Is 90k is a good salary for family of four? (San Francisco: rent, to buy)

[thechoson]

Originally Posted by Podo944

We live in Orange County and that's no picnic financially, and I know the Bay Area is expensive... but it's so weird to hear "90K" and "qualify for any sort of assistance" anywhere near each other in the same sentence! What is this world coming to???

Yea, I agree. But check this out for Palo Alto:

PAHC - Below Market Rate - Rental Program

These rules are confusing to me. Income limits vary by apartment COMPLEX (seems stupid but whatever), and don't know if it's just gross income, AGI, MAGI, what.

But you can see that OP may actually qualify or comes very close to doing so for a family of 4. Of course these things have long wait lists and actually getting a BMR unit may be a challenge. But if you do, I believe it's a huge benefit. I know someone that has a BMR unit that claims to pay about 33% of what the "market rent" for that complex is.

[Ruth4Truth]

There's no need for housing assistance. The OP will be working in Livermore. He'll have no trouble finding affordable housing in the area. Heck, even on the Bay there's housing he could afford. Fremont is full of apartments within the OP's range.

The question at this point is: what parts of Livermore are the best for good schools?

[MaryMary2012]

Originally Posted by MASINUS

Hi,

I am a software engineer from Pakistan. I am married and have two kids, one is school going. I have a job offer of 90k in San Francisco Bay Area in California (L1B visa). I am wondering is it a good salary for family of four persons? and how much I can possibly save after taxes and the routine expenses?

Thanks in advance for your help

Honestly, 90K is a good salary for a family if you reside in the South, but not really on the East Coast or West Cost (especially not in San Francisco). I make a little more than you, however, I don't have any children or a husband, and it's still a struggle at times...

[Ruth4Truth]

Let's bear in mind that 90K is just the starting salary. He'll be making over 100K in no time, assuming he knows his stuff, and they like him at his new job. All he has to do is get a toehold in his new home country and get through the first year on that 90K. My guess is that he'll be working at the Lawrence Livermore Lab? Great job, OP--congratulations!

[AngusHsu]

Originally Posted by MaryMary2012

Honestly, 90K is a good salary for a family if you reside in the South, but not really on the East Coast or West Cost (especially not in San Francisco). I make a little more than you, however, I don't have any children or a husband, and it's still a struggle at times...

You cannot live comfortably on 90K without kids?!

Budget, budget, budget. I save four digits each month and don't make a lot.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by AngusHsu

You cannot live comfortably on 90K without kids?!

Budget, budget, budget. I save four digits each month and don't make a lot.

I don't think anyone will believe this.

[OrangeSunset]

You will be fine with a family living in Livermore with 90k salary. Check out the area near downtown for an older home or townhouse. The schools are also quite good in Livermore so no worries about public schools either.

You will be fine! Congrats and welcome to Livermore. It is a great place for families!!

[Larry Siegel]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

I don't think anyone will believe this.

I think it's possible for a young single person with roommates to net $3000 a month and save $1000 of it. When I was in my early twenties and the dollar was worth a lot more, I made $1100 a month in my first job, paid $200 for rent (one room in a very luxurious house in Orinda) and saved $600 in a good month when my car didn't break down and I didn't buy any weed ;-)

This doesn't apply to a family of 4!

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Larry Siegel

I think it's possible for a young single person with roommates to net $3000 a month and save $1000 of it. When I was in my early twenties and the dollar was worth a lot more, I made $1100 a month in my first job, paid $200 for rent (one room in a very luxurious house in Orinda) and saved $600 in a good month when my car didn't break down and I didn't buy any weed ;-)

This doesn't apply to a family of 4!

OK, I guess it's do-able. Pretty impressive.

[MASINUS]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

Let's bear in mind that 90K is just the starting salary. He'll be making over 100K in no time, assuming he knows his stuff, and they like him at his new job. All he has to do is get a toehold in his new home country and get through the first year on that 90K. My guess is that he'll be working at the Lawrence Livermore Lab? Great job, OP--congratulations!

Thank You Ruth4Truth & Everyone. You guys are AWESOME!!!

No, its not the Lab, its a private software company and I hope I will get good raise and it will not be 90k for always . Me and my family is really excited to move to USA, everything will be new for us and I hope it will be a good experience

I have one more question about rent. I have tried craiglist.com to find out rent for 2 bed apartment in livermore and it seems it would be minimum $1500. Is it correct? Can I get a reasonable 2 bed apartment in $1000 somewhere near Livermore?

Thanks.