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No, I get in a tizzy when people stridently spout off about something that numbers/facts disprove. Missing from most equations figuring out affordability for some reason is the prospective salary in varying cities. Charleston for example has one-bedroom rentals averaging $1700 per month with a median income of 33K. Seattle also has one-bedroom rentals averaging $1700 per month with an average income of 49K. Unless Seattle has some crazy high state/local taxes, utility rates and food cost the difference is pretty significant in favor of Seattle. Cities like Orlando, Tampa-St Pete, Miami-Ft Lauderdale, Charlotte, Nashville, Austin and Denver offer up similar scenarios of unaffordable living for many, just as much as the few so many rail on about in this forum (SF, LA, NYC, BOS, DC).
Spout off? Lol. How about we go with data or is this “too biased?” Charleston is way less expensive than Seattle in fact one of the few areas that Charleston is more expensive is in healthcare. Seattle is one of the US fittest cities:
I’m on a mobile so I can provide links later. I see charlestons average apt is 1700 at 962 sq feet. Seattles is 2100-2400 at 690 sq feet. See the difference? It’s substantial. Charleston may be expensive….for the south. But it’s nothing compared to the NE and west coast.
Yes, the job is with Boeing. I'm somewhat torn between the two choices because as appealing as Washington state sounds, the distance and lifestyle adjustment concerns me, being from FL. I have also been told there will be future opportunities to transfer to Seattle if I start in SC.
As a military vet, the advice I'd give to young military people matches yours too: Move away from home for your first job (assignment). If you move too close to home you spend too much time going home to hang out with friends and family, and you don't integrate into your new community, make new friends, and explore all the new opportunities of your new job and community. Not sure how far away Charlette is from your home, but if it's close enough to go home on a long weekend, then you are probably too close. The temptation to go back to what is familiar, and pressure from family, could stunt your integration into your new job and city. Instead of going home for the long weekends, in Seattle you'd be exploring the new region and discovering new likes and dislikes. If you take the job in Charlette, and could later move to Seattle, then the same is also likely true. If you go to Seattle, don't like the area, then you can likely move back to Charlette, but as a truly independent adult who would likely appreciate the Southeast and resist the pressure parents, extended family and friends can make of your time.
Update: Seattle is unavailable as a location for now, so I will be going with Charleston for the time being. I've been told there will likely be opportunities to switch sites in the future.Thanks everyone for the input!
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