How many friends or family of yours have left the DC area recently due to the rising cost of living?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:None. The other option is go back to their home state and make $40k a year lol. Not many people choosing that option.

. More house for lesser money?

Housing is a big chunk of what people spend, but there are also issues with quality of schools, health care, and social life. If all you want after work is to sit in a big house, you can move to suburban Ohio.

I happen to be from suburban Ohio and we just took our two kids there to visit family. We had a yard to play in, didn't sit in traffic to go anywhere, went to museums, etc. Plus there are lots of great public schools in the Cleveland area and cost of housing there is infinitely more affordable (in those good school districts) than it is in this area in general in mediocre districts. There is incredible diversity of religion and culture in some parts of Cleveland due to the universities and immigration patterns etc. I would move back in a second. The only reason its not on the table right now is DH is in the midst of working on an advanced degree in this area.

The food scene and bar scene wouldn't compare to a city like DC at all, but on a day to day basis, as parents, Cleveland would be a much more desirable place to live.

How's the Cleveland job market?

[Anonymous]

The other issue to consider when moving to smaller, less expensive cities is whether you are willing to give up decision-making at work, or essentially becoming staff even in a senior role in a smaller city. If you are nearing retirement, then giving up the decision-making element isn't so bad. If you're younger, I would not relinquish that so quickly. Maybe downsize one's expectations, or buy a studio here and the house in Richmond or Baltimore. Commute home weekly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The other issue to consider when moving to smaller, less expensive cities is whether you are willing to give up decision-making at work, or essentially becoming staff even in a senior role in a smaller city. If you are nearing retirement, then giving up the decision-making element isn't so bad. If you're younger, I would not relinquish that so quickly. Maybe downsize one's expectations, or buy a studio here and the house in Richmond or Baltimore. Commute home weekly.

Yep. I'm in finance and while there are a lot of people who go on about how much better life is in Cleveland, Tampa, Dallas or Salt Lake - where you can move with my bank without having to apply for a new job locally - the jobs being sent there are very much back office/support functions to the NYC operation. Some people are fine with that but it's not for everyone. I think if you want to move to a secondary market, you're better off finding a job with a company that is headquartered in that secondary market or at least that region, instead of going to a branch office that'll always be an after thought. Of course we've had people who've had tremendous problems finding jobs in places like Denver bc local companies are seeing the influx of outsiders and giving preference to UColorado grads/locals etc.

Of course this isn't true in every industry; if you're a doctor/nurse, you can pretty much pick your city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is one thing I don't understand about moving to a lower COL city. If you move to a "lower" COL city, aren't you still paying same/more for cars, plane tickets, gas, groceries, taxes, refrigerators, movies, clothes? Does the cheap real estate prices offset all that even with a lower salary?

We are looking at this now, and, for the most part, everything is cheaper. Income tax. Property tax. Private school is $15,000 a year instead of $35,000. And that's just a big ticket items. A friend moved from NJ to a lower cost area, and she says her groceries are 40% cheaper. Pretty much anything that takes human labor is going to be dramatically cheaper. Comparable restaurants are about 30% cheaper. I've checked things like boarding the dog, and that's about 30 percent cheaper. The vet is about half. Gasoline depends mostly on state tax, so that varies.

I had to laugh about pp talking about people sitting around alone in their big houses in other parts of the country because there's nothing to do. I grew up in a small town and we had a wonderful social life. My Mother's rule was that "Only boring people are ever bored." We threw parties, entertained friends, performed in the community theater, participated in community fundraisers, and we had a wonderful time. All the same big theater productions that come to the Kennedy Center came to the nearest big city (about an hour and a half away), and we'd go see those. I find it amusing that people here think that there's "nothing to do" if someone isn't orchestrating events for them.

An hour and a half away just to go see some theater production ? That's almost how long it takes to fly from dca to Miami . Sounds like fun

That's the best you can do? Taking a cab to the airport and waiting for your flight takes almost an hour and half. Get over yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Zero. But I do know a half dozen people (including me) who moved to DC for its lower COL.

Someone always has to sneak in this sort of comment. Always. Never fails.

Because it's true. If you're from a number of other cities, including Boston, SF, LA, NY etc you don't find it that expensive here

Yep. We sneak it in bc it is true. I just don't get the big deal re DC COL - have you looked at NYC, Boston, or SF lately!?

Agreed. My theory is that people here do not compare and do not want to compare DC (and the associated suburbs) with NYC, SF, Boston, LA etc. -- even though the employability and economic growth drivers are the same as they are for those cities (though obv in different industries). And since there is such good employability, supply/demand becomes an issue as more and more people move to these cities for jobs, prices for housing, daycare etc. rise. Instead people in DC want to compare to their hometown of Tampa Fl or Kansas City or wherever and lament that if they were back there, they could have a McMansion for $300k and be paying $800/month for a top quality daycare. That may be great individually - if you can get and keep a job in Missouri, go. But on the aggregate, there is greater employability in all the big cities and when downturns hit, it is MUCH easier to get another job if needed without having to sell your house, move, and uproot your life. That is not always true in Ohio -- in economically depressed areas, you're great as long as you have a job; if you lose a job, there isn't a guarantee you get another one in the same pay scale in driving distance and it's very possible that you end up having to move to another city/state for a job (unless you're a doctor/in healthcare - then you're employable anywhere any time). If you've ever tried to sell a house in an economically depressed area, you know it's not an easy feat to even sell at all and to break even (forget making a profit). It's employability that keeps me here - actually bouncing btwn here and NYC.

Until about 10-15 years ago, the DC area was just as affordable as Tampa Fl or Kansas City. Look it up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Zero. But I do know a half dozen people (including me) who moved to DC for its lower COL.

Someone always has to sneak in this sort of comment. Always. Never fails.

Because it's true. If you're from a number of other cities, including Boston, SF, LA, NY etc you don't find it that expensive here

Yep. We sneak it in bc it is true. I just don't get the big deal re DC COL - have you looked at NYC, Boston, or SF lately!?

Agreed. My theory is that people here do not compare and do not want to compare DC (and the associated suburbs) with NYC, SF, Boston, LA etc. -- even though the employability and economic growth drivers are the same as they are for those cities (though obv in different industries). And since there is such good employability, supply/demand becomes an issue as more and more people move to these cities for jobs, prices for housing, daycare etc. rise. Instead people in DC want to compare to their hometown of Tampa Fl or Kansas City or wherever and lament that if they were back there, they could have a McMansion for $300k and be paying $800/month for a top quality daycare. That may be great individually - if you can get and keep a job in Missouri, go. But on the aggregate, there is greater employability in all the big cities and when downturns hit, it is MUCH easier to get another job if needed without having to sell your house, move, and uproot your life. That is not always true in Ohio -- in economically depressed areas, you're great as long as you have a job; if you lose a job, there isn't a guarantee you get another one in the same pay scale in driving distance and it's very possible that you end up having to move to another city/state for a job (unless you're a doctor/in healthcare - then you're employable anywhere any time). If you've ever tried to sell a house in an economically depressed area, you know it's not an easy feat to even sell at all and to break even (forget making a profit). It's employability that keeps me here - actually bouncing btwn here and NYC.

Until about 10-15 years ago, the DC area was just as affordable as Tampa Fl or Kansas City. Look it up.

Ok well now more people want to live in dc than either of those two cities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The other issue to consider when moving to smaller, less expensive cities is whether you are willing to give up decision-making at work, or essentially becoming staff even in a senior role in a smaller city. If you are nearing retirement, then giving up the decision-making element isn't so bad. If you're younger, I would not relinquish that so quickly. Maybe downsize one's expectations, or buy a studio here and the house in Richmond or Baltimore. Commute home weekly.

Yep. I'm in finance and while there are a lot of people who go on about how much better life is in Cleveland, Tampa, Dallas or Salt Lake - where you can move with my bank without having to apply for a new job locally - the jobs being sent there are very much back office/support functions to the NYC operation. Some people are fine with that but it's not for everyone. I think if you want to move to a secondary market, you're better off finding a job with a company that is headquartered in that secondary market or at least that region, instead of going to a branch office that'll always be an after thought. Of course we've had people who've had tremendous problems finding jobs in places like Denver bc local companies are seeing the influx of outsiders and giving preference to UColorado grads/locals etc.

Of course this isn't true in every industry; if you're a doctor/nurse, you can pretty much pick your city.

This is really too company-specific to be true. I made far more decisions now that I moved to the Midwest. I am the General Counsel here instead of a lowly associate in a firm (they get to make zero decision). Here I make all the legal decisions and have input on all the business decisions. I have far more responsibility and there is no NYC HQ to hover over me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The other issue to consider when moving to smaller, less expensive cities is whether you are willing to give up decision-making at work, or essentially becoming staff even in a senior role in a smaller city. If you are nearing retirement, then giving up the decision-making element isn't so bad. If you're younger, I would not relinquish that so quickly. Maybe downsize one's expectations, or buy a studio here and the house in Richmond or Baltimore. Commute home weekly.

Yep. I'm in finance and while there are a lot of people who go on about how much better life is in Cleveland, Tampa, Dallas or Salt Lake - where you can move with my bank without having to apply for a new job locally - the jobs being sent there are very much back office/support functions to the NYC operation. Some people are fine with that but it's not for everyone. I think if you want to move to a secondary market, you're better off finding a job with a company that is headquartered in that secondary market or at least that region, instead of going to a branch office that'll always be an after thought. Of course we've had people who've had tremendous problems finding jobs in places like Denver bc local companies are seeing the influx of outsiders and giving preference to UColorado grads/locals etc.

Of course this isn't true in every industry; if you're a doctor/nurse, you can pretty much pick your city.

This is really too company-specific to be true. I made far more decisions now that I moved to the Midwest. I am the General Counsel here instead of a lowly associate in a firm (they get to make zero decision). Here I make all the legal decisions and have input on all the business decisions. I have far more responsibility and there is no NYC HQ to hover over me.

Right and bc you're GC I'm fairly sure you're at the HQ for your company. Read more carefully -- I'm saying that if you're going to a secondary market, you should find a job at a HQ in that market - not some job that has you reporting to NYC or DC while living in Toledo bc the work is going to be of much lesser quality, your career with stagnate, those are the first jobs that can be cut since they tend to be back office, and then it'll be harder to find a job in Toledo.

[Anonymous]

Small town close to a big town. At ~100k, we've got a paid off house, two paid cars, two kids with plans for up to two more, and could have SAHP indefinitely if DW hadn't chosen to go back PT. You'd need to pay us a lot to give this up for DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Small town close to a big town. At ~100k, we've got a paid off house, two paid cars, two kids with plans for up to two more, and could have SAHP indefinitely if DW hadn't chosen to go back PT. You'd need to pay us a lot to give this up for DC.

Sounds like low educated communities with terrible schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Small town close to a big town. At ~100k, we've got a paid off house, two paid cars, two kids with plans for up to two more, and could have SAHP indefinitely if DW hadn't chosen to go back PT. You'd need to pay us a lot to give this up for DC.

Sounds like low educated communities with terrible schools

What? you are just jealous because you are going to be house poor for the rest of your life loser lol

And to everyone please tell me what is so great about DC I mean seriously..... free museums lol

PS low educated communities (1/2 of DC) with terrible schools (3/4 of DC)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Small town close to a big town. At ~100k, we've got a paid off house, two paid cars, two kids with plans for up to two more, and could have SAHP indefinitely if DW hadn't chosen to go back PT. You'd need to pay us a lot to give this up for DC.

Sounds like low educated communities with terrible schools

LOL. Whatever helps you sleep at night. We love the fact that we paid off our house in our 20s on a pair of teacher salaries.

[Anonymous]

Maybe people should move to NYC where a decent two bedroom will crack $1M easily before they whine so much about how expensive DC is. Or go to SF where the median rent for a one bed is $3500/month. DC is pretty affordable as far as I'm concerned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe people should move to NYC where a decent two bedroom will crack $1M easily before they whine so much about how expensive DC is. Or go to SF where the median rent for a one bed is $3500/month. DC is pretty affordable as far as I'm concerned.

Yeah lets compare to the top 2% of the rest of the country

Do yall realize how absolutely moronic all of you are

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe people should move to NYC where a decent two bedroom will crack $1M easily before they whine so much about how expensive DC is. Or go to SF where the median rent for a one bed is $3500/month. DC is pretty affordable as far as I'm concerned.

Yeah lets compare to the top 2% of the rest of the country

Do yall realize how absolutely moronic all of you are

It's not at all mornonic. Most people who live IN dc (not the burbs) don't want to live in Kansas City. Not to mention NY and SF also have robust job markets.