How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Atlanta? (apartment)

[Space_League]

Let me define comfortably: Living like a grown up (no roommates) in a clean one bedroom apartment, reasonably safe, convenient ITP neighborhood with decent access to transit and amenities, money to eat out and travel occasionally and still have some savings each month.

[SLIMMACKEY]

Its really based on your personal lifestyle which will define what your disposable income spending would be. But to live ITP, close to the amenities you listed as a single guy/girl....i would say $55-60 base. I say that because you want to travel. Again, it is all based on HOW you spend. Just my .02

[flamadiddle]

The CoL in most major metros is pretty close. I would say $75K if you want to live in town. Could you do it on less? sure, but your lifestyle would be pretty limited. This of course factors in things you should be thinking about now like maxing out your 401K.

[samiwas1]

Depends on how you want to live...

Do you want to have a car?
Do you eat out a lot or eat at home more?
When you eat out, is it more typical bar/restaurant or places that have items like "Locally-grown organic puréed nut spread with fruit relish reduction paired with a brioche bun"?
Do you like to go out and do lots of activities or are you more of a homebody?

I'd say to live in ITP in a decent modern area with stuff to do and no roommates will probably start at around $40-50k pre-tax. If you like to go out a lot, drive a lot, and have more utilities (cable, etc), you're getting up to $70-75k pre-tax.

Originally Posted by flamadiddle

This of course factors in things you should be thinking about now like maxing out your 401K.

This is, of course, assuming one has a 401k to max out... (i.e., not me!)

[Citykid3785]

$60k min?

[flamadiddle]

Originally Posted by samiwas1

This is, of course, assuming one has a 401k to max out... (i.e., not me!)

Well, "or similar", IRA, after tax ETF, a spare mattress, whatever.

But we all know that when we're young none of this is a priority so you end up playing catch up later in life. Start young and do not stop putting away money for retirement. When you're 50, retired and sitting on a beach watching everyone else go to work, then the light bulb will go off.

Sadly I'm not sitting on a beach yet as I'm one of those in the young and dumb category.

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by flamadiddle

But we all know that when we're young none of this is a priority so you end up playing catch up later in life. Start young and do not stop putting away money for retirement. When you're 50, retired and sitting on a beach watching everyone else go to work, then the light bulb will go off.

Very excellent advice, flamadiddle. I wish more folks really took this to heart.

[samiwas1]

Originally Posted by flamadiddle

Well, "or similar", IRA, after tax ETF, a spare mattress, whatever.

But we all know that when we're young none of this is a priority so you end up playing catch up later in life. Start young and do not stop putting away money for retirement. When you're 50, retired and sitting on a beach watching everyone else go to work, then the light bulb will go off.

I don't know if I'm putting away near enough to be sitting on a beach at 50, but I'm certainly on my way.

[BoiWonder13]

Originally Posted by SLIMMACKEY

Its really based on your personal lifestyle which will define what your disposable income spending would be. But to live ITP, close to the amenities you listed as a single guy/girl....i would say $55-60 base. I say that because you want to travel. Again, it is all based on HOW you spend. Just my .02

more like 50k base, if you know what you're doing but pretty spot on post.

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by samiwas1

I don't know if I'm putting away near enough to be sitting on a beach at 50, but I'm certainly on my way.

Sock it away, samiwas! You'll appreciate it later on.