180 HHI - can we move to DC?

[Anonymous]

I love everything yes city has to offer and would like to move my family there. Unfortunately it doesn't seem that 180 will get us much. We live in a 3500 sq ft home in Orlando now that would sell for 1.5 million easily in DC. For those of you who moved to DC area, where did you move?

[Anonymous]

Spotsylvania. We do very well on that income.

[Anonymous]

If your house budget is the same you will have lots of options. I'd do Bethesda.

[Anonymous]

what is it that you love about the city? walkability? culture? diversity?

What size home do you need? Do you have children? how many and how old?

[Anonymous]

Do a search on Redfin, that will give you an idea. There is affordable housing here, contrary to what others on this site will say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your house budget is the same you will have lots of options. I'd do Bethesda.

Op said that IF her house was in DC it would be worth 1.5 million. But it's not. Hence her budget is probably $250k or thereabouts.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies so far. OP here. We love the restaurants, the museums, monuments. Parks. Basically everything! 3 kids. 8, 4, 1. Would prefer 4 bedrooms. Our mortgage right now is 3000.

[Anonymous]

Depends on how badly you want to live in dc. You'll have to downsize significantly and be on a budget. It would be worth it to me because I couldn't stand living in Orlando. It must be soulless. Horrible weather and you can't walk anywhere. Who needs a 3500 house? I'd rather experience things in life then sit inside a McMansion. But yes to pp, do some research on Redfin and possibly come up here this spring to look at real estate. Make sure you're comfortable with what you'll be able to buy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your house budget is the same you will have lots of options. I'd do Bethesda.

Op said that IF her house was in DC it would be worth 1.5 million. But it's not. Hence her budget is probably $250k or thereabouts.

Her income is 180k. Depends on how much equity in the house. If she has a decent amount of equity they can go up to 700.

[Anonymous]

Would you be open to living in a condo and having one car? It would be absolutely doable on that salary and you could live in a nice area within walking distance to a lot of stuff. Do you have children ? Can they share a room? There's nothing wrong with that at all. Our friends who have a 4.1 mm apt in New York have their kids sharing a room.

[Anonymous]

OP here. We actually love Orlando but want to be closer to family in PA without actually being in PA. Orlando isn't soulless at all. I'm sure you're using the little you know about Orlando to make generalizations.

[Anonymous]

The other huge factor is childcare. Is 180k for one person working or both spouses? If so that limits how much you can spend on housing !

[Anonymous]

We have one car now. Don't seem to need 2 as we both work from home ? I think with equity we are comfortable going to about 550. I'm still worried about the quality house we will be getting. How far out of DC still feels like DC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. We actually love Orlando but want to be closer to family in PA without actually being in PA. Orlando isn't soulless at all. I'm sure you're using the little you know about Orlando to make generalizations.

np. That woman has a huge chip on her shoulder, and she's jealous of people who aren't crammed into a tiny old house. Feel comfortable ignoring her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have one car now. Don't seem to need 2 as we both work from home ? I think with equity we are comfortable going to about 550. I'm still worried about the quality house we will be getting. How far out of DC still feels like DC?

too far, imo.