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My husband and two young sons are considering a move to this area. We know we will love it but I'm wondering how we will fare with the cost of living.
COL in Seattle is very high. We rent a 1400sqft house in a modest neighborhood for $1900/month, gas is about $4.50/gallon, etc. Our combined in come is about 70k. I make around 64k for my teaching job at an elementary school. I have a masters and 16 years of experience. I've maxed out on our pay scale.
I'm looking at all of these wonderful, BIG houses for under 2k/month to rent and can't believe it! I'm wondering though if the teaching jobs pay less will we really be living more comfortably. Does anyone know of a cost of living calculator?
I'm scared that if we make this move, we will still be struggling financially as we are here in Seattle.
Thanks!
You DO have a job already locked down dont you? Teacher pay is about half of what you were making.There is a great deal of turnover in the seasonal jobs but the full time regular jobs are hard to come by especially state paid ones....
I agree with crestliner. Teachers pay IS about half of what you are making. Theres also not a lot of teaching jobs in the state. Or any other job for that matter.
My husband and two young sons are considering a move to this area. We know we will love it but I'm wondering how we will fare with the cost of living.
COL in Seattle is very high. We rent a 1400sqft house in a modest neighborhood for $1900/month, gas is about $4.50/gallon, etc. Our combined in come is about 70k. I make around 64k for my teaching job at an elementary school. I have a masters and 16 years of experience. I've maxed out on our pay scale.
I'm looking at all of these wonderful, BIG houses for under 2k/month to rent and can't believe it! I'm wondering though if the teaching jobs pay less will we really be living more comfortably. Does anyone know of a cost of living calculator?
I'm scared that if we make this move, we will still be struggling financially as we are here in Seattle.
Thanks!
People are renting those houses on a lot less than you make. Low COL = low wages! If you make half of your salary down here you will be lucky! Sometimes the struggle you think you are facing isn't as big as the one you could be facing with NO JOB!
This state is in the bottom of nearly every ranking produced. One of the most important, education, comes in around 45, and it isn't any secret either. They say we have some of the toughest standards in the country yet many report something like this "I moved here from NJ and my kids learned this stuff last year". It is sad but there doesn't seem to be any move to change it.
Location: South Carolina - staying with brother in Columbia
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I would think living in places like Columbia or Florence SC you could cut your COL in half as compared to living in Seattle so I don't think lesser income is that big of an issue. I wouldn't doubt if the state income tax is bit lower in SC than Wa state as well. Plus the weather is better. :0
Teacher pay is not half of what the op currently makes. The Horry County Schools website says that a teacher with a Masters and on Step 16 has a base salary of 55k. While not 64k, it is most certainly not HALF.
Jdoyle - If you haven't read any of Scotty Dosent Know's posts in the MB forum, you might find them interesting. He relocated here from Seattle for a job but decided to go back home. I don't mean to suggest that would be everyone's reaction, but you may be able to relate to his perspective. Here is a link to one of his early posts: I Hate it Here. While this one may come across a little negative, he became a positive contributor to this forum before he left. He may be a good resource for you.
Last edited by Global Friend; 03-10-2013 at 07:51 AM..
I wouldn't doubt if the state income tax is bit lower in SC than Wa state as well.
The state of WA has no income tax. IMO, the state of SC has HIGH income tax rates. Oh yeah, don't forget to pay Columbia your ad-valorem taxes yearly (hope the OP drives an old beater like many residents in this state to save tax money).
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