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I completely agree! Of the mega metros, Chicago is at the top of my list. Its relative affordability is key to that.
+2. What's actually missing? Ok, the weather can be harsh, but it's top 5 in urbanity and every opportunity is there for the taking. Great city, and great value.
+2. What's actually missing? Ok, the weather can be harsh, but it's top 5 in urbanity and every opportunity is there for the taking. Great city, and great value.
I agree. And with me, the climate isn't a big issue with me personally. I could live in Tampa, but I can live here in Cape Cod as well. As long as I can dress appropriately, I'm fine.I know I'm in the minority on that, lol. About the only climate I would actually hate would be the PNW. But, really, with a metro and central city that large and that much to offer, I would overwhelmingly personally prefer Chicago over NYC, LA and SF. And, you're right, it's a terrific value for an international city like they are.
Wow, it looks like a single teacher raising two kids can't purchase a sfh in just about any location unless she has a massive downpayment.
Depends on the salary. In my experience, teachers typically range from 40-80k. I know there are some districts where new teachers make closer to 30k, and others where late career teachers with advanced degree can go over 100k, but those are rare. There are lots of cities where a 60k earner can buy a SFH, but it would be hard to do so while also raising two children, with no other financial assistance. Metro Pittsburgh is a possibility.
This is a walkable suburb with light-rail access to downtown, and a mediocre school district.
In Albuquerque, you can get a 3/2 starting about $160k in Rio Rancho which is safe and has decent schools, probably a 30-45 minute commute to downtown.
Depends on the salary. In my experience, teachers typically range from 40-80k. I know there are some districts where new teachers make closer to 30k, and others where late career teachers with advanced degree can go over 100k, but those are rare. There are lots of cities where a 60k earner can buy a SFH, but it would be hard to do so while also raising two children, with no other financial assistance. Metro Pittsburgh is a possibility.
This is a walkable suburb with light-rail access to downtown, and a mediocre school district.
Yes, there are certainly some areas of the country that stand out as a good fit for a teacher. Not sure what the pay scale looks like in major markets around the US, but I know that the top tier districts around Rahleigh pay $60-$70k, so that's another example of a good market to teach in.
As mentioned above, this varies quite a bit. In theory, the system SHOULD pay according to COL (not apples to apples). Often times, higher COL areas demand teachers with higher degrees, and often receive more funding from the state due to tests scores, etc. Those schools should pay more so that teachers can live in the surrounding areas that they teach in. North Shore Chicago is a very good example. Unfortunately, the system in Illinois leaves lower income areas stranded with very limited funding, causing the current dilemma that we see there today.
Unfortunately, the higher COL and higher pay equation is not always the case. In Massachusetts, teachers in MetroWest districts typically make $80-$90k, but in a situation where they are the solo earner for the family, that's not enough. Not even close. They're forced to live closer to Worcester and commute.
It's a pretty complex issue, one that is debated in my household endlessly. Don't forget, the more you pay the teacher, the less expenditure per student.
300k is a reasonable figure in Chicagoland. It’ll get you something decent in Schaumburg, Arlington Heights or Des Plaines.
I'd argue to peg it down to the $175k-275k range, if you opt to live in the south suburbs such as in the Homewood-Flossmoor district, which still has decent schools(especially by OP's criteria) and is considered a safe area. It's about a 45-1hr train ride to downtown on the Metra.
I have no empirical data, but everything I've heard, teachers live well in Texas.
I was discussing this is one of the Texas city forums, and I think the agreement from long time residents is that while there may be some small pockets in the cities where a single teacher raising two kids could afford a sfh and still have a decent life, the affordability factor is going away quickly.
I was discussing this is one of the Texas city forums, and I think the agreement from long time residents is that while there may be some small pockets in the cities where a single teacher raising two kids could afford a sfh and still have a decent life, the affordability factor is going away quickly.
Though I also have no empirical evidence.
Curious to figure out what the average % of a states income tax are used for educational allotment. I've seen numbers that suggest around 20%. From there, what % is spent on teachers salaries.
In any case, I wonder how it affects a state like Texas. I know property taxes are higher, but that wouldn't absorb the blow, especially considering properties are valued lower than many other states. With increasing COL, I wonder how the pay scale shifts for teachers.
I guess this is why people make a career out of politics...
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