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Old 09-15-2008, 04:48 PM
 
816 posts, read 968,400 times
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I know variants of this questions have been asked on several occassions, and I tried reading through most of the forum, but I didnt quite get a complete picture. Here's my question:
I am 26 yrs and married, I got offered a 91K job (base (85)+bonus(6)) in Portland. My wife cannot work. I dont intend to buy a house so plan to rent. Is there anybody with my situation on this forum? Or can anyone comment on what kind of lifestyle I can afford?

Any resposnse will be much appreciated...

I have a competing 105K offer in Santa Clara and must decide soon.
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Old 09-15-2008, 07:09 PM
 
Location: near Portland, Oregon
472 posts, read 1,710,337 times
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You can live very well indeed on 91k in Portland, but Santa Clara at 105k, will be a little more pressed. Housing in the Bay area is still very high even with the recent downturn.
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Old 09-16-2008, 07:49 AM
 
Location: CHICAGO
88 posts, read 357,725 times
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91k in Portland will certainly get you a lot more qol than 105k in CA. I lived out there years back and things are cheap everywhere in Oregon. 91k is pretty decent for OR standards, trust me.
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Old 09-16-2008, 09:14 AM
 
75 posts, read 289,864 times
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What type of lifestyle are you looking for? In the last 10 years I have lived 35 miles from Chicago, 45 miles from Los Angeles, and 60 miles from San Francisco all on quite a bit less than 91K, had all my 'wants' taken care of, and felt we had a very decent lifestyle. However, we didn't need the best of the best, and let the "Jones'" live their own life.

Where are you moving from, and what is your income now?

Last edited by thirtysomething; 09-16-2008 at 09:23 AM..
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Old 09-16-2008, 01:16 PM
 
Location: Portland, Oregon
10,990 posts, read 20,570,522 times
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$91K in Portland metro buys you a much better quality of life than $105k in Santa Clara. My daughter is a Santa Clara grad, I know of what I speak. HOWEVER, you need to consider their long term professional opportunities as well. My daughter was hired by an accounting firm in SJ. There were huge differences in economic opportunities within the firm which were in large part a reflection of the office location.

Think big picture here.
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Old 09-18-2008, 04:42 PM
 
816 posts, read 968,400 times
Reputation: 539
Thank you all for your insight
@thirtysomething: I am a student so I make nada! . I like to have some good things within reason. A nice place-neighborhood to live, travel once in a while. I will prob buy a used car, albeit a nice one... But I guess I will have to look at my paycheck post taxes first.
@ Nell Plotts : I see what you are saying, the bay area has a lot more companies in my field.
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Old 09-18-2008, 06:04 PM
 
Location: Portland, Oregon
10,990 posts, read 20,570,522 times
Reputation: 8261
My mother told me when I graduated from college to focus on getting the best experience possible. Then, after you have a good solid resume, seek a job where you really want to live.

Remember too, your salary sets a floor on your "worth". Oregon employers may not give you an increase to get you to come on board from SFO, but they are unlikely to offer a pay cut. Also, increases in pay are usually %, the higher the base the bigger the $. Were I you I would seriously consider the SJ position but keep in touch with the Portland employer.
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