Live in Boston for 90k (family with 2 kids) (apartments, rent)

[mojobiri]

Hello, Boston people!
I need your advice. My employer proposed me move to Boston with the salary 90k. Moving from the other country.

And I'm concerned if it will be enough for comfortable living for the family of 4. I have 2 kids - 6 and 9 yo.
Wife is not working.
We have modest needs, but still, I'm worried.
I have read related posts on the forum and people suggesting minimum salary $70-80 for a single person.
Based on my calculations for a month:
+ 7500 month
- 2036 tax
- 2500 apartments
- 1500 food
- 90 utilities
- 120 mobile
- 60 internet
- 200 insurance (other 80% paid by employer)
- 80 transport
- 200 stuff for home
- 100 cafe
- 100 clothes
$514 left.


What do you think?

[nuala]

1500 food is overkill. You'll spend 800, for a family of 4.
The one thing that you left out, is "miscellaneous", that is all stuff that fits nowhere. That runs up to $500 a month. (kindersurprises, lip balms, over-the-counter medicine, books, toys, gym, bikes, skis, ski lessons, courses, photos, vets, pets, mascaras, creams....)
What is "transport"? Bus passes for everybody? No car?
Where is "entertainment"?

[G-fused]

Where will you be working? How long of a commute can you tolerate? Is a condo or townhouse ok? how important are things like schools, community safety? is your preference for atmosphere rural, suburban, urban?

[timberline742]

Taking home $5500 a month on a 90k salary seems very optimistic to me.

[mojobiri]

Originally Posted by timberline742

Taking home $5500 a month on a 90k salary seems very optimistic to me.

not $5500 but $2500. I was told that I should expect rent to be around that.

[nuala]

Originally Posted by timberline742

Taking home $5500 a month on a 90k salary seems very optimistic to me.

When I worked in Boston and earned $80K, I took home $5000. Seems to be about right. Ok time has passed. Taking home $5000 on $90K seems to be about right.

Originally Posted by mojobiri

not $5500 but $2500. I was told that I should expect rent to be around that.

He is not talking about rent.

[mojobiri]

Thanks, Nuala. You are right about misc and entertainment. This will add a bit more.
No car for now. Eventually, we might get it, but not from the start, I guess.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by nuala

When I worked in Boston and earned $80K, I took home $5000. Seems to be about right. Ok time has passed. Taking home $5000 on $90K seems to be about right.

Ok, I'm looking at my numbers and the salary is in the ballpark of 80k... but take home under 2k bi weekly. Of course, some retirement and health care come out of that pre tax, so if you're not doing those things, perhaps.

[life4orce]

I think your figures are off

- Did you account for the 5.1% MA income tax? Seems you accounted for 28% tax, only Federal taxes?

- 90/month for utilities is low. Keep in mind, heating in the winter is very expensive. Our heating bills alone in the winter months can be $200/month

- 80/month for transport is very low, unless you're counting on walking everywhere day to day. The Monthly Pass for the subway/buses within Boston is $85/month for one person. This does not work for the commuter rail, so you have to pay separate for that and the monthly pass depends on how far you have to go. Forget about a car for that. Maybe a scooter or bicycle, but snow and rain in the winter/spring is not a pleasant experience, especially hitting you in the face at 20-30mph.

[mojobiri]

Originally Posted by nuala

When I worked in Boston and earned $80K, I took home $5000. Seems to be about right. Ok time has passed. Taking home $5000 on $90K seems to be about right.

He is not talking about rent.

Sorry, did not get it. Are there any other mandatory payments?