Can I live comfortably on 43k in Nashville? (Franklin, Brentwood: salary, sales tax)

[Serious Conversation]

If you are making $43k net, you could easily afford a thousand or a little over. TN has no state income tax, and NC does, so you'll get an effective raise equal to the NC income tax rate. The real concern is what other debt you have - that's what will make or break the effort.

[artemis]

Berry Hill is a very good choice. You'd be close to downtown & the night life, and you'd have about a 15 minute drive to work.

Other than that, I would recommend the Edmonson Pike area. I wouldn't get very far our from work. . You'd just be pumping cash into your gas tank.

Maybe after you've been here for a year or so, you'll have a better feel for the area, and you can move forward from there.

[MTFan]

I second the Berry Hill recommendation. You will be convenient to all the social things your looking for with any easy commute to Brentwood.

[bluedeviljono]

Originally Posted by Emigrations

If you are making $43k net, you could easily afford a thousand or a little over. TN has no state income tax, and NC does, so you'll get an effective raise equal to the NC income tax rate. The real concern is what other debt you have - that's what will make or break the effort.

Debt-free- thank God. I'd be moving with some savings in the bank, but a lot of that will have to go towards a new car soon, I'm afraid. Over 200,000 miles on my old girl.

Yep, the income tax is a plus, but it seems they do their damnedest to make up for it with high rent and sales tax!

[thunderstruck666]

The sales tax can be negated by driving up to Kentucky. I was in Brentwood a few weeks ago, and what killed me was paying 9% or whatever the exact amount was for food. When and if I move it would make more sense to drive over the border once a month to stock up on food. I drive a made in Chattanooga Passat, and can get close to 60 MPG hwy so distance isn't a real concern.

[artemis]

That's an option, but it can get old quick.

It's an hours drive up to Franklin KY and an hour back. 2 hours of drive time, plus gas, plus wear & tear on my car just isn't worth it.

[septimus]

Originally Posted by thunderstruck666

The sales tax can be negated by driving up to Kentucky. I was in Brentwood a few weeks ago, and what killed me was paying 9% or whatever the exact amount was for food. When and if I move it would make more sense to drive over the border once a month to stock up on food. I drive a made in Chattanooga Passat, and can get close to 60 MPG hwy so distance isn't a real concern.

you will spend more on gas driving to KY than you would save in sales tax in most cases driving from Brentwood.

[BirdieBelle]

Originally Posted by thunderstruck666

The sales tax can be negated by driving up to Kentucky. I was in Brentwood a few weeks ago, and what killed me was paying 9% or whatever the exact amount was for food. When and if I move it would make more sense to drive over the border once a month to stock up on food. I drive a made in Chattanooga Passat, and can get close to 60 MPG hwy so distance isn't a real concern.

The sales tax on food is 5% plus the local tax rate, which in Brentwood is 2.25%. So you paid a max of 7.25% on whatever food you bought, unless it was prepared food, dietary supplements, candy, alcoholic beverages or tobacco, which are subject to the general state sales and use tax rate of 7% plus the applicable local sales and use tax rate.

[thunderstruck666]

It would cost me less than $7 to drive to the super Walmart in Franklin KY from Brentwood and back again. I have plenty of free time, so once a month to come back with a car full of groceries to stock the pantry with. Border hopping is common here in Chicago because of high sales taxes on non food items. Those of us on the north side drive to Wisconsin, those on the south side go to Indiana.

[artemis]

I used to live in NW Indiana, and I remember the Illinois people that would drive over.

The big difference is South Chicago is just across the State line .. it wasn't that far to travel.

55 miles up to Franklin is ok is mind-numbing. I've got better things to do with my time.