Can a family live on ... in Ft Lauderdale?

[MrLotus]

Let's say in 5 years I get promoted and with raises/etc I am making about 80-85k/yr. Would I still have some issues?

Or is it basically you need to make 120-150k to live comfortably in FL?

[Shoegal1075]

Originally Posted by MrLotus

Let's say in 5 years I get promoted and with raises/etc I am making about 80-85k/yr. Would I still have some issues?
Or is it basically you need to make 120-150k to live comfortably in FL?

I would think you would need lean towards the side of more money to be comfortable - I don't think even the latter will get you tons but you will be much better off - however, I am imagining things according to my life you may live very differently and it may be more than enough.

[Moderate Guy]

Originally Posted by Nolefan34

Mr. Lotus>

Those are very conservative estimates. A Comcast cable/internet combination plan is about $100/mo. Cell phone plans are at least $50-100/mo. You are forgetting about utilities as well which average about $100/mo for a 1BR apt. Is your car insurance really only $100/mo? I guess its because I'm a young male, but mine is more like $200/mo.

Moderate Guy>

Northerners are certainly a reason for the demise of S. FL, but they are also the reason for the rise of S. FL. Without Northerners, this area would probably still be a poor Southern area. Not as populated, but very poor, working class farming type place with a few beach resorts and touristy things. Broward would be one-third of the size and Miami would be the only big city in the area. The Northerners brought in lots of money into this area, and is a primary reason why S. FL is a wealthier area than North FL. Lets face it though, the Northerners coming here was inevitable. We shouldn't blame Northerners. It was a natural destination for many people due to S. FL being such an attractive area of the country.

Thanks, Nolefan. You do provide another valid insight to that aspect of the debate that occurs quite frequently on very many Florida threads. Thanks again.

[iAdam]

60K should be fine for now, as many people have stated... Florida isn't very stable in its job market so don't get your foot stuck. If I was in your position I would stay where I am right now and wait for things to get better... but you did say that you might get lowered to 50K a year and I would take the 60K than.

Just be sure, Ft. Lauderdale is pretty expensive.

[ruski]

50K in cold NYC will be miserable

I guess 60K in sunny Florida would be better from this angle

Just don't expect to have things that some wealthy south floridians have - convertible Bentley GTs, boats, place on the beach, etc.

[Shoegal1075]

Originally Posted by Nolefan34

Mr. Lotus>

Those are very conservative estimates. A Comcast cable/internet combination plan is about $100/mo. Cell phone plans are at least $50-100/mo. You are forgetting about utilities as well which average about $100/mo for a 1BR apt. Is your car insurance really only $100/mo? I guess its because I'm a young male, but mine is more like $200/mo.

Moderate Guy>

Northerners are certainly a reason for the demise of S. FL, but they are also the reason for the rise of S. FL. Without Northerners, this area would probably still be a poor Southern area. Not as populated, but very poor, working class farming type place with a few beach resorts and touristy things. Broward would be one-third of the size and Miami would be the only big city in the area. The Northerners brought in lots of money into this area, and is a primary reason why S. FL is a wealthier area than North FL. Lets face it though, the Northerners coming here was inevitable. We shouldn't blame Northerners. It was a natural destination for many people due to S. FL being such an attractive area of the country.

Well said Nolefan - I just think that with that the Northerners particularly Nyers should not have brought the prices of the homes dammit! - LOL - it is what it is - as the saying goes.

[Nolefan34]

Chelsa>

The high prices seem bad now. But if you had bought a home cheap back in the 80's and rode the roller-coaster up until 2005, you'd be rich. Lots of ppl. gained lots of equity from about 1982-2005. The problem is they took out their home's equity and spent it on Hummers, HDTV's, and mortgages on 2nd homes. So now all of that equity has evaporated.

It isn't just Northerners who brought the prices up. It was everyone. The sheer number of ppl caused a spike in demand, thus driving prices higher. The economy boomed as a result of the population exploding. First it was Northerners, then it was Hispanics. Next it will be Europeans, and you'll all be complaining about them once they start moving here in droves.

South FL is just a very desirable place to live. Always has been and always will be. There is no place like it in America. Ever since the advent of air-conditioning everyone wants to move down here, with a few exceptions such as the early 80's and late 2000's. This place will boom once again after the current depression is over.