Realistic to live in PHX area for $37,000/year? (Scottsdale: apartment complex, lease)

[goodlife36]

Originally Posted by las vegas drunk

As a single person you are allowed 1 federal allowance which is why your calculation is slightly less than mine. Still, using your calculation the biweekly net pay of $1,092.77 X 26 would be $28,412.02. Divide that by 12 months and you get a net monthly pay of $2,367.67.

According to the paycheck city calculator, I get $2231.12. Does it really make a difference?

[goodlife36]

Originally Posted by shiphead

I am comparing rent to electricity. Unsure why anyone would think $37,000 isn't good for the Phoenix area. We wanting a 3000 sq ft brand new house in scottsdale with a 7 series BMW or something?

I guess it is subjective.

[FitnessPower]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

$37k per year is around $24k net. You live on $1,000 per month and bank the other $1,000? That doesn't seem very reasonable unless you are very, very frugal.

Ok so I net about $2400 per month... when single it was a breeze, rent a bedroom for $400-450 including utilities or if you want a 1 bedroom apt there are decent complexes for $600, for nice places 700 and higher end complexes for 850+.

600 rent
200 average utilities (summer higher, winter lower)
90 smart phone
90 car insurance
200-800 food/gas/etc
25 gym membership

= 600-1200 savings

Its not hard just as long as you dont waste $100s at the bar or $20 per meal every meal. Shop at costco and eat at home at least 2 meals.

[shiphead]

Originally Posted by FitnessPower

Ok so I net about $2400 per month... when single it was a breeze, rent a bedroom for $400-450 including utilities or if you want a 1 bedroom apt there are decent complexes for $600, for nice places 700 and higher end complexes for 850+.

600 rent
200 average utilities (summer higher, winter lower)
90 smart phone
90 car insurance
200-800 food/gas/etc
25 gym membership

= 600-1200 savings

Its not hard just as long as you dont waste $100s at the bar or $20 per meal every meal. Shop at costco and eat at home at least 2 meals.

Exactly my point. We aren't talking about living rich and famous, just being able to pay bills, get by and save. With those kind of savings, you could easily buy a house and make a living in Phoenix. The cost you list would not fly in California, no way no how.

[DetroitN8V]

That's not living a great life though. That's simply paying expenses and doing NOTHING else. No vacations, no shopping, no eating out, no entertainment, no hobbies, no gifts to family members, no sporting events, no nothing. That's just not enough income to live a good life.

[shiphead]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

That's not living a great life though. That's simply paying expenses and doing NOTHING else. No vacations, no shopping, no eating out, no entertainment, no hobbies, no gifts to family members, no sporting events, no nothing. That's just not enough income to live a good life.

[mod cut- personal attack]

Look. I've lived on 16K a year after taxes as a single male and had no problems going to weekend trips to California, paying my bills, but mind you I had ZERO debt. If you are talking about living in debt, yes, you will need a much larger income.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by shiphead

[mod cut- personal attack]

Look. I've lived on 16K a year after taxes as a single male and had no problems going to weekend trips to California, paying my bills, but mind you I had ZERO debt. If you are talking about living in debt, yes, you will need a much larger income.

[orphaned response]

You're talking about surviving. I'm talking about LIVING. The person said $37k is enough to live a great life. It is not. It's enough to live modestly, pay your bills, sack a few bucks away and that's about it. You can't do anything else.

[goodlife36]

It is possible to live on $37,000. If I were younger, I could rent a decent place for $900 and slowly build a life. Based on what I saw when I visited Phoenix, I would not move there if I was offered a job paying that salary. The allure of Phoenix is the desert, exotic foliage and living in a beautiful home in a good neighborhood. Most owners and realtors require an income of 3x the rent. For a modest home renting for $1300, I would need to make at least $46800 to qualify.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

That's not living a great life though. That's simply paying expenses and doing NOTHING else. No vacations, no shopping, no eating out, no entertainment, no hobbies, no gifts to family members, no sporting events, no nothing. That's just not enough income to live a good life.

The problem is there are so many people who move to the Phoenix area because it's "cheaper living" ... and to a certain point that may be true compared to other major cities, but the wages here also are cheaper. $37,000 per year for a single person is usually enough to survive on, but not enough to enjoy the better aspects of life other than car expenses, basic shopping, and eating.

And I still maintain that even with housing prices being less expensive than California or back east, the cost of owning a home is not cheap here when summer electric bills, water bills, and general maintenance costs are included. With the intense sun & summer heat being hard on vehicles, things like batteries, hoses, etc. often need replacing more frequently than in cooler climates. Living in Phoenix is not as inexpensive as some people think!

[FitnessPower]

Originally Posted by goodlife36

It is possible to live on $37,000. If I were younger, I could rent a decent place for $900 and slowly build a life. Based on what I saw when I visited Phoenix, I would not move there if I was offered a job paying that salary. The allure of Phoenix is the desert, exotic foliage and living in a beautiful home in a good neighborhood. Most owners and realtors require an income of 3x the rent. For a modest home renting for $1300, I would need to make at least $46800 to qualify.

$1300 in the PHX area will get you more than just a modest house. For that price your looking at an 1800-2300 sq ft place with fully decked out interior and pool.