Worth it to move to DC for salary of $40k?

[omgcards]

plenty of recent grads move to DC and live off of $40k or less for a couple of years. There's a ton of talent in DC, so it's hard to get a decent paying job here straight out of school. You may have to scrimp on things at times (though this may depend on your rent and the standard of living you're used to), but its definately doable, and can very well lead to better opportunities down the road.

I did it on under $30k a year 3 years ago, so I know it can be done.

[reddoor54]

40k is definitely on the low side. Depends on your lifestyle and spending habits though. If you go out a lot to bars, etc then you really won't save much (if anything).

I try to save a lot more than other people do so that kind of salary would make me wary, but if it's the best option right now go for it. Also keep in mind that there are a lot of jobs in DC, so if the position isn't so great you can always look for something better. There are a lot of opportunities to be had... just have to keep your eyes open.

[Cochrynn]

Wow- I'm surprised to hear several people say that $40K would barely cut it. That's great for us recent grads! I make just a hair over that and my husband makes significantly less, and we have a brand new car, are buying our first home, and still manage to save almost half of my take-home pay. If you get a roommate you could live pretty much anywhere you wanted on that budget and still have enough to party every weekend and eat out whenever you like. I know because I have done it, before I was married, and I was only making $38K then.

[Missingatlanta]

I moved here on 35k a year. I had a roomate and my parents paid off my car note. I did have very little student loan debt like about $70 a month, so my money wasn't tied up paying a lot of bills. At one point I rented a room in a very, very nice townhouse in Upper Marlboro and paid about $700 a month and it included all utilities. I found my roomate on roomates.com.

$40k is a good starting salary for an entry level grad. A lot jobs will try and pay you a lot less so unless you have a better offer I would definitely take it.

[dattilvc]

DC wouldn't be a young city if people couldn't live there with such salaries. Just don't be an idiot with your money.

[analyze_this]

If you are making that little its better to live in a cheaper and more fun city and be broke.

[smarterguy]

40k, definitely. Roommates + bike + no eating out ALL time.

Debt like student and car loans and credit card debt will make it tough. But I was making 41k a few years ago and still saving between $500 and $1000/month.

[destinedtodave]

Don't listen to all the hype saying that you have to be making 60k+ here. I moved here in October with no job (I did have savings) and didn't immediately go broke. If you're concerned:
First of all, you gotta get out of the mindset that the thing to do is get a studio in a close-in neighborhood. That's for someone making a bit more $, unless you're OK with no savings. Take a look at some group homes out in the suburbs on Craigslist. I moved here into a house close to Metro with a rent of $400. I did manage to get a job in December (paying 45k) and living here I can save about $1,000 a month and still eat out a lot, and go out on the town once a week or so.

[poloi3eai2]

40k for a recent grad is good in ANY city. If you're standards are, owning a house, bmw/audi coupe, stopping by starbucks every morning/hitting up happy hour every night, and buying bottle service at clubs on the weekend, then 40k wont cut it.

You can live comfortably in DC on 40k with roommates. I know many young professionals that earn around 40k who can afford to eat out, go to happy hours, and live comfortably within reason.

Like the poster above said, you can also save alot by living in the suburbs in NoVA or MD. Many apartment complexes in NoVA have free shuttles to take you to the closest metro.