Anonymous wrote:The job offer is below current salary. At this moment the change its being evaluated only on the fact that a fed employment will bring some benefits in the long run. However, we have a little one and we have to be really careful about it.

The benefits will be swamped by the increase in COL. Swamped.

I would also be careful of taking a job because you think in the long run fed benefits will be much better. First, they may not be as good as you think, and they may not be as good as what you have. For example, the health insurance is not cheap, new employees have very little vacation, and there is no paid parental leave (except accrued sick leave).

There is a partial pension plan, but I would be leery of making life decisions based on that being around in its current form in 20-30 years. The R's clearly would like to save some money by cutting it back and there are precious few elected officials who actually want to go to bat for federal employee benefits.

Plus, unless Congress gets its act together (and we all know how likely that is) the sequester will continue to hit for a number of years in the future, which may mean furloughs or even RIFs at agencies.

OP, I'm from Fla. (Go Gators!) and live in NoVa. I say this with love: STAY. You will hate life here on $60k. You might hate it here for $600k. But $60k here is like $30k (or less) in Orlando. You would be CRAZY to come here under the circumstances described.

Also, every jurisdiction around here has state income tax. And annual property taxes on your car (which has to be annually inspected). Seriously. I'm not making that up. I didn't believe it either when I moved here.

Stay. Stay. Stay. Stay.

Your life would be a nightmare here on $60K. That salary is some kind of sick joke.

Every night you would go to sleep dreaming of the gaudy colors, shining orange skin and warm sands of your homeland, while listening to the oppressive rumble of the beltway. You would wake to the drizzle and traffic with tears already streaming down your increasingly pale cheeks.

60k each

Yes, I think I can apply for a better job.

I personally love it here and will never leave, but that's partly because I've been here since college and have gotten used to how expensive things are, especially housing. Also, infant daycare is pricey and VERY hard to find, so you'd want to start looking well in advance if you need it. (Preschool is a bit easier.) On the bright side, the schools are generally very good in the surrounding suburbs and you will meet lots of smart, interesting people. (don't be too scared of the few meanies you'll encounter on here.) How are your job prospects here? It would be difficult to live in on one $60K income here.

VA. 1 bedroom apt for the moment

The job offer is below current salary. At this moment the change its being evaluated only on the fact that a fed employment will bring some benefits in the long run. However, we have a little one and we have to be really careful about it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Around 60k

DC is tough on 60k. Real tough. If you both make 60k, it is managable if you live out in the suburbs.

What part of DC are you looking to live in? The problem with this area is that even a $300,000 house, which sounds like a stretch for you, would not be in a nice area.

If you look around this site, people generally say they need at least $150,000 to live a middle class life here.

Orlando

Anonymous wrote:That's pretty low for a family around here, it will go much farther in FL (assuming that's his salary range now).

True, but what is his comparable salary in FL. OP, what part of FL will you be leaving?

What would be a better salary? Any areas you would recommend?

Anonymous wrote:Around 60k

DC is tough on 60k. Real tough. If you both make 60k, it is managable if you live out in the suburbs.

That's pretty low for a family around here, it will go much farther in FL (assuming that's his salary range now).