted by bdpop

Based on the current cost of housing here in Central Florida, how is anyone able to afford it on the low pay! I grew up here in the 1970's and remember when this was a very nice and affordable place to live! that was when Martin Marietta and NTC Orlando were the major employers here.

That is a great question, friend. People live with their parents, pack 3 or 4 roommates in their homes, work 2 jobs, sell drugs, steal... whatever it takes, right?

My wife and I lived with $50 in the end of the month after paying all bills. Mind you, that is because we have 2 modest cars and NO credit cards. $50 was all we had left every month and it is only by God's graces that we never had emergency medical bills or major car repair issue. Otherwise, we'd be in big trouble.

Basically $50 was our "fun money" and we spent $12 of that on Netflix... going to the movies, ha ha... NO WAY we would blow $18 to see 1 measely movie. Eating out? Maybe Chick-Fil-A once a month.

FL is horrible for middle class people, specially families and people with special needs. You have to live REALLY far away from where you work because you cannot afford anything closer and what you can afford closer, if in the middle of the ghetto.

Originally Posted by kater07

We bought our house in Deltona, and I'm able to be a SAHM. My husband commuting to Maitland is worth it for the better mortgage and being able to be home with my children. There's affordable living in the DeLand/Deltona/Lake Helen/DeBary area.

We ALMOST moved to Deltona too, but we would have to drive 2h each way to get to work in Orlando. Thank God we didn't move to Deltona.

I moved out of state and never been this happy!! Lots of good paying jobs and no crackdealers down the street. We now have some money left every month to live a bit less strapped. Life is good..... when you are NOT in Florida!! Ahhh....

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by Nirvana-Guy

sell drugs

You got to it before me . What nirvana did you move to though...

[bdpop]

I grew up in what is now known as olde Winter Park off of Lakemont Ave. When I lived there it was a nice middle class neighborhood with lots of familes with kids. Now it is filled with McMansions. The house I grew up in is still standing, though. Where do the people get the money for these McMansions; surely not from jobs here in Orlando!

[Stupid Flanders]

Originally Posted by bdpop

I grew up in what is now known as olde Winter Park off of Lakemont Ave. When I lived there it was a nice middle class neighborhood with lots of familes with kids. Now it is filled with McMansions. The house I grew up in is still standing, though. Where do the people get the money for these McMansions; surely not from jobs here in Orlando!

The average salary for my sales staff in Orlando is $145k. The top 5 make well over $200k.

But you have to be a narcissistic egotistical maniacal jerk-off and trample on your coworkers to make that kind of cash. These are some of the people buying the McMansions.

No thanks. I'd rather make half of that and have a soul!

[beckycat]

That is a big issue! It is forcing so many people out of FL. Between my husband and I, we make a combined income of $45K. We have 2 kids. It's a struggle and we have to live off credit cards. (which I hate!)Therfore, we will be leaving FL after being here for 8 years. Thank god I'm really good with money or we'd be in big trouble! I like FL but can't afford it anymore.

[mg83]

200k a year is enough to afford a McMansion? Don't move to the city of Atlanta then. 200k would get you one of cardboard boxes that the Coca Cola throws out every night.

[backtofla]

145k? what are you selling stupidflanders???

[verobeach]

Originally Posted by bdpop

Based on the current cost of housing here in Central Florida, how is anyone able to afford it on the low pay! I grew up here in the 1970's and remember when this was a very nice and affordable place to live! that was when Martin Marietta and NTC Orlando were the major employers here.

It's not the 1970's anymore... anywhere!