Middle Class

[Pin Wizard]

It really depends on what you are doing. For instance, I have been in my field for over 20 years. As I stated earlier, I live 30 miles south of DC. I could go to work in DC and make just over $100,000 a year working in my field. Or, I could slash my commute by 20 miles and make....drumroll....$50,000 per year doing the same exact job at Quantico (which is about 10 miles south of me). So, even between the Quantico area and DC, in my field there is just a huge pay difference. I can't quite justify giving up the $50,000 (and then never really getting a raise) to work closer to home.

I guess my point with that was that in any number of fields, if you actually come into the DC area you can get WAY more than an $18,000 raise. You would need every penny of it of course and then, on top of that, you'd be thrown into a much higher taxing bracket. I always pout that "it's just not fair." But that's life, it's the field I ended up in and, unfortunately, it doesn't transfer to many other places in the U.S.

That answers it for sure. Some of the jobs I've looked at are government jobs. Now, if they would pay that in my area, it would sure help.

 

[Christine]

That answers it for sure. Some of the jobs I've looked at are government jobs. Now, if they would pay that in my area, it would sure help.

You don't say what field you're in but some of the government jobs pay horribly low, while others pay really well. I was a defense contractor until this past March. Decided to go work for the federal government. I was making very good money as a contractor. With most of the DoD now in a "pay for performance" pay plan and no longer on the old GS scale, I was able to walk in and keep my pay. I ended up at the top of my payband but it worked out well for me. Other government positions are still under the old scale and sometimes that doesn't work out well for those coming in from the outside.

 

[Pin Wizard]

The trick is getting in the door. I had a reference from a Colonel. Hmmmmmmmmm...I'm still in the private sector. What the heck does it take?????????????????????

 

[MALE*RN*777]

$53K yearly before taxes and soon to be before the redistrubution. My wife is the mommy and the boy is in private school. 2 little girls are at home. We take about 4-5 camping trips a year to the beach or campground resorts. I work hard for my money and I'm happy to have what I have. 1 house morgage, 2 vehiles paid for and one credit card which is paid off about every 2 months. I don't expect anything from anyone who works harder or has taken more risks than I.

 

[DznyLvr2005]

I really feel for those of you in such expensive places. It must be very, very stressful at times. We're looking at fixer-uppers in our area with a target budget of 50-60K; the houses we're looking at do need work, but most are livable (though ugly) as is. I found one that I think we'll be making an offer on - an 1800 sq ft 1904 Victorian on a half acre for 59K. I can't even imagine trying to scrape together 350K for a duplex!

WOW!!! 59K for a house!!!!! That's awesome!
Well that is why we live in an apartment! lol
Our apt is brand new and it's a 2 family that we rent, so it's not that bad, it feels like we're in a house, we just don't own it.
Good luck on the house hunting

 

[Christine]

The trick is getting in the door. I had a reference from a Colonel. Hmmmmmmmmm...I'm still in the private sector. What the heck does it take?????????????????????

It is very hard. It actually takes someone on the inside (of the job that is doing the hiring) to pull for you.

I finally managed to get in the government myself because someone that I have worked with for over 20 years (and we have become friends) got me in. We have worked together since the 80s and we work together well. About 7 years ago, she left the private sector to go government. She has done very well for herself. She had several vacancies in her office and filled one of them with me. Quite honestly, I don't think I could have gotten in without someone looking out for me.--even though I was supremely qualified for the job. People have a tendency to really want to hire a "known". I had all recommendations in the world and was passed over for two previous government jobs. It is very hard.

 

[LaraK]

Well, add me to the people in the greater DC area. Where I live (Annapolis) we have a fairly high cost of living and a LONG commute. I used to work up in Baltimore (an hour and a half each way) but now I work closer to home and only have a fourty-five minute commute. Because I'm willing to drive so far, my cost of living is a little lower.

It is totally normal around here for a family to be truly "middle class" making between $100,000 and $250,000 a year. Six figure salaries are not the same as they are in other parts of the country, it certainly does not make you rich.

A single family home 3 bedroom that's about 30 years old on a quarter acre...the standard for my area...costs between $400,000 and $500,000. If you're on the water, you start at about a million.

 

[disney1990]

My understanding of the current rules for financial aid "independence" is that a student can only be considered "independent" as follows: (from the fafsa website):

"You are automatically classified as independent if you: Will be 24 by Dec. 31 of the award year; Are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces; Are on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces; Are an orphan or ward of the court; Have legal dependents other than a spouse; Are married; Or are a graduate or professional student."

Was that the case with your daughter? Did she have to wait till she was 24?
Anyway, I'm glad it worked out for your dd!

I'm pretty sure that with the income that Christine posted, her dd will not be receiving any need-based financial aid for college. So even though her income is higher, she needs to save for her dd's college.

My daughter moved out of our house when she was 18. She had her own apartment, worked full time and paid her own taxes (totally independent of us). She went to school part time from 18-22 and earned her AA. At 23 she decided to quit her job and go to school full-time to finish her degree.

 

[Christine]

A single family home 3 bedroom that's about 30 years old on a quarter acre...the standard for my area...costs between $400,000 and $500,000. If you're on the water, you start at about a million.

We are much cheaper here in Woodbridge with the foreclosures now. I paid $220,000 for my home back in 1994. It's highest selling price was $525,000 a few years ago. Several are now foreclosed on, not moving, and I'm thinking that the last one sold for about $325,000! This is 2,500 square feet (not including the basement) on a half acre.

 

[LaraK]

We are much cheaper here in Woodbridge with the foreclosures now. I paid $220,000 for my home back in 1994. It's highest selling price was $525,000 a few years ago. Several are now foreclosed on, not moving, and I'm thinking that the last one sold for about $325,000! This is 2,500 square feet (not including the basement) on a half acre.

We have more houses on the market and they're staying there longer (they used to sell in a day or two)...but the values haven't fallen off that much yet. We have fantastic schools, private beaches and a "wholesome" community. You don't get that very often in these parts. That combined with our proximity to Fort Meade (a winner in the BRAC lottery) have kept our values up.

 

[Pin Wizard]

It is very hard. It actually takes someone on the inside (of the job that is doing the hiring) to pull for you.

I finally managed to get in the government myself because someone that I have worked with for over 20 years (and we have become friends) got me in. We have worked together since the 80s and we work together well. About 7 years ago, she left the private sector to go government. She has done very well for herself. She had several vacancies in her office and filled one of them with me. Quite honestly, I don't think I could have gotten in without someone looking out for me.--even though I was supremely qualified for the job. People have a tendency to really want to hire a "known". I had all recommendations in the world and was passed over for two previous government jobs. It is very hard.

Well, thanks for the tip! Maybe I need to look for other jobs where I know people are on the inside. Dept. of Justice is at the top of my list now.

 

[Pin Wizard]

We are much cheaper here in Woodbridge with the foreclosures now. I paid $220,000 for my home back in 1994. It's highest selling price was $525,000 a few years ago. Several are now foreclosed on, not moving, and I'm thinking that the last one sold for about $325,000! This is 2,500 square feet (not including the basement) on a half acre.

Formerly lived in Lakeridge...for a very brief time. Nice area!

 

[punkin]

We are much cheaper here in Woodbridge with the foreclosures now. I paid $220,000 for my home back in 1994. It's highest selling price was $525,000 a few years ago. Several are now foreclosed on, not moving, and I'm thinking that the last one sold for about $325,000! This is 2,500 square feet (not including the basement) on a half acre.

Prices are falling near me too, but not that much. We don't have a lot of foreclosures yet and we are just outside the beltway so it is a nice commute into the district. Having one of the most sought after school districts in the state doesn't hurt either.

 

[gate_pourri]

I would consider myself middle class. I own a nice condo in downtown Chicago and make a decent living for my age (mid 20's)... Although, on Friday I sent 6% of my yearly pay (net, not gain) to the Cook County Treasurer's office for the 2nd payment of my property taxes. Yes, you read that right... I pay 13% of my yearly pay (again, net pay, not gain!) to property taxes... So, as I sit here with a bottle of two buck chuck and Instant Lunch... Maybe I am lower class.

 

[SplashMtnCrew]

Well, according to research we are considered upper middle class. That is based totally on income of course, and I don't know if I agree with that. We have a 4 bedroom/2bath home with a FROG (Front Room Over Garage) it's basically a 5th bedroom, 1/3 of an acre. We have only 1 car (year old), no credit card debt of any kind. No dept stores.We have one credit card that we pay off each month, if we use it that is. We have savings, 401k's, savings for our DS and of course let's not forget college funds. We vacation to WDW at least once a year for 7-10 days and go other places for long weekends. We are single income family.

 

[Colleen27]

WOW!!! 59K for a house!!!!! That's awesome!
Well that is why we live in an apartment! lol
Our apt is brand new and it's a 2 family that we rent, so it's not that bad, it feels like we're in a house, we just don't own it.
Good luck on the house hunting

We're really seeing our local RE market fall apart right now, and DH & I are very fortunate to be in a position to take advantage. Housing values never really spiked here the way they have elsewhere; we bought our 3bd, 2bath for 99K in 2003 and the value peaked at about 125K in 2006. Now? We looked at an identical house (same builder, same floorplan) on a larger lot for $35K; our 50-60K budget is for either a 4 bedroom or a 3 bedroom + den/playroom. It would be scary if we thought we'd have to sell soon, but the rental market is going strong and we have two families interested in renting our house when we move.

 

[TnTsParty]

I haven't read the whole thread but I just have to comment and let my opinion be known. Why do we have to even have classes??? Am I less of a person because I am in the lower class income wise then say my father who income wise might be considered in the upper middle class. Its awful what this country is becoming - everyone arguing about this class and that class its rediculous.

 

[trip]

We are much cheaper here in Woodbridge with the foreclosures now. I paid $220,000 for my home back in 1994. It's highest selling price was $525,000 a few years ago. Several are now foreclosed on, not moving, and I'm thinking that the last one sold for about $325,000! This is 2,500 square feet (not including the basement) on a half acre.

Formerly lived in Lakeridge...for a very brief time. Nice area!

We lived in Lakeridge also for 5 years in the early 80's. The interest rates were horrible at that time!! Does Shirley Highway still become a "parking lot" when there is any rain or show?

 

[Christine]

We lived in Lakeridge also for 5 years in the early 80's. The interest rates were horrible at that time!! Does Shirley Highway still become a "parking lot" when there is any rain or show?

Unfortunately yes. A few years ago, it took me 6 hours to get home from DC because we got a "clipper" that put about 3 inches of snow on the road (which turned to ice). I couldn't even get out of DC.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I haven't read the whole thread but I just have to comment and let my opinion be known. Why do we have to even have classes??? Am I less of a person because I am in the lower class income wise then say my father who income wise might be considered in the upper middle class. Its awful what this country is becoming - everyone arguing about this class and that class its rediculous.

I have to agree with you on that. I always was taught that we are all created equally, but we sure don't act like it, but it is all just a part of life. It really is bad that we have to be classified by "class", but I guess that is just a govenmental way of describing us for tax purposes.

I am going out on a limb here and someone will probably come along a flame the mess out of me, but this is just an observation from my job standpoint. Most people that I work with have nothing and most of the time it is their fault, because they are too lazy to work and they have learned it from a previous generation. I have no sympathy for those that won't get off their butts and work to better themselves, if they are able to, they should. I went to school for 13 years plus got a post-secondary education for a reason, to be able to go into the world and take care of myself and my family. Most of these people are dressed better than I am and have Coach purses and manicures, what for, to sit at home and do nothing but make babies that my tax dollars have to take care of. Rant over and I have gone off topic of my own thread.

Suzanne