[Fatsmock]

Hello, I am a naive Brit looking to move to Vermont. I have been offered a job in Waterbury which pays at $62k a year. I have little or no understanding about your taxes and suchlike. Would it be a big mistake or would it make for a nice life for a family of 3.
Many Thanks

[harry chickpea]

I'd say that is a fairly decent wage for the area, but not excessive. Remember to factor in health insurance costs. A lot of what a "good wage" is, is what you have been used to and your lifestyle.

[Fatsmock]

Thank you very much for replying, not knowing how the house price market works in the US what kind of house price would I be able to afford given your taxes and price of living and this average wage. Again many thanks

[harry chickpea]

Standard advice applies - it is best to rent initially for a few months while you scope out the area. Safe rule of thumb is to spend 1/4 of income on housing. That means a smaller house, which is actually good, because heating costs can be high.

The percentages I'm about to give are highly suspect, since every situation is different. Income taxes and social security roughly 22% to 30% of wages. Sales tax on purchases - what is it now? 6%? 7%? dunno, since I've moved to AL. House insurance roughly 1.25% of value of the home on an annual basis. Property tax, varies depending on location - 1.5% of value and up. Cost of food - estimate $800/mo with incidentals as a starting point. Cost of heating varies as well - starting estimation for an average house without burning wood - $2000/yr.. Health insurance is crazy. If you are young and healthy, it can be inexpensive. If you are older or have pre-existing conditions you may not be able to afford it. Power and water - figure 15 cents per killowatt hour, and a monthly water bill of $80 more or less. Gasoline- figure $3.00/gal. Auto insurance is required.

In your shoes, without any other outside income or savings, I'd be looking for a house in the $170,000 range, but I would have a nest egg of at least $10,000, in addition to the downpayment before even starting to look. You'll see bigger houses for much more. One on Union St. recently sold for $325,000. Up on Wissell Mtn, prices are lower and it is a nice neighborhood. Hope this gives you a starting spot. Google Street view can give you an idea of what parts of the town look like.

[joe moving]

Harry - 800 a month for food for 1 person???????

[jackmccullough]

You can certainly live in Waterbury on $62,000 a year. I would second the advice to rent here while you get to know the area, because you might decide you prefer living somewhere else, like Montpelier, Middlesex, Bolton, Warren, Duxbury, or Waitsfield, all of which are in easy commuting range of Waterbury.

Here's the link to a couple of web pages that shows properties for sale in Vermont. I've linked specifically to the Waterbury pages, but from there you can navigate to other towns:

NNEREN

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[PeeAye Native]

Renting by be the only alternative. I have some co-workers that this happened to: Re-locate from UK to US for a job. No work or credit history in the US, so cannot get a mortgage, even had major problems getting one credit card initially.