Originally Posted by
RJSAviator76
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for high(er) pay. You and I agree on many things, but I gotta disagree with you when you say you live like sh*t in CA if you make less than 150k.
I lived in O.C. in a nice beach neighborhood on less than 150k and lived like a king. I rented by choice (real estate prices made absolutely no sense and saw the bust coming), the house I own (out of CA) I had rented out, I drove 2 cars, and enjoyed a nice, active middle-class lifestyle with my family.
It really is a matter of perspective and how smart one is with their money.
Ya lost me when it came to the renting thing...I have a family and like to be settled into a nice home....thats a substantial part of the equation. You basically confirmed that you cant live very well in SoCal with a family on 150K, as you cant buy something in a nice area. Ditto that in many large suburban areas, even with the housing correction in effect.
Without a family (or kids out of the nest?) I would care far less about owning, until then I'm just not into being a transient pilot type. I decided long ago I will quit aviation before doing that to my kids. Others adapt well to it, it's just not me. While I'm somewhat interested in moving, I'm not changing my QOL/Lifestyle to do it. It will need to be a calculated move and a move UP (salary, package etc)....as all career moves should be (IMO)
ANYHOW, this is, of course, a never-ending chat as its simply personal...and we all seem happy here with our salaries and money management good little frugal pilot lifestyles, so that's all that really matters I suppose?
