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Old 05-01-2015, 02:37 PM
 
2 posts, read 2,493 times
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Hi, I was recently given a job offer in the Phoenix area for $23K salary plus $1000 to relocate and generous benefits. I currently live in northern New Jersey and work in Manhattan, where I make $37K.

I know I'd love the job (far more than the one I have now) and there's room for advancement, but is $23K/year a reasonable salary? I don't have much in savings, and I assume I would need to buy a car.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!
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Old 05-01-2015, 02:56 PM
 
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It's essentially less than $500/wk BEFORE taxes. You may be able to find an apartment for about $600/mo. The rest depends on your lifestyle. Personally, I wouldn't relocate for LESS money unless I had a very good collateral reason to do so.
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Old 05-01-2015, 03:01 PM
 
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Well, you can do it. I bet you're considering it because NY and Manhattan are MUCH more expensive than here. I cannot guarantee 100%, but I bet you would find your pay to be equal or maybe even go further.
I'd ask for more if you can but if you think you can ask for more from the job in a few months, then if there is advancement options, it might be better.

There are studios around for under $400 which if you look hard enough, you can find. But it sounds like you're gonna be cutting it close. Maybe a roommate? Maybe more information?
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Old 05-01-2015, 03:04 PM
 
Location: U.S. (East Coast)
1,225 posts, read 1,398,613 times
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For a single, childless woman? YES! Plenty enough to live on.... find a roommate or cheaper studio apartment, cook your own meals.. don't go out too much drinking and wasting money, save what you can, and buy a decent used car until you advance your career or get a promotion.

It wouldn't be hard at all. I could easily pull it off almost anywhere in the United States.
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Old 05-01-2015, 03:15 PM
 
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Thank you all for responding so quickly!

Yes, I'd consider finding a roommate - because of the nature of the work environment I'm considering, I think it would be easy to find someone to share a place.

I think the salary:living cost ratio might be comparable. I don't have a car in the Northeast, but public transportation runs me nearly $300/month (about $208 for the New Jersey commuter train plus more for a Metrocard to get around within the city).

I wouldn't be considering such a steep pay cut if the job weren't so much more desirable in other ways. More interesting work, better work environment, very generous time off and benefits, a preferred field, etc.
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Old 05-01-2015, 03:36 PM
 
717 posts, read 1,052,559 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by G0DDESS View Post


It wouldn't be hard at all. I could easily pull it off almost anywhere in the United States.

This statement seems a little off base to me. Any coastal city (LA, San Diego, Portland, Seattle, Boston, NYC, DC etc.) would leave you hard pressed to get by easily on 23k. And frankly, if you have any kind of debt (student loan, car loan etc) or medical expenses, it would be exceptionally difficult regardless of where you are. Quality of life will also be fairly poor without any real disposable income--especially in a sprawling, car-dependent city like Phoenix.
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Old 05-01-2015, 03:40 PM
 
Location: Denver CO
24,204 posts, read 19,082,638 times
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Have you negotiated for a higher salary? Chances are good they will go up at least a bit, and at that income, every dollar will make a difference for you.

It does seem like a good move for you based on what you are saying. If it came to it, would you be in a position to look for a part time job to supplement your income if necessary?
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Old 05-01-2015, 03:56 PM
 
Location: Redwood City, CA
15,243 posts, read 12,859,019 times
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I am curious how you're going to relocate clear across the country on only $1000. Movers are expensive. Do you have furniture? If you're renting a furnished place now, you'll have to do that when you get to Phoenix, or buy furniture.

Is this job with a non-profit?
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Old 05-01-2015, 04:23 PM
 
488 posts, read 852,702 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by margaretbkelly87 View Post

I wouldn't be considering such a steep pay cut if the job weren't so much more desirable in other ways. More interesting work, better work environment, very generous time off and benefits, a preferred field, etc.
You can't really put a price on this. If you really see this as a dramatic improvement on your overall life, you might as well go for it.

FWIW, in my research, Phoenix comes across as comparable cost of living to where I am now. My sister made less than that and was able to get by just fine. It was tight and she counted every penny, but she made it work. No cable, cheapest internet she could get that would allow her to use Netflix and Hulu, all shopping was done at Aldi's, a half price pizza at Papa John's is a treat type living.

She doesn't have student loan debt though, which is huge. She did that on a mortgage of around $350 though (fixer-upper foreclosure during the Great Recession...she scored big time). So, you'd need a really cheap place or a roommate. But it can be done.
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Old 05-01-2015, 08:57 PM
 
551 posts, read 689,544 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by margaretbkelly87 View Post
I think the salary:living cost ratio might be comparable. I don't have a car in the Northeast, but public transportation runs me nearly $300/month (about $208 for the New Jersey commuter train plus more for a Metrocard to get around within the city).
.
Public transit here isn't as good as it is in many coastal cities. This is a car city, especially if you need cheap housing. Or plan to bike, a lot.
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