is 34,000 a decent salary in Ahwatukee? (Phoenix: apartment complex, credit card, student loan)

[kirsty91]

So that is my income and my fiance will be at 34,000 as well. That would be for a 1 bedroom apartment, 2 dogs, and a horse.

Anyone else living on a similar salary? How much are you saving? Obviously, I have misc. expense but just looking to get an idea.

I currently live in San Diego.

[Bungle]

Check with your apartment complex but most won't allow horses.

[asufan]

Originally Posted by kirsty91

So that is my income and my fiance will be at 34,000 as well. That would be for a 1 bedroom apartment, 2 dogs, and a horse.

Anyone else living on a similar salary? How much are you saving? Obviously, I have misc. expense but just looking to get an idea.

I currently live in San Diego.

Figure $900-$1,100/mo for a nicer 1-bedroom apartment in Ahwatukee. Although $34,000 is not a high salary out here (it's probably below entry level for someone with a degree in most fields), it's enough to afford that apartment for sure. No idea about the horses though.

[observer53]

Agree with asufan about the apartment.


How large are the dogs? There may be an issue with two in an apartment, depending on the size.


What are you used to paying to board the horse now, and what is your budget for that in AZ? (and what kind of board are you looking for? -- full board, partial board, stall, covered pen, pasture, etc.)

[DetroitN8V]

I don't think I could feed my dogs with a $34k salary. How the heck do you afford a horse?

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by kirsty91

So that is my income and my fiance will be at 34,000 as well. That would be for a 1 bedroom apartment, 2 dogs, and a horse.

Anyone else living on a similar salary? How much are you saving? Obviously, I have misc. expense but just looking to get an idea.

I currently live in San Diego.

The dual income should be enough to afford a decent apartment in Ahwatukee, but a person's income is only a part of the equation. If you have miscellaneous expenses like credit card debt, car payment, student loan debt, and other bills, then $68,000 per year might not be enough on top of the monthly rent. Also, some apartments don't allow dogs. And a HORSE??? Are you kidding? You'll need a house (not an apartment) with at least an acre of yard space in an area zoned for horse privileges, which is kind of difficult to find around Phoenix these days.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

I don't think I could feed my dogs with a $34k salary. How the heck do you afford a horse?

The OP said they would both make that much. Depending on the board arrangement, it can be doable where they are. We don't yet know what they are looking for here.

Originally Posted by Valley Native

The dual income should be enough to afford a decent apartment in Ahwatukee, but a person's income is only a part of the equation. If you have miscellaneous expenses like credit card debt, car payment, student loan debt, and other bills, then $68,000 per year might not be enough on top of the monthly rent. Also, some apartments don't allow dogs. And a HORSE??? Are you kidding? You'll need a house (not an apartment) with at least an acre of yard space in an area zoned for horse privileges, which is kind of difficult to find around Phoenix these days.

I'm assuming they are planning on boarding the horse elsewhere. They may be doing that now.

[KurtAZ]

So actually $68k per year. Yes you and your finance will be fine for the most part...depending on where you board the horse. I don't know of any apartments with Horse Stables.