Oz or USA
Mar 6th 2010 | 12:38 pm
#46
Busy at Work
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 888
From: New Haven, CT
Re: Oz or USA
Have to agree with you on the weather differential. WE moved from SoCal to NoCal a year ago and have been freezing our butts off ever since. Can't believe the amount of rain we have seen the past few months and seems like the heater is continually cranked up. We had to buy a ton of winter clothing to suit the new climate. However, would add it has never been as cold as it used to get in the UK.
Mar 6th 2010 | 1:09 pm
#47
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 90
From: San Francisco, CA
Re: Oz or USA
Ah yes but you have a kid and therefore probably pay less taxes than we do. Run your income thru a tax program and see what the difference is between having a child to deduct or just a spouse and you will see a difference.
Obviously we have difference expectations on areas to live etc., because if I lived in SF I wouldn't live in the Sunset District, I would more likely live in Nob Hill, Russian Hill, North Beach etc. Main reason for this is not having children means we aren't really all that into the suburban life. We much prefer being able to walk to restaurants and coffee shops, the leafy suburbs with play groups and parks for the littlies to wander around have zero interest for us.
Also SV is very different from SF in that there is little to no public transport. That means having to run two cars, extra insurance, running costs etc.
We aren't on the breadline, but we are certainly not living it high. That said we do what we want when we want. Went to Hong Kong for Christmas, just back from a week in Hawaii, much of it due to freebies accumulated from credit card points.
Obviously we have difference expectations on areas to live etc., because if I lived in SF I wouldn't live in the Sunset District, I would more likely live in Nob Hill, Russian Hill, North Beach etc. Main reason for this is not having children means we aren't really all that into the suburban life. We much prefer being able to walk to restaurants and coffee shops, the leafy suburbs with play groups and parks for the littlies to wander around have zero interest for us.
Also SV is very different from SF in that there is little to no public transport. That means having to run two cars, extra insurance, running costs etc.
We aren't on the breadline, but we are certainly not living it high. That said we do what we want when we want. Went to Hong Kong for Christmas, just back from a week in Hawaii, much of it due to freebies accumulated from credit card points.
Ok, from what you say it sounds like you were exaggerating when you said you "struggled" on $100k+!
I lived it up as singleton/childless couple when I was younger and so appreciate the quiet Sunset district these days! It amuses me that you think it is suburban though, especially when you are down in the Valley and need two cars!
Mar 7th 2010 | 6:20 am
#48
I'm back!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,316
From: Richmond, VA, USA
Re: Oz or USA
I have no advice for the OP, but just wanted to say that I'm SO impressed that in this now 4-page thread about sunny/warm places to live, the "F" word has only been mentioned once, and NOT in a positive or encouraging way.
BRAVO!!!
~ Jenney
BRAVO!!!
~ Jenney
Mar 7th 2010 | 9:45 am
#49
Busy at Work
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 888
From: New Haven, CT
Re: Oz or USA
Well it's humid and you have the possibly of being hit by Hurricane, but there are reasons why it's called the Sixth borough of New York City. Have been to Orlando myself but not Miami...did hear that it's strongly influenced by Latin American culture so it helps to know Spanish.
Mar 8th 2010 | 3:42 am
#50
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 305
From: UK to NZ to UK to Chicago.
Re: Oz or USA
ive lived in NZ and now USA, in terms of keeping in contact with family (ie visiting) the relative ease of a single flight to manchester from chicago is childsplay compared the horrid haul that is a series of flights from the antipodes. Being closer in USA does make dealing with missing family a lot easier, its all just seems more emotionally managable.
