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Started By
Message
Cost of living - Oakland, Ca vs BR
Posted on 2/27/17 at 11:11 am
Posted on 2/27/17 at 11:11 am
My wife is currently looking at an opportunity with a well known growing company.
They are offering what appears to be great salary(negotiations ongoing) and the job itself would be in San Fran proper but we know better than to try and live in the city so Commutesville is where we will have to live.
Assuming I find a job at current income in BR, our income would be 170-200k. We have 2 kids aged 3 & 4 and will be renting upon arrival. We have pay $500 total in student loans per month. I have been doing research trying to figure out what income level we would need to not only stay where we are now but if we will advice enough financially to make it worth our while making such a huge move.
This would increase our total income by about 40% or more depending on what job I can find.
The biggest question for anyone with any knowledge is: Is it worth making the move? Is 170k enough for a family of 4 in the San Fran area?
From the research I have done, it appears so, but if anyone has any experience with moving to a super high cost of living area, I'd love to hear it.
They are offering what appears to be great salary(negotiations ongoing) and the job itself would be in San Fran proper but we know better than to try and live in the city so Commutesville is where we will have to live.
Assuming I find a job at current income in BR, our income would be 170-200k. We have 2 kids aged 3 & 4 and will be renting upon arrival. We have pay $500 total in student loans per month. I have been doing research trying to figure out what income level we would need to not only stay where we are now but if we will advice enough financially to make it worth our while making such a huge move.
This would increase our total income by about 40% or more depending on what job I can find.
The biggest question for anyone with any knowledge is: Is it worth making the move? Is 170k enough for a family of 4 in the San Fran area?
From the research I have done, it appears so, but if anyone has any experience with moving to a super high cost of living area, I'd love to hear it.
7
Posted on 2/27/17 at 11:21 am to ShoeBang
Aside from the immediate financial considerations, would the move help expand you or your wife's long term career paths? Also, the cost of living is obviously higher, but your quality of life is arguably better, depending on what you value. I've visited the bay area plenty and think it, even Oakland, would be an awesome place to live given the right opportunity.
Posted on 2/27/17 at 11:24 am to sneakytiger
quote:
Aside from the immediate financial considerations, would the move help expand you or your wife's long term career paths?
Unquestionably for my wife. Executive level experience working directly under the VP of a newly created division of the company. She was recruited by the new VP because they have worked together before. HUGE boost to her career path.
I am a sales guy for an industrial equipment manufacturer so I can get a sales job just about anywhere.
Posted on 2/27/17 at 11:30 am to ShoeBang
If it's a huge career move for her, then it would probably be worth it. You may find that, in order to live a similar quality of life that you do in BR, you won't be saving any more than you are now, because the Bay Area is super expensive. It would take a long commute to save on rent. But the move would be in hopes that it pays off down the line. Oakland is not as expensive as SF, but it is not cheap by any means. Check out craigslist and see...I knew someone who rented a 2 bedroom apartment behind someone's house (it was old but nice) for $2600/month. So that's the kind of price you would pay for a small place.
Also it's a much more interesting place to live than BR.
Also it's a much more interesting place to live than BR.
This post was edited on 2/27/17 at 11:33 am
Posted on 2/27/17 at 11:33 am to ShoeBang
You will be more than fine with an income of 170-200k in Oakland.
Finding a 3-4BR at that income in San Fran proper will be a more difficult challenge but I also think is do-able.
Finding a 3-4BR at that income in San Fran proper will be a more difficult challenge but I also think is do-able.
Posted on 2/27/17 at 11:50 am to TheIndulger
quote:
$2600/month
I have looked and found 3 BR places for 3-3.5k in good neighborhoods.
Since her new job would have on site daycare and my 4 year old will be starting pre school in August, the 1200 a month in daycare I pay now would be gone and offset that a little.
Posted on 2/27/17 at 11:56 am to ShoeBang
quote:
I am a sales guy for an industrial equipment manufacturer so I can get a sales job just about anywhere.
Who you work for? Valves, pumps, instruments?
You will spending time up in Benicia (refineries) if in the same industry out there. I work for a manufacturer in the industrial industry, we have a sales guy that lives in San Jose. More municipal work out there too
Posted on 2/27/17 at 12:00 pm to MNCscripper
quote:
Valves, pumps, instruments?
Yep. That industry.
Posted on 2/27/17 at 12:59 pm to ShoeBang
You should be fine but you will need about a 40% bump to maintain a similar SOL.
Look into Emeryville is a good option that is close to Oakland. I love the SF area so it sounds like quite the lifestyle move from BR.
Look into Emeryville is a good option that is close to Oakland. I love the SF area so it sounds like quite the lifestyle move from BR.
Posted on 2/27/17 at 1:06 pm to lynxcat
Sorry to hijack. I was looking through an old thread at lunch today and saw you were planning on going to mccombs. Are you there? PT/FT?
Posted on 2/27/17 at 2:04 pm to lynxcat
quote:
you will need about a 40% bump to maintain a similar SOL
This opportunity + me staying around current levels of income achieves that.
Now then there's all the family and emotional bull shite to think about.
Our parents won't be happy that we are taking their grand kids 2000 miles away.
Posted on 2/27/17 at 2:08 pm to Spitting Venom
(no message)
This post was edited on 2/27/17 at 11:51 pm
Posted on 2/27/17 at 2:23 pm to lynxcat
Looking for a career change or staying with current?
Posted on 2/27/17 at 2:34 pm to Spitting Venom
(no message)
This post was edited on 2/27/17 at 11:50 pm
Posted on 2/27/17 at 5:09 pm to ShoeBang
How risky is the opportunity for your wife? Assuming it's with an established company, or if she has an established network in place to fall back on, I'd be packing the bags. The kids will adjust and the grandparents will have to get over it. Good luck 
Posted on 2/28/17 at 7:34 am to sneakytiger
quote:
How risky is the opportunity for your wife? Assuming it's with an established company,
She is being recruited by the new VP of a new division of a company that just about everyone has heard of. For privacy's sake, I will not say it but just imagine it is with a company like Amazon, but 10-12 years ago as they were developing into a juggernaut.
So the job is a safe one. I will just get a job somewhere (no degree but 11 years work experience in my field) and we will see what happens.
Should be getting to the decision portion some time this week.
quote:
Good luck
Thanks
Posted on 2/28/17 at 8:45 am to ShoeBang
I had a similar decision to make about 1 month ago. The wife and I decided it was worth the risk for the potential career growth opportunities on the west coast. We will be just above the base range you provided, and living in the south bay. Our base pay also increased by exactly 40%, but we were in a larger city than BR with no kids. I was told by a few good friends in the area to take the opportunity if I could swing the cost of living the first year, otherwise, I would always wonder 'what if'. I think you can definitely make it work if the long term career growth potential is better in Oakland than it will be in BR. You can always move back home.
Posted on 2/28/17 at 9:09 am to ShoeBang
honestly it sounds like a great opportunity. I think many would be lying if they wouldn't take a similar opportunity to move to the West Coast. Plenty of people stretch a little more than you are proposing when moving to a place with more opportunities.
It will be challenging, but will likely build your relationship, which is important with 2 young kids (In my experience, some couples drift apart with kids that age).
Family and friends are great, you will miss them. But I have a feeling you will make the most of your opportunities to see them if you make the move.
good luck with the decision
It will be challenging, but will likely build your relationship, which is important with 2 young kids (In my experience, some couples drift apart with kids that age).
Family and friends are great, you will miss them. But I have a feeling you will make the most of your opportunities to see them if you make the move.
good luck with the decision
Posted on 2/28/17 at 11:05 am to ShoeBang
How much time have you actually spent in Oakland and are you planning to send your kids to school there? What type people are you? How urban can you tolerate living coming from red stick? It's crowded pretty much everywhere you go...and Oaktown is one of the most liberal, diverse and lawless places in America...which is why I love it. But it's not for everyone. Not trying to persuade you either way...curious.
Alameda might be a better fit for your family...depending where wife's job is she could commute by ferry...by far the best way to cross the bay.
Alameda might be a better fit for your family...depending where wife's job is she could commute by ferry...by far the best way to cross the bay.
Posted on 2/28/17 at 4:58 pm to ShoeBang
Definitely check out Alameda if you want a "small" town feel but want to live close to Oakland. I wouldn't live out by walnut creek area. The couple hundred you save in rent is not worth the traffic of people trying to commute to San Francisco.
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