DMV Sticker Shock Advice

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP I’m not sure this is the place for you. I mean that in the nicest way possible. It sounds like you have a great life in FL and would be giving it up solely for more money - but why, when you already live totally comfortably?

I don’t think you’re even going to be able to find the kind of budget housing you’re looking for AND be happy with the school options.

I kind of agree. He will make 3x more money, but you are going to spend 4x more on housing, you pay no income taxes. Sounds like you have a school that you like. Why come up here?

Yeah, I posted that. Between having to pay state/DC income tax and multiplying their budget for housing by 4, there won’t be any sort of net gain. OP should only do this if they are truly interested in the DC area, or else they will quickly become miserable with the reality.

Well... If they plow 3x salary into more expensive housing, no lifestyle gain but aggregate wealth will be higher and when they retire and move to FL they will be much wealthier.

And good schools in Jax vs good schools in DC Area.. Really not sure if they compare. Better chance to get into Ivy from Florida school... But better chance to be prepared and succeed at Ivy coming from DC area schools.

What is your DH field, maybe there is more growth to come or other career paths to branch off to?

[Anonymous]

need more info... 3X $50K (or $150K in DC) is a LOT different than 3X $100K (or $300K in DC). If it were me, I wouldn't make the move to DC unless your combined HHI is going to exceed $350K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:need more info... 3X $50K (or $150K in DC) is a LOT different than 3X $100K (or $300K in DC). If it were me, I wouldn't make the move to DC unless your combined HHI is going to exceed $350K.

Agree, this is a pretty good rule of thumb. Op will need to take on a lot more debt, taxes, and headaches to achieve the same quality of life.

Ps - OP is your husband in sales? This is the only way I can imagine such a drastically high jump in salary. Or perhaps he's going from enlisted/officer in the military to contractor?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:need more info... 3X $50K (or $150K in DC) is a LOT different than 3X $100K (or $300K in DC). If it were me, I wouldn't make the move to DC unless your combined HHI is going to exceed $350K.

Agree, this is a pretty good rule of thumb. Op will need to take on a lot more debt, taxes, and headaches to achieve the same quality of life.

Ps - OP is your husband in sales? This is the only way I can imagine such a drastically high jump in salary. Or perhaps he's going from enlisted/officer in the military to contractor?

That's a pretty huge jump for a contractor salary.

[Anonymous]

If you are open to private school consider PG. PG also has a TAG program plus you will find nice housing at a slighly cheaper price and good commute to DC. We also had sticker shock moving and honestly question if we made the right decision moving here. The cost of living is terrible and the weather not as good as Florida. However Jacksonville defintiely has downsides so I can understand the desire to leave.

[Anonymous]

There is a rental house in Arlington on the corner of Roosevelt and Columbia for $2800/mo. It’s A 3/1 and it looks like a dump but it’s walkable for EFC metro and zoned for McKinely elementary.

3 years ago I rented a 3/2 brick colonial in Waverly Hills Arlington zoned for Glebe elementary and walkable to Ballston Metro. It was $3k/mo and included utilities.

[Anonymous]

I'd move to 20007 IB to Hyde-Addison. If your daughter is a student, you son can most likely get a spot when he turns 3 this year. We can tell you all about the lottery and swing space...
There are so many parks, playgrounds and green spaces in 20007, 20016, that I would be let the need for yard go. Concentrate on new jobs, looking into new neighborhoods- GT, Glover Park, Burleigh, Palisades, AU, WH, Cleveland Park, Woodley Park. If you kids change elementary schools together, it's not the end of the world. So many kids in DC come and go.

[ikornika]

Why move? One word: opportunity.

I've reached my ceiling unless I move into management which I have no desire to do. DH is in corporate banking and transitioning to corporate finance with base salary AND phenomal commission structure.

HHI will be above 350k with dual income.

I loathe Jacksonville. Hub's dislike isn't as great as mine, but he's not a fan either.

We're both 35 and subscribe to the idea that you miss 100% of the shots you don't take and this shot is definitely one we're taking; might be a long three, but we're banking on the nothing but net.

[Anonymous]

ikornika wrote:Why move? One word: opportunity.

I've reached my ceiling unless I move into management which I have no desire to do. DH is in corporate banking and transitioning to corporate finance with base salary AND phenomal commission structure.

HHI will be above 350k with dual income.

I loathe Jacksonville. Hub's dislike isn't as great as mine, but he's not a fan either.

We're both 35 and subscribe to the idea that you miss 100% of the shots you don't take and this shot is definitely one we're taking; might be a long three, but we're banking on the nothing but net.

Yeah definitely move.

[Anonymous]

ikornika wrote:Why move? One word: opportunity.

I've reached my ceiling unless I move into management which I have no desire to do. DH is in corporate banking and transitioning to corporate finance with base salary AND phenomal commission structure.

HHI will be above 350k with dual income.

I loathe Jacksonville. Hub's dislike isn't as great as mine, but he's not a fan either.

We're both 35 and subscribe to the idea that you miss 100% of the shots you don't take and this shot is definitely one we're taking; might be a long three, but we're banking on the nothing but net.

Hi, NP here. I think this move will be AWESOME for you. Don't listen to the miserable people on this forum, honestly. This is like the anonymous YouTube comment section of DC, it's not reflective of real life.

You sound like you will fit in great and I think you'll be super happy here. I don't know much about g&t programs but as others have said, what people find "average" here might be very good by JAX standards. I think you should live in the city, pay a little more than you want to for a year, amd then get to know the area and your priorities before deciding where to settle. If you end up in some far flung suburb you might hate it and not realize how good of a life you could have here. I'm biased, I live in the city, but I love it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

ikornika wrote:Why move? One word: opportunity.

I've reached my ceiling unless I move into management which I have no desire to do. DH is in corporate banking and transitioning to corporate finance with base salary AND phenomal commission structure.

HHI will be above 350k with dual income.

I loathe Jacksonville. Hub's dislike isn't as great as mine, but he's not a fan either.

We're both 35 and subscribe to the idea that you miss 100% of the shots you don't take and this shot is definitely one we're taking; might be a long three, but we're banking on the nothing but net.

Hi, NP here. I think this move will be AWESOME for you. Don't listen to the miserable people on this forum, honestly. This is like the anonymous YouTube comment section of DC, it's not reflective of real life.

You sound like you will fit in great and I think you'll be super happy here. I don't know much about g&t programs but as others have said, what people find "average" here might be very good by JAX standards. I think you should live in the city, pay a little more than you want to for a year, amd then get to know the area and your priorities before deciding where to settle. If you end up in some far flung suburb you might hate it and not realize how good of a life you could have here. I'm biased, I live in the city, but I love it.

I think you should definitely move too. We have a HHI of $175K combined and are making it work in DC and are very happy here. You will be FINE, and yes you can find rentals for $3000/month or less, even in DC. You just might have to sacrifice space for a bit.

Check out McLean Gardens in DC or rentals up Connecticut Ave in Van Ness/Chevy Chase DC. There are definitely house rentals 3 bed 2 bath in Silver Spring close to metro or in North Bethesda near Grovesnor or White Flint metros that are around or less than $3000/month. Yes you're going to give up space, but if you can keep your rental costs to $3000/month, your net income is going to be much much higher than in Jacksonville, even with a $900/month mortgage.

[Anonymous]

You should have lead with the salary OP, and saved us all some time.
Above 350k?
Yeah, pick a spot. You’ll be fine.
I’d look Mclean/North Arlington/Bethesda

Not as familiar with DC, but everyone here seems to like AU Park.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

ikornika wrote:Why move? One word: opportunity.

I've reached my ceiling unless I move into management which I have no desire to do. DH is in corporate banking and transitioning to corporate finance with base salary AND phenomal commission structure.

HHI will be above 350k with dual income.

I loathe Jacksonville. Hub's dislike isn't as great as mine, but he's not a fan either.

We're both 35 and subscribe to the idea that you miss 100% of the shots you don't take and this shot is definitely one we're taking; might be a long three, but we're banking on the nothing but net.

OP, maybe I’ve missed it but did you mention where his office will be located? That’s important. If it’s near Dulles Airport vs in DC the housing suggestion will be drastically different. You’re wayyy too worried about the “local” income taxes. Those are not taken out separately. It’s part of the state income taxes that are apportioned to the county (or city). It does raise the rate a little but not much. Virginia has the dreaded personal property tax (car tax) which Maryland does not have. Unless your cars are old you will be paying hundreds a year per car.

Another thing is the traffic. After living in both NoVA and MoCo, I can tell you NoVA is so much worse. You two should come visit for a couple of days. Drive on I-66 at 4:30 or 5:00. Try Braddock Rd (this is an alternate route I took to go West). Braddock is closed from light to light for 40 miles. Check out Route 28. It’s a nightmare.

Yes Maryland has bad traffic but until you’ve lived in Virginia for a few years you have no idea. It’s bad both north and south of 66.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/route-28-gets-its-moment-in-the-national-spotlight-but-theres-still-a-long-road-to-traffic-relief/2018/02/04/53d1b0e0-0131-11e8-bb03-722769454f82_story.html?utm_term=.0d1a2573f856

Maryland is also set up better for the Metro. Virginia is more traditional suburban where you drive to everything while Maryland has more places walkable to Metro and shopping. Maryland also has far more medical so there is more oprotunity for you to seek employment.

I understand you care about taxes, coming from a state with no income tax but is saving a thousand a year in taxes worth the trade off?

Figure out where his office is first. Then check out the area. Taxes matter but quality of life and seeing your family more trump all. A 2.5 hour commute home at night to Centreville means he doesn’t get home till 7:00 and all he can do at that point is crash and lay there completely burned out. Trust me, we’ve been there and so have many others.

[Anonymous]

Braddock is CLOGGED not closed

[Anonymous]

Ok, let me make sure I understand OP-

What is the current HHI?

DH's HHI in DC will be 225k
OP is assuming her HHI will be 125k, but has not found a job yet- are there any offers OP?