DC vs. Atlanta (Arlington, Reston, Fairfax: lease, condo, month-to-month)

[NOVAmtneer82]

Originally Posted by DennyCrane

Instead of relying just on word of mouth or talking to recruiters, I decided to look at Salary.com which collects salary data reported by HR departments to the Department of Labor (I think). I looked specifically at my job instead of just general data and looked only at base salary data. It looks like a Bell curve and shows salary figures for the 10th, 25th, 75th and 90th percentiles. I compared the figures for DC and Atlanta to my current city and here's what I found.

Atlanta:

10th% - 7% less
25th% - 7% less
75th% - 7% less
90th% - 7% less

DC:

10th% - 1% more
25th% - 1% more
75th% - 1% more
90th% - 1% more

What's clear, at least according to their data, is that Atlanta pays 7% less than my city and DC pays only 1% more. What's remarkable is just how consistent the pay difference is even when you look at specific percentiles.

There are various cost-of-living indexes out there. Salary.com has one. I looked at four others and averaged the five. Atlanta's COL is 9% lower and DC's is 21% higher.

So it looks like I shouldn't expect to get a salary in DC that makes up for the cost of living. If anything, I'll probably have to take a pay cut, at least in relative terms. In Atlanta, I'd make less money, but it looks like the cost of living will, at worst, even out. So now I have to decide whether it's still worth moving to DC given that my I'll probably have to lower my standard of living.

Wow you put a lot more effort into researching a place to live than I ever considered...What city are you even comparing to DC and Atlanta? Those numbers aren't making a lot of sense to me considering many localities in the DC area have the highest median household incomes in the country.

[CaliTerp07]

Originally Posted by DennyCrane

So it looks like I shouldn't expect to get a salary in DC that makes up for the cost of living. If anything, I'll probably have to take a pay cut, at least in relative terms. In Atlanta, I'd make less money, but it looks like the cost of living will, at worst, even out. So now I have to decide whether it's still worth moving to DC given that my I'll probably have to lower my standard of living.

I don't think anyone for one second is going to tell you that DC is a "great value for the money". If your biggest concern is the size of the house you buy/rent, then go to Atlanta--no question. Our friends in Atlanta pay 1/2 what we pay for a place that's significantly bigger than ours.

That said, people flock here by the hundreds, so it's the non-financial stuff that draws people in.

I still don't understand why you don't just apply for jobs in both cities? See what kind of offers you can get. Put your resume on Monster. A friend in NYC put his up last month, and within 2 weeks he had a job offer and was moving to DC. It's worth a shot, right? If you get offers in both cities, it'll be tricky, but if you get a great job in one city or the other, take it and don't look back.

Bloom where you're planted. It will work out either way.

[DennyCrane]

Originally Posted by NOVAmtneer82

Wow you put a lot more effort into researching a place to live than I ever considered...What city are you even comparing to DC and Atlanta? Those numbers aren't making a lot of sense to me considering many localities in the DC area have the highest median household incomes in the country.

This is a pretty big decision. That's why I'm being thorough. I'm comparing both to Chicago. DC may have the highest median household incomes, but relative to Chicago and especially in my field of IT, there doesn't seem to be a huge difference between the two markets.

Originally Posted by CaliTerp07

I still don't understand why you don't just apply for jobs in both cities? See what kind of offers you can get. Put your resume on Monster. A friend in NYC put his up last month, and within 2 weeks he had a job offer and was moving to DC. It's worth a shot, right? If you get offers in both cities, it'll be tricky, but if you get a great job in one city or the other, take it and don't look back.

Bloom where you're planted. It will work out either way.

If I were still in my 20s, I'd take a chance on whatever city gave me an offer. But I'm no longer in my 20s and really don't feel like moving every few years. I really want my next move to be my last one. I also don't believe in the idea of "blooming where you're planted." Pick the wrong city and you could end up miserable, especially if you find yourself trapped in that city. Being in a city with lots of jobs is great, but it means very little if you don't make enough to really enjoy living there. While I don't need the biggest house, the nicest car, etc., I also don't feel like renting a tiny apartment for the rest of my days. I'm sure DC is a great city and has a lot to offer. I just don't know if it's worth the effective pay cut I'd have to take.

[FairfaxGuy73]

Originally Posted by Caladium

Hi Denny! I'm glad you're still thinking of us.
BTW, for what it's worth I've always thought the people here are very friendly. Maybe it just depends on which neighborhood you choose.

Some of us know the NOVA/DC area beyond our own neighborhoods, and also parts of the country. People are friendly in Atlanta, people are friendly in Richmond, people are NOT friendly in NOVA. If you like competing for everything and with everybody, including with your friends, this is the place to be. If you do choose to move here, an advanced degree helps and is increasingly required. Exercise, study up on your profession, and read up on office politics/business environment/dress for success, etc. You may never have any friends beyond buddies who show up at bars and do sports with you, and mostly who think that you're important than them only to forget you when your position changes.

[DennyCrane]

Originally Posted by FairfaxGuy73

Some of us know the NOVA/DC area beyond our own neighborhoods, and also parts of the country. People are friendly in Atlanta, people are friendly in Richmond, people are NOT friendly in NOVA. If you like competing for everything and with everybody, including with your friends, this is the place to be. If you do choose to move here, an advanced degree helps and is increasingly required. Exercise, study up on your profession, and read up on office politics/business environment/dress for success, etc. You may never have any friends beyond buddies who show up at bars and do sports with you, and mostly who think that you're important than them only to forget you when your position changes.

Is it really that bad? I'm a Type B person who doesn't have anything beyond a Bachelor's, hates office politics, and don't believe in using people to get ahead.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by DennyCrane

Is it really that bad? I'm a Type B person who doesn't have anything beyond a Bachelor's, hates office politics, and don't believe in using people to get ahead.

That stereotype may apply more if you're involved in the Federal Government or one of the various contractors. If I recall correctly, you're in IT which while certainly time-consuming, isn't necessarily as "cutthroat" as some other professions here.

[sportsterjohn]

I don' know, I am not an A type eithor. I also am not into office politics and try not to use people. I am also a Gov't IT contractor and I gave found the almost everyone in my office both Fed and contractor are pretty laid back, helpful and not out to screw each other over. As long as you can stand up and hold your own when you do come across one of these people, try to stay out of the politics and perform well at your job, you should be ok.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by sportsterjohn

I don' know, I am not an A type eithor. I also am not into office politics and try not to use people. I am also a Gov't IT contractor and I gave found the almost everyone in my office both Fed and contractor are pretty laid back, helpful and not out to screw each other over. As long as you can stand up and hold your own when you do come across one of these people, try to stay out of the politics and perform well at your job, you should be ok.

Thanks for disproving the stereotype!

[FairfaxGuy73]

Originally Posted by Tone509

Thanks for disproving the stereotype!

The office of one person is laid back, so I guess I was wrong. The folks who busted their tails for advanced degrees that made this the most educated and affluent area of the country are pretty easy going. Traffic, grocery lines, and job networking are nice too. When you get on the job, be ready to "set a spell." I'm glad I heard about that one office. Point disproved.

[FairfaxGuy73]

BTW, IT is not a good field here right now. Plenty are unemployed or being offered 1/2 their old pay. Definitely check out the water here before you leap in.