From NY State to Richmond - Pay cut? (Fredericksburg, Glen Allen: apartments, for rent)

[sminerva21]

Hi everyone,

For those of you who have relocated to Richmond from the North, specifically New York State - did anyone have to take a drastic pay cut? My boyfriend and I will be relocating to Richmond next year, and after starting to research apartments, the cost of living is really not that much less than what we pay now for rent, however, I've been told that I should be prepared to take a pay cut because the cost of living in Richmond is still still slightly lower than in NY State. We both make in the low 30s a year before taxes and were hoping to either stay in that range, or bump it up to the mid-30s. We're both in marketing.

Any thoughts on this would be wonderful. Thanks!

[Mollikins]

Originally Posted by sminerva21

Hi everyone,

For those of you who have relocated to Richmond from the North, specifically New York State - did anyone have to take a drastic pay cut? My boyfriend and I will be relocating to Richmond next year, and after starting to research apartments, the cost of living is really not that much less than what we pay now for rent, however, I've been told that I should be prepared to take a pay cut because the cost of living in Richmond is still still slightly lower than in NY State. We both make in the low 30s a year before taxes and were hoping to either stay in that range, or bump it up to the mid-30s. We're both in marketing.

Any thoughts on this would be wonderful. Thanks!

Well since you didn't say whereabout in NYS you are coming from, I can only comment on MY experience having moved to Fredericksburg, VA 8 yrs ago from Cortland County, New York. Coming from there to here was wallet shock to say the least as far as living expenses ! But having said that, the wages are almost twice what they were offerring for the same type of jobs in Cortland County area.

I worked for 2 yrs in Glen Allen (outside of Richmond near Short Pump and Manokin-Sabot) and commuted from Fredericksburg. (which, BTW is NOT uncommon) I was a contract worker and made decent money, but probably would have made more had I gone at it without the contractor's cut. Things are relative as far as the wage scale -- some are still scraping by on minimum & some are paid ridiculous wages cos they're gubmint contractors.

The cost of living is waaaaaaaaaay more than up home & it takes some getting used to. I have a mortgage but got in before the outlandishly inflated market took off. No way could I swing a mortgage NOW.

But after all this -- you couldn't PAY ME ENUFF to move back to NYS !

Good luck in your search !

[Erin23]

Realtor.com offers research calculators that might be helpful to you. For instance, there's a cost of living comparison calculator. [mod cut ] I hope this helps. :)

[NellieGonzalezP]

I am originally from Brooklyn, NY. I have been living in Midlothian, Virginia for about 2 years now. The pay cut was very drastic. Yeah they talk about the cost of living expenses, but that doesn't apply to everything. Gas is just a few cents cheaper then NY. Food is more expensive (especially meat) here. But you do get more for your money here.
My opinion about the cost of living is because you have to drive everywhere, so you are putting more money in gas, miles and cars to get to point A to point B.
My pay has been cut 30%. I thought i was going to cry.........but having three kids, a 4bd room house, two cars............we make it.............weird but we do.

[sminerva21]

Thanks for the info. We're moving from the Hudson Valley, 90 mins North of the city. We both recently graduated from college (two years ago) and our pay has been okay, not great, but we definietly are hoping to make the same, if not a little more than what we make now - just because we'll have a lot more experience, etc.

[freakinrican]

i came here from ny and make alot more money here than i did there. cost of living is alot cheaper and taxes are alot cheaper as well.

[MaryBB]

Hi,
Richmond, VA housing cost is much less than Fredericksburg- sice F'burg is considered a DC suburb. I'm from NY (LI), but haven't lived there for many years. Would just make sure you have two good jobs before you take the plunge.

Good Luck!