Will the California "paycheck to paycheck" lifestyle stop? (Seattle: sales, home)

[Bighorn911]

Hello All,

My wife and I are currently in Southern California, paying too much for everything!! As a result of the economy, we are looking to relocate. We love Washington and everything it has to offer; so we are researching it in greater detail.

We are trying to figure out which cities/areas are good areas where the cost of living is reasonable. Resonable enough to raise our two kids, and still have money to save and have fun with...nothing to the extreme of paying 1600/mo for an apt!!! We are a young couple, Im 23, my wife 22, and our two girls, ages 3 and 1. I am a paramedic, training to become a police officer, and my wife is going to school to be an Ultrasound Technician. Being so young, and having two kids....will we be able to survive in Washington without living paycheck to paycheck??

I appreciate everyones help and knowledge. Thank you.

[Ultrarunner]

Living at or beyond your means is possible anywhere... it all depends on what your priorities are and of course a little luck in the Health department...

WA is a great state in many ways... it's not a panacea...

I have friends that were retired and some planning retirement that had to leave WA because their property taxes increased double digit for 3 years in a row... kind of blows the budget when property taxes are so unpredictable unless it means going up a lot.

Some counties are laying off law enforcement with some of these officers switching to Federal Law Enforcement Agencies...

Medical is traditionally stable... it's one job that is kind of hard to off-shore...

Your young and with a little ambition sound like you're on the right track...

Do you have any extended support network in WA or will you be starting over with very little?

A big plus living in WA is no personal Income Tax and lower home prices in most of the State... Sales Tax, Food and Gas I find similar to many parts of CA.

Good Luck

[nomad75]

Under your circumstances, I think you would have an easier time getting established on the east side of the Cascades. It is much less expensive, and in my opinion, you have a lot of elbow room to live whatever kind of lifestyle you choose.

[Stelinzoe]

I am in SoCal as well (Long Beach) but my parents live in Washington, one hour north of Seattle in a farm community. Every time I visit I feel sad to leave. Have you visited yet??? YOu must! It is green, clean, and has everything you need for a young growing family like yours. My suggestion: stick to the surrounding areas of Seattle (not necessarily smack dab in Seattle); possibly even a little more north in Bellingham (that is where my husband and I are looking as his company is sending out workers to that area). In SoCal there are a lot of cons but also a lot of pros. We have a hustle and bustle lifestyle; we are spoiled with options. I have so much to do with my kids here. Moving to a little town may be a bit of a shock for us, but any of the Seattle surrounding areas have plenty. Also, Seattle is near the coast and when we live so close to the beach here in SoCal we get a bit spoiled. You may want to see the water every now and then so stay west. Weather wise it will be cooler but that can also be a plus. The air smells so fresh and crisp.
Stay away from Tacoma. Try not to go South of Seattle in fact. When leaving SoCal you want to trade "up" if you know what I mean.
Definitely visit. Spend a few days driving around. Kern, Puyallup, Marysville, Lynwood, Bellingham; ck out those areas. Especially Bellingham (90 min north of Seattle). I've heard they have great healthcare jobs. It's a college town; plenty of young people and families. It's a beautiful drive there and a beautiful place to be. The train goes from my parents town to Bellingham and its absolutely breathtaking. Then my dad meets us in Bellingham, we shop for the day, and then we drive back on Chuckanut Drive, equally breathtaking. You must try it!