Reply to Family of Four on 90k - An Upper Middle Class Existence

Forum Index » Money and Finances

Reply to "Family of Four on 90k - An Upper Middle Class Existence"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I think the PP who took a gamble on an up and coming neighborhood is missing the point by making comments about how appreciation doesn't do him/her any good.  It's not the appreciation per se that most of us want.  It's [b]the ability to buy into these neighborhoods close-in with good schools and have a reasonable mortgage that we want.  [/b]But they have already appreciated past the point that they are affordable.

I also think a lot of us were sold a bag of goods that if we worked hard and got a good education, we'd be able to afford a solid middle class life.  Instead, we have student loans and housing costs that either require buying in a not-so-safe area or commuting a long distance.  I'm a lawyer and DH is a consultant with an MBA.  We didn't work this hard in life to raise our kids in a neighborhood with all the crime, drugs, and broken bottles you mention.  Sure -- that is an option for people.  But I don't think that is an option most people who want to be middle class dream of.

FWIW, I live and work in NoVa, so taking a chance on charter schools isn't an option for us (my commute would be worse if I lived in the city).  A lot of Northern VA is already crazy expensive and the "up and coming" areas are being bid up by people who can spend more on a tear down LOT (that they're going to build a 1.5 million house on) than I can pay for my entire house.[/quote]

There are still neighborhoods that are close-in where you can buy a fixer upper and have a reasonable mortgage.  (Not my neighborhood, anymore, but others just like it, with just as questionable schools and lots of poor people - just like mine ten years ago).  You just want to have it all.  You can't.[/quote]

No, I don't "want it all."  I don't want/expect to drive fancy cars, take lavish vacations, have a weekly maid service, eat out all the time, get my nails done, etc.  I don't even expect a new/huge home or to live across the street from a metro station or anything like that.  Two professionals wanting to buy a home in a safe area with good schools and a decent commute is a fairly basic middle class desire.  But student loans and paying for childcare are money sucks (and I say this as someone who does not have a 300k+ HHI).  I think it's sad that people think being able to afford a home that doesn't involve either sacrificing on schools or time spent commuting is "having it all."  That being said, I grew up in a much more affordable city and I would leave this area in a heartbeat if it weren't for the fact all of DH's family is in the area (I don't have much family and I am close with his family), so we're here at least for a while longer.

I realize this area is expensive for a reason (mostly the job security), but that doesn't mean you have to get all defensive about the fact that some families may find it difficult to afford living here.  I really don't see how that has any bearing on you?[/quote]

As far as housing is concerned a home in a safe area with good schools and a decent commute IS having it all.[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics