mar21182

I'm lucky enough to be in a career that offers 6-figure starting salaries right now, so I'm making 100+ right out of school. However, living in CT, you can't touch a decent home for under $250,000. I was looking at 1 bedroom, 800 sq ft, condos for $200,000 in my home town. Life is expensive here. $100k is still a good salary; I won't deny it. However, it doesn't nearly go as far here as it does in Oklahoma. Most nice new homes in decent towns go for well over $300k. Therefore, I have a whole lot of saving to do in order to put a decent down payment on a house or condo.

Right now, I'm renting, which sucks because I know that I'm basically just throwing away money. However, the alternative is living at home with my parents for another year or two. When you're almost 25 and making over 100 grand a year, the idea of living with your parents until you're 27 sounds a bit crazy.

amadeus303

iTrader: (2)

$250k will barely buy you a 2BR home in Monmouth County, NJ... in fact, it won't even buy you a townhouse! Don't even mention prices in Manhattan. That was the painful reality that my wife and I found when we purchased our home here in Freehold. We do well for ourselves (I make $100k, and my wife makes ~$50k) and have no kids (unless you count 2 dogs), and yet we had to save forever just to get out of renting. I really love my TSX... would I want a little "more"? Well... as a car enthusiast --- yes... but I'm pretty satisfied with what I've got at the moment. Besides, I'd rather pump our extra funds into vacations/traveling, our home, etc. I've driven through some more modest neighborhoods, and I can't help but laugh as I see Range Rovers, Lexus's, BMWs, etc. in front of homes that are either falling apart, or so small that the square footage between car and home would be competitive...

I'm all for enjoying life... but I also don't want to have to work until I die...

rugbybrado

Ya ive spent some time on

http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/costo...tofliving.html

when ive heard of my other college friends getting a job out in the huntinton beach, cali area and telling me they are making 70k a year right out of school, it seems hard for me to even image that. But when you look at the website and see that

Salary in Oklahoma City OK: $47,000
Comparable salary in Orange County CA: $77,583.11

Salary in Oklahoma City OK: $47,000
Comparable salary in Stamford CT: $78,876.6

Salary in Oklahoma City OK: $47,000
Comparable salary in New York (Manhattan) NY: $108,523.23



It makes me realize that when i see (to me) these over inflated salaries that they really arent that much when you factor in what it cost to live.

amadeus303

iTrader: (2)

Yes... sad, isn't it?

2004 TL

I am Vp of Sales for a large international company with head quarters in New York City. I will not disclose my compensation other than to say that it is good enough to live in a very nice house, debt free, with three cars (Honda Ody, TL, and my new toy a TT 07 Z06), and can live a life style that is very comfortable. I have worked hard for 17 years to get to this point, and don't regret any of it. I have very wealthy friends that make 10's of millions per year, so I dream about what could be by enjoying the toys they have purchased. Trust me, having money does NOT make one happier. It brings different problems that seem like they are tough ones to have when you are making a small income. In my area, if you make less than $250,000 you are behind the curve. Parts of Westchester County in New York are very exclusive, and very expensive for those of you joining us from Nebraska.

amadeus303

iTrader: (2)

These are exactly my sentiments as well... My wife and I always say that success isn't measured by money. Sorry to stray off topic guys...

rugbybrado

I think you guys got what i was getting at, its just that when i hear 100k a year isnt that much money . I think...

Salary in Oklahoma City OK: $100,000
Comparable salary in New York (Manhattan) NY: $230,900.48

That automatically pops into my mind - anyone making 100k here is doing really well for themselves. BTW, heres what the 200k buys you on 2.5 acres inside the city



*got that from homes.com

mar21182

Yeah... that home would be $500,000-$600,000, if not more, in CT.

The real question is... why am I still living in CT? I should move to Oklahoma.

klas

I know people who are doctors or lawyers and drive camry's or altimas while making decent money, but those are safe cars... driving a tercel while making decent amount of money is ridiculouse just for the car safety sake... One of the reasons I went with a bigger car because of safety concern... it doesn't matter if you are a safe driver... someone driving next to you may not...

AZuser

And that home would cost more than $1 million in Cali.....

Switch

IT Infrastructure Specialist for an international Automotive/Defense manufacturing company - $51K or more Category

keg1997

Very true on the size comments....the car was actually totaled when he was run off of a highway by an 18-wheeler who never saw him. Thankfully he was A-OK, but that Tercel was a deathtrap waiting to happen!

They were just shopping for another car and contemplated a Corolla since it'd just be their second car....I, in no uncertain terms, let them know that I would not feel comfortable with them (or my daughter) driving in that car....a bit too small for my taste. They got a new Camry so they're good!

To Rugby....you are a lucky guy to live in an area with a low cost of living. Remember that when you're buddies in OC, CA quote their (likely inflated) salaries!!!

bonn

I'm 16 years old, a junior in high school and make $7.50 an hour part time.

Tumby

I am a mortgage specialist of a financial institution in Canada, making $51K+

iamhomin

Would be more than $1.5mil in NJ. I believe the property taxes annually for 2.5 acres would be close to 40k.

weezer80

I work as a CPA making $90k+... living in California. I can barely afford it and I work hard. People with their $7.50/hr part time job in high school. The times!!!!

cestmoi

Alright, it is obvious from the polls that most owners at this forum earn 51k + for the majority as was expected.

How about somebody (mod?) or can anyone create a new poll (?) set up a brand new poll separating the 51k+ category?

something like

51k - 60k
61k - 80k
81k - 100k
100k+

This would be more interesting.

Comp-Sci

IT Director for a courier company. I still can't believe my first car is a brand new TSX. (age : 19)

Lightus

office assistant and I make minimum wage.

gtg710w

student in college leeching off of parents. Dunno how much my dad makes

alucardx

mod it up!

i'm just a bit over 51k

clee109

I'm a student, well senior in college getting a BS in Computer Science with a specialty in web design, and I do web design in my free time right now and make about 45K at it and work maybe 10 hours a week =)

club968

physician, $600k/yr

BananaFusion

Of course, the flip side of that is that you'd have to live in Oklahoma City. You get what you pay for

Peart2112

Club 968, just curious, what kind of practice do you have. To make 600k/yr, you must either be a plastic surgeon, orthopaedic surgeon, or neurosurgeon to be making that kind of money.

With medicare cutbacks, and insurance companies following suit, this kind of salary is quit difficult to obtain, unless you don't deduct your malpractice insurance, office overhead costs, etc...

Or, your bullshitting us.

JTC05

The difference betwwen $230k in NYC and $100k in Oklahoma still isn't comparable. Between my wife and I we were making over $200k a year in north jersey commuting in to NYC. According to the govt. we were rich. A 2 bedroom/2bath condo near us costs $700,000 and up depending on if you had a view of the city or not. Taxes would be about $12,000 and fees would be $400+ a month. We could not afford to buy a house. We moved to Pensacola, Fl., my wife quit working, we bought a 4bdrm,3bath house and I make only a little over $50,000 now. We are able to live the same as we did up there and own a house. You need $300k a year to live near NYC and I know alot of California is the same.

club968

Nah, as an anesthesiologist, I have low overhead so I keep 90% of what I make. Medicare pays VERY little, and we just took another 15% cut beginning January. Good thing my practice consists of less than 15% medicare. Orthopaedic surgeon, please....

club968

Oh yeah, insurance companies can cut back as much as they want (not including medicare). Most anesthesiologists in Arizona are not on any insurance contracts, which basically means we bill, insurance pays 80-100% the patient is responsible for the rest. I guess if I didn't include expenses I would be closer to $650-675k/yr. Neurosurgeons would quit if they got such a paltry sum considering malpractice can be around $200k alone for their profession.

dsmoot

Yeah I make 75K, in CA, and theres no way to afford to buy a house here. Im saving, but I highly doubt it will ever happen.

petthepeep

Sr college student right now, will be a pilot in the Air Force after graduation. Soon to be making 36k/yr.

JTC05

That was the problem we had in NJ. Married couple with no kids making about $215,000 a year and you can not afford to buy a house. We were leaving right across from NYC so I am sure BradyK can relate to this. We were paying $2700/month for a 2bd/2bth apt. right by the ferry. people thought we were crazy until they realized that a similar place to buy would be $700,000 and up + taxes and fees. we looked at small placec in Hoboken that were $450,000 with no parking. By small I mean under 900sf.

LuvMyTSX

I'm going through that right now. I'm making far less than $215k, and I'm single. I moved in with my parents last year so I can save money instead of dumping over $1500/mo into rent and not being able to save anything. It sucks, but it's what I have to do if I ever want a home here. I've toyed with moving to PA, but that would make my commute unbearable. I don't look forward to paying $6,000 in taxes on a $250k condo, but I don't have a choice.

taz98spin

All through out college I didn't have a car, so got the TSX as a graduation
present last May.
Well kinda..

Got 20 grand from my parents and the rest I've been paying off.
Only got 3 grand left to pay off.

I did get a 4 year loan, but hopefully by this May, I'll pay off everything.

I just moved to Indianapolis for a
new job, paying rent + buying a 6 grand engagement ring from Tiffany
+ furniture has taken most of my money..

I signed with the company with a beginning pay of 28 grand a year,
so its not much, but its Indiana, and hopefully I'll get a raise soon

I work for a motorsports related advertising company as a 3D artist,
and I love it! Get to see exotic cars everyday, so can't complain

'06 Arctic

Chemical Enginerd from Pitt. Currently working as a Sales Application Engineer. Just bought a house and the TSX, make over $60,000/yr. Gotta love the cost of living in the Pittsburgh Area. Sorry for those in Cali and New York at least for the cost of living everything else you guys have makes Pittsburgh look like we are still caught up in the Industrial Revolution.

petercyeh

Recent Law School Grad.
I make a little over 50K, plus bonuses (depends on what performance, so don't know yet) and can't afford to buy a house in Socal. I actually commute from Diamond Bar to Santa Monica everyday for work. And I feel fortuante to just have a job. Never get into law, unless you go to a Top 14 schoo.

Rockstar1986

I am a Theatrical Lighting Designer in School in Southern California. I make as much as a I can when I can. I bought my car right before I started school by selling some of my lighting inventory. But I got an awesome car and can't complain.

TSXEd05

I'm active duty military in the Baltimore / DC area. I've been in 19 years and I make $65,000 a year with my housing allowance. My wife makes more than I do so we were able to buy a nice house with land in the suburbs a few years ago for just over $300,000. Now, everything in our neighborhood is going for $500,000 - $700,000, so I'm glad we bought when we did.

I thought the cost of living was really high here moving from Texas, but you guys in California & New York City got it bad!

JL'stsx

YA INTREST IS A BITCH .....BUT WHEN YOU PAY CASH MONEY WHATS THA PROBLEM...HAHA

peter_bigblock

I don't know Oklahoma City -- never been there -- but I live in Des Moines, IA and grew up around DC. I have a lot of friends there and, if you're married with kids, there's really no difference in everyday life. (Don't get me wrong, there are obvious differences between living, say, in Manhattan and Des Moines. But that's an extreme comparison.) My friends living in Rockville or Frederick or Reston (none of them can afford to live in Bethesda or Chevy Chase anymore) don't spend their evenings at the Kennedy Center or going to Redskins games. They work, they mow lawns, they spend a ton of time commuting, they take their kids swimming or skating or whatever. Same stuff I do, except my house cost 70% less, my commute is 25 minutes (and could be far less -- I love to drive) on the open freeway, and the general logistics of running kids to practice/lessons/etc., going to dinner, to a show, etc. are much easier in a city of 500,000 than a city of 5 mln.

I'm fortunate enough to make a good living even by DC standards (neighborhood of $200k), so in the scheme of things I wouldn't move back to the DC area. Sure, it sounds better than living in Des Moines, but on a day-to-day basis, quality of life is -- in my opinion -- not as good. My sense is the Oklahoma City is similar -- it isn't the cow town you think it is.

confusedjojo

Mortgage Broker i make good enough to pay off my car, buy a $400,000 house, pay all my bills and still have money to eat off the dollar menu =P j/k. i dont eat the dollar menu my wife cooks for me =) o and i also have a 25% stake in a performance shop.