Live-in nanny offered job in SF - should I relocate from TX? (San Rafael: sales)

[cecchetti7]

I am a professional nanny currently living in TX. I have been offered two jobs - one local and one in San Rafael. The salary is higher in San Rafael, but both even out with taxes to be around 31,000 a year. I am single, and don't have any financial obligations beyond the remainder of student loan debt left from my Bachelor in Social Work. I know the cost of living is much higher in CA than I'm used to with my positions in TX, but would it be feasible to make this move taking into account I'll have no living expenses?

[mayorhaggar]

31k is a pretty low salary here, although having your housing taken care of would really mitigate that. In San Rafael you'd have to have a car to get around so keep that in mind.

[sonarrat]

You'd be moving to the wealthiest county in the country, and the housing costs are extremely high. It might not be bad as long as you have a live-in arrangement, but can you assume that will always be the case? Other than that, the only major things I can think of that would affect your decision are the 8%+ sales tax, high cost of fuel, and whether you simply prefer to live in a mild, pleasant climate with a 4-month rainy season.

[Ol' Wanderer]

Since both jobs provide the same benefits (free room and board), you will not incur much expenses in either location. The sales tax in TX is 6.5% while Marin County is 8.5%. That 2% does not make a whole lot of difference unless you spend your money left and right. A car is needed in San Rafael, but if you have the use of the family's car as many nannies and au pairs do, then it should not be a problem.

Without living expenses and no personal finance obligations except the student loan, your entire salary, minus income tax, would be all yours to save or to waste, in either CA or TX. The only important expense you encounter would be the move from TX to CA, which I doubt would be very costly since as a professional nanny, you would not have a household of furniture of your own.

Feasible to make the move? Yes. Feasible to live on that salary and save a good chunk of it for as long as you have the job? Certainly.

Even with the high housing cost in CA, your position should not pose any potential difficulty to your future accommodation, presuming there is a required advance notice to your contract termination. When or if the position in San Rafael ends, you'll just have to find another one the same way as you would in TX, albeit a bit quicker.

[JanND]

Have you a way to verify the San Rafael position?, you can the one where you are. Things to know, you know your area there, can verify, have experience there. If you can verify the Ca., you may enjoy the change. Be safe

[cecchetti7]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I actually just returned from an interview trip with the family, and fell in love with the area. If all goes as planned, I'll be moving in a matter of weeks. I'm looking forward to it!

[dalparadise]

Sales tax is a wash. The State of Texas charges 6.5% and the cities tack on their bit after that. In Houston, we paid 8.25% sales tax. I think Austin was the same.

[cecchetti7]

You're right, Dalparadise. In my tiny hometown it's 8.25. I forget what it was in the DFW metroplex, but I'm pretty sure it was around the same.

[mayorhaggar]

There is state income tax here too though compared with federal taxes it's not a lot.

[Hemlock140]

Keep in mind that kids grow up. That job might be great but eventually you will have to find a new family, and if you get caught between jobs that's an expensive place to be.