$88000 a year between salary and child support in Atlanta (Sandy Springs: fit in, sales)

[Melz222]

My earnings will be approximately $88000 a year between my salary and child support payments. I have a small student loan. No credit card debts and I plan to buy a new car because my current vehicle is on it's last leg. I'm moving to Atlanta by the end of the year. I'm a single mom with one child. I hear the cost of living in Atlanta is rising. Is this enough earnings for a single mom of one child? My child will be in daycare but will start pre-k in August/September 2018. I will be renting. I want to live in a good neighborhood with good schools. As for work, it's hard to say. The office is currently in Alpharetta, GA but I'm told we are moving to midtown Atlanta soon.

My questions is, can I live comfortably on that salary? What neighborhoods that are safe with good schools can I live in based on Alpharetta or Midtown Atlanta?

Thanks.

[flyonpa]

Note: if you are planning to get a car wait till you move to Georgia, If at all possible, Otherwise you get hit with Sales Tax where you bought it, and the Tax in Georgia.

88K in (pretax) income should get you into a nice two bedroom Townhouse in Alpharetta. All the schools in Alpharetta are good. If your job is moving to Midtown, you might want to look in the southern part of Alpharetta or in Roswell.

see related thread about the car TAVT tax:

//www.city-data.com/forum/atlan...xceptions.html

[ATLTJL]

You'll do just fine in Alpharetta.

Closer to Midtown, you'd probably be limited to a one or two-bedroom condo. Do you have a ton of stuff for your child? Can you easily fit into a smallish 2-bedroom condo/apt?

But yeah, don't worry....if you can't live in ATL on $88,000, you're doing something really wrong or want a lot more from life than is reasonable!

[Melz222]

Originally Posted by flyonpa

Note: if you are planning to get a car wait till you move to Georgia, If at all possible, Otherwise you get hit with Sales Tax where you bought it, and the Tax in Georgia.

88K in (pretax) income should get you into a nice two bedroom Townhouse in Alpharetta. All the schools in Alpharetta are good. If your job is moving to Midtown, you might want to look in the southern part of Alpharetta or in Roswell.

see related thread about the car TAVT tax:

//www.city-data.com/forum/atlan...xceptions.html

Thanks. Yes I agree with you. I don't plan to purchase a vehicle until after I move to Georgia. It just makes sense to do it that way. For one, I want to wait until I see what my monthly expenses will look like between rent, utilities, daycare etc. I need to budget on this income so getting a car beforehand is a big no no. I like Alpharetta based on what I read online. If I can still commute to Midtown from Alpharetta, I'll probably live there. Thanks for your comment.

[Melz222]

Originally Posted by ATLTJL

You'll do just fine in Alpharetta.

Closer to Midtown, you'd probably be limited to a one or two-bedroom condo. Do you have a ton of stuff for your child? Can you easily fit into a smallish 2-bedroom condo/apt?

But yeah, don't worry....if you can't live in ATL on $88,000, you're doing something really wrong or want a lot more from life than is reasonable!

No, I want a two bedroom. For now, I just have her clothes, toys, and toy box. I plan to buy all new furniture for her. You know how it is, new city, new furniture.

[bhammaster]

If your job is going to be in Midtown, don't bother with Alpharetta or even Roswell unless you just really like the areas. Consider renting in Vinnings, Buckhead, Perimeter, Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, Chamblee, and maybe even some areas in Doraville or Decatur. All these areas will give you a better commute to midtown if you can't live there.

[fieldm]

Look at Smyrna/ Vinings

Also just check in the northern suburbs. Once y'all move to Midtown you can take the express bus into Midtown