$50k income in OC? (Orange: home, neighborhood, tax)

[Podo944]

Originally Posted by kasuga888

Please share how one would live a 50k a year life in the OC?

In many cases with public assistance.
If you have kids you could probably get food stamps, and MediCal for them too.
Many of my restaurant co workers have 2 or 3 children and some live with other families.
My manager has 6 (now mostly grown) kids, and he wouldn't have been able to feed them all on his salary alone. California is very generous, and that's a fact. Some don't like this fact, but here in So Cal there are plenty of people who like to eat in restaurants, have other people mow their lawns, clean their houses and wash their cars... well, those folks in those service sectors don't commute from other cheaper parts of the country do they?

BTW, for the record, I only know a little bit of "restaurant" Spanish and I also used to clean houses. Being from south of the border isn't a requirement.

Also BTW, I work part time, and my hubby is in IT. He makes a respectable living, but OC is tough regardless even without kids! It's easy to get into debt if there's been a lay off, (been there) an elderly parent to take care of, (done that) or make a few financial boo boos. (guilty!)
Hubby and I are now out of debt and truth be told, I've taken a few tips from my coworkers who are "poor" but relatively happy.
There are plenty of things to do for free like bike riding, going to the beach, hiking etc. since the weather is pretty good year round. Oh and picnics are a good thing. Get a Frisbee.

[Tigerlily64]

Originally Posted by Podo944

In many cases with public assistance.
If you have kids you could probably get food stamps, and MediCal for them too......

My manager has 6 (now mostly grown) kids, and he wouldn't have been able to feed them all on his salary alone. California is very generous, and that's a fact......

I don't wish to sound disrespectful to your manager, or anyone else who is getting by with public assistance, I realize that sometimes things happen that mean people who didn't used to need help, now do until they get on their feet again. However 6 kids is a huge commitment and not a fleeting one either, at least 18 years and usually longer ..... if your manager would not have been able to feed so many on his salary alone, why ever did he think it was a good idea to have so many?!

[Podo944]

Originally Posted by Tigerlily64

I don't wish to sound disrespectful to your manager, or anyone else who is getting by with public assistance, I realize that sometimes things happen that mean people who didn't used to need help, now do until they get on their feet again. However 6 kids is a huge commitment and not a fleeting one either, at least 18 years and usually longer ..... if your manager would not have been able to feed so many on his salary alone, why ever did he think it was a good idea to have so many?!

Well I suppose there might be a few answers as to why... religion for one and the tradition of having big families, maybe he knew benefits would be available to him... If he didn't know then when be had all those kids, folks sure do know now. WIC (women infants and children) is a subsidy program for instance that is promoted on Spanish television. I've seen it with my own eyes while doing my laundry at the local laundromat.
Without going down the whole debate road, I've resigned to acknowledge that it's a way of life for many in oc and ca. People who are at a certain level of income especially in relation to how many children they have get public assistance in this very expensive area.

[johnmanners]

also realize there is a lot of inflation despite what many claim...rents are going up anywhere from 5-10% a year, health insurance is also skyrocketing...but your $50k income will go up perhaps 1 or 2%, IF that, so it will become more and more difficult for you to make it as the years go by.

[Marv101]

Utility, grocery & gasoline prices are also very high here; $3.90 or higher a gallon right now is the prevailing price right now.

I wouldn't think about buying a house in OC right now; government policies are pushing housing prices steadily upward, and saving for a down payment given the very high cost of living throughout all of OC or the entire state would be an exercise in futility.

[kasuga888]

Originally Posted by Charles

One [person] could easily do it, that would be $1400 or a month for rent.

Here:

$1300 - $1400 in OC

However for a family, there was only one three bedroom:

https://www.padmapper.com/show.php?t...24208&src=main

That is pay check to pay check living with NO life. Live , not to survive

[taraox]

I have a very nice life on less than that (savings) while I go to school, but I'm a single person and rent/groceries/gas are still fairly pricy. Throw in utilities, internet, phone etc.. (Cheapest internet through Cox was still like $50+/month). I would never attempt living in OC on that income with 3 kids or even 1 to be honest. I lived in RSM and got by nicely but that's because I only have myself to worry about. I also don't think it would be fair to purposely move to an expensive area and go onto public assistance if you didn't otherwise have to, but that's a personal opinion. I think kids generally have a better quality life in a place you can afford more "wants" for them and not have to live paycheck to paycheck. It might also be difficult for them in school when other kids have more expensive stuff, clothes, electronics etc. It's an unfortunate reality of OC life especially since you mentioned RSM (lots of spoiled suburban kids). Not sure about Tustin cause I've never been there. I think there's some pretty decent areas inland that are more affordable than OC itself, like someone said they would be fairly close to Tustin if that's where you have friends or family. You might be able to get by a little better out there, but make sure you consider the fact that California has a very high income tax as well..

[LordOfTheCars]

I wouldn't move back to California.

I have a 3 bedroom, central a/c and heat, natural gas attached garage and a yard that I built a sop in the back yard with $350 a year property tax.

I won't trade that for what Ca. has to offer.

[certsevtxert]

Originally Posted by LordOfTheCars

I wouldn't move back to California.

I have a 3 bedroom, central a/c and heat, natural gas attached garage and a yard that I built a sop in the back yard with $350 a year property tax.

I won't trade that for what Ca. has to offer.

What city are you in now? Some obscure remote location? I'm not being sarcastic -- I'd really like to know.

[certsevtxert]

Originally Posted by kasuga888

That is pay check to pay check living with NO life. Live , not to survive

Hmm, again, it depends on your definition of "live" and "survive".