Can I live off $35K in Midtown? (Atlanta, Buckhead: how much, income)

[ja1myn]

Originally Posted by StAubin

If your going to be living in midtown sell your car. That way you would not have to worry about maintenance cost and you get a little extra cash. If you ever need a car, there are a few zip car lots in midtown.

The only reason I'm hesitant to sell my car is because I'm all by myself in the south; my whole family and all my friends are located in the northeast. Maybe it's a good idea to keep it just in case?

[Tarzanman]

If you already have a car, then keep it.

[ja1myn]

Originally Posted by Tarzanman

If you already have a car, then keep it.

Sounds good.

[StAubin]

Originally Posted by ja1myn

The only reason I'm hesitant to sell my car is because I'm all by myself in the south; my whole family and all my friends are located in the northeast. Maybe it's a good idea to keep it just in case?

It would save you money in the long run. You don't have to, its just one idea of how you could squeeze the most out of 35K.

Plus there are many travel options between Atlanta and the northeast.

Most Airlines
Amtrak
Megabus

In face, every time I have taken megabus the total cost has always been cheaper than the cost of gas if i where to drive it myself.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by StAubin

It would save you money in the long run. You don't have to, its just one idea of how you could squeeze the most out of 35K.

Plus there are many travel options between Atlanta and the northeast.

Most Airlines
Amtrak
Megabus

In face, every time I have taken megabus the total cost has always been cheaper than the cost of gas if i where to drive it myself.

Heck, it's cheaper to FLY than drive in many cases.

[ja1myn]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

Heck, it's cheaper to FLY than drive in many cases.

How do you figure?

[Onthemove2014]

Originally Posted by ja1myn

How do you figure?

Depending on the gas prices and the time you buy your ticket it can be waay cheaper to fly to say NYC then to drive the whole way. Much cheaper.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by ja1myn

How do you figure?

I compare the cost of each mode of travel and see which is more expensive at the time.

It isn't the east coast, but I figured NYC is 880 miles, so many places 100 miles or more north of NYC aren't going to be that much different from the ATL-MSP-ATL trip I tend to take once or twice a year @ 1100 miles each way.

The last time I bought round trip tickets to MSP was a couple of months ago. Total cost was roughly $210 for a round trip coach seat with fees, taxes, etc., on Airtran. My wife drops me off here, so no parking fees.

The drive, for me, is roughly 1100 miles. My car gets 30 MPG on the highway, roughly, and assuming gas is hanging around $3/gallon, the trip would cost me roughly 1100/30 x $3.00 each way = 36 2/3 * 3 = $110 each way. That's $220.

The cost almost exactly even for that trip, assuming $3 gas, and that I don't stop anywhere to eat or sleep. It's a rather long drive (1100 miles @ 70mph nonstop is over fifteen and a half hours), so I suspect I would have to stop to eat at least once.

If gas was $3.75, as it was at the time I purchased those tickets, the gas alone for the trip would be more like $275 or so. Flying would have saved me at least $65, even assuming I was willing to drive 15 hours without eating or sleeping.

I'd also be a *lot* less tired if I flew, something else to consider.

[noah]

And don't forget car maintenance for all those extra miles -- There is a reason why the IRS allows $0.55 per mile. And for most working folks time off is short and you'd rather have the time at your destination.

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

I compare the cost of each mode of travel and see which is more expensive at the time.

It isn't the east coast, but I figured NYC is 880 miles, so many places 100 miles or more north of NYC aren't going to be that much different from the ATL-MSP-ATL trip I tend to take once or twice a year @ 1100 miles each way.

The last time I bought round trip tickets to MSP was a couple of months ago. Total cost was roughly $210 for a round trip coach seat with fees, taxes, etc., on Airtran. My wife drops me off here, so no parking fees.

The drive, for me, is roughly 1100 miles. My car gets 30 MPG on the highway, roughly, and assuming gas is hanging around $3/gallon, the trip would cost me roughly 1100/30 x $3.00 each way = 36 2/3 * 3 = $110 each way. That's $220.

The cost almost exactly even for that trip, assuming $3 gas, and that I don't stop anywhere to eat or sleep. It's a rather long drive (1100 miles @ 70mph nonstop is over fifteen and a half hours), so I suspect I would have to stop to eat at least once.

If gas was $3.75, as it was at the time I purchased those tickets, the gas alone for the trip would be more like $275 or so. Flying would have saved me at least $65, even assuming I was willing to drive 15 hours without eating or sleeping.

I'd also be a *lot* less tired if I flew, something else to consider.

[ja1myn]

I see what you guys mean. And I think another poster briefly went into the car tax in Georgia? So maybe living car-free would be good? Which I'm use to...I only got a car because I moved upstate for a bit.