Is $40,000/year good enough for living in Midtown? (Atlanta, Sandy Springs: 2013, apartments)

[bhammaster]

Originally Posted by gerrythesnake

Good luck young man. Just remember that they all say that to get you in the door. "Let's just move in so we can save money." Just remember she will expect for you to pay the majority of the bills, to help her with her student loans, to help her pay off her debt, etc. Then you will still have to beg for sex and beg for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich from her. Don't fall for the trap. Don't move her in unless you both are married is my advice but good luck again!

Damn, you had some rough luck, huh?

[bhammaster]

Originally Posted by testa50

Meh, to be a twentysomething and have as your worst case scenario being slightly house poor and living more or less paycheck to paycheck for a year isn't really a bad spot to be all things considered. If his housing budget is $950 a month in Midtown, for instance, how much cheaper will he actually go in another neighborhood? Maybe down to $800, at very best? That would mean the whole debate is over $1,800. Generally if someone doesn't get the neighborhood they want, they'll tend to splurge a bit more on the housing unit itself, which can eat away at the cost differential that drove them out of the nice neighborhood in the first place.

If I were OP, I'd think about a maximum housing budget (such as $950) and see if anything available in Midtown is acceptable. Take a look in other neighborhoods and see if you can get something substantially cheaper that you still like.

He can find a place under well $800 in the metro or even in the perimeter. It can get much lower without sacrificing safety.

[gerrythesnake]

Originally Posted by bhammaster

Damn, you had some rough luck, huh?

What type of luck are you referring to?

[Rocco Barbosa]

Originally Posted by gerrythesnake

Fyi

Dont move in a chick with you unless she is your wife

[ATLTJL]

Maybe down to $800, at very best? That would mean the whole debate is over $1,800

But that's a myopic way to look at it.

Because that would be $1800 after taxes, which would be close to what...maybe like $2200 before taxes or something like that. So if his employer has matching funds in a 401(k) plan, that's $4400. If he's in his early 20s and has 40 years until retirement....well, I'm not even going to do the math on what that compounds to. But let's just say that by not saving that amount of money, he could be adding years onto his working career before he can retire.

And if you say young people don't think like that.....I always thought like that!

[Kgreenel]

The commute is too much of a hassle. I work in Alpharetta (exit 12A) and live in Sandy Springs (exit 6), have a reverse commute and I think that's a hassle.
Be sure she's like "the one" before you move in together.

[Kgreenel]

What about living in the Perimeter or Sandy Springs or Dunwoody. We are around the same age and I wouldn't really want to live in Alpharetta either unless I had to. You could probably get a 2/1 and have more space.

[Atlwarrior]

I probably would look for a roommate and save in Midtown. If you and your girl get married, I would upgrade to your own place then.

[DaBurgh]

I think 40k is the magic number where one can rent a 1BR apartment in the best parts of the city and comfortably cover expenses while enjoying the amenities and big city living that ATL has to offer.

Take on the expenses of your GF at your own risk.

[bornjacksonian]

Originally Posted by DaBurgh

I think 40k is the magic number where one can rent a 1BR apartment in the best parts of the city and comfortably cover expenses while enjoying the amenities and big city living that ATL has to offer.

Take on the expenses of your GF at your own risk.

This is the most logical comment of them all. He should personally be ok living in Midtown off that income. You will be saving in a few areas as well by relocating. I don't know how this man's girlfriend became the topic of discussion.