Single relocation near Fairfax (Leesburg, Herndon: apartment, mortgage, lawyers)

[OA82]

I currently live in PA. I recently went through a series of interviews for a position in Fairfax. I'm not familiar with the area and did not realize the high cost of living in Virginia prior to accepting the interview.
In my area, I can find a one bedroom for 850-950/mo. Researching, the lowest in Fairfax and surrounding areas is roughly 1250 to 1300. I understand that a lot of drs., lawyers, gov., ect., reside in the area bringing up cost of living. However, how does everyone in the under 50k camp range get by? What areas do they live in? My position will be in the 50-60k range. I have no children and no spouse. My concerns are quality of life in that area with a less than 80k-90k salary.

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by OA82

I currently live in PA. I recently went through a series of interviews for a position in Fairfax. I'm not familiar with the area and did not realize the high cost of living in Virginia prior to accepting the interview.
In my area, I can find a one bedroom for 850-950/mo. Researching, the lowest in Fairfax and surrounding areas is roughly 1250 to 1300. I understand that a lot of drs., lawyers, gov., ect., reside in the area bringing up cost of living. However, how does everyone in the under 50k camp range get by? What areas do they live in? My position will be in the 50-60k range. I have no children and no spouse. My concerns are quality of life in that area with a less than 80k-90k salary.

And you should be very concerned. There is no way I would relocate here for a $50-$60K salary range unless it had tons of potential for upward mobility.

Most people who are in your range are recent grads and do roommates. My daughter is just above this salary range and she lives with 2 roommates in DC. If she moved out to the suburbs such as yourself, she could manage with one roommate.

Several years ago, we had a frequent poster here who came to the area from PA for $41K and it didn't go well and he ended up moving back for better quality of life (to him) in PA.

With a slight risk of probably irritating you, I do have to ask if you truly had never heard that it's expensive here?

[tgbwc]

My new teacher colleagues start in the $48k-$53k range. A few live solo, but most have a roommate.

Is the job in Fairfax City or elsewhere in Fairfax County?

[Old Guard]

Location matters, Fairfax County is a big place. $50 - $60 K would be very doable if the work is in Leesburg but not so fun if the work is in Tysons.

If I were making $50K and working in Leesburg it opens up a lot of areas for me.

Of course being young in those areas may not be ideal.

[The Dissenter]

I make 50k here and get by with having 3 roommates. Possible yes. Fun? eh.

[brooklynborndad]

Originally Posted by Old Guard

Location matters, Fairfax County is a big place. $50 - $60 K would be very doable if the work is in Leesburg but not so fun if the work is in Tysons.

If I were making $50K and working in Leesburg it opens up a lot of areas for me.

Of course being young in those areas may not be ideal.

Leesburg is in Loudoun County, not Fairfax.

But agree, the COL could be lower for someone working in Herndon, or in Lorton, than for someone working in Tysons.

[grombly]

Where in Fairfax will you be working?

Most people I know in that income range do share a multi-bedroom apartment or TH, usually paying 750-850. I have swung an apartment and even a mortgage with that income but it was more difficult than it needed to be and if I did it again, I would have roommates.

[17thAndK]

30% of $50K would be $15K, which would work out to $1250/month for housing.

[NOVAmtneer82]

Originally Posted by OA82

I currently live in PA. I recently went through a series of interviews for a position in Fairfax. I'm not familiar with the area and did not realize the high cost of living in Virginia prior to accepting the interview.
In my area, I can find a one bedroom for 850-950/mo. Researching, the lowest in Fairfax and surrounding areas is roughly 1250 to 1300. I understand that a lot of drs., lawyers, gov., ect., reside in the area bringing up cost of living. However, how does everyone in the under 50k camp range get by? What areas do they live in? My position will be in the 50-60k range. I have no children and no spouse. My concerns are quality of life in that area with a less than 80k-90k salary.

One word: Roommates. Or they stalk Craigslist for days and weeks on end hoping to find one of those rare deals many of us never find. You can definitely find places to live for $1250- 1300, it just might involve making some sacrifices. If you're willing to have roommates, then you can definitely find something.

Where is the job in Fairfax? It's a huge county.

[Old Guard]

Originally Posted by brooklynborndad

Leesburg is in Loudoun County, not Fairfax.

But agree, the COL could be lower for someone working in Herndon, or in Lorton, than for someone working in Tysons.

LOL, Sorry. I am an idiot.