Could my young family be happy in MA? (Boston, Bedford: lawyers, compensation)

[msRB311]

I know a few people who have weekend homes in vt that they've owned for a while. I've never heard them complain about the taxes but doesn't mean it's not happening.

[id77]

Originally Posted by scorpio516

VT taxes get very high if you make a lot.

Even at the top tax bracket, I would imagine the extra 3.75% over MA is small potatoes compared to the cost of real estate in MA.

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by id77

Even at the top tax bracket, I would imagine the extra 3.75% over MA is small potatoes compared to the cost of real estate in MA.

High income households would likely fair better in eastern Worcester county versus a comparable school district in VT. Particularly given current borrowing rates. East of 95 and, yeah, the COL makes that math hard to square.

[mdovell]

Generally I would say one of the biggest differences in the northeast as a whole is that the weather changes on a much faster basis. In florida a rainstorm might last an hour and pass, big deal. Here it might rain for the day. So when it's a good day people rush, I think that adds significantly to the pace of life. Tomorrow is a state holiday for the first time. Think they aren't headed to the beach tomorrow? Ok it's snowing the first time. Don't go out because everyone has to get used to it again. For the most part we don't have fires and haven't had a real earthquake but I have seen snow in April and maybe a slight chance at May in some areas. I'd argue if you have seasonal depression you might be more apt to be in a more populated area vs the cape and berkshires which can lose tourists then. If you can deal with the weather you can pretty much deal with anything here.

[brk330]

Not Utah, but I moved (back) from Northwest Colorado in 2017 in part because of the politics. Not much legislation was happening, but it felt like things were changing. Now I am very happy to not be in Boebert's district. There's a lot less of people making their politics into their identity here. Yes, there are some trump trucks and hippie priuses or whatever, but I find people here are much less in your face about it.
Recreation is about the same: hiking, bike path, farmer's markets etc. Of course the skiing is worse, but the hiking is way better in my opinion.
Like mdovell said above, the weather is going to be the hard part. If you visited today you would fall in love, come February you might be freaking out. Infrastructure could be another one. You aren't going to find interconnected neighborhoods with new modern homes, beautiful sidewalks, underground utilites, bike paths that lead all over town, etcetc

[BostonMike7]

Originally Posted by MrDee12345

Sorry, I'm still shocked that many of you think that $150k/year salary and enough money for a $750k house is barely enough to live in the Boston area. I must be completely out of touch.

It all depends on what you expect for quality of life, and living amenities/luxuries. We are making assumptions based on the little information you provided.

You can certainly survive here on $150K/yr and own a home. Many people do it. But it might mean living in a less than desirable neighborhood, or forgoing retirement savings, or not vacationing as much as you'd like to, or going to cheaper, local locations, or driving around in a 10 year old car.

[msRB311]

There are plenty of people in the MA and in the Boston area who don't make 150k. Hell I dont make 150k. If we're talking about combined salaries then that's a different story.

You're all very naive if you think most people in the Boston area have a salary of 150k or more.

[G-fused]

Originally Posted by MarzipanCan

Thanks so much to those who have taken the time to share your insights.

I can only estimate our budget at this point. Right now the idea of moving is still in pipe dream stage, and I’m just doing some initial research to see whether or not it would be worth considering more seriously.

I’d guess that we could afford about 750k for a home comfortably and a bit more if we make some lifestyle changes. We have about 350k equity in our current home. My husband is a UX designer and recently got a fully-remote job based out of New Jersey; his salary is 150k. I’m not currently working, and I would prefer not to work more than part-time until our planned second child is ready for preschool. I used to be an English teacher and now I’m get an MPA (public administration master’s) to open up more career options. I am planning to graduate in May 2022.

Well, you won't be as comfortable in the Boston area as in Utah but it's not like you'd be poor. Boston is a hot market for UX Design so that is a plus for those looking to move up. And Boston is a great place for career building. But it is also a tough professional environment. Less forgiving than other places and more intense from what I've experienced. Expectations are high but some people can thrive...until burnout.

Not nearly as much open space as in Utah so it's harder to relax and breath. We've been here for about 14 years and made a good life but it is a tough place to live for sure.

There are probably many places that would be a better existence for you. For what you seem to be after, I would think any University town would work.

Even if you are pipe dreaming, take a trip out here and have a vacation. It's a fantastic place to visit and you can do touristy things and look around towns too and go to some spots where the locals go. It would be fun.

Best of luck.

[simplexsimon]

Originally Posted by msRB311

There are plenty of people in the MA and in the Boston area who don't make 150k. Hell I dont make 150k. If we're talking about combined salaries then that's a different story.

You're all very naive if you think most people in the Boston area have a salary of 150k or more.

I don't know about others, but I am always referring to HHI whether it's single earner or dual earner.

[FCMA]

LOL even that paltry $150k a year would be nice, but I just protect nature and never learned to move arbitrary numbers around accounts. The rich folks I collaborate with for work always treat me like an intellectual equal though which is amusing, but then gasp and ask why we live way out where we do. Must be nice to just show up to work and clock it in like all us privileged cis white folks do ( / maybe just be born in Cohasset) and just take for granted that we all c-d posters shalt be awarded with an arbitrary bonus point income in line with the absurd cost of living in the socially appropriate sections of Massaholechusetts, ie the general theme of most threads on these boards. How can you possibly survive if you can’t afford a moldy split level cape in Needham built in 1962 for the reasonable asking price of $1.2 million? Any household under $150k must be living hand to mouth among rats, clearly.