Is $80K enough to live comfortably (single, no debt, want to rent a 1 bd apt) (San Jose: 2015, apartment)

[RoadLessTraveled2015]

Would a single person who makes between $80 - $90K / year with no other debt (no car note, no CC debt, no student loans, etc.) be able to rent a 1 bedroom apartment and live comfortably in the East Bay (Dublin / Pleasanton / Livermore)?


How much does a single person need to make annually to live comfortably in the Bay Area? (SF area vs East Bay vs South Bay)

[LakeLifePA]

You'll be fine. When I lived there I was making 88k a year and paying $1,500 a month in child support. East Bay is definitely doable and nicer weather wise than the peninsula anyway.

[RoadLessTraveled2015]

Originally Posted by Robert20170

You'll be fine. When I lived there I was making 88k a year and paying $1,500 a month in child support. East Bay is definitely doable and nicer weather wise than the peninsula anyway.

Would closer to $90K be doable in the south bay?

[ccm123]

The East Bay should be fine, on your budget, but you would need to be frugal. Rents in the South Bay tend to be higher due to the proximity to Silicon Valley businesses.

Originally Posted by RoadLessTraveled2015

Would closer to $90K be doable in the south bay?

[davdaven]

Yes, this is possible. I have friends that do it on less of a salary than that. However, practically speaking, you might want to consider a studio as well. I prefer having a proper bedroom, but a large studio might be fine if you can subdivide the space somehow. When I first moved to the Bay Area, I lived in a studio for 2 years before upgrading to a full-size apartment and it worked out nicely. While the unit was light on square footage, the vaulted ceiling helped make it feel spacious.

[bmw335xi]

Originally Posted by RoadLessTraveled2015

Would a single person who makes between $80 - $90K / year with no other debt (no car note, no CC debt, no student loans, etc.) be able to rent a 1 bedroom apartment and live comfortably in the East Bay (Dublin / Pleasanton / Livermore)?


How much does a single person need to make annually to live comfortably in the Bay Area? (SF area vs East Bay vs South Bay)

It is doable, you'd fine it easier in in East Bay, but could still do it in South Bay. I would recommend having a budget spreadsheet to make sure you are on top of your finances.

[capoeira]

Originally Posted by RoadLessTraveled2015

Would a single person who makes between $80 - $90K / year with no other debt (no car note, no CC debt, no student loans, etc.) be able to rent a 1 bedroom apartment and live comfortably in the East Bay (Dublin / Pleasanton / Livermore)?

Just do the math for your average rents. According to Rent Jungle the average 1 br in Pleasanton is $2234.

https://www.rentcafe.com/average-ren...ca/pleasanton/

Using the 30% of income rent rule you should have an income of $89,360 to live comfortably. Of course you could rent a below average apartment or or spend >30% on rent but this may not be comfortable.

Originally Posted by RoadLessTraveled2015

Would closer to $90K be doable in the south bay?

The average rent for a 1 br in Sunnyvale is $2809. One would need an income of $122,360 under the 30% rule.

Or try Campbell with a average rent for a 1 br of only $2413 according to Rent jungle. Only $96,520 would be needed there.

[LakeLifePA]

San Leandro has several 1 bedrooms right now for well under $2,000. Close to the BART and I think an underrated area. I really enjoyed living there.

[RoadLessTraveled2015]

Thanks...
Final question, would you say it's better to live in Phoenix, make $49K and rent a 1 bedroom for $1K or live in the Bay Area, make $80K and rent for $2.5K?

[davdaven]

Originally Posted by RoadLessTraveled2015

Thanks...
Final question, would you say it's better to live in Phoenix, make $49K and rent a 1 bedroom for $1K or live in the Bay Area, make $80K and rent for $2.5K?

Do you like going outside? I find the weather in Phoenix to be unbearable for half the year. By comparison, I can go for a hike or bike ride most of the year here in the Bay Area. I have friends who have lived in Phoenix in the past, and they complain that there isn't much culture there. So don't forget the non-financial aspect of your decision too. (To that effect, having lived in both the South Bay and East Bay, I would add that San Jose is mostly devoid of culture as well. Being closer to SF or Oakland or even Walnut Creek or heck even a Livermore winery will give you many more options for things to do in your free time.)