Moving to Humboldt County for School (San Diego, Eureka: renting, employment, school districts)

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

I hear what you're saying. But, I think you'll learn that when the cost of living changes, it doesn't change the percentage of your income required for the rent. In other words, rents might be cheaper somewhere else, but so will be the hourly pay. You'll have basically the same disposable income percentage that you did somewhere else.

Whenever anywhere is more affordable, there is a reason for it. It's not magic. And you'll find that the pay is commensurate to the cost of housing. It's just basically the same situation - but with way less amenities and worse weather.

At least that's what I've learned over my fairly long life. I do hope you enjoy your stay in Humboldt County, though. I have learned that in order to really appreciate any place, you have to experience lots of other places so you have a point of reference.

[mmmaggotbrain]

Originally Posted by NoMoreSnowForMe

I hear what you're saying. But, I think you'll learn that when the cost of living changes, it doesn't change the percentage of your income required for the rent. In other words, rents might be cheaper somewhere else, but so will be the hourly pay. You'll have basically the same disposable income percentage that you did somewhere else.

Whenever anywhere is more affordable, there is a reason for it. It's not magic. And you'll find that the pay is commensurate to the cost of housing. It's just basically the same situation - but with way less amenities and worse weather.

At least that's what I've learned over my fairly long life. I do hope you enjoy your stay in Humboldt County, though. I have learned that in order to really appreciate any place, you have to experience lots of other places so you have a point of reference.

That's true, and I would think that if it weren't for the fact that I make minimum wage here (minimum wage is the same in Humboldt as it is here), and the average 1br apartment in a not-so-great part of town is well over 1000 a month

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

Originally Posted by mmmaggotbrain

That's true, and I would think that if it weren't for the fact that I make minimum wage here (minimum wage is the same in Humboldt as it is here), and the average 1br apartment in a not-so-great part of town is well over 1000 a month

Okay. A decent 1 bedroom apartment in Arcata is about $900. And even minimum wage jobs are hard to find.

You can find a 1 bedroom apartment in Eureka for around $750. And again, minimum wage jobs are hard to find.

Not a huge upside financially, in my opinion. But, nobody could ever talk me out of my choices, either. Had to learn my own lessons, and I'm glad I did. There will be a lot you'll love about the area, and you'll end up with lots of great stories to tell, at minimum.

[Ruth4Truth]

I don't know why the assumption is that the OP will be working minimum wage. I thought she said she's qualified to do office admin work, and will be applying to jobs at the university, and elsewhere.

OP, one way to get your foot in the door at the university is to apply to their temporary office-worker pool. They'll send you around to different departments to fill in for people on leave, and when something permanent opens up, you'll have first dibs, since you'll be considered to be on staff and inside the system, at that point.

[Perma Bear]

Originally Posted by NoMoreSnowForMe

Okay. A decent 1 bedroom apartment in Arcata is about $900. And even minimum wage jobs are hard to find.

You can find a 1 bedroom apartment in Eureka for around $750. And again, minimum wage jobs are hard to find.

Not a huge upside financially, in my opinion. But, nobody could ever talk me out of my choices, either. Had to learn my own lessons, and I'm glad I did. There will be a lot you'll love about the area, and you'll end up with lots of great stories to tell, at minimum.

Funny, the unemployment rate there is only 5% which is just 1% higher than the Bay area

[DCMann2]

Originally Posted by Perma Bear

Funny, the unemployment rate there is only 5% which is just 1% higher than the Bay area

Well sure, but good paying jobs are certainly much more difficult to come by around here. Both my wife and I work for the county and it's one of the best gigs you can get in terms of both salary and benefits, and together we still make under $70k a year. That's not to say we aren't comfortable (we are), but it gives you a little perspective. At right around $20/hr I'm doing pretty well here, whereas that salary in SF would get you a cardboard box with 3 roommates if you're lucky.

Perspective

[Perma Bear]

Originally Posted by DCMann2

Well sure, but good paying jobs are certainly much more difficult to come by around here. Both my wife and I work for the county and it's one of the best gigs you can get in terms of both salary and benefits, and together we still make under $70k a year. That's not to say we aren't comfortable (we are), but it gives you a little perspective. At right around $20/hr I'm doing pretty well here, whereas that salary in SF would get you a cardboard box with 3 roommates if you're lucky.

Perspective

70k there would qualify for 350k in mortgage which is a damn nice house up there. Here that wouldn't even get you a studio condo.

[Larry Siegel]

Originally Posted by NoMoreSnowForMe

I hear what you're saying. But, I think you'll learn that when the cost of living changes, it doesn't change the percentage of your income required for the rent. In other words, rents might be cheaper somewhere else, but so will be the hourly pay. You'll have basically the same disposable income percentage that you did somewhere else.

That ain't necessarily so. When I moved to New York to pursue a career in finance, my disposable income went waaaaay up. My rent tripled, but my paycheck also tripled and then kept going up in subsequent years. The percentage of my income that went to rent stayed the same initially (it later fell) but the dollar amount left over was much larger. After 15 years of this I had saved almost enough to retire; more than enough to retire at a typical middle-class standard, but I wouldn't have been satisfied with that.

Enjoy Humboldt County. I was there (Trinidad) for a weekend last year, and loved it; but the weather was sunny. I don't know what it's like to live there. It's an adventure getting in and out of the area.

[MarciaMarshaMarcia]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

OP, one way to get your foot in the door at the university is to apply to their temporary office-worker pool. They'll send you around to different departments to fill in for people on leave, and when something permanent opens up, you'll have first dibs, since you'll be considered to be on staff and inside the system, at that point.

THIS. This was how I survived in college...I started with work study, then realized I could make more $$ by filling in different departments when staff was on vacation, sick,etc. And I worked & took summer school classes during the summer.

I had a neighbor whose son went to HSU. His major was only offered there. He graduated, but because this was during The Crash, he couldn't find work in his field & had to move back with his folks for awhile...but then he caught a break & found work in his field.

I lived for years in SD Co., when it was a great place to live. I'm very familiar with the area where you live. It's changed, like a lot of places. If it isn't right for you, get out, you're young. Go to HSU & follow your dream. At least try it.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

I don't know why the assumption is that the OP will be working minimum wage. I thought she said she's qualified to do office admin work, and will be applying to jobs at the university, and elsewhere.

OP, one way to get your foot in the door at the university is to apply to their temporary office-worker pool. They'll send you around to different departments to fill in for people on leave, and when something permanent opens up, you'll have first dibs, since you'll be considered to be on staff and inside the system, at that point.

I believe the OP said she's making minimum wage.