Welcome to City-Data.com Forum!
U.S. CitiesCity-Data Forum Index
Go Back   City-Data Forum > U.S. Forums > Georgia > Atlanta
 [Register]
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
View detailed profile (Advanced) or search
site with Google Custom Search

Search Forums  (Advanced)
Reply Start New Thread
 
Old 01-31-2017, 10:46 AM
 
68 posts, read 74,619 times
Reputation: 59

Advertisements

I'm a somewhat recent grad, who just left a lesser paying entry level job. I just started my new job downtown and I'm hoping to find a nice 1BD 1BA in the Vinings/Smyrna/Dunwoody areas. I'm single with no kids, but I'm currently paying back student loans. I prefer a safe area that's close to the city, and has a fair amount of fun things to do.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message

 
Old 01-31-2017, 10:59 AM
 
1,151 posts, read 1,309,479 times
Reputation: 831
Yeah, you can do that.

If you don't care about how old the apartment is or going further out into the burbs.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 01-31-2017, 11:47 AM
 
Location: Atlanta, GA
14,834 posts, read 7,412,952 times
Reputation: 8966
You can do it but I don't think you will be comfortable, especially with student loan debt. More likely that you will be just getting by.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 01-31-2017, 12:12 PM
 
4,010 posts, read 3,752,813 times
Reputation: 1967
Yes. Just live in the suburbs and you will be straight
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 01-31-2017, 01:23 PM
 
10,396 posts, read 11,500,133 times
Reputation: 7830
Quote:
Originally Posted by dark_knight08 View Post
Can I live comfortably on 39k a year in Metro Atlanta?
I'm a somewhat recent grad, who just left a lesser paying entry level job. I just started my new job downtown and I'm hoping to find a nice 1BD 1BA in the Vinings/Smyrna/Dunwoody areas. I'm single with no kids, but I'm currently paying back student loans. I prefer a safe area that's close to the city, and has a fair amount of fun things to do.
As a young, single adult with no children, you can live relatively nicely on $39k per year in metro Atlanta.

Even with student loans you can still live somewhat nicely on $39k per year, particularly if you opt for a modest living arrangement (by keeping your monthly rent and utilities as low as possible) and are economical with the type of vehicle you drive.

There are plenty of apartment/rental options in the areas that you cited (Vinings, Smyrna and Dunwoody).

Hopefully you can find something to rent for well under $1000/month in a quality apartment community and will be able to keep your living expenses to a minimum.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 01-31-2017, 01:43 PM
 
1,151 posts, read 1,309,479 times
Reputation: 831
You technically don't even have to go into the burbs in you look in un-imcorporated Dekalb or the West-Side. You can live close to Marta and take downtown from these areas and the rents are as lows as $500-$700 for a 1-2 bedroom in many complexes.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 01-31-2017, 03:41 PM
 
4,686 posts, read 6,139,412 times
Reputation: 3988
Quote:
Originally Posted by bhammaster View Post
You technically don't even have to go into the burbs in you look in un-imcorporated Dekalb or the West-Side. You can live close to Marta and take downtown from these areas and the rents are as lows as $500-$700 for a 1-2 bedroom in many complexes.
They need to make sure they have a nice renters insurance policy and a nice Smith & Wesson at those prices.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 01-31-2017, 06:36 PM
 
68 posts, read 74,619 times
Reputation: 59
Thanks for the answers. My old job was in Vinings. As a result, I learned my way around the area pretty well and made some friends there too. I could see myself living there or Smyrna since the commute to downtown isn't bad. Also, my job gives me overtime opportunities.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 02-01-2017, 05:44 AM
 
Location: Atlanta's Castleberry Hill
4,768 posts, read 5,440,929 times
Reputation: 5161
Yes you can, I qualified for a mortgage at that salary. I would suggest using Marta for more disposable monthly income.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 02-01-2017, 01:46 PM
 
Location: Sandy Springs, GA
2,281 posts, read 3,034,947 times
Reputation: 2983
Quote:
Originally Posted by dark_knight08 View Post
I'm a somewhat recent grad, who just left a lesser paying entry level job. I just started my new job downtown and I'm hoping to find a nice 1BD 1BA in the Vinings/Smyrna/Dunwoody areas. I'm single with no kids, but I'm currently paying back student loans. I prefer a safe area that's close to the city, and has a fair amount of fun things to do.
$39k /yr is roughly ~$2,100 per month depending on how you work your health plan, deductions and 401k.

Are you willing to live with a roommate? If push comes to shove you can rent a room in a house or live with a roommate and get your monthly rent+utilties to under $800 a month. If you are frugal about cooking and eating out then you can get your food bill down to under $300 a month which will leave you approximately $700-$800 left over after gas and insurance. Subtract another $200 for a car payment and you'll be scraping by with about $100/week left over for incidentals.

Its doable, but you'll need to set a budget that you can stick to and learn to save for things that you need.

I'd spend your time getting good work experience and seeking out a job that pays at least 25% more after 1.5-2 years or so.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.

Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.


Reply
Please update this thread with any new information or opinions. This open thread is still read by thousands of people, so we encourage all additional points of view.

Quick Reply
Message:


Settings
X
Data:
Loading data...
Based on 2000-2020 data
Loading data...

123
Hide US histogram


Over $104,000 in prizes was already given out to active posters on our forum and additional giveaways are planned!

Go Back   City-Data Forum > U.S. Forums > Georgia > Atlanta

All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:49 PM.

© 2005-2024, Advameg, Inc. · Please obey Forum Rules · Terms of Use and Privacy Policy · Bug Bounty

City-Data.com - Contact Us - Archive 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 - Top