sanj2010

Hey All!

I have been offered a job in upstate NY, for which the salary is $65k. Can I live comfortably on this? How much am I likely to lose in various taxes? For reference, I live in the NW of England.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Sanj2010

cathy22w

Suppose it depends on your lifestyle and where you will live - but most people can live quite comfortable on that money. Taxes? Around a third or so. Plus insurances.

Manc

what a vague question.

If you are married with 7 kids whom likes to eat out a lot and vacation 3 times a year in the Swiss Alps then no, probably not enough mate.

whats your full situation, and are you gonna be living out in the boonies or in the middle of Albany/Rochester/Buffalo?

Gross50

depends on family size
commute distance to work
your age, (if below thirty)

check out the real estate, if you can afford it at 35% of your salary, then its managable.

never lived in NY, but had it been dirty south or mid west, then thats a managable salary.

Chopper-Chris

Based on a single couple (or even a couple with a small family) You should do fine on 65K, expect rent to be around 800-1300 per month (and around the same for a mortgage) for a 2/3 bedroom house a couple of hours north of NYC.

You'll end up with about 1000 per week (or slightly more depending on what tax band you declare) after taxes....a good tip...I always put myself in band 4 that means I get less per month but get a hefty return at the beginning of each year which is always nice.

Good Luck with it

CC

sanj2010

Manc

It will be myself, fiancee and the little one. The job is in Ithaca, so we had planned on renting (in the short term) and then seeing what happens.

Chopper

Thanks for the tip, I'm sure I will understand it when the time comes!

sanj2010

Manc

Even if your standard of living were to slip a little bit, It would be a marvellous experience for you to be honest.
Most people would jump at the chance.

It takes a while to become established over here, but bear with it.

katina

I'm from upstate NY originally, and $65,000 for that area doesn't sound too bad. This might help:


http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=922

Steff

Gaaaah you people make me sick!!! Does everyone on here make 65-100k or what

dunroving

Ithaca is a beautiful area, but cold/snowy in the winter. You have the Finger Lakes, a university (Cornell) and 4-year college (Ithaca) to offer some cultural experiences.

My ballpark guesstimate is that 65k will get you a lifestyle that 35-40k pounds would buy you in, say, Manchester.

Of course, housing is your major expense anywhere, so you should get online and check house prices.

dunroving

My guess is that most people who come to the US for job-related reasons are in well-paid positions. You can't get an H-1B visa if you're a bricky or a barman.

Also, maybe those who earn less than 65k just don't make any noise about it.

Having said that, I'm a college professor and I don't earn 65k. Far from it, in fact. But then most teachers aren't in it for the money (just as well).

Manc

Even after 4 years, I earn less here than I did in the UK.

As long as one has a roof over their kids heads, and food in their bellies what is the problem.

doctor scrumpy

Yes

sanj2010

katina

thank you for the link. I had an opportunity to look around the area when I was there for interview and it looked lovely! Sailing in the summer and skiing in the winter!

Chopper-Chris

Top Tip...

Stop wasting time being sick - go out there and get a 60 - 100K job for yourself