How far does 36k a year go in DC?

[DaShen]

You will need to take a second job if you do that, but is there much room for job growth?

If not, don't even consider it unless it helps you in your long term goals.

 

[dabuddha]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: dabuddha
Also take advantage of the Metro here. Especially if it's a government job, you get a transportation subsidy of $105/month so I'd recommend going down to North Virginia

How does one qualify for that?

If you're a government employee, theres a form you have to fill out in order to get the subsidy. I'm speaking for the Dept of Commerce btw. I'm not sure how the other agencies do it.

 

[dud]

You've got to be kidding. You'll have to find an apartment far in the burbs and share it with at least three (3) other people. Then you'll have to eat mac and cheese all the time to survive but don't worry, you'll be spending most of your time in traffic. The traffic there is the worst on the planet.

 

[Reckoner]

This is a job with the FBI btw, so I'm willing to take the low pay because I think the experience outweighs it in the long run. Although it is a big move.. I'm 50-50 on it. I just want to make sure I can pay the rent.

 

[bennylong]

36k a year in DC? Is this your second job? You can't live on one job making $36k

 

[ultimatebob]

Originally posted by: bennylong
36k a year in DC? Is this your second job? You can't live on one job making $36k

Maybe he could do it if he commuted from Maryland or Virginia every day, but even that is pushing it. Besides, the Capital Beltway traffic would probably drive him insane.

 

[TXHokie]

Minimum wage won't get you far.

 

[CTrain]

I'm laughing at all these people who thinks a single person can't live on $36K, even in DC.
You realize that alot of people in the US are living barely above minimum wages ??

I've done it on both side.
After college, I lived for about 5 yrs making like $15K/yr.
Now its more like $50K/yr but I can easily live on $24K/yr.

Well, the key here is not to have a car payment.
I'm sorry but most people who moves up in income level start to buy more needless things just because they are making more money and therefore are in the same situation as they were before.

People just don't know how to manage their finance these days.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: CTrain
I'm laughing at all these people who thinks a single person can't live on $36K, even in DC.
You realize that alot of people in the US are living barely above minimum wages ??

I've done it on both side.
After college, I lived for about 5 yrs making like $15K/yr.
Now its more like $50K/yr but I can easily live on $24K/yr.

Well, the key here is not to have a car payment.
I'm sorry but most people who moves up in income level start to buy more needless things just because they are making more money and therefore are in the same situation as they were before.

People just don't know how to manage their finance these days.

So what's the anwser? How do you get to work if don't have a car???

Of course this is relating to an area without mass transit.

 

[SampSon]

I'm laughing at all these people who thinks a single person can't live on $36K, even in DC.
You realize that alot of people in the US are living barely above minimum wages ??

Why would he pick up and move his entire life for complete sh!t pay?

I don't think you should move to DC for 36K/year, FBI job or not. My friend moved down to the DC area, works in the metro area but lives a bit out of the way in virginia. He makes a little less than twice your offered pay and he says that 50K is as low as he would go to live in that area.

Expect to pay a minimum of $1000/month for rent, in a very small place with few amenities. Expect to be stuck in traffic for extended periods of time. Expect to eat like a poor college kid and forget having any significant pocket money, unless you view $100 a month extra as significant.

I don't see why you would want to move all the way to DC and put up with that crap to make 36K a year, just to have the experience with the FBI. The FBI has offices all over the country, I'm not seeing the benefit of working there for what amounts to peanuts and a false sense of prestige by working for the FBI (rather run of the mill job). No matter what anyone says 36K/year is not a decent amount of money.

 

[CTrain]

Well, the particular example(DC) has mass transit.

Otherwise, I'd spend about $2K for a used car and never make a car payment or worst case scenario, ride public transportation.

Coming from a family with no money, I've always had a car and never had a car payment so itf I can do it, others can do it too.

 

[SampSon]

Yea, DC has mass transit if you live in a decent metro area, which will cost you thousands per month for rent.
Sure he may be able to "do it", but why would he move half way across the country to take sh!t pay in an incredibly expensive area?

 

[CTrain]

In fairness, he never said "well of".
Quoted " liveable wage in those parts."
For the experience that hes seeking for, $36K is easily livable wages.

 

[SampSon]

I think you have a different idea of "liveable wage" than I do.
Eating ramen, pasta and spaghetti-o's does not fall under "liveable" to me. I do not equate staying alive and barely getting by from paycheck to paycheck as liveable.
36K is not really a liveable wage in that area, sure you can survive, but that's not living.
I don't see why he would consider moving that far for that kind of money, unless he making significantly less right now (which would be sad).

 

[CTrain]

Originally posted by: SampSon
I think you have a different idea of "liveable wage" than I do.
Eating ramen, pasta and spaghetti-o's does not fall under "liveable" to me. I do not equate staying alive and barely getting by from paycheck to paycheck as liveable.
36K is not really a liveable wage in that area, sure you can survive, but that's not living.
I don't see why he would consider moving that far for that kind of money, unless he making significantly less right now (which would be sad).

My sister lives in Arlington and take the subway to DC for work.

Like I was saying before, my lifestyle hasn't changed much from making $15K to $50K.
(Maybe thats why I own a house and 2/3 from paying it off).
To me, $36K is easily livable for me.
Even in California which I lived for almost a yr, I was only making an equivalent of $28K and that was easily livable for me.(This was 2 yrs ago)
Yeah this was me going to snowboarding in Tahoe on my days off and going down to Mexico from time to time so no it doesn't involves eating ramen eveyday.
Of course, I say the key is not having a car payment.

 

[SampSon]

Not having a car payment is the key? A couple hundred bucks a month isn't that much of a life changing quantity, though it can make it a bit easier.
Overall it's not a significant amount of money considering the average income in many areas is easily 20K higher than the OP is willing to accept.

Were still on a different page for liveable I suppose. If I was taking in 28-36K, even in my area, I wouldn't be living too great.
That amount of money doesn't allow you to save/invest any significant amount of money, or have any amount of financial security what-so-ever. Mabey if you're used to making under $10/hour than yea, 36K/year might seem decent.
I've generated income under 36K in areas that arn't close to comparable to DC, california or NYC. No matter which way you cut it, it's not that good. I suppose if you live the college kid lifestyle it's ok, but for any serious career oriented move it's not decent.

To each their own I suppose, it all depends on how much crap you can put up with.

 

[CTrain]

Well yeah you can't save with $36K but he did say this was for work experience.

And sorry but I totally disagree about the car payment.
Used car and no payments = liability insurance only and thats like $50/month.
A car payment these days are closer to $300 plus $100 for insurance makes a big difference.

 

[EngenZerO]

not far at all...

 

[DivideBYZero]

How is your throwing arm?

 

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: PaulNEPats
This is a job with the FBI btw, so I'm willing to take the low pay because I think the experience outweighs it in the long run. Although it is a big move.. I'm 50-50 on it. I just want to make sure I can pay the rent.

In that case, do what you love. And since there is room to grow. Good for yuo, but it will be tough.

 

[Cutterhead]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I will be making over $20K more than that...and I will be stretched thin...you'll need to find some roommates to split rent!!!

He can do it w/o roommates. I started out at a GS-7 and lived in a 1 bedroom by myself without many problems. He'll just have to learn how to manage his money and he'll be fine.

I just got back from D.C. where I went apartment hunting for four days straight! I am settling on a studio in Silver Spring for like $1100/month including utilities...and that is on the cheap side of what I found! I am just saying that rent is a killer in that area!

Glad to hear you found a place, man. And yeah, rent is ridiculous down here!

 

[PingSpike]

You couldn't pay me enough to live in DC honestly. But it sounds like it would be rough.

 

[Reckoner]

Thanks for the responses, I think I'm going to turn down this position