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Or work overtime at a state job. Overtime is key. we are going off topic. The main point is that you don't need to make 6 figures to enjoy life in NY. Everyone doesn't need a his and hers Mercedes or Beemer. Everyone doesn't need a big huge boat in the driveway attached to an even bigger Dodge Ram Hemi. Everyone doesn't need to live Dix hills or Trump Plaza. Wants not needs. Plenty of New Yorkers live just fine on way less than 50 an hour. We all can't be Suffolk or Nassua cops.
I agree with you that you of course can survive on 50 an hour here. People can and do survive on less tan that every day. The quote in dispute though is "50 an hour is considered a lot even in NYC standards" is laughable. 50 an hour salary in NYC isn't even close to a lot in one of the most expensive cities in the US.
LI is expensive because it's close to NYC with access to high salaries. That's the only reason. Before you know it AI is about to arrive at a brokerage house near you. How much longer can LI's bloated public sector salaries, bennies, staffing and layer upon layer of government continue?
Why does everyone continue to speak about household daily living and income as if there's only 1 earner (or 1 job) per household? 1 job paying at X doesn't always mean it's underpaying for its locale. Sure there has to be a COL adjustment but "can't survive on a $100k job" is ridiculous. This is suburbia and there are usually 2 adults in a household. You can get to $150k that way. Instead of demanding or crying about needing a job to pay more because it costs a lot here, you collectively work more to make more. Who has ever said that it was supposed to be easy?
That said, it's a certain group of people who make it expensive here in the first place, and they are the culprits too. Think about it. I'll let you guess who but you'll only need half a guess.
Quote:
LI is expensive because it's close to NYC with access to high salaries. That's the only reason.
Well, no, considering 44.14% of our mortgage payment goes toward property taxes and not actual principal or interest. It's not the fricken milk or gas that's more expensive here. NYC housing is expensive on its own because of NYC - that shouldn't affect us and what we should be paying in taxes. At all.
Can't survive on X amount of dollars also includes having the house with all the bells and whistles(granite, no HD cabinets, etc), all new cars with at least 1 being German, ability to eat out multiple times a week, vacation bragging rights, and on and on...
...This is suburbia and there are usually 2 adults in a household. Instead of demanding or crying about more money because it costs a lot here, you collectively work more to make more. Who has ever said that it was supposed to be easy?
Not that it's supposed to be "easy" but...many of the same people who live as those 2 adults in a household themselves grew up as kids with 2 parents in a household, any many times only one of those adults needed to work for the family to still have a decent lifestyle. now (most people) pretty much HAVE to have both adults working full time to even have a chance*. there is some keeping up with the Jones' out there, sure. but for many, it's difficult to just do a little better than paycheck to paycheck. not saying the way things were in the past was, or the way things are now is, right or wrong...but when you grow up a certain way, you have expectations about what your life will be like - that's just human nature. it's hard for people to accept they don't have the choices that their parents had.
*this isn't about mothers working or not as a feminism/sexism issue - if a woman wants to work and have a family that's great of course. I'm strictly talking about the loss of flexibility - most of today's mothers don't have a choice: they have to work just to be able to afford to live here.
Well, no, considering 44.14% of our mortgage payment goes toward property taxes and not actual principal or interest. It's not the fricken milk or gas that's more expensive here. NYC housing is expensive on its own because of NYC - that shouldn't affect us and what we should be paying in taxes. At all.
I was saying the same thing in a different frickin way. The run up of public sector salaries, bennies and taxes are rooted in the wealth that flows from NYC. Union bosses and corrupt pols eye the NYC money and work together to plunder the LI tax base.
Housing prices are on the high side, but taxes are the killer. In other areas prices are as high or more so, while taxes are far lower. The taxes on r.e. here are like a second mortgage.
You don't need 50 an hour to live well in NY state and in Long Island. Why has everyone bought into Madison Ave consumer culture Bs? The ads are frying your brain. I admit. Two salaries are important in NY but one can have a great life with two salaries half of that. Keeping up with the Jones.
Two salaries totaling $104K for a family of 4 on Long Island isn't going to get you far after income taxes, property taxes, mortgage, utilities, food, car, car insurance, fuel, clothing, medical expenses, child care, etc...
I agree with you that you of course can survive on 50 an hour here. People can and do survive on less tan that every day. The quote in dispute though is "50 an hour is considered a lot even in NYC standards" is laughable. 50 an hour salary in NYC isn't even close to a lot in one of the most expensive cities in the US.
You not even from NYC. Making $84,000 to $96,000 at a job in NYC is a lot. I never said it was enough to make due on your own. But compared to the majority of jobs in NYC, $50/hour is a lot. You're comparing $50/hour to living comfortably in NYC. I'm comparing $50/hour to the vast majority of NYC'er who don't even make half of that. How many jobs in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, or Staten Island, you think pay $50/hour? When I was looking for an RE Lawyer, they weren't even charging that much. Like I said unless you're a cop (or some other civil service job) or got 8 years of college (lawyer, doctor, etc.) it's very unlikely that you are making $90,000 in NYC.
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