Living in Buffalo on 23k salary

[cuse22]

Originally Posted by cfr70

Is it possible to live comfortably in the Buffalo area on $23k yearly or $11.00/hr salary? And will $700/month rent budget get a comfortable, 1BR apt in relatively safe area?

You could live on that and not have much of a life. OR, you can do what I did when I use to make $11 per hour. I got a second job called "looking for a better job". Talk to people. Everyone. Be nice to everyone. At Wegmans when you're buying apples, strike up a conversation with someone. Obviously be presentable and not threatening about it; be genuine. Buffalo might not be busting at the seems with great paying jobs BUT there are jobs that pay 6 figures out there. YOU have to go out and get it. Or you can squeak by. Its your life. Good luck!

[cfr70]

If it weren't for family/friends in the NY area, I would have considered the mid Atlantic area for the temperate climate. It seems like a perfect 'in between' of the two weather extremes. Renting there during winter months sounds like a nice plan for retirement. I may steal that idea and look into that for myself in the future!

As for the South, if I never see it again I will be happy. I've actually gotten accustomed to the creepy crawlies here. After 10 years it just happens. I see a lizard in the house now and I have no qualms about scooping him up and bringing him outside, whereas my first encounter with one when I first arrived in FL I nearly hit the ceiling in fear lol.

It's just the heat that's become unbearable for me. 2015 was the hottest i've ever experienced here with temps staying in the 90's from Aug through Dec. One is just trapped inside for months with the AC running 24/7. I need to live where I can open the windows and breathe in the fresh air.

[cfr70]

Originally Posted by cuse22

You could live on that and not have much of a life. OR, you can do what I did when I use to make $11 per hour. I got a second job called "looking for a better job". Talk to people. Everyone. Be nice to everyone. At Wegmans when you're buying apples, strike up a conversation with someone. Obviously be presentable and not threatening about it; be genuine. Buffalo might not be busting at the seems with great paying jobs BUT there are jobs that pay 6 figures out there. YOU have to go out and get it. Or you can squeak by. Its your life. Good luck!

Thanks for the great advice. I've done that a few times actually. Worked one FT job and right afterwards go to the local Shop Rite and put in 4 hrs more a few weeknights. It was exhausting, but well worth it for the extra money brought in. (Of course that was when I was much younger and had more energy lol).

[cuse22]

Originally Posted by cfr70

Thanks for the great advice. I've done that a few times actually. Worked one FT job and right afterwards go to the local Shop Rite and put in 4 hrs more a few weeknights. It was exhausting, but well worth it for the extra money brought in. (Of course that was when I was much younger and had more energy lol).

NOOOO. Do not get a second dead end job. Why make $10 per hour working 80 per week?! You have to think outside the box man! A homeless man with no education made a fertilizer out of worm **** and now he is a millionaire. And do not give me that "when I was younger" crap. A positive attitude will give you more energy.