Is 80K enough for a 30 single something in the Bay Area? (Nice: income, to live in)

[jobaba]

Originally Posted by gaijin_samurai

This is for a federal job and requires quite a bit of traveling. Is this enough for the area?

Will it ever stop?

75K is enough for every area.

I've lived in and around NYC and SF and there are always places you can live and get to work. Nobody HAS to live in Nob Hill or Chelsea. You can live in Vallejo or Clifton, both fine places where I've been plenty of times with a median household around 60K.

If you need to live in a nice, upscale neighborhood with fewer minorities, then say so. Specify what lifestyle you would like to live and people can be of more help.

Otherwise, you're spitting on everybody who 'lives' in those areas on much, much less.

[jade408]

Lifestyle requirements are pretty key. You won't be rolling in the dough, but you'll have enough to get by as a single. As a family? No! Not enough if you expect great schools.

[StrangeAsAngels]

It depends. If you are supporting a family and want to live in a decent area of the city, then no. If you are single and are okay living in a small place and not necessarily in the city, then yes.

I take it that your traveling expenses are part of the job and not coming out of your salary?

Also, the transit system in the Bay area isn't comparable to cities like NYC. It's tolerable if you're in the city but if you're in the North Bay it's not good at all and it's expensive ($19 round trip to take the ferry from Marin to SF).

That said, the Bay area is gorgeous especially if you like nature and urban life. There really is no place in the country like it.

[GTRdad]

no

[gaijin_samurai]

Originally Posted by GTRdad

no

I am single right now and expect my spouse to earn as well. I am moving from the DC Area. So how much do you really need?

[Wry_Martini]

What are your expenses? Are you supporting a family, have student loans to pay back, existing credit card debt, etc?


May I refer you to a few threads from the California forums for San Francisco and San Jose? (I'm including both because there's a lot of crossover and overlap with cost of living, etc)

Do we over hype the real COL in San Jose?

What salary is needed for a middle class lifestyle?

Can a family of four live in San Jose on a $65k income?

Moving to San Jose with a husband and a baby on $85k salary

Rental Prices in the city of S.F. are out of control

Is it as bad as everyone says? Where to live?

[jade408]

Originally Posted by gaijin_samurai

I am single right now and expect my spouse to earn as well. I am moving from the DC Area. So how much do you really need?

I survived just fine when I made that much. I didn't pick an expensive apartment. I don't (and still don't) live in SF, because I don't want to pay way more or have roommates.

You need to make a few sacrifices: like live in SF with roomies, or live outside SF by yourself. If you have really expensive student loans, you will need to be more frugal about going out.

[gaijin_samurai]

What if you lived in Walnut Creek?

[kharing]

Originally Posted by gaijin_samurai

I am single right now and expect my spouse to earn as well. I am moving from the DC Area. So how much do you really need?

If you're moving from DC, I say you can do it. DC is outrageously expensive, not as much as the Bay Area. If you are traveling a lot, just get a small place. Sounds like a great move!

[jade408]

Originally Posted by gaijin_samurai

What if you lived in Walnut Creek?

You already posted a thread on this.