What kind of salary is needed in Boca Raton? (Miami: environment, insurance)

[HoneyRyder]

Hi Everybody,

I am considering moving to Boca Raton. I've been to the nice areas in Miami (Coral Gables/Miami Beach) and I love it, and I'd love to live in a place like that. My job is a specialized type of consulting, and I'm interested in a job in Boca Raton. I know Boca Raton is a pretty upscale area and has some of the nicest homes and gated communities, and I don't want to be living at the bottom of society. I would like to live in a nice 1br apartment in a safe/clean area, have a (hopefully nice) car, and have extra money for quality food, clothes, and saving for retirement.

* What kind of salary is necessary for this kind of lifestyle in Boca Raton?
* Will I be looked down upon for not being very wealthy and just being a working professional?

[Dallas Gator]

100K

Yes

[THX 1138]

Originally Posted by HoneyRyder

Hi Everybody,

I am considering moving to Boca Raton. I've been to the nice areas in Miami (Coral Gables/Miami Beach) and I love it, and I'd love to live in a place like that. My job is a specialized type of consulting, and I'm interested in a job in Boca Raton. I know Boca Raton is a pretty upscale area and has some of the nicest homes and gated communities, and I don't want to be living at the bottom of society. I would like to live in a nice 1br apartment in a safe/clean area, have a (hopefully nice) car, and have extra money for quality food, clothes, and saving for retirement.

* What kind of salary is necessary for this kind of lifestyle in Boca Raton?
* Will I be looked down upon for not being very wealthy and just being a working professional?

Open ended question that depends on a lot of factors.

General expenses, ie Gas, Food, Housing, Utilities, Car Insurance and etc. are very expensive here.

Salaries in Florida are not that great compared to other more expensive areas, sometimes it's relative but you typically will find the best salaries in SouthEast Florida in some extent but I see them higher elsewhere in the state depending on what field.

If you ever want to buy a house/townhome/condo whatever, it can be an expensive process to first do then maintain.

That nice apartment will cost you $1K+month easily in Boca, you may find something cheaper if you lower your standards but on average Boca is more expensive but less then say Miami Beach.

Now if you want to buy a "Nice car" do you mean average or luxury? If you are the "keep up with the Jones" type you will need to drive a luxury brand. If you don't care about that then again you can do it on less.

I don't think you will be looked down upon, unless you try to mingle in the circles of wealth. Some people here are very judgmental about what you drive, clothes you wear and etc, depends on who you decide or choose to hang around with. You will see wealth and people living la buena vida, people of all ages not just old people. If your one of the type that feels you need to measure up, you will find it hard if not impossible to financially accomplish on the average salary in the county which is roughly $40K.

You can live on less here but you will need to make sacrifices to do so. If you have no debt and own a car paid in full, then that makes it even easier.

[HoneyRyder]

Ahh...thanks for the replies. I'm just starting out (I'm 21) so it will be at least 4-5 years until I make 100K.

[THX 1138]

Originally Posted by HoneyRyder

Ahh...thanks for the replies. I'm just starting out (I'm 21) so it will be at least 4-5 years until I make 100K.

What is your field of expertise?

[Desdemona25]

Originally Posted by Dallas Gator

100K

Yes

I second this.

[HoneyRyder]

I am an actuarial consultant. It's basically a type of risk modeling done for insurance companies. I can wait until I make 100K to even consider moving to FL. When I spoke w/the manager at the firm in Boca Raton when I was job searching, they said I only needed 1 yr experience, but I will definitely not make 100K by then. Blah..I like my job but I hate hate hate the cold...I've always wanted to live in a nice tropical place

[HoneyRyder]

Another question:

Is Boca Raton one of those places where all the "beautiful people" live? Are looks very important there? I think I'm cute but I can't really compete with the supermodels

[Bette]

You will see just about everything but there are lots of normal, hardworking people here. As a mom of two young adults, I find them very well adjusted, also hardworking, conservative, caring about the environment and concerned about their education. My daughter buys into the glitz factor more than our son but even now, she is beginning to question her expenditures from time to time.

You are in a great field with a very positive future. I knew someone who did this type of work and she did very well. I would think that most of the people you would work with would be hardworking, conservative types.

There are several volunteer organizations that would love to have you and your talents!

And, I also have over 15 nieces and nephews who live in this area and plan to stay. Ten of those 15 are in their early 20's. The rest are in high school.

[HoneyRyder]

Thanks for the replies everybody, I really appreciate it!