How much does a family of 4 need to make to be comfortable in dc area.

[Anonymous]

We are a military family that currently live in the area. I work as well and make about $33,000. My husband was offered a job that starts at $56,000. We have two little's in daycare. Is this enough combined income to be comfortable? My husband thinks we will be fine, but looking at housing costs and daycare costs, I'm thinking we just barely be able to make it. Where places we should look for housing? I work in Arlington and husband will work in DC.

[Anonymous]

$89,000/year would be tough with 2 kids in fulltime daycare around here.

[Anonymous]

We made it on that combined salary at one point, but only had one in full-time daycare. It's doable, but will absolutely will be tight and you'll need to live outside the close-in suburbs.

[Anonymous]

Of you are military do you also get a housing allowance?

Honestly day care is the killer here.

[Anonymous]

The main question - is his job still going to be active duty or is he getting out? If he is still going to be in the military and will have both housing allowance on top of his regular pay AND you will be eligible for CDCs for day care - than it is tight but doable, otherwise - no, imho.

[Anonymous]

If my husband takes the job he will be getting out of the military so we will not get a housing allowance. He will still work for the government however.

[Anonymous]

Define what you need to be comfortable.
My extended family is military and they are much better at being happy with less frills than most of the families I encounter in this area.
On the other hand: this area's materialism is contagious. My own kids have had phases where they struggled with the difference between middle class wants and needs.

[Anonymous]

Well, government helps because of good health and other benefits. That will keep some costs down. And assist with some commuting costs. Can you keep licensed day care costs under $25,000 for two? How old are they?

[Anonymous]

If you live in the far far suburbs where things cost less, tight but doable.


With 2 kids and littleno debt I think you need @$150k/yr.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are a military family that currently live in the area. I work as well and make about $33,000. My husband was offered a job that starts at $56,000. We have two little's in daycare. Is this enough combined income to be comfortable? My husband thinks we will be fine, but looking at housing costs and daycare costs, I'm thinking we just barely be able to make it. Where places we should look for housing? I work in Arlington and husband will work in DC.

Just saw this - on your salaries your commutes could be very draining as I don;t think you can afford much of Arlington or DC on your income + daycares. If it were me under these circumstances I would not make the move.

[Anonymous]

We make about $150k and really struggled with two in daycare, not particularly close in (Rockville). It was tight at the end of every month, though admittedly, we could have found cheaper housing. Daycare though was the real killer for us. It's much better now that we have one in school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you live in the far far suburbs where things cost less, tight but doable.


With 2 kids and littleno debt I think you need @$150k/yr.

Yeah, no. We have 2 kids, make $100k, have lots of student loan debt, a mortgage. We're not saving much, but that'll change when the loans are paid off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you live in the far far suburbs where things cost less, tight but doable.


With 2 kids and littleno debt I think you need @$150k/yr.

Yeah, no. We have 2 kids, make $100k, have lots of student loan debt, a mortgage. We're not saving much, but that'll change when the loans are paid off.

Do you have two in daycare? Is your commute into DC/close-in burbs? Do you have any family in the area that can help? These things make a difference.

[Anonymous]

For suggestions on places to live you should post this question in the real estate forum. You'll get more helpful answers.

[Anonymous]

It's do-able, but comfortable varies so much from family to family. Do you have car payments? Do you eat out? Our family of 4 gets by on about that much, but we only pay for p/t preschool for one. Good luck!