Rocco Pendola and others: San Francisco on $65K a year?

[Dan]

In the Great Job Hunt, I occasionally stumble upon planning jobs in the Bay area that I'm fairly well qualified for. The pay for a Planner III or Senior Planner-level position in the Bay area seems to range from about $60K to $75K a year ... pretty good by national standards. Still, though, there's the notoriously high cost of living. I know that home ownership is out of the question, at least until I meet Ms Right.

On a pre-tax salary of $65K, how well can a single person live in the San Francisco Bay area? Would such a salary be enough to rent a decent two bedroom, 1200 square foot apartment in a safe neighborhood and own a car, and have enough left over so you're not living from paycheck to paycheck? (I have two dogs, which is why I would be looking at a larger apartment.)

 

[Planderella]

I know that home ownership is out of the question, at least until I meet Ms Right.

Ms Right = Sugar Mama????

 

[Dan]

Re: Re: Rocco Pendola and others: San Francisco on $65K a year?

Ms Right = Sugar Mama????

Ms Right = Ms Intelligent Somewhat Cute Weight Proportionate To Height Working Professional Who Makes About As Much As I Do And Doesn't Spend It All On Shoes Or Kate Spade Handbags Yet Puts Up With My Quirks.

 

[el Guapo]

Re: Re: Rocco Pendola and others: San Francisco on $65K a year?

Ms Right = Sugar Mama????

Worked for me. Yep, I am a trophy husband. :eek

 

[Dan]

Back on track -- in the Bay area, how well can you live on $60K to $70K a year?

 

[Mastiff]

gruel

hovel

Goodwill

 

[nerudite]

You can "make it"... but it won't be the high life. There are a lot of little taxes that don't figure prominently in other states that kill you in California. Everything costs more... not just rent. Think auto insurance, auto liscensing, sales tax, property tax, employment tax... but what you give up in taxes, you'll make back in culture. Of course you won't be able to afford to take in much of that culture.

If I were to move back to California, I would probably hit the Capitol region again... I really love the location and Sacramento is a nice town. The pay is fairly comparable to East Bay cities (not Silicon Valley cities though), and the cost of living is much lower. You just have to suffer through a few hot months.