ThunderGrey27OffSuit

Greetings for an AW Mid Atlantic dude. I have a quick question for anyone willing to throw in their 2 cents...

I was recently offered a job working in Orlando doing defense contracting work. They threw $47,500 at me and after some negotiations I could snag around 52k/year salary. Question... Can a single dude live comfortably in a decent part of town in a 2 bedroom apartment, drive an A4, and still have enough money to not be terminally in debt when he wants to mod his car? I worked up some figures and I'm inclined to say no considering I'd be relocating from Maryland and they aren't picking up the tab for that.

Thoughts?

Cheers

Mr. Head

I'm a student, renting a house off campus, drive an A4, put myself through school, and i do all right with 15-20K a year.

So you should be fine with 52K. Shoot live like you make 30 k and you'll be set!

ThunderGrey27OffSuit

I'm asking not because I want to shack up but because it's a lot cheaper than the 1000-1300/month apartments I was looking at online.

mike*green

but you can get a decent 2/2 or 2/1 in the 'burbs for $1000ish.

HDClown

When I was in school, had my A4, and was paying all my own bills makin 28k yr tops, had 1 roomate in a 2 bedroom. I still pocketed $1000/mo to save for my house. You'll live like a king making that salary.

You can get a kick *** 2 bed apartment for 900-1100/mo. Do not pay anywhere near $1300/mo, that's more then my mortgage onan 1850sq ft house with taxes and insurance!

Where you located? A lot of defense work is down out of research park near UCF. If your on east side of town, apartments are everywhere, especially near campus, but theres still tons 5-10 miles away if you dont want to be in the thick of it.

ThunderGrey27OffSuit

I don't know how close that is to UCF so you can probably shed more light on that than I can. The company does a lot of business in/around the research park and my prospective future employer did mention the park. So they're probably fairly close.

mike*green

If you want to live around there, a 2/2 can't be had for your range.
I lived right there, at 50/Colonial (E-W main thorough-fare) and Orange Ave (main st cutting thru downtown), over 2 years ago and it was almost $1500 for a 2/2.

Longwolf (Christian)

thats an easy lifestyle to meet at that salary.

Mr. Head

There are a lot of houses for rent in this area in the 800-1200 range for 3 bedrooms.

What "defense contractor" are you going to work for? Lockheed Martin, DME, Harris?

mike*green

If you are comparing salaries. All in all, I've moved from Orlando to Arlington recently... and there isnt that much cost of living different. Food, gas, the basics all cost the same. Housing is about 20% higher up here.. But its a metro area, so take your cost off elsewhere (driving, social things, quality of life, etc).