California transplant has forgotten what it's like to live somewhere else (Phoenix: transplants, house)

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by BIG CATS

Even with taxes and healthcare factored in (which should be deducted from his paycheck which we already factored in), there is still decent money to stash away, play with, invest, etc.

No, you didn't factor that in. He's not taking home $5800 as you suggest. He's taking home $36-3800 monthly, leaving only $1800 for utilities, vehicle payment/expense, gas, cell phone, internet, groceries, savings, etc. You certainly cannot get ahead like that nor is there any money left over to do anything.

[Jnvlv247]

Mmmm California, where the weather is great, there's lots to do and it's pretty but unless you make 6 figures or more, you have no savings or you are living with a small village in a 2 bedroom apt in South LA

[fluffythewondercat]

I'm sorry, $70k is low for California, even non-Silicon Valley California.

Your best bet is to spend some time in Phoenix, OP. See for yourself how much cheaper everything is here. Enjoy the beautiful trash-free freeways. They don't have potholes. You remember when California freeways didn't have potholes? I do. Barely. It was that long ago.

It is gorgeous here. Have you ever seen an Arizona sunset? Have you ever seen Arizona flora and fauna?

Attitudes are completely different here. I don't know quite how to describe it. Arizonans generally don't believe in restricting other peoples' rights. The first six people you meet when you leave home in the morning could be armed and you wouldn't even know it. It's the closest I've ever seen to Heinlein's maxim: "An armed society is a polite society."

Plastic bags are not outlawed here. Why? Because plastic bags are not a problem. They weren't in California, either, just some nitwits wanted to impose their will on everyone else.

Oh wait, I forgot, I'm a charter member of the "Arizona is a Terrible Place, so Don't Move Here" Society. It's awful, really. All sorts of vicious wild animals. And cacti. Those buggers have it in for you. All those needles!

No, you should stay in California where the nanny government will look out for you. :-)

[MuscleCar]

Yes I take home $3600/mo

[KurtAZ]

Hey fluffy...plastic is evil...everyone in CA Knows it

https://kxan.com/2018/01/25/californ...lastic-straws/

[Angelino19]

Originally Posted by fluffythewondercat

I'm sorry, $70k is low for California, even non-Silicon Valley California.

Your best bet is to spend some time in Phoenix, OP. See for yourself how much cheaper everything is here. Enjoy the beautiful trash-free freeways. They don't have potholes. You remember when California freeways didn't have potholes? I do. Barely. It was that long ago.

It is gorgeous here. Have you ever seen an Arizona sunset? Have you ever seen Arizona flora and fauna?

Attitudes are completely different here. I don't know quite how to describe it. Arizonans generally don't believe in restricting other peoples' rights. The first six people you meet when you leave home in the morning could be armed and you wouldn't even know it. It's the closest I've ever seen to Heinlein's maxim: "An armed society is a polite society."

Plastic bags are not outlawed here. Why? Because plastic bags are not a problem. They weren't in California, either, just some nitwits wanted to impose their will on everyone else.

Oh wait, I forgot, I'm a charter member of the "Arizona is a Terrible Place, so Don't Move Here" Society. It's awful, really. All sorts of vicious wild animals. And cacti. Those buggers have it in for you. All those needles!

No, you should stay in California where the nanny government will look out for you. :-)

You stated "Arizonans generally don't believe in restricting other peoples' rights." All I have to say to that is Sheriff Arpaio. That alone is enough reason not to move to a place like Arizona, Mississippi, or Alabama.

[MuscleCar]

I am a conservative but I also prefer not to talk about politics too much in life, it's just too touchy

[49erfan916]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

That's insane. Not only are you not able to get ahead like that, but you'd probably be sinking into debt every month.

This is why a lot of people are moving. In cali, we have mello Roos taxes for new homes.

[Potential_Landlord]

Originally Posted by MuscleCar

I am a conservative but I also prefer not to talk about politics too much in life, it's just too touchy

Guess what turned California from somewhat swing state to deep deep blue? Your peers leaving. The 4 million middle class Californians who left were overwhelming Republican.

[Burkmere]

Originally Posted by Jnvlv247

Mmmm California, where the weather is great, there's lots to do and it's pretty but unless you make 6 figures or more, you have no savings or you are living with a small village in a 2 bedroom apt in South LA

Not to mention that if you don't have about 3 million or more saved for retirement by the time you retire, you are going to be dirt poor in retirement. You think it's tough now living in CA while you are working? Just wait. LOL. Hopefully , you can find a cheap cardboard box to live in once retired.