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Old 02-08-2012, 06:38 PM
 
1 posts, read 11,403 times
Reputation: 11

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I currently live in Chicago and my company gave me an offer for a job in Los Angeles.

They were unable to meet my salary wishes, but came up with a 50k salary as well as a 2k moving bonus. In Chicago, I make 40k and live in a great neighborhood.

I need to buy a car, and obviously relocate as well. I plan on living with roommates in Silverlake and commuting. This sounds quite expensive to me. I feel like my quality of life would change significantly.

I haven't accepted the offer yet. I've heard everything from "You can easily live there for 50k" to "You'll have an awful time and have no fun".

Any advice?
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Old 02-08-2012, 06:56 PM
 
Location: South Bay
7,226 posts, read 22,201,982 times
Reputation: 3626
depends on your debt situation. i lived in LA for under $50k through much of my 20s. i had a car payment and student loans when fresh out of college and could still afford to go out on the weekends. i also had a roommate and a pretty cheap apartment, so that certainly helped. i wouldn't avoid LA with that salary unless you're in a dead end job. i interviewed in chicago a few years ago and did the research in case the opportunity worked out (needless to say it didn't) and chicago wasn't that much cheaper than LA, at least as far as rentals go in desirable neighborhoods. and if it is more expensive, consider that through most of january and february we've been experiencing day time temps in the 70s. i don't follow chicago weather, but i'm sure it's not nearly as pleasant. good luck with your decision.
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Old 02-08-2012, 07:22 PM
 
Location: Norteh Bajo Americano
1,631 posts, read 2,388,618 times
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I'm one of those in the you can easily live there for 50K category. I don't know how you live you life, but if you live within your means, then you can do it.
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Old 02-08-2012, 08:19 PM
 
927 posts, read 2,467,234 times
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I live on $45k just fine. My rent is $750/month and I have no debt. I don't feel strapped for cash at all.
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Old 02-08-2012, 10:31 PM
 
Location: Full Time: N.NJ Part Time: S.CA, ID
6,116 posts, read 12,604,049 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by yoyoma02 View Post
I live on $45k just fine. My rent is $750/month and I have no debt. I don't feel strapped for cash at all.
Where do you live? This is a terrific rent (unless there are roommates involved).

$50k is easily doable - but as mentioned above, has a lot to do with your lifestyle, debt, etc.

If you plan on living in a high end apartment near the beach, driving a BMW and flying to Vegas every weekend, you'll be very disappointed.

If you find a reasonable $1,300 apartment and a $300 car payment, you'll be fine.
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Old 02-09-2012, 07:03 AM
 
Location: SoCal
1,528 posts, read 4,234,108 times
Reputation: 1243
You can live with that salary

- but don't expect much..
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Old 02-09-2012, 08:35 AM
 
68 posts, read 165,943 times
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50k is fine to live in L.A. Especially with roomates. Seriously. Don't let anyone tell you different. You do need a car, but can get a decent used car pretty easily and for not too much dough (especially if you have some saved up)

Silverlake is a nice area, expensive, but again, if you have roommates it won't be too bad. Just decide how much your willing to pay rent, buy a used car, and you will have a great time.

L.A takes a while to get to know though, so be patient.
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Old 02-09-2012, 09:35 AM
 
362 posts, read 818,061 times
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Living with roommates, you'll be alright... but of course depends on lifestyle, savings expectations, potential for career advancement, etc (thinking forward)...
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Old 02-09-2012, 11:51 AM
 
Location: Pasadena, CA
10,078 posts, read 15,863,499 times
Reputation: 4049
Quote:
Originally Posted by boofrog24 View Post
I currently live in Chicago and my company gave me an offer for a job in Los Angeles.

They were unable to meet my salary wishes, but came up with a 50k salary as well as a 2k moving bonus. In Chicago, I make 40k and live in a great neighborhood.

I need to buy a car, and obviously relocate as well. I plan on living with roommates in Silverlake and commuting. This sounds quite expensive to me. I feel like my quality of life would change significantly.

I haven't accepted the offer yet. I've heard everything from "You can easily live there for 50k" to "You'll have an awful time and have no fun".

Any advice?
What neighborhood would your job be? If you are going to be driving to work, do not try to commute long distances across the city, it's a big mistake IMO. If you are lucky and your job is transit accessible, it would change where I would recommend you live.

But either way 50k sounds pretty reasonable, especially if you have roommates. Silver Lake is a great neighborhood (certainly unlike anything in Chicago aesthetically), my friends from Boston moved out over the summer and are in love with the neighborhood (Sunset Junction area).

My wife and I have a 1 bedroom in Hollywood and make a little more than 50k combined (well, we make way more but student loans distort our income ) and live very comfortably in a newly refurbished building. We aren't lavish but we go out every weekend and can afford the finer things here and there.
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Old 02-09-2012, 12:30 PM
 
927 posts, read 2,467,234 times
Reputation: 488
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1200RT View Post
Where do you live? This is a terrific rent (unless there are roommates involved).

$50k is easily doable - but as mentioned above, has a lot to do with your lifestyle, debt, etc.

If you plan on living in a high end apartment near the beach, driving a BMW and flying to Vegas every weekend, you'll be very disappointed.

If you find a reasonable $1,300 apartment and a $300 car payment, you'll be fine.
I live in a 1bed in West LA with my girlfriend.
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