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I also don't think $120k/yr out here is going to make anybody wealthy given housing prices and cost of living. And that's with a modest lifestyle. I know, "bo
by shostack 11y ago
I also don't think $120k/yr out here is going to make anybody wealthy given housing prices and cost of living. And that's with a modest lifestyle.
I know, "boohoo silicon valley problems" but that is a scary thought that $120k doesn't get you much of anything out here.
- pc86 11y agoI'm sure it can get you plenty if you have realistic expectations. Based strictly on cost of living, my current salary would be just a hair under $126k/yr in SF, and I live quite comfortably. Better than most of my friends who aren't in tech. Housing, certainly the most expensive aspect of living in SF, is 233% higher than my current location. I could, if I wanted to, pay that right now on my non-SF salary, but only because I don't want to live in a giant house or a penthouse apartment. If you were to spend 30% of your $126k a year salary on housing that's nearly $3,100 a month. You can find plenty[0] at that rate. TLDR: I don't know what you're definition of "much of anything" is, but $120k is certainly enough for an upper-middle class lifestyle, even in SF.
- shostack 11y agoI guess I was more referring to wealth accumulation, driving towards retirement, starting a family, etc. At that amount, those things may not be super realistic for the standards most middle or upper-middle class people have when they envision that. But at the end of the day, everyone makes their own choices in life.