Ok just finished a year of work in NYC, move to Houston or anywhere in Texas, Phoenix, ???

[tami]

Originally posted by: sygyzy

Originally posted by: MrCodeDude

Originally posted by: sygyzy
After living at home for so long, do you think you can make it on your own? Serious question.

Living at home = saving money.

If you can pull in a 50k salary for let's say five years and live with your parents supporting you, you put that money in a savings account that makes maybe 3%? You've got 275k saved up. That 275K can easily buy you a very decent house in most Texas markets.

LMAO.

Living at home also means (USUALLY) not paying rent, not cooking, not buying (ie physically going to the market) groceries, not cleaning, not having to setup utilities, not dealing with homeowner association meetings and fees, not doing dishes, not paying utilities. Basically, not being an adult.

but oh, when you get rich, you can buy housekeeping! (and still have to pay the bills)

 

[PastaPete]

in response to many of the comments lets see...

Nik : this is a very very diversified (geographically) forum, so this is a great place to ask.

I do buy groceries and pay for my lunch. right now i save about...

1000 a month into ING
100 a month into various stocks
~500 a month into a mutual fund (QQQQ thru work...)
and i put 10% into my 401k matched 6%

the bills i pay for are groceries, my phone (80 a month... it ends in feb, should drop to 20 then... the 80 was a dumb 2 year deal), my car (365 a month, ran out and leased something soon as i got a job, very impetuous + 150 a month around for insurance)

living at home is driving me crazy. i lived away for 4 years (college) and i was beyond self sufficient, being home is rough with protective parents

i hate cold weather, i love hot weather (esp since the invention of AC!)

I heard the girls in texas are hot ! haha i could also personal train/bartend at night to meet people, make more money... just a few thoughts

right now saved i have...

20,000 in mutual funds
5,000 in ing
3000 in the stock market (various stocks, diversified as i can be with 3000)
...
28,000 of my money is pretty liquid
5000 of which is very liquid

at the rate im saving ill have in the range of 50000 in a year, which i think is good for a 150,000-200,000 condo's down payment and to begin a mortgage (20% + 10,000-15,000 to keep spread across my investments)

again this is a broad forum, so thats why im posting it here

 

[sygyzy]

PastaPete - I want to clarify my question. It was not made to make fun of you. It was a serious question. What I meant by "could you handle living on your own" was not from a financial standpoint, but rather a responsibility one. After being taken care of for so long (not only financially), many people lack basic skills that are required to live on your own.

For example: I know someone who is your age and does not knowo how to do laundry.

 

[PastaPete]

i know u were serious

thats why i said

i lived away for 4 years (college) and i was beyond self sufficient, being home is rough with protective parents

 

[DaWhim]

Originally posted by: PastaPete
i know u were serious

thats why i said

i lived away for 4 years (college) and i was beyond self sufficient, being home is rough with protective parents

did you live in dorm or on your own?

 

[PastaPete]

dorm for a year

3 years on my own in my own apt.

 

[Freejack2]

"Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft."

Well you have the NYC part done. Now you know where to move next.

 

[Wapp]

Originally posted by: ggnl
Austin is by far the coolest city in Texas.

Although considering your line of work, it would probably be easier to find a job in Houston.

QFT

 

[xospec1alk]

Originally posted by: PastaPete
background: I grew up in NYC!

I just finished a year of work in the securities industry after obtaining my BS and I currently make $50,000 + bonus,etc. I live at home with parents and I'm 23 years old. I've had enough of NYC... enough of the winters, enough of the expensive sh!t here, enough enough enough.

I want to get out of here within the next 6 mos. to a year. It's going to be tough to leave my parents and family, but whatever things have to be done.

I was wondering what the standard of living is, how easy it is to get a job in either the securities industry or even a move over to IT (degree in Management concentration in IS), where to live how night life is, etc and just anything i'd need to know about Texas, (including all metro areas houston, dallas, etc.) and Phoenix... I want to live in a big city (not necessarily as big as NYC, but nothing small think daytona florida)

anyone have any info or comments?
Thanks

i never understand why people hate this city so much. i guess i never will. born and raised here, and i dont think i ever want to leave.

me => 23yo currently making damn good money.

 

[Hannover]

Austin is the place to be in Texas, especially for a young, single guy. Houston sucks. I've been stuck here since '92 and I'm still waiting to make my great escape.

 

[SMOGZINN]

Originally posted by: MrCodeDude
That 275K can easily buy you a very decent house in most Texas markets.

Dude, 275K will buy you an amazing house in the Houston market.
The last house I bought costs me 85k and was 3/2/2 2100 square feet (single story) with a large yard in a nice neighborhood. With just a little searching you can find other houses just as nice at that price range, if you can up your price to 100-110k you can get a brand new house in a upscale neighborhood. I don't even know what you could get for 200k+ right now, but it would be nice.
The houseing market in Houston is really good right now. One of the best things about Texas, we have plenty of land

 

[sygyzy]

How much does it cost to live in Austin? How is the weather? How good is their transportation system? Are the roads congested? Is it overly crowded, like SF?

 

[PastaPete]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
How much does it cost to live in Austin? How is the weather? How good is their transportation system? Are the roads congested? Is it overly crowded, like SF?

what he said

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
PastaPete - I want to clarify my question. It was not made to make fun of you. It was a serious question. What I meant by "could you handle living on your own" was not from a financial standpoint, but rather a responsibility one. After being taken care of for so long (not only financially), many people lack basic skills that are required to live on your own.

For example: I know someone who is your age and does not knowo how to do laundry.

the basic skills aren't exactly difficult to learn... he'll be confused the first couple times he does things... then he'll be fine, no biggie.