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Hello Everyone
I'm a soon to be college graduate looking to relocate. I have job offers from two companies in two different locations that I have only traveled to for the interviews. I want to know which city could I live more comfortably in considering I have no student loans, car payments, or any debt really. Which one would allow me the most disposable income? I also really want to by a 3 bedroom home, which city has better housing costs? I'd appreciate anyone living in these cities makings this salary or close to it to comment. I have a feeling that their about even but that's just from research and I want first hand accounts.
If you were to just compare cost of living on the salaries you give, I'd make an educated guess that you'd have more money left in Cleveland than Mpls. The economy has been stronger in theTwinCities and housing costs are notably higher. Other costs are generally comparable. While state income taxes are higher in Minnesota, there is no city income tax in Minnesota, unlike Ohio.
having lived in Columbus for about a year,after having lived most of my life in The TwinCities, I've visited Cleveland several times and have a strong interest in the place, from Lakewood & Ohio City on the west to downtown to Cleveland Hts/Case Western on the east, Cleveland has lots of interesting areas.
I'd still have to say that the Twin Cities win out for overall quality of life, with a large number of vibrant and interesting central city neighborhoods in both Minneapolis and St. paul, excellent biking trails throughout both cities, the well established parks system is immensely popular fostering a huge culture of fitness and just getting out and walking around one of the many lakes, or creeks or the Mississippi River. Incomes tend to be higher in the Twin Cities due to the large corporate base (18 Fortune 500 firms have HQ's in the Twin Cities). I have no idea what profession you'll be working in, but the highly diversified economy of the Twin Cities may offer more options for advancement.
Thank you for your response I'll be working in the IT industry. The jobs are pretty much the same in both locations so I'm trying to compare the cost of living. In Cleveland do you think I will be able to afford a nice 3br home on that salary?
Thank you for your response I'll be working in the IT industry. The jobs are pretty much the same in both locations so I'm trying to compare the cost of living. In Cleveland do you think I will be able to afford a nice 3br home on that salary?
Honestly, yes. In terms of buying housing, you'd get a bit more bang for your buck in Cleveland.
I think it's no-brainer Cleveland here-- the salaries are almost the same, and the COL in Cleveland, in terms of housing at least-- is quite a bit less. Cleveland is sometimes thought of as not as sexy as Minneapolis, but it is a great city in its own right, and when you're fresh out of college, you can find the cool spots in pretty much any city you get plopped down in...
Thanks everybody for the advice. I am starting to lean more toward Cleveland but the $5,000 less is getting to me. Those houses though are beautiful though the one is shaker square is perfect for me.
^^^ Might not be a bad idea to post in both now...right now, it looks like your only criteria is income, and if that's true, I stand by my claim that the $5,000 is not going to get you much further-- if any-- in Minneapolis, since the housing market is more expensive. The houses you could afford in the Twin Cities on that income are typically not in neighborhoods you want to be in....I don't think the same is true for Cleveland.
Although, if you have other priorities-- nightlife, weather, traffic, ease of fitting in, food, museums, etc.-- you should hear from locals. I can't help you much on Cleveland, although I believe there are a few posters who have lived both places and probably lurk on both forums...
Minneapolis may seem like a great city, but it is very isolated. beautiful scenery all around but the next large city is Chicago which is a 7 hour drive.
drive 7 hours outside of Cleveland you could be in Chicago, Columbus, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Buffalo and Toronto, Washington and Baltimore.
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