Accepting job offer - moving to SEA area (Seattle, Renton: apartment, rentals)

[Mr.Burns]

Hi !!

I am about to accept a job proposal to move to Seattle area somewhere near the Seattle area.

I've been doing lots of research on the living costs, but as I am not based in the US (live in Brazil) i am concerned if it is a good job offer to keep my life stds or not.
It is just me and my wife (who would need to take some time to get her onw a job)

Down here, we currently have two cars, live in a 2,500sq feet apartment in Sao Paulo, which is pretty similar to NY as living costs and stds (lots of night life etc).

we enjoy going out a lot and i've been to Seattle quite a few times, but this permanent move is taking my nights out of sleep.

So the request for help to you guys would be:

- is a 110,000/year a good salary for living south Seattle area?
- how much would be an average expenses on:
- Utilities (Internet, cable tv, power, gas, heat, water)
- Grocery for two people who like fresh items and to cook
- Gas for two cars lets say going 20 miles a day each
- Dinner in a nice place with bottle of wine (avg)
- taking that the company will offer good benefits package including healthcre, what else am I missing to take into account ?

My concern is that I've been seeing home rentals (which would be a first idea before buying anyhitng) for 1,800-2,500 range ..... then how much would i have to spend on the other stuff....

[Hemlock140]

People here are having no trouble renting for $1,800-2,500 on $70,000, you will be fine with $110,000 in south Seattle.
Gas is running $3.85/gallon, a nice dinner for two is about $60, a great dinner $100. The rest of your questions will vary greatly depending on your lifestyle and size of home. Generally our electricity is lower than average for the USA, the other utilities higher.

[RVD90277]

There are a lot of other Brasilians around and especially some at Amazon where you'll probably be working so you should be fine.

You won't necessarily live in luxury but you'll be fine in having a 2 bedroom apartment, car, etc.

[citydave]

If I made $110k I wouldn't be living in south Seattle. I would go to a nicer area.

[RVD90277]

i would just live in belltown or the eastlake area.

[Garfunkle524]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

People here are having no trouble renting for $1,800-2,500 on $70,000, you will be fine with $110,000 in south Seattle.
Gas is running $3.85/gallon, a nice dinner for two is about $60, a great dinner $100. The rest of your questions will vary greatly depending on your lifestyle and size of home. Generally our electricity is lower than average for the USA, the other utilities higher.

Take this one from Hemlock to heart OP. You'd do great on that salary in South Seattle. Yo uwon't be wealthy but you'll be solidly comfortable.

[Mr.Burns]

Thank you guys for the responses !!

Plans are not a rich life , but comfortable and not living very cheap .

Good to have an idea that 110k isn't a bad offer at all .

Renton or tkiwila area more expensive ?

[RVD90277]

renton and tukwila are much cheaper so if you want to live there, you can definitely afford it.

[shaxs]

Hey congrats on the job offer

[CrazyDonkey]

If you enjoy going out a lot, you should look for an apartment in areas like Capitol Hill, Belltown, Lower Queen Anne (Uptown), Queen Anne Hill, Ballard, Fremont, etc. Lots of restaurants, bars, clubs, shops, etc. Traffic can be awful in Seattle, so as long as you can afford it stay away from areas that require significant commutes (like south Seattle).