Moving to Bellevue for 60k-Family of three- Will it be Livable ? (Seattle: leasing, car insurance)

[barooq]

Hmm
Adding an extra 200 for Electricity/gas and even 100 for Internet/ph/Cable the estimate still remains around 3400-4100 a month which seems to be pushing it at 60k but still affordable :S Come to think of it, I may have to tap into the emergency funds more than I would have liked...

But still, it is reassuring to have at least one opinion that its livable

Of course I am looking for more perspectives but nor, thanks a lot Inkpoe for your kindness and taking the time out to respond.

[Xanathos]

Originally Posted by barooq

Xanathos
"You H1(b) types" seems degrading.
Moving seems like a better option intellectually ( try living as agnostic and raising a son to honor rationality rather than religion in my country) and in the long run technically as well. I would have a much bigger chance working on cutting edge technologies here than I have anywhere else.
I understand the resentment in your tone but as I said, the purpose of this thread is to access whether a life in the means I described is possible or not, instead of determining the integrity of my employer or the long term risks.

In that regard, I would love your input regarding the bills ... Based on your experience, what do you pay, living where you live?


Inkpoe
My bad... Gentlelady it is

There was no resentment there. Just being factual. I will say this, though: If you took offense to phrasing like that, which wasn't even denigrating, you're going to be in for something of a surprise when you get here. Trust me, you will hear resentment, and it will look/sound nothing like what I posted. You imported guys don't bother me all that much individually, because there's no threat to me. On a larger scale, there's clearly a problem in the US, but that's another topic for another day. There are a lot of people in our industry who aren't so fortunate/secure though, and they let will their feelings be known to you. I've seen it/heard it. You need to prepare yourself for it, because it will happen.

Anyhow, back to the subject at hand: I could tell you what my bills are going to run, but it wouldn't really have any useful point of comparison for you, seeing as how I live in a 7,400 square foot house, whereas you're looking at a 2 bedroom apartment, so there's a size discrepency. Obviously, the utility costs to keep that heated, watered, etc. are significantly higher. I will say that I highly doubt you'll be able to get your utilities under 300 a month.

You also need to fire up a paycheck calculator to see what your actual take home is. You may be making 60k a year, but at the end of it all, you'll probably only actually take home 45000, if that. I'm not sure what the tax rate is on 60k, as that's pretty low for the IT industry, so I don't have any point of reference as to what that actually equates to as I've just never talked to anyone who was at that level. But Uncle Sam needs his cut and the old people need their free health care and monthly stipends. Tack on to that any 401(k) contributions, the costs associated with purchasing your own health care (as a couple + 1, you're looking at a few hundred a month), etc. etc.

[barooq]

Well
I am generally thick skinned. I am sure I will be able to handle. I am treating this job and the move as more of a fresh start and I know the salary is pretty low but as long as its livable I am ok with that.


Thank you for the reply and honest opinion.

[CarawayDJ]

Originally Posted by Xanathos

...seeing as how I live in a 7,400 square foot house,...

Is that a typo or are you renting a room in one of the Microsoft founders homes? That's not a house, it's a congressional district.

[Ira500]

I think the 300 for internet/phone/cable TV is actually too high. Comcast promotes these " bundle" specials with all three for the first year at 129 dollars per month, and then it goes to 179.That doesn't include cell phone. I don't have a "bundle", just internet and cable, and it runs about 130, with taxes included. The land line phone runs about another 30 per month.

[AlohaHuey]

Originally Posted by Xanathos

There was no resentment there. Just being factual. I will say this, though: If you took offense to phrasing like that, which wasn't even denigrating, you're going to be in for something of a surprise when you get here. Trust me, you will hear resentment, and it will look/sound nothing like what I posted. You imported guys don't bother me all that much individually, because there's no threat to me. On a larger scale, there's clearly a problem in the US, but that's another topic for another day. There are a lot of people in our industry who aren't so fortunate/secure though, and they let will their feelings be known to you. I've seen it/heard it. You need to prepare yourself for it, because it will happen.

Anyhow, back to the subject at hand: I could tell you what my bills are going to run, but it wouldn't really have any useful point of comparison for you, seeing as how I live in a 7,400 square foot house, whereas you're looking at a 2 bedroom apartment, so there's a size discrepency. Obviously, the utility costs to keep that heated, watered, etc. are significantly higher. I will say that I highly doubt you'll be able to get your utilities under 300 a month.

You also need to fire up a paycheck calculator to see what your actual take home is. You may be making 60k a year, but at the end of it all, you'll probably only actually take home 45000, if that. I'm not sure what the tax rate is on 60k, as that's pretty low for the IT industry, so I don't have any point of reference as to what that actually equates to as I've just never talked to anyone who was at that level. But Uncle Sam needs his cut and the old people need their free health care and monthly stipends. Tack on to that any 401(k) contributions, the costs associated with purchasing your own health care (as a couple + 1, you're looking at a few hundred a month), etc. etc.

I think most people would find the phrase "You H1(b) types" to be insulting. And "you imported guys"...

Places of work have codes of conduct. Maybe you don't abide by one, or have one, but anyone on the workplace who "let their feelings be known to you" will likely end up in HR with a warning or out on the street unemployed. Barooq, ignore this buffoon.

I am absolutely cracking up at "I never talk to anyone who is at that level (60K a year)"...as you move about your 7,400 foot house, all bowing and scraping before you!

Such class.

Today's word:

[SIZE=3]blo·vi·ate[/SIZE] (blv-t)
intr.v. blo·vi·at·ed, blo·vi·at·ing, blo·vi·ates Slang To discourse at length in a pompous or boastful manner:

[PollyGlott]

Originally Posted by AlohaHuey

I think most people would find the phrase "You H1(b) types" to be insulting. And "you imported guys"...

Places of work have codes of conduct. Maybe you don't abide by one, or have one, but anyone on the workplace who "let their feelings be known to you" will likely end up in HR with a warning or out on the street unemployed. Barooq, ignore this buffoon.

I am absolutely cracking up at "I never talk to anyone who is at that level (60K a year)"...as you move about your 7,400 foot house, all bowing and scraping before you!

Such class.

Today's word:

[SIZE=3]blo·vi·ate[/SIZE] (blv-t)
intr.v. blo·vi·at·ed, blo·vi·at·ing, blo·vi·ates Slang To discourse at length in a pompous or boastful manner:

Ha ha. Love your comments.
Rereading the posts by Xanathos, however, I actually don't think he realizes how dismissive he sounds.

[PollyGlott]

Oh... and I love the new word, "bloviate"!
Had I known it last month, when I joined this forum,I would have adopted "The Bloviator" as my online name.

[AlohaHuey]

Originally Posted by PollyGlott

Oh... and I love the new word, "bloviate"!
Had I known it last month, when I joined this forum,I would have adopted "The Bloviator" as my online name.

Some words just sound so perfect for their meaning. Bloviate is one such word. "The Bloviator" is an excellent handle!

[barooq]

Well Guys (AlohaHuey and PollyGlott)

Coming back to th original query, would you share your opinions?
See, as I said I do want to come and thats clouding my judgment. From the thread so far, all I got is that I will be able to make it Maybe I want to see it that way ...

So what would you say regarding the cost and whether the estimate that I put forward is accurate or not ?

Waiting for your response...

Thank you