Good salary to a family of 5 (Phoenix)!! (middle-class, rental)

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by smoochaz

You can rent a beautiful home in Scottsdale for $2k/month. I love where I live by Anasazi (elementary), Moutainside (middle), and Desert Mountain (high school). Plenty of support for daycare also!

Maha

I don't know about that. When I first moved here, I rented a mediocre house in Scottsdale for $2600 (I think) and it was the nicest in the price range. Maybe the rental market has gone down some but I don't think you can expect a gorgeous house in Scottsdale for $2k.

[LBTRS]

$130k/year with no housing to pay for is an outstanding salary in this area. Most people make it on MUCH less than that. You won't get to live lavishly but you will be comfortable. Avoid the higher cost of living areas like Scottsdale and you'll be better off. Gilbert, Tempe and Chandler are great choices.

[asufan]

Originally Posted by Heath V

For daycare??

For two that age, yes (roughly). Although there may be a 10% discount for the second child. This is in higher rent areas.

[Heath V]

Originally Posted by asufan

For two that age, yes (roughly). Although there may be a 10% discount for the second child. This is in higher rent areas.

Wow that is expensive.

[cdr_77]

Thanks everybody for taking your time!!! My husband will work in E. McDowell Road.
We will not want to buy a house. We would be like expats and we don't know if we will live 2-3-4 or 5 years, but the most important thing is looking for a house nice, with a good school and safe area, with library, parks walkable. Thanks so much!

[cdr_77]

Only thing we live well in Silicon Valley but we couldn't save any money, I meant

[goolsbyjazz]

Sounds like Chandler may suit your needs if good schools are high on your priority list. Tempe and Gilbert also have good systems, but I believe Chandler's is rated a little higher.

[ShampooBanana]

If your husband is working on E. McDowell I would more likely go for Chandler or Tempe. Gilbert would be kind of a far commute. South Tempe is very nice and has good schools. I'd look in places between Elliot Rd and Chandler Blvd and between 101 and Priest Rd. More northern parts of Ahwatukee could fit the bill, also, as could Chandler, especially south of the 202. Just check the Great schools ratings to make sure you're in a good individual elementary district or scope out the local charter schools, but most of the public schools in those areas I mentioned are very good.


As for salary, you'll do just fine on $130k, even with day care (since housing is basically covered). My HH income is about the same and my wife and I do fine with one child but still paying off student loans. We still manage to save a good deal each month and can afford to do most things we want to do. That's one reason we live in a low COL place like Phoenix.

[ajonesaz]

Originally Posted by asufan

figure $2,500/month for daycare for two.

Man, what daycare are you going to??? Daycare for my 3 year old ranged from $150-200 per week. $200 was a brand new top of the line facility in a higher income area.

[kent_moore]

That was a big raise from 110K from Silicon Valley to 130K to Phoenix.

You can live here comfortable with the same salary you have in Silicon Valley.

Is this a company transfer?