I want to know cost of living in Orlando (Jacksonville: low income, section 8)

[annerk]

Originally Posted by vctor

So you think $4000 will be just enough? Plus the wife can get a job maybe, so that could help also right?

Then you'd have day care costs and need a second car--and will she even be allowed to work on the type of Visa you'll be coming in on?

[MovedfromFL]

Daycare is very expensive. You also need to think about health insurance. Will you be able to get it through the company? How much will it cost per month? How much out of pocket? You need to live close to your work location because gas is going up and many roads in Orlando are toll roads.

In my opinion (as someone who has been living on more than $3,000 a month but less than $4,000 for a few years now with 2 kids), you should strongly think twice about this move. It sounds like the company is taking advantage of you. I'm not sure you will be able to make ends meet on that salary. Will you have to pay taxes to your home country also?

If the job does not include health insurance, that should be a deal breaker. You will not be able to afford anything on your own. I don't think you will qualify for our low-income government insurance because you are not a citizen. You cannot let your children go without coverage.

If I were you, I would think about staying put and finding a decent job at home unless you can get this job to pay more. The salary proposed by this new job you state is way too low to survive with a family of 5. I only say this because I have seen how tough it is on my husband's teacher salary for the last 3 years. The only way we can make it is because our mortgage payment is only $700. (we sold our other house for a nice profit and put the money down on this one) You will not be able to find a 4 bedroom place with a garage that you can afford on $3,000 a month salary. Sorry to be so blunt, but you need to be aware of the facts.

[salmanalk]

I agree with movedfromfl, there are a lot of things to think about. I would be more than happy to answer specific questions, but nobody knows your situation better then yourself. Where will you be moving from?

[floridabound10]

Hello all. Ive been living in N.C for my whole life and i need a change. We plan to one day move to florida also. hopefully by mid 2010. but i would like some advice too if possible. I'm 24 years old and married. husbands looking to go to U.T.I. No children yet just the cat. so i believe this is an opportune time to start 'a new' if i could say. Do any floridians have any suggestions of were new comers should start out specially with a lower income more like collage income >35,000 a year together, and wanting to go to school?? Personally I've seen many affordable rental places but i would like to know more about the areas. We had more of central florida in mind. any places to suggest there?

[vctor]

Originally Posted by MovedfromFL

Daycare is very expensive. You also need to think about health insurance. Will you be able to get it through the company? How much will it cost per month? How much out of pocket? You need to live close to your work location because gas is going up and many roads in Orlando are toll roads.

In my opinion (as someone who has been living on more than $3,000 a month but less than $4,000 for a few years now with 2 kids), you should strongly think twice about this move. It sounds like the company is taking advantage of you. I'm not sure you will be able to make ends meet on that salary. Will you have to pay taxes to your home country also?

If the job does not include health insurance, that should be a deal breaker. You will not be able to afford anything on your own. I don't think you will qualify for our low-income government insurance because you are not a citizen. You cannot let your children go without coverage.

If I were you, I would think about staying put and finding a decent job at home unless you can get this job to pay more. The salary proposed by this new job you state is way too low to survive with a family of 5. I only say this because I have seen how tough it is on my husband's teacher salary for the last 3 years. The only way we can make it is because our mortgage payment is only $700. (we sold our other house for a nice profit and put the money down on this one) You will not be able to find a 4 bedroom place with a garage that you can afford on $3,000 a month salary. Sorry to be so blunt, but you need to be aware of the facts.

So if healthcare is provided, it will be ok? I'm still weighing in on the possibilities and the company I will work on will help me find a decent house, and would surely look for somewhere near the work place. Maybe that kind of house would not fit for my salary, but I think we can manage with just a small house for now.

So you think $4000 is good?

[beckycat]

Originally Posted by vctor

So if healthcare is provided, it will be ok? I'm still weighing in on the possibilities and the company I will work on will help me find a decent house, and would surely look for somewhere near the work place. Maybe that kind of house would not fit for my salary, but I think we can manage with just a small house for now.

So you think $4000 is good?

I think it is. We have 2 kids and make less than that and make it. Just don't live beyond your means.

[MovedfromFL]

Check into your tax situation. (I have no idea how much you would pay, if any, in taxes for US and your home country). I did a quick search and found some info that says H1-b visa workers pay all US taxes. Again, something to check on. Taxes are taken out of your paycheck depending on the amount of dependants that you claim, so make sure to claim everyone in your family when you fill out all of the new hire paperwork.

Also, just because you have health insurance doesn't mean you are good to go. Insurance plans vary. Some cover basically nothing until after you pay a lot of money out of pocket (called "high deductible" or HSA [healthcare savings account] plans). Most plans will still require you to pay $20-30 per doctor visit and something similar for pharmacy drugs depending on if they are name brand or generic. Some plans (called "coinsurance") require you to pay a % of the total. We had 20% coinsurance with our last teaching jobs. Believe me, that added up to thousands of dollars out of pocket when we had our first baby and a few blood tests for me.

I would try for $4,000. That sounds ok if you are good at living within a budget. My situation like I said is that we only pay $700 for housing, my husband's commute is only 7 minutes, and both of our cars are paid for. We still have to watch every penny.

Also, what kind of working hours will this company expect? Are they talking 80 hours a week? Are they unable to find any local candidates to work for the low wages and long hours? Just beware. I hope things work out for your family.

[GloryB]

The good part about Florida, in any area, is that there are options to meet any budget. BEFORE signing a lease, spend a couple of weeks in an extended stay hotel (or in Orlando you can rent vacation rentals
Florida Vacation Rentals by Owner, Florida VRBO®, Florida Vacation Home Rentals, Florida Villas for a decent price due to the economy). Get a feel of the area and decide where you want to live based on your family preferences and whatever area your job is in. Orlando is a fairly easy commute from any number of areas due to the toll roads and I-4.

It's hard to go by exact income figures because as I mentioned....there are areas to meet any budget and neighborhood preference.

I love Orlando. It's a great place to live and raise a family because there is so much to do and see. You are only an hour or so from either coast.

(Note: You may want to brush up on your Spanish..............since it's quite 'International' here.
)

[vctor]

Ok so looks like I have to negotiate on $4000 and healthcare

[OrlandoRE_Miracle]

I agree with the others, $4000 might work not $3000. Of course a lot of it depends on your standard of living, and what you're wllling to sacrifice.