Reply to Why does anyone want to live in Arlington?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The fact a family has to figure out how to manage and make things work when they bring in $200k or just less, is why Arlington is the worst. [/quote]

It's not like we're sitting down and writing a to-the-penny budget every month. We just don't live extravagantly and probably wouldn't even with higher income. There are times that big expenses hit at once and it does take delving into savings. But that's what savings is for.  My point was that I disagree with the poster saying living in Arlington is tough at $350K. If that's the case, you've probably over-extended yourself on something....likely a big house or a place specifically in the most expensive neighborhoods because anything less is unacceptable. [/quote]

Every neighborhood is expensive these days, the only difference is what you get for your money. At current interest rates, I don’t see how you afford a SFH (average price $1.3m) on less than $350k unless you have family money or a huge amount of equity built up from a previous purchase. Your other options are pretty much limited to condos if you can’t snag one of the relatively few older townhomes or duplexes out there.

I guess you could rent a tear down or cram 2 kids into a 2 bedroom condo, but that’s not exactly what most people think of when they think of “upper middle class lifestyle.” 
[/quote]

I don't disagree. And we did purchase our home many years ago. I do think many in Arlington are paying way more than the recommended %age of their income on their homes. And/or getting money from parents or other sources. Still, when we purchased our home, prices were significantly inflated and we did not purchase in any of the most "desirable" neighborhoods because it was above our budget. Nevertheless, others are unwilling to make those sacrifices in their decisions and "must have" the neighborhood/the school/the new or renovated house that doesn't need work/etc. I don't know how many households are over $350K; but clearly clearly many, many, many people in Arlington are able to get by or afford it. [/quote]

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