Struggling with new life and not keeping up w/ Joneses

[DaveInPgh]

No one is coming to PA for jobs...companies arent coming to PA so there is no need to make areas nice.

We all have our own opinions as to were is a desirable place to live, so I am definitely not going to try to convince you that Pittsburgh is the place for you.

However, you are definitely off base as far as what is going on in Pittsburgh.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I look at it this way: it's a cliche but truly, the best things in life are free. I enjoy making things with my hands lately. No much investment is needed. See how much of the stuff you want you can make yourself. You'd be surprised. If you're not starving to death you're doing better than most people throughout history.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

i have friends who moved to pitt for a job. I think in general people are moving to bigger cities for job even if the cities don't seem large.

And cost of living in HCOLA I can PROMISE you is more than just a house mortgage. The cost of utilities are more. Now I pay 20% of what I used to pay a year ago for electric and gas heating. The cost of things in general are so much cheaper like daycare is easily half what I used to pay. The cost of babysitters is much lower instead of $10/hr I paid $20-25. The cost of kid activities are about 25% less. The cost of parking is easily half the cost.

So there are many costs associated with a HCOLA versus somewhere cheaper than just housing costs. So it's not just one thing, there are many factors.

[rennigade]

The cost of things in general are so much cheaper like daycare is easily half what I used to pay.

I forgot about daycare. Thats a massive expense in hcol areas.

In my area if you can find a nice place for $400/week you better sign up fast. Actually...more like put your name on a waiting list cause its already filled up.

[bigdaddybus]

And thats why jobs pay a lot more. A large house in PA where my parents live costs around $300k. 2 months ago a house very similar in size sold where I live in maryland (near wash dc) for $850k. Almost 3x as much. I pay 3x as much in rent where I live vs PA.

Also...food isnt the same price. I was just in nyc and a burrito at chipotle was $2 more than what I pay in maryland. $2 isnt a big deal but if everything costs a little more it will add up significantly over a years time.

But just housing alone is enough to price most people out of the market unless their employer pays them significantly more than a place in east bumble.

I mean...why doesnt all developers/admins move to san fran and make $150k/year. Because even with that salary they struggle to get by.

Most people from smaller areas dont understand this concept. They dont understand how expensive housing is because unless you see it/experience it first hand...it doesnt register.

I learned this early on moving from Illinois to Hawaii in my 20's. Thank goodness the beach was free!!!

[rennigade]

I learned this early on moving from Illinois to Hawaii in my 20's. Thank goodness the beach was free!!!

Hawaii is an interesting place. From what ive heard its a place you move to if you already have money vs moving there when you're just starting out as opportunity is difficult. Although you did it the reverse way.

The beach is free if you can find parking to get to the actual beach itself!

[LivingAlmostLarge]

food is expensive in hawaii. Not to mention other stuff in general. Taxes are low property, sales, income tax, but the price of goods is through the roof. Not to mention the price of gas.

[DaveInPgh]

Its not just Pitt...its pretty much all places in PA unfortunately. And this is coming for someone who wants to move to a place that was once booming but now is all but dead. Heck pittsburgh may as well be time square compared to where I plan on going.

The issue with PA is its an old state that never kept up with the times. Look at a few of the cities..pitt, philly, allentown, williamsport. Philly is disgusting...harrisburg is a mess...pitt is by far the nicest one out of them. Ugh and scranton. Has anyone drove through there recently? It really is depressing. We have to drive through that area to get to the poconos (which is also nice.) Allentown isnt actually bad either. Williamsport is a rough area. No one is coming to PA for jobs...companies arent coming to PA so there is no need to make areas nice.

Its odd since all the surrounding states have much more going for it than PA. I guess breaking it down pittsburgh is the nicest city in PA...and thats still a sad state of affairs.

Since you stopped back for a visit, I figured I would bump this thread for you. Thought of you when I saw this story the other day.

Pittsburgh Ranked 14 out of 150 for Most Fun Cities. Ranked #1 in one of the categories.

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2016/09/19/lets-have-some-fun-pittsburgh-ranks-as-one-of-the-most-fun-cities-in-america/