Move to DC or stay in Atlanta

[pit2atl]

I have recently been recruited to take a position in banking in the Northern Va area. The job is paying 90k which places my bi-weekly pay around $2,505 after 401k contrib and health insurance. I believe the position will have a lot of upward mobility. However, the cap will definitely end around 110K. I don't want to become a district manager for more money ( I like spending evenings with my family and not on conference calls all night and early mornings. )

Now were currently in Atlanta I have the opportunity to work for another bank in the investment side of the bank. However, the pay is much lower 60k base + commission which will probably cap at 5-8k year. So a total of 65k-68k.

We currently rent and definitely want to buy a house in couple years which seems impossible in DC. Like holy crap a house deep in VA is 500k. Same house in suburbs ATL 275k

Spouse currently works in ATL making 80k however their not madly in love with their job just pays the bills and not opposed to move to DC to find better opportunities. Spouse is talks with Hotel corporate office which pays around 90k. Places us at 180k total income in DC.
ATL = 145k hhi
DC = 180k hhi

Now the biggest hook is we are from Pennsylvania and whole family is in PA. Washington DC would be happy medium to be close to our parents and family. However, I hate the cold!!!! lol


Thoughts? is a 90k salary worth moving? We are both 29yrs old.

[Anonymous]

No way.
This area costs a lot more than ATL, but, I am sure many will debate that. You are correct about housing: a house costing $800K here will be in need of tons of work. And, which school pyramid you land in will also drive your housing costs. Keep working down there, while looking at other options.

[Anonymous]

Based on this alone, "holy crap a house deep in VA is 500k", stay in Atlanta.

[Anonymous]

NP here ~ maybe, for you, consider Charlotte, NC

[Anonymous]

Have you looked at the state income taxes for Virginia
vs. Georgia?

[Anonymous]

Only if and when your spouse has an actual job offer, with specifics, then consider. The change for you IS NOT dramatic enough to justify the move or justify serious consideration.

[Anonymous]

I would only make that move if the DC job is a dream job you feel like you can't give up (or if you're just desperate for a change and this feels like the right move).

[Anonymous]

pit2atl wrote:I have recently been recruited to take a position in banking in the Northern Va area. The job is paying 90k which places my bi-weekly pay around $2,505 after 401k contrib and health insurance. I believe the position will have a lot of upward mobility. However, the cap will definitely end around 110K. I don't want to become a district manager for more money ( I like spending evenings with my family and not on conference calls all night and early mornings. )

Now were currently in Atlanta I have the opportunity to work for another bank in the investment side of the bank. However, the pay is much lower 60k base + commission which will probably cap at 5-8k year. So a total of 65k-68k.

We currently rent and definitely want to buy a house in couple years which seems impossible in DC. Like holy crap a house deep in VA is 500k. Same house in suburbs ATL 275k

Spouse currently works in ATL making 80k however their not madly in love with their job just pays the bills and not opposed to move to DC to find better opportunities. Spouse is talks with Hotel corporate office which pays around 90k. Places us at 180k total income in DC.
ATL = 145k hhi
DC = 180k hhi

Now the biggest hook is we are from Pennsylvania and whole family is in PA. Washington DC would be happy medium to be close to our parents and family. However, I hate the cold!!!! lol


Thoughts? is a 90k salary worth moving? We are both 29yrs old.

In order to keep the same standard of living in DC--assuming Arlington, VA--that you have in ATL on $145k, you would have to earn $215k. The COL here is 47% higher than in ATL.


No way--it's *much* more expensive here for a lot of things, including groceries.

[Anonymous]

No way. $250k minimum to move to DC. Do you have kids?

[pit2atl]

Anonymous wrote:Have you looked at the state income taxes for Virginia
vs. Georgia?

Ga and VA both have 5.75% state tax rate.

[Anonymous]

Will your potential new job allow you to work from home full time at any point? Anyways, A 500k home in the DC area isn't much while a 500K home in your area gets you something in Decatur/Druid Hills.

[Anonymous]

Is there anything else about the DMV that is drawing you? Where is your family from?

On paper, I can't see a reason to move up here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there anything else about the DMV that is drawing you? Where is your family from?

On paper, I can't see a reason to move up here.

PP here. Duh - PA area. Sorry for reading fail.

[Anonymous]

OP, if your DH is looking to work at Marriott's HQ and you in Northern VA, then you might be inviting a whole other form of torture -- finding the right commute.

[Anonymous]

500K will get you pretty much nothing here. Don't move.