POSSIBLE move to Seattle for Job at UW (new home, salary)

[flyingsaucermom]

Originally Posted by mhays25

My 40% point was based on not having a car but having some debt.

Obviously housing costs can't be thought of in a vacuum. But within certain parameters (no debt, no car, no kids) 50% would be a fine metric for many people. Especially if the denominator is large enough that the other 50% is a healthy amount. (And better yet if part of the first 50% goes to equity, i.e. themself)

As I said earlier, it's a fine metric for someone young and starting out.

[mhays25]

Age isn't the defining point. The no-car, no-debt, no-kids points are more central.

[Gardyloo]

A quick glance at Craigslist for 1- or 2-bedroom apartments at $1650 or less (which is what the math says you *could* afford with your income) shows numerous places in the University District, and a number in the Eastlake, Ravenna and Green Lake areas, all very convenient to the UW. (Bus, bike or walk.)

Remember a couple of things if you're moving from CT to WA:

- Most people don't have or need air conditioning, and utility costs (if paying separately) are generally much cheaper than in the northeast.

- WA has no state income tax. This alone will put more money in your paycheck that you can spend on higher rent if need be. (You should ask the UW for an estimate of your actual take-home.)

- If you want to go car-less there are several car-sharing services available in the area that you can use for shopping trips, excursions into our wonderful surroundings, etc.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Gardyloo

- Most people don't have or need air conditioning, and utility costs (if paying separately) are generally much cheaper than in the northeast.

This is changing. Heat waves early in the summer, and sporadically throughout the summer, are becoming more common. I would recommend the OP get a window unit for the bedroom, for those times.

Let's all keep our fingers crossed for the OP, for a successful interview tomorrow!

[flyingsaucermom]

Originally Posted by mhays25

Age isn't the defining point. The no-car, no-debt, no-kids points are more central.

Age is a defining point if one ever dreams or needs to quit a job.. either because they are burnt out or, more likely, because one gets too old, too sick or too disabled.

At 50 years of age for someone making about $65k you would hope to see about $345k in retirement savings.

We don't know what OP has saved, but we do know she's in debt. We don't know how much that debt is.. $2k or $20k? Would you really recommend 50 year old with $20k in debt and very little in retirement savings to spend 40 or 50% of their income in housing? I sure as hell wouldn't.

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

This is changing. Heat waves early in the summer, and sporadically throughout the summer, are becoming more common. I would recommend the OP get a window unit for the bedroom, for those times.

Let's all keep our fingers crossed for the OP, for a successful interview tomorrow!

We're still talking about maybe a dozen days a year where a window unit would be helpful. I manage just fine with window fans. On the rare day in the 90s, I strip down to my skivvies at home and direct copious amounts of iced beverages through my alimentary canal, or head to one of our cold-water beaches. In general, we benefit from natural air conditioning.

[mhays25]

Originally Posted by flyingsaucermom

Age is a defining point if one ever dreams or needs to quit a job.. either because they are burnt out or, more likely, because one gets too old, too sick or too disabled.

At 50 years of age for someone making about $65k you would hope to see about $345k in retirement savings.

We don't know what OP has saved, but we do know she's in debt. We don't know how much that debt is.. $2k or $20k? Would you really recommend 50 year old with $20k in debt and very little in retirement savings to spend 40 or 50% of their income in housing? I sure as hell wouldn't.

The OP said nothing about how much retirement savings she has, unless it was later. I didn't comment on that either.

But if you want to talk about that, sure. At $65k and spending half one's money on housing, I'd encourage expect a decent level of retirement savings as well, and that's certainly affordable within my original outline.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by CrazyDonkey

We're still talking about maybe a dozen days a year where a window unit would be helpful. I manage just fine with window fans. On the rare day in the 90s, I strip down to my skivvies at home and direct copious amounts of iced beverages through my alimentary canal, or head to one of our cold-water beaches. In general, we benefit from natural air conditioning.

People from other parts of the US, though, aren't used to sweating through the hot days, struggling through without A/C. There's a good reason that new homes are being built around Seattle with A/C included nowadays.

[Ira500]

Originally Posted by mhays25

The OP said nothing about how much retirement savings she has, unless it was later. I didn't comment on that either.

But if you want to talk about that, sure. At $65k and spending half one's money on housing, I'd encourage expect a decent level of retirement savings as well, and that's certainly affordable within my original outline.

If you're making 65k per year, and spending half of that on housing, something's seriously wrong. Especially so if it's rent. Wages and salaries are higher than they have been here, but they haven't kept up with the increase in housing costs.

[flyingsaucermom]

Originally Posted by mhays25

The OP said nothing about how much retirement savings she has, unless it was later. I didn't comment on that either.

But if you want to talk about that, sure. At $65k and spending half one's money on housing, I'd encourage expect a decent level of retirement savings as well, and that's certainly affordable within my original outline.

Anytime I hear of someone who has mediocre income (Seattle standards), debt, no real estate and is over the age of 50 I start to wonder what they have saved up for their future. Of course, they could have a ton stashed away in retirement accounts, but you know as well as I do that that isn't the norm. If that is the situation then, yes, fine, spend 50% income on housing.