Can you afford to live in the Boston area off of a 30,000 job (Brockton: apartment, rentals)

[bears0909]

Hi

I have been unemployed for nearly 4 months (laid off from a teaching job). I have been unable to find employment after sending out over 500 applications in various fields. I have even attended an out of state interview, which I did not get. This also wiped out the rest of my money and I am living with friends that are anxious to get me out of there house. I have been offered a job out of state. The problem is that it is a construction job which only pays $30,000. I know that the cost of living in this area is extremely high.

Are there any areas within an hour of the Wareham, MA area that I will be able to find an apartment for 500-600? This is the absolute highest I can afford with the salary that I would be making (especially with student loans and credit cards). I am so stuck right now because I will have to borrow a large sum of money to make the move, but how can I pass up a job when I am unemployed? And like I said I am about to get kicked out and have to live in my car. Do you think I could afford rent in a safe area or am I wasting money making the move?

[eevee]

You won't be able to rent an apartment with that amount, but it should be enough to rent a room someplace, maybe even cover most/all of your utilities. Of course, finding a room rental presents it's own problems since you're coming in from out of state. I will say that it's not impossible to live in the Boston area on $30k/year; I lived in Boston most of my life and never made that much. It won't be easy or fun and your debt will make it much harder, but once you're able to secure inexpensive housing, the rest will be easier to sort out. Plus, once you've got a schedule going, you could look for further employment to add to your income.

[9162]

I wouldn't consider the Wareham area part of the Boston metro area, it is more the New Bedford area which is more affordable.

[xS☺B☺s]

That construction job must be outside Boston. You can sweep the floor in BOS for $15 an hour. I'd pass on that offer. You can do much better than that in BOS.

[beth98]

Assuming the job is in Wareham and you have some desire to move to Massachusetts I would take it. Take a look at Wareham on a map and be aware it is a sleepy little town. You can probably find an apartment share in the area for your budget. Check out craigslist on the rooms/shared section. Based on what you've said it seems like you may be out of options. It also looks like you are in Nevada where the economy has tanked. I'd move here, look for another part-time job. The holidays are just around the corner and UPS and Fedex both typically hire seasonal people at decent rates, among other companies. While teaching jobs are not easy to get here, you probably have a better chance than you do in Nevada, assuming you can get your certifications in order.

[RC1981]

Originally Posted by xS☺Be

That construction job must be outside Boston. You can sweep the floor in BOS for $15 an hour. I'd pass on that offer. You can do much better than that in BOS.

Where is this place you can sweep the floor for $15/hr? I have 2 degrees and 10 years experience and don't make that...

[bigfatturkey]

If your job is in wareham....try looking for rentals in wareham...u prob can get a room for your budget and it shouldn't be too hard cos rents aint high in wareham

[Pammyd]

Originally Posted by bears0909

Hi

I have been unemployed for nearly 4 months (laid off from a teaching job). I have been unable to find employment after sending out over 500 applications in various fields. I have even attended an out of state interview, which I did not get. This also wiped out the rest of my money and I am living with friends that are anxious to get me out of there house. I have been offered a job out of state. The problem is that it is a construction job which only pays $30,000. I know that the cost of living in this area is extremely high.
Are there any areas within an hour of the Wareham, MA area that I will be able to find an apartment for 500-600? This is the absolute highest I can afford with the salary that I would be making (especially with student loans and credit cards). I am so stuck right now because I will have to borrow a large sum of money to make the move, but how can I pass up a job when I am unemployed? And like I said I am about to get kicked out and have to live in my car. Do you think I could afford rent in a safe area or am I wasting money making the move?

I don't know much about the Mass. area but felt so bad after reading your post, I had to write back. From what I have heard, Mass. is very expensive to live in. My son was in college at Wentworth for a time and was checking out that area to live in once he graduated. He ended up moving back home to Connecticut as rents at that time were cheaper.

If you are planning to stay in the Wareham area, I would seek some assistance from perhaps a Realtor or go online to a Realtor and look for a rent that way. This way you could not only find a price for renting, but you would also be able to see distances from your pending job.

I can't believe that you are only going to make 30K for a construction job! Wow...they certainly do expect people to live on nothing, huh?

Suggestion: Find a rent that is perhaps just a 3 room apt or an efficiency apt. They are cheaper I do believe. Work for a time at the construction job then if you have the credentials to teach, keep trying to find a job in that field. Have you considered moving to Connecticut or even further South? Good luck with all this and I hope you find something soon.

[Providence123]

It's possible, but it won't be easy. You'll be looking at getting a 2nd job if you like to eat things other than peanut butter and canned tuna.

It can be done, check craigslist: south coast all housing classifieds - craigslist

I'd google maps and get a street view of any place in Fall River/New Bedford/Brockton that you're looking at though, there are seedy areas of these towns.

If it were me i'd strongly consider it (given your current situation), but make it a point to talk to as many people as i could to try to improve my situation. I'd only live in those 3 towns if i HAD to, but they're also some of the only places that are likely to have large amounts of apartment housing.

30K sounds rough for a construction gig, your best bet would be to take it as seriously as possible, learn skills, and get a better gig/find a smaller crew of guys/go out on your own/look for jobs in your field while working.

Best of luck to you man.

[civic94]

Originally Posted by xS☺Be

That construction job must be outside Boston. You can sweep the floor in BOS for $15 an hour. I'd pass on that offer. You can do much better than that in BOS.

I would also sweep floors for 15 an hour, and i have a 4 yr degree. where can i sign up?