Moving to Bay Area...is 90s doable for family of 3? (San Francisco: low income, apartment)

[Autum1031]

I've been considering a job offer in San Francisco for the past month or so and, like many other posters, the COL absolutely terrifies me. I already know from reading through posts and online calculators that I can't possibly afford a place *in* San Francisco....so we'd be looking at other areas, probably in the East Bay.

I'm slogging my way through an intensive interview phase so no final numbers, but I've made it clear I can't accept anything less than the 90s. That is very high for my line of work so no chance of going higher.

I'd be moving with my self, husband, and 2 yr old son. Husband would stay at home for short term until landing a job, and then my son would need daycare. My husband's field of manufacturing & warehouse work is not typically well-paying--here in the Midwest he makes maybe 30K, 40K on a good year--so in honesty I'm not really considering his salary in the equation. Much of it would go towards daycare, the rest probably to retirement & savings.

So: doable, if one lives on a budget, in a more far away city like Walnut Creek? and renting, of course.

[Ruth4Truth]

We've had this exact same inquiry before, only from a family of 4, and the answer was: YES! Try Fremont. Decent schools, relatively crime-free. There's manufacturing in the area, not sure if there are vacancies. You can also try El Cerrito and Albany. All are accessible to BART for an easy commute, and are decent neighborhoods. Nobody said it would be easy on 90K, but definitely doable, with economizing.

[ccm123]

With your income of 90K and your husband's of 30K, that would be 120K a year and easily doable, for a family of three.
You could definitely live a middle class lifestyle on that, in the East Bay.

[Autum1031]

Ah, sorry Ruth4Truth. I'll do some digging and see if I can find that original post.

ccm123, my hope is that hubby would find a job quickly and we'd have an income around 120K, but I'm trying to be very conservative and assume that my income is the only one just in case he has trouble, and becomes a Stay At Home Dad instead.

[bmw335xi]

@OP

What is your current living situation and combined income?
What are your expectations in the Bay Area in terms of housing?

[jade408]

Sure, as long as you don't expect to live in a 2000 sqft home on a big lot in an excellent school district. More likely an apartment or a 2 bedroom condo in an average community with average schools. Owning a home won't be easy unless you want a long commute. Saving for retirement, vacations etc will absolutely take careful budgeting. It won't be an upper middle class lifestyle.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

Check out Alameda. Good express bus to SF. Good schools, has a shallow beach, lots of charm, good farmer's market, and pretty safe.

I put in max $1700 and 2 bedrooms. Change the parameters to fit your budget:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/search/a...ng_type=&nh=46

http://alamedaca.gov/about-alameda/transportation

If you're willing to commute from as far away as Walnut Creek, check out Concord. It's right next door to Walnut Creek, also on BART, and cheaper.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/search/a...ng_type=&nh=51

Good luck. You'll be fine. Lots of us aren't rich here :-)

[ssmaster]

jn san francisco low income is $59100 for 1 person and $76000 for a family 3.
in some areas outside of sf you will be ok but not upper middle class.