[wvtraveler]

Somebody picked West Palm Beach as the best city in Florida in a poll that focuses on cost of living. Wow, just wow. I'm at a loss here.

[chariega]

Originally Posted by wvtraveler

Somebody picked West Palm Beach as the best city in Florida in a poll that focuses on cost of living. Wow, just wow. I'm at a loss here.

I guess it depends on where you're from. If you're from NYC or DC, WPB has a much better COL if your position is in IT or mid-level corporate.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by chariega

I guess it depends on where you're from. If you're from NYC or DC, WPB has a much better COL if your position is in IT or mid-level corporate.

As well as potential salary. Lost on many is that a large percentage of those living in "high cost" areas live a fairly high standard of living as well due to higher salaries. Moving someplace that's less expensive does not automatically equate to a higher standard of living.

[wvtraveler]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

As well as potential salary. Lost on many is that a large percentage of those living in "high cost" areas live a fairly high standard of living as well due to higher salaries. Moving someplace that's less expensive does not automatically equate to a higher standard of living.

In the case of WPB though, the salaries really aren't any better than they are in say, Jacksonville, but the COL is way higher. Forbes did an article ranking the 100 most overpriced cities in the US and the formula they used involved housing affordability, cost of living index in general, as well as median salary; West Palm ranked 6 overall.

Introduction To The Most Overpriced Cities - In Photos: America's Most Overpriced Cities - Forbes

I understand what you're saying about the higher salaries in the more expensive areas, I've heard that was the case in a lot of West Coast cities as well as some place in the Northeast, I just don't think it applies to WPB.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by wvtraveler

In the case of WPB though, the salaries really aren't any better than they are in say, Jacksonville, but the COL is way higher. Forbes did an article ranking the 100 most overpriced cities in the US and the formula they used involved housing affordability, cost of living index in general, as well as median salary; West Palm ranked 6 overall.

Introduction To The Most Overpriced Cities - In Photos: America's Most Overpriced Cities - Forbes

I understand what you're saying about the higher salaries in the more expensive areas, I've heard that was the case in a lot of West Coast cities as well as some place in the Northeast, I just don't think it applies to WPB.

I would guess that ranking is a bit skewed by statistics that incorporate areas like Palm Beach where those 1% demographics would make the results a bit higher than what the overall reality dictates. West Palm Beach proper, Palm Beach Gardens, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach and Delray Beach are not "expensive" and it certainly isn't in terms of the number one expenditure of housing, with plenty of inventory (over 700 in the link attached) in the very approachable 200K-300K price bracket for a 3/2 single family home. That compares very favorably with cities in FL where salaries are even lower and have similar priced housing (Orlando and Tampa for example).

West Palm Beach 3 bedrooms 2 bathrooms Single-Family Homes For Sale | Trulia.com

[RtuWe34]

Orlando

[cfbs2691]

Originally Posted by StarfishKey

I think this kind of question is really misleading - the answer is dependent on WHAT you do for a living, and on what kind of lifestyle you have. Not all job markets are the same, and not everything costs the same.

THIS!
It depends on what you do for a living.

[projectmaximus]

Very generally I'd say Jacksonville or Tampa.
But really very much depends on your industry and role.

[ebn78]

Honestly the local Floridianos like me are fed up with migrants moving to our beloved state and causing problems, havoc and a general apathetic attitude, even bums and homeless! Our job market is terrible frankly and if I were a young person today I would be out western U.S. like SF area or Seattle. Florida is all filled up. We have no jobs hardly and the jobs pay peanuts. Don't come here unless you have a job ALREADY lined up netting six figures annually.

Good luck

[LongNote]

Originally Posted by ebn78

Honestly the local Floridianos like me are fed up with migrants moving to our beloved state and causing problems, havoc and a general apathetic attitude, even bums and homeless! Our job market is terrible frankly and if I were a young person today I would be out western U.S. like SF area or Seattle. Florida is all filled up. We have no jobs hardly and the jobs pay peanuts. Don't come here unless you have a job ALREADY lined up netting six figures annually.

Good luck

Why not embrace the expats? Are simply trying to talk me out of moving to Florida by saying that the jobs pay peanuts?