Saint Louis Missouri (St. Louis, Ozark, California: best cities, apartment, rent)

[Howest2008]

St. Louis is the 4th best city in the United States of America for building wealth in 2016.


The Best Cities For Building Wealth | Bankrate.com

[MOforthewin]

Originally Posted by Howest2008

St. Louis is the 4th best city in the United States of America for building wealth in 2016.


The Best Cities For Building Wealth | Bankrate.com

Well living expenses are pretty cheap in Missouri.

States like Missouri, Arkansas etc. your money goes further. Here in FL things overall are more expensive. Sure there is no income tax in FL, BUT FL gets you in many other ways such as higher property taxes and higher fees on stuff.

[GoCardinals]

Originally Posted by MOforthewin

Well living expenses are pretty cheap in Missouri.

.

Makes you wonder how San Francisco aces the list?
I know a few software engineers in Google who get paid perhaps 40% more than their counter parts in MO but their rent in San Fran is 500% more.

Many professional software engineers can't afford to live in San Fran, so they go 50 to 60 miles away to share an apartment with fellow engineers in order to make the ends meet.

A few weeks ago, I was in San Fran's AT&T park watching a game between Giants and Mets when the weather certainly got chilly. So I went to buy hot chocolate for the kids. Three, watered down, 16 Oz cups cost $21.00

[RisingAurvandil]

Engineers do earn more in San Jose, but it's not enough to account for the cost of living. They are trading financial security for the opportunity to work at some of the most prestigious firms. Fair enough.

I have a friend who relocated to LA. The weather is awesome there and LA has a definitive pulse, but he was shocked to discover that incomes are only marginally higher than StL. And the cheapest houses in mediocre suburbs run 400-500k...aka, beyond reach. I suppose it's a personal preference: do you want the experience of living in a premier region, or do you want the stability and financial freedom of middle America?

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by RisingAurvandil

I have a friend who relocated to LA. The weather is awesome there and LA has a definitive pulse, but he was shocked to discover that incomes are only marginally higher than StL. And the cheapest houses in mediocre suburbs run 400-500k...aka, beyond reach. I suppose it's a personal preference: do you want the experience of living in a premier region, or do you want the stability and financial freedom of middle America?

A personal preference indeed! We moved in retirement from northern CA (Sacramento) to the SW MO Ozarks seven years ago and after CA it was like moving back to America. There's a lot to be said for friendly people, four distinct seasons and social stability. the "premier region" leaves a lot to be desired. We love it here.

[imdudesdad]

Most software engineers (developers or code testers) cannot live within 120 miles radius of SF. They sometimes go to little towns in the Central Valley or Sacramento. I would not live there over MO and I have never been to MO.

[Howest2008]

Originally Posted by GoCardinals

Makes you wonder how San Francisco aces the list?
I know a few software engineers in Google who get paid perhaps 40% more than their counter parts in MO but their rent in San Fran is 500% more.

Many professional software engineers can't afford to live in San Fran, so they go 50 to 60 miles away to share an apartment with fellow engineers in order to make the ends meet.

A few weeks ago, I was in San Fran's AT&T park watching a game between Giants and Mets when the weather certainly got chilly. So I went to buy hot chocolate for the kids. Three, watered down, 16 Oz cups cost $21.00

Welcome to California , did you by chance check out the outrageous price of parking near AT&T Park. Last time i took my wife and daughter there for a game , i had to drop them at the park and park 4 miles away.

[GoCardinals]

Originally Posted by Howest2008

Welcome to California , did you by chance check out the outrageous price of parking near AT&T Park. Last time i took my wife and daughter there for a game , i had to drop them at the park and park 4 miles away.

We stayed at Park Central hotel, so we walked to the park --- BUT --- overnight parking at the hotel was $100.00 anyway.. and that's on top of $400.00 a night for the room that apparently had "TWO full size beds" (what a luxury!)

I saw homeless people everywhere, and the city looked way too over crowded with visitors.
I think the rising crime rate is also been swept under the carpet.

But over all, we had fun. Trip to Alcatraz was awesome, and driving down the Lombard Street was unique. We also went to see Redwood trees at Muir Woods, and had a great time at Golden Gate Bridge. Kids loved it.
Ghirardelli's coffee and Ice Cream was great, even though it was way too sweet and loaded with calories.

I think San Fran is an awesome place but it's not for everyone. City could take some steps to tackle the crowds. Occasionally, it seemed like a mini New York City with double the traffic.

[STLCityMike]

Originally Posted by GoCardinals

We stayed at Park Central hotel, so we walked to the park --- BUT --- overnight parking at the hotel was $100.00 anyway.. and that's on top of $400.00 a night for the room that apparently had "TWO full size beds" (what a luxury!)

I saw homeless people everywhere, and the city looked way too over crowded with visitors.
I think the rising crime rate is also been swept under the carpet.

But over all, we had fun. Trip to Alcatraz was awesome, and driving down the Lombard Street was unique. We also went to see Redwood trees at Muir Woods, and had a great time at Golden Gate Bridge. Kids loved it.
Ghirardelli's coffee and Ice Cream was great, even though it was way too sweet and loaded with calories.

I think San Fran is an awesome place but it's not for everyone. City could take some steps to tackle the crowds. Occasionally, it seemed like a mini New York City with double the traffic.

$100 for parking? Jeez. We are VERY spoiled in St. Louis when it comes to parking. 20-25.00 for a sporting event to part next to the stadium. A night on the town may cost 5-10 at most.