Salaries are lower, but is the cost of living??? (places, moved)

[rocketmann]

I live in Ogden Valley and I can tell you that the cost of living here is a lot cheaper vs the South/Southeast.

[4thesport]

I moved here from Arizona and I have to agree. The wages do seem low here and the cost of living seems high. There are things that are a lot cheaper like utilities and insurance, but property taxes and housing prices are quite a bit higher. At these prices I'm surprised that families who are on a single income can even afford them. I'm sure housing gets cheaper the farther you go out of the city, but I always prefer to stay more in city so I'm closer to work and shopping. I have lived outside the city and I just felt like I spent most of my time on the road rather doing the things I enjoyed like spending it with my family.

[dcisive]

This is one of the GREAT mysteries to me as well. Between my wife and I we make a decent living (above the Utah average) and yet I see so many "families" where there is a husband and wife AND 4-6 children, 2 rather new cars, a house they own etc. I'd LOVE to sit down and see what their budget is for the kids school expenses, doctor and dental bills and household budget. I just can NOT see HOW they can all be making it, especially in most cases where the wife is not working. And I happen to KNOW in a number of cases where the husband is making less than myself, and yet they exist? My wife and I are "making" it but not by a ton. I just can't wrap my mind around the typical Utah family and how they are making ends meet with all of these expenses. Can someone enlighten me? I can't even afford health insurance

[4thesport]

Originally Posted by dcisive

This is one of the GREAT mysteries to me as well. Between my wife and I we make a decent living (above the Utah average) and yet I see so many "families" where there is a husband and wife AND 4-6 children, 2 rather new cars, a house they own etc. I'd LOVE to sit down and see what their budget is for the kids school expenses, doctor and dental bills and household budget. I just can NOT see HOW they can all be making it, especially in most cases where the wife is not working. And I happen to KNOW in a number of cases where the husband is making less than myself, and yet they exist? My wife and I are "making" it but not by a ton. I just can't wrap my mind around the typical Utah family and how they are making ends meet with all of these expenses. Can someone enlighten me? I can't even afford health insurance

The only thing I can think of is they have to be getting help. How else can they all keep that going? You can only live off of your credit for so long right?

[GraniteStater]

^
Exactly. I wonder how the model is in any way sustainable when you have a huge percentage of the population in Utah county that is very young and job growth not keeping up. Easy credit is drying up. I don't understand it at all either.

[Calibelle]

Originally Posted by 4thesport

The only thing I can think of is they have to be getting help. How else can they all keep that going? You can only live off of your credit for so long right?

You can't look at someone walking down the street, or look at a neighbor and think you know how they are making it, or know that they must be getting help from somewhere. Maybe she works from home. Maybe his job is high paying enough that she does not need to work. Maybe they have savings. Maybe they have a million credit cards. You just really never know.

Having said that, Utah as a state has one of the highest bankruptcy statistics out of all 50 states. So obviously, they stay at home mom think with 4 to 6 kids, and a working dad, doesn't always work out.

[dcisive]

All very good points indeed. When we first moved into Herriman pretty much ALL of the families that moved near us (fortunately NOT the one next door) had 3-5 kids up and down the block. Over the last 3 years or so I noted no less than 8 homes that went to foreclosure, many of the families leaving at night so I never saw them go. Indeed it may very well be somewhat of an illusion they all make it just fine. I met several over the last couple of years that admitted to me their parents provided the down payment for them homes, and in some cases pay for it, so parents can be a great asset, but more like a lifeline I guess. We've all endured some pretty tough times over the last number of years. Was on the line myself several years ago in a job transition I didn't plan. Fortunately it all got ironed out.....

[jazzphoenix]

I moved from NYC 2 1/2 years ago and while my rent is cheaper (about 60% of what I paid in Astoria, Queens but for quite a bit less square footage than what I had) I don't think anything else is cheaper. My salary is also about 60% of my former salary. In New York I was able to save quite a bit more than I am here. Food is definitely not cheaper (in or out). Utilities are more expensive (but I was living in an apartment complex and now am in a duplex so it's a different structure).

[SWFL_Native]

Originally Posted by Tim Tim Tim

I dont know about comapring to other western states but it was a lot cheaper than florida! housing isnt cheaper but utilities and insurance sure are!

Agree to disagree on this on Tim! The cost of housing is 50% like for like in Salt Lake compared with FL.

I can move back home today and get a 3/2 2800 SQFT w/pool in a gated community built within the last 10 years and desirable location for $180-$220k. Guess it depends on where you're looking but most of the gulf coast side is dirt cheap right now.

Basically the difference you pay in increased property tax and insurance in FL is offset by Utah's State income tax (rolls eyes at living in a "conservative" state but yet a state tax). I'd say Utilities are even as cold winter here eclipses any month run-rate back home but summer.

All else income & job opportunities are much much better here so standard of living is much better.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

If you have an older house with a swamp cooler, electric bills are quite low. I am on the 12 month averaging plan and my gas is $81/mo with electric at $61/mo. This is for a 2300 sq ft house built in 1921.

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