Got what I've always wanted and freaking...potential move to S.F. (San Francisco: apartment, renting)

[clongirl]

For private schools, look into the some of the Catholic High Schools (Saint Ignatius, Sacred Heart, Riordan)..they're expensive but much less than the independent ones.. I think Sacred Heart is even less than S.I.

University High and the all girls Stuart Hall...excellent schools but yes, probably around 30-40k year. Unfortunately most independent private schools are around that price (yikes). Lowell is one of the top public high schools (free) and might be an option but possibly larger than your daughter's used to and there is an application process (much like college).

As for transport, you'll only need one car. Public transport is very accessible. If you plan on living in the City, then definitely rent first until you figure out if you want to stay in the city proper and get to know the neighborhoods. There are some excellent options on your income outside the city also (most of Marin County, Piedmont, Orinda, Lafayette, etc) that also have good accessibility via BART/bus. The public schools in these areas are excellent and free (but private ones exist too).

Despite having less money than what you're used to, I think you'll have an excellent quality of life here on what you're making. Most of the inhabitants do it on FAR less...the difference is not being super extravagant, lowering the expectations on housing a little, and not owning a couple of high end cars (which will normally get dinged/scratched from city driving/parking). It's not as big of a deal as people are making it out to be. My family at the time (two kids/one in private school) had a very good quality of life on a quarter of that salary (but of course were not able to buy a house on our income back then). Everything else was great!

[capoeira]

Originally Posted by Davachka

1. Income: going from 300's to low 200's. Can we still live happily/comfortably? I figure we should rent near UCSF/ CHW at first. Or should we look further away, if there is public transport to the area? I think we will want MINIMUM 2000-2500sq ft.

SF places are tiny and expensive. A place in your size range in a great area will be around $8,000/month. In a mediocre area it will be less. Low 200's salary in SF may feel like low 100's in the the midwest or southeast.

Example 2,400 sq. ft. $8,500 (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/apa/1733394324.html - broken link)

Example 2,500 sq. ft. $5,000 (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/apa/1736776113.html - broken link)

Here is an example of an affordable home in a great location very close to UCSF.

Single Family Detached Home in Twin Peaks S.F. (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/apa/1741743987.html - broken link)

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by clongirl

For private schools, look into the some of the Catholic High Schools (Saint Ignatius, Sacred Heart, Riordan)..they're expensive but much less than the independent ones.. I think Sacred Heart is even less than S.I.

University High and the all girls Stuart Hall...excellent schools but yes, probably around 30-40k year. Unfortunately most independent private schools are around that price (yikes). Lowell is one of the top public high schools (free) and might be an option but possibly larger than your daughter's used to and there is an application process (much like college).

As for transport, you'll only need one car. Public transport is very accessible. If you plan on living in the City, then definitely rent first until you figure out if you want to stay in the city proper and get to know the neighborhoods. There are some excellent options on your income outside the city also (most of Marin County, Piedmont, Orinda, Lafayette, etc) that also have good accessibility via BART/bus. The public schools in these areas are excellent and free (but private ones exist too).

Despite having less money than what you're used to, I think you'll have an excellent quality of life here on what you're making. Most of the inhabitants do it on FAR less...the difference is not being super extravagant, lowering the expectations on housing a little, and not owning a couple of high end cars (which will normally get dinged/scratched from city driving/parking). It's not as big of a deal as people are making it out to be. My family at the time (two kids/one in private school) had a very good quality of life on a quarter of that salary (but of course were not able to buy a house on our income back then). Everything else was great!

Is it even fair to compare what you did with your income including private school with whay this family will be able to do? Take $200,000 subtract taxes what are you left with? Add $30,000 we will say for private schools plus all the other family expenses. Now, the OP is thinking of needing at least 2,000 sq ft, she prefers more. Can they live on the income? Of course, but I don't think it will allow for the life they now have. I love San Francisco, I see why the OP wants to live there, but I do think she has to be made aware of what her life is going to be like and it isn't going to be like what she has now.

NIta

[Davachka]

Thanks for all the considerate responses, NMnita, Clongirl, Tanglenet and Andy.

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

If I may make a suggestion, before accepting this type of offer I would try to live where you are for a year on the reduced amount and bank the difference since you'd me moving to an area with a much higher cost of living. If you can make it for a year where you are then you might be able to make it when you move. If you can't then the move will not be in your best interests.

That's basically what my wife and I did in reverse when I retired. We lived in CA for the next year on my reduced income and made it just fine. When we ultimately moved to an area with a significantly lower cost of living the transition was painless. I'm not sure we would have ever considered the opposite.

More power to you!

Curmudgeon, thats a great idea.....

Originally Posted by andyadhi01

Well then you should not move! When the fantasy of living in SF is gone after actually moving here you are going to deeply regret the decrease in income and high cost of living. I fail to understand this irrational urge to move in SF. Why move here voluntarily if you don't get enough increase in income to cover living expenses?

FYI, most families in SF earn way way less than 200K and still do well. Once you realize that all the uber expensive yuppie things does not really add to quality of life then your living expenses will be pretty low.

Not sure why I am responding to this presumptive and rude post.....but how do you know this is an irrational move? My husband is in a very highly specialized field, and one that is very difficult to find a job in. He is currently working in his field, but not in his subspecialty, which is his passion and he misses it greatly. It does not pay as much but it is what he spent 10-15 years of grad school for. As for the uber expensive yuppie things, you really have no idea what we do, so again, if all you can add is rude comments, that aren't helpful in anyway, please keep them to yourself.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Davachka

My husband is in a very highly specialized field, and one that is very difficult to find a job in. He is currently working in his field, but not in his subspecialty, which is his passion and he misses it greatly. It does not pay as much but it is what he spent 10-15 years of grad school for.

For what it's worth, no one can put a price on following your dream! It's priceless, takes courage and often requires sacrifice, but in the end you won't regret having tried. How could you?

[Phil306]

I'm sorry, I agree with the original person who replied. Good luck. You are going to need it. Going out to eat? Forget it. Doing fun things on the weekends which cost money? Forget it. Your housing costs in SF are going to suck so much of your money, you will scream!!! If you think you can have ANY sort of life, which you are used too, GOOD LUCK. You are fooling yourself. SF is one of the most EXPENSIVE places to live in the WORLD. And god, I sure hope you are EXTREMELY liberal, boarding socialist, in which to live in that society. I've live her for 47 yrs and I am telling you, you are in for a surprise.

Remember. When your car is broken into? The police won't respond. When your house is broken into? The police won't respond. If you are beat up? The police and criminal justice system don't care. You are in for a rude awakening which, you are fooling yourself right now. Follow your dream? Go somewhere else...

[andyadhi01]

Originally Posted by Phil306

I'm sorry, I agree with the original person who replied. Good luck. You are going to need it. Going out to eat? Forget it. Doing fun things on the weekends which cost money? Forget it. Your housing costs in SF are going to suck so much of your money, you will scream!!! If you think you can have ANY sort of life, which you are used too, GOOD LUCK. You are fooling yourself. SF is one of the most EXPENSIVE places to live in the WORLD. And god, I sure hope you are EXTREMELY liberal, boarding socialist, in which to live in that society. I've live her for 47 yrs and I am telling you, you are in for a surprise.

Geez! Can you exaggerate any more? Other than the cost of housing and gas price everything else costs about the same here. If you live like most regular people the cost of living is not that bad. There are hundreds of restaurants where you can have very reasonable meal under $15! Fresh fruits and veggies are cheaper in CA...Alcohol is cheaper here...most outdoor entertainment is free! If you live in the Asian neighborhoods in SF things are super cheap (the areas don't look good and weather sucks).

That said, SF has many expensive stores, restaurants, groceries and whatnot and if you think you need be in those places on a regular basis then better make a ton of money. If you want to lead a uber materialistic lifestyle to impress rest of the mindless materialistic people you will be poor everywhere.

To say that 200K family income in SF is not enough is simply preposterous! There are not many Paris Hilton types living here and most people don't dress too well. So just be cheap and enjoy things that does not cost money.

[andyadhi01]

Originally Posted by Phil306

And god, I sure hope you are EXTREMELY liberal, boarding socialist, in which to live in that society.

I hope President Obama raises the taxes on families making over 250K like he said..I guess then these people will learn to live on a normal budget-

SF has many bad things but being liberal is not one of them.

[hsw]

Would consider renting something in Orinda

SF is a 30-40% cheaper version of Manhattan, but Orinda is a much cheaper suburb with decent, free public schools....and drives from Orinda into SF are fairly easy (and, like any major city, drives to office at 6AM are rather easy vs 8AM slacker traffic)

Much like Manhattan, living in City of SF entails massive costs/hassles so most opt for affluent suburbs and visit city as desired for dinner, etc

[daepro]

I made the move and have no economic regrets and have learned to adjust my needs and wants.