$36,000 job in Roseville-Realistic? (San Diego, Chino, Chino Hills: low income, fit in, renting)

[Vesper]

Hi Everyone,

I got a call today about a job possibility in Roseville, CA.

I am currently in So. California so I understand how much we have "mini-economies" around here. The wages and needs of someone in San Diego are very different from someone in say Apple Valley.

Here lies my problem. I was making a high five figure base before but with the economy change........well, you know.

I have been out of work for about 6 months now and I have been looking hard. I am really nervous about leaving So. California where at least I have a few friends to help me out and taking a job somewhere I have never been. This job is less then half what I earned before.

Am I being realistic? Can I make in on $36000 in this area? I know my lifestyle would be different, but at least it would be work.

Somebody offer an opinion?

[wburg]

$36,000 in Roseville is low enough to put you in the "low-income housing" category.

[CityGirl72]

Do you have children?

If you are single and are only going to be renting you'll be fine - but Roseville is a suburb - let's say like Chino Hills or maybe Redlands

I was a single mom making 45K, and I found life do-able but I rented

[imphe]

what Citygirl said. If you are single with no children and not a lot of debt then you'll be ok. Not great but you will be able to live.

Low income qualifying for 1 to 2 ppl with no children in yolo country is about 42,000 just to give you an idea of where you'd fit in the wage scale.

Also, is this a career change? Because if you are changing fields then there is the possiblility of advancement down the road. So while the start pay sucks, could you advance yourself up the ladder after the economy recovers?