I'm Moving to Houston! (Katy: home, find a job, school) - Texas (TX) - Page 4 - City-Data Forum

PedroMartinez · 03-12-2014, 07:28 AM

With your salary, and no outstanding debt, you can afford $1500 a month. Move into Midtown or Montrose and have a good time for a year or two. If you decide you want to start saving for a down-payment on a townhouse or a condo, move somewhere cheaper so you can save money for that; however, reward yourself for a year and enjoy being a young professional.

Do yourself a big favor, don't go out and go bonkers on a new car. If you are driving some clunker and need to upgrade, find yourself a nice used Prius or VW diesel or something like that. If you have a decent car, keep it. I see way too many young professionals run out and blow $35k to $50k on a new sled that eats up way too much of their income. Plus, if you live somewhere that allows you to walk or bike a lot, and only need your car to get you to work, what's the point?

Tarzanman · 03-12-2014, 08:46 AM

Never been to Houston, but I will chime in:
$1500 a month on an apartment is borderline stupid. You could get a house for that monthly amount. Yes, you are young now and making a lot of money now, but your #1 priority when you are starting out should be to keep your head down for the first few months at your job and build a small nest egg in case things don't work out (which has been known to happen).

Consider living with a roommate (have any friends in the area), and it would be a very good idea to put the money you save into completely paying off a car and purchasing the essentials that you will need and when starting out and maybe even a recreational items that you will keep for the long term (vaccuum cleaner, washer, dryer, television, snowboard, motorcycle, bicycle, cooking set, etc).

No one is telling you that you can't live a little, but going crazy with your money as soon as you get it will bode badly for your financial behavior later. Also, being less flashy with the dollars in the short term will help you in the long term with the ladies. You will probably be happier with a gal whose primary motivation for being with you is the prospect of financial security.

Good luck

PedroMartinez · 03-12-2014, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarzanman

Never been to Houston, but I will chime in:
$1500 a month on an apartment is borderline stupid. You could get a house for that monthly amount.

Not in the area he wants to live.

Dmwilliams2nd · 03-12-2014, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarzanman

Never been to Houston, but I will chime in:
$1500 a month on an apartment is borderline stupid. You could get a house for that monthly amount. Yes, you are young now and making a lot of money now, but your #1 priority when you are starting out should be to keep your head down for the first few months at your job and build a small nest egg in case things don't work out (which has been known to happen).

I think attacking an idea as borderline stupid when one does not know the factors and dynamics of a market is border line stupid.

Everyone does not have the luxury of a roommate or wants to room with a stranger. If he works downtown he will save $$$ and a lot of TIME living in those locations and time is money. Plus life is about experiencing and enjoying as well as preparing for the future. Depending on rather they have other debt (Student loans, credit cards, car loans) and amount of the debts plays a role in how much he can afford. Also there are a lot of like minded YP living in those areas and they are far from stupid.

Also to buy a house closer to the city where he can be conveniently located to work, activities, other like minded individuals would be crazy $$.

Oildog · 03-12-2014, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarzanman

Never been to Houston, but I will chime in:
$1500 a month on an apartment is borderline stupid. You could get a house for that monthly amount. Yes, you are young now and making a lot of money now, but your #1 priority when you are starting out should be to keep your head down for the first few months at your job and build a small nest egg in case things don't work out (which has been known to happen).

Consider living with a roommate (have any friends in the area), and it would be a very good idea to put the money you save into completely paying off a car and purchasing the essentials that you will need and when starting out and maybe even a recreational items that you will keep for the long term (vaccuum cleaner, washer, dryer, television, snowboard, motorcycle, bicycle, cooking set, etc).

No one is telling you that you can't live a little, but going crazy with your money as soon as you get it will bode badly for your financial behavior later. Also, being less flashy with the dollars in the short term will help you in the long term with the ladies. You will probably be happier with a gal whose primary motivation for being with you is the prospect of financial security.

Good luck

Welcome to the big city, Mr. Norcross.

The going rate for a nice 1BR in an area popular with the young professionals is $1500/month
2411 Washington - Plans and there are places even higher. So its far from stupid, just a choice of commute, convenience and availability. Many people are trying to move here, SB has a job lined up so he is ahead of the game.

The other points have value, but I'd live alone as a newcomer for the first year or so, to get a feel for the area. Also, its hard not to have some fun when you are young and once you start getting get that first 'real' paycheck. (Like another poster said...don't go crazy on the car though).

cheryjohns · 03-12-2014, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oildog

Welcome to the big city, Mr. Norcross.

The going rate for a nice 1BR in an area popular with the young professionals is $1500/month
2411 Washington - Plans and there are places even higher. So its far from stupid, just a choice of commute, convenience and availability. Many people are trying to move here, SB has a job lined up so he is ahead of the game.

The other points have value, but I'd live alone as a newcomer for the first year or so, to get a feel for the area. Also, its hard not to have some fun when you are young and once you start getting get that first 'real' paycheck. (Like another poster said...don't go crazy on the car though).

Second this. SB has been dreaming of moving to Houston for a long time. He needs to be in the area he wants and get the experience he wants here, as a young professional.

SouthernBoy205 · 03-12-2014, 10:54 AM

I'd recently gotten a rep point saying:

"I work in HR for Chevron in Houston, we only send offers with office location. I can post our policy on this. According to company policy you did not receive an offer, but best wishes to you."

I really find this hard to believe because I'd gotten a verbal offer, then the written offer came after. The written offer included paperwork I had to sign and send back. I've been in contact with Chevron on a regular basis.

cheryjohns · 03-12-2014, 10:56 AM

Someone is screwing with you, on the DM.

SouthernBoy205 · 03-12-2014, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheryjohns

Someone is screwing with you, on the DM.

I think so too. The rep had me going for a minute. I was researching employment fraud and everything. The offer came from the headquarters in CA. Also, the location is TBD, but Houston is most likely the location. If it's not Houston, then I will eventually get there in due time.

14Bricks · 03-12-2014, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthernBoy205

I think so too. The rep had me going for a minute. I was researching employment fraud and everything. The offer came from the headquarters in CA. Also, the location is TBD, but Houston is most likely the location. If it's not Houston, then I will eventually get there in due time.

Congrats on moving to houston, just in time for the rodeo.