[OT] living in your area, how much $$ do you need to live OK

mikemc · Post by **mikemc** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 4:00 pm

I'm just curious: say for example to live fairly well, in an OK part of your area, Berlin, Barcelona, Sydney, London, wherever...

how much does one person need to take home (after taxes) a month to live 'OK'? Meaning not just necessities but some reasonable amount of money for enjoyment, meals out occasionally, etc...

To give you an idea, in this suburb area where I work near Wash DC, you can rent a 1 bedroom 1 bath apartment for around $1500-$1600. Utilities on top of that, so to live fairly nicely you probably need to take home $3000 a month = $36000/yr take home = about $70000-75000/yr salary before taxes and other deductions = about 53000 euros.

beats me · Post by **beats me** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 4:31 pm

In the Bay Area of Northern California you should make about 50k to be part of the working poor and that also means you are living with roommates or a partner who is also paying rent.

mikemc · Post by **mikemc** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 4:41 pm

beats me wrote:In the Bay Area of Northern California you should make about 50k to be part of the working poor and that also means you are living with roommates or a partner who is also paying rent.

yeh, but 'working poor' isn't really "OK", right? so about the same, $75K ?

also, along with all this, have a good laugh at this, plugging in your numbers:

http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/retireme ... plain.html

I am now thinking my 'retirement plan' is to be left out on the ice, in the winter, the way the Inuit do, but it looks like global warming will put the kibosh on that.

beats me · Post by **beats me** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 4:47 pm

yeah, 75k is about right but all this really depends on your lifestyle. Maybe you are fine living in a shit neighborhood or miles away from outside entertainment. Maybe you are happy going to work and then just going home and slamming a few bud lights while watching the game, or maybe your monthly music gear and software purchases comes out to about the same as your rent.

Oh, and retirement? If you pay attention to the "experts" I should have stopped having fun about 15 years ago.

Moody · Post by **Moody** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 4:50 pm

50K will do a single individual in TX pretty well. This would put you in a nice apartment, decent car and some cash to burn on the weekends. Team up with some roomies pulling in about the same and you could become a gear slut.

beats me · Post by **beats me** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 5:06 pm

Although no official data on this one, I believe the cost of living increases based on the city's supply of attractive females, the most expensive luxury item on the face of the planet, whether you're in the market for one or not.

TITBAG · Post by **TITBAG** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 5:15 pm

for London, you will need to earn £950,000 pa

Mazzo · Post by **Mazzo** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 5:16 pm

7000 pounds[14000 dollars

kraze · Post by **kraze** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 5:17 pm

Just as a matter of reference, if you make more than the equalivent of 32k euro in Sweden, you automatically get subscribed to a yearly magazine containing 300+ pages of pictures of expensive stuff, everything from tv's and furniture to cars and boats.

And to add, merchandise/products in general are always 25-50% more expensive than yours. However, rent is definently cheaper.

ethios4 · Post by **ethios4** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 5:26 pm

In central Oklahoma, you can get a good 2-3 bedroom house for $500 - $1000 per month, plus an average of $150/month for gas, electric, water. My expenses run about $1000/month.

beats me wrote:Although no official data on this one, I believe the cost of living increases based on the city's supply of attractive females...

Not true, as Oklahoma is known for pumping out hot farm chicks, and living in a university town you get the best from around the state.

gjm · Post by **gjm** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 6:57 pm

For a family of 5, $100K b4 tax ($6k after tax per month) will just scrape you by. Want to take a holiday, bump up the quality of education, stash some $$$ for retirement, maintain your house and property, receive some prompt non emergency medical care, choose food that avoids preservatives and flavors etc, have a hobby or two, you need at least $150K b4 tax ($8k after tax per month) and good budgeting habits.

Aequitas123 · Post by **Aequitas123** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 7:02 pm

Toronto - Living comfortably at $40,000 CAD. Bachelor apt, restaurant meals mostly, lots of scotch. Could use a bit more $$ though...

t1mp · Post by **t1mp** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 7:32 pm

beats me wrote:In the Bay Area of Northern California you should make about 50k to be part of the working poor and that also means you are living with roommates or a partner who is also paying rent.

Yep, take home that is like 36k. In the bay that is crap.

nebulae · Post by **nebulae** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 7:33 pm

beats me wrote:Although no official data on this one, I believe the cost of living increases based on the city's supply of attractive females, the most expensive luxury item on the face of the planet, whether you're in the market for one or not.

Untrue...the number of hotties in Dallas is insane, and cost of living here is way cheap.

Sadly, you'll spend any disposable income on aforementioned hotties...their fake boobies are like the pied piper...

beats me · Post by **beats me** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 7:34 pm

What also needs to be taken into consideration here is the average wage in the area. My friend lives in Ohio and pays a $700 a month mortgage on a 2 story, 5 bedroom house with a full basement. But people in the area are lucky to make $11 an hour….and there's jack shit to do.

Also regardless of where you live, a Virus T1 is still going to cost you $3,000.