Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I currently live in Queens New York City and are looking for new job opportunities and a change of scenery. I have got some interest from employers in the Washington DC area but at this point I really don't know how much the job will pay. Another area that I am looking at is Raleigh North Carolina which is much less expensive. But what has yet to be determined is what I will be offered in compensation in both cities. Maybe the wages in most jobs in the DC area will be so much higher that the increased cost of living won't be much of an issue. Or the wages offered in Raleigh will be so low that my disposal income after paying expenses will be actually less than Washington DC.
If you have lived in both the DC area and less expensive towns which offered you those best income adjusted to the cost of living? Which place did you have the most money left over after your expenses because of prevailing wages in your career field?
Having lived here and in a much cheaper city down south I would say no. I lived very well in when I was in Atlanta, but here not so much even though I make more here the housing costs and even food are a lot more expensive.
Based on your uncomfortableness expressed in the other thread with people who aren't white, middle-class native-born Americans, I don't think you would like living in DC.
I have got some interest from employers in the Washington DC area but at this point I really don't know how much the job will pay.
This is really the key. Without knowing your income, there's not much helpful advice you can get.
In general though, household incomes in the D.C. area are fairly high compared to COL. This is mainly because of the large percentage of people with higher educational levels and also 2-income families. Government salaries can be high too. 6-figures for senior level employees is rather common.
Last edited by BigCityDreamer; 09-05-2012 at 12:19 PM..
No one moves to DC to save money. This place is insane expensive. Coming from Queens I imagine the sticker shock is less. From my understanding wages are higher in DC than NYC. Raleigh is going to give you more for your money though. I'd go with Raleigh.
No one moves to DC to save money. This place is insane expensive. Coming from Queens I imagine the sticker shock is less. From my understanding wages are higher in DC than NYC. Raleigh is going to give you more for your money though. I'd go with Raleigh.
Network, get in a group house for a couple of years, make some new friends, save some money, go out and have fun every weekend. It can be done, and it has been done for years now.
Network, get in a group house for a couple of years, make some new friends, save some money, go out and have fun every weekend. It can be done, and it has been done for years now.
Based on your post on the NYC thread about the city being filled with irregular non-white, non redneck type Americans,
Regular Folk not fitting into New York City
I would say that you will hate DC. Its a predominantly black region with tons of immigrants, liberals, gays etc. who would despise anything to do with nascar, hunting or white supremacy. I would suggest looking at other cities in the deep south or perhaps Texas.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.