Will $120k combined let us live "comfortably" in N. County. (Oceanside: apartment, rental)

[ViaSwiss]

I have been planning a relocation to SD for a few years now and finally have a few job offers ~ $70k a year. I am 28 and no kids (just a Golden Retriever). My GF will be making around ~$50k. So a total income of $120-130k for the two of us.

We would be moving to N. County, not sure exactly which city yet, but hopefully closer to the beach (Carlsbad, Encinitas, or Oceanside).

We are fairly frugal people and just like to live comfortably and not too extravagantly - do not need super fancy dinners and prefer to do free things. With that said SD is way more expensive than the Midwest. I have student loans to pay, but that is our only debt other than car loans.

Do you think we can live comfortably with $120-130k in N. County?

[hitman619]

Yes To all 3 places. As long your Student loans and cars payments don't eat up a lot of, you and hers income.

[Cardiff Kook]

Yes

[someguy10]

$120Kish is enough, although it will come at the cost of now (nice city/weather) vs later (less going toward retirement).

What kind of budget are you thinking about for housing? What kind of savings do you (personally) have built up? I would be quite conservative in budgeting for housing and try to keep it to $2k/mo max. Many folks on here might advocate $2500-3000/mo rent on 120-130K income, but imagine if you suddenly become single or one of you loses your job. Rent that high would become a real burden.

[Cardiff Kook]

Originally Posted by someguy10

What kind of budget are you thinking about for housing? What kind of savings do you (personally) have built up? I would be quite conservative in budgeting for housing and try to keep it to $2k/mo max. Many folks on here might advocate $2500-3000/mo rent on 120-130K income, but imagine if you suddenly become single or one of you loses your job. Rent that high would become a real burden.

Of course you want to be conservative with your housing costs.....but then there is reality. Unless the want to live in East County they are going to be hard pressed to find any 2 bedroom place for under 2k in Carlsbad and especially Encinitas. Oceanside would be their best bet for sub 2k rent. I'd love for my mortgage to be a couple hundred lower, but hey that's the price we pay to live here.

[bigdaddy5]

YES, it can be done on $120-$130k.

Closer to the ocean = expensive. I hope you can wing it. May I suggest you try the neighborhoods on the East Side of the I-5? To keep it manageable.

[ShelbyGirl1]

Agreed with all of the above. Housing will be your biggest obstacle. And guessing it will not be Carlsbad or Encinetas.

[NYSD1995]

Yes

[ViaSwiss]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Originally Posted by someguy10

$120Kish is enough, although it will come at the cost of now (nice city/weather) vs later (less going toward retirement).

What kind of budget are you thinking about for housing? What kind of savings do you (personally) have built up? I would be quite conservative in budgeting for housing and try to keep it to $2k/mo max. Many folks on here might advocate $2500-3000/mo rent on 120-130K income, but imagine if you suddenly become single or one of you loses your job. Rent that high would become a real burden.

We were planning around 1,800-2,200 for either an apartment or rental home. We do not have a lot saved at the moment....~5k, but most of that will be used up on relocation (unless I can negotiate a relocation package).

Oceanside seems to get a bad rep on city-data. Is Carlsbad and Encinitas really THAT much nicer than Oceaside? Are we better off in Vista or Escondido than Oceanside?

[Cardiff Kook]

Originally Posted by ViaSwiss

Thanks for the responses guys.




We were planning around 1,800-2,200 for either an apartment or rental home. We do not have a lot saved at the moment....~5k, but most of that will be used up on relocation (unless I can negotiate a relocation package).

Oceanside seems to get a bad rep on city-data. Is Carlsbad and Encinitas really THAT much nicer than Oceaside? Are we better off in Vista or Escondido than Oceanside?

I like Oceanside but Carlsbad and Encinitas/Cardiff are much more refined and upscale areas currently. Old Oceanside has come a long way though.

Shadowridge area of Vista is nice but you definitely aren't going to get the coastal lifestyle in either of those inland cities that you will find in Carlsbad and Encinitas. You may just need to bite the bullet, pay ~2300 - 2500 and get a sweet place in Carlsbad and Encinitas. If you want to be at the beach all the time, you are going to save a ton of time and money in gas by living there vs driving 20-30 minutes each way