Posted: 4/5/2008 2:46:15 PM EDT
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So my cousin just got a job offer in Albany. (may actually be a transfer) I've run the numbers against a couple cost-of-living indicators, and his buying power is probably going to be taking a hit. The average that I saw was that there is a $30k cost-of-living difference between Austin, TX and Albany, NY. So it seems like the $25k "raise" they were offering him is actually a -$5k COLA. Does that sound about right? Also, my uncle has medical issues. At least there's a VA Med Center in town. link Anyone here have any experience with that one? Thanks in advance. |
| i only make about 25-30k a year and i live 5 minutes south of albany, im paying a mortgage on a 130k fixer upper house that i rebuilt and a 30k truck, i dont make alot but i survive here around albany. i wish i lived in texas though, the same job i have up here would probably make more down there (oil refinery and oil terminal work) |
| I work in downtown Albany myself and live in a nice suburb about 15 miles north. I've been to Texas (loved it by the way) and I don't remember thinking things were that much cheaper there, to make a $30K per year difference. I remember housing being somewhat less expensive, but again, $30K per year? I doubt that. |
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Keep in mind Albany has a pretty big swing in incomes. Loudonville (a VERY affluent area) butts right up against the city limits. Some areas within the city are VERY expensive. There are plenty of less expensive areas in the Albany area to live in. East and North Greenbush, parts of Menands, parts of Colonie, Delmar, Guilderland. If he is willing to drive 15-20 miles then a lot opens up. Albany's cost of living is actually pretty decent in my opinion. |
I have been there a few times the staff I dealt with was not the greatest but I have heard from other folks that their experience was great, same as most VA hospitals |
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Sounds like a good deal for your uncle. According to this site, there is a 18.7% increase in COL moving to Albany. Keep in mind the city of Albany has its own assault weapons ban on top of the state ban so settle in a surrounding area. Leave the pistols at home too until he can transfer them in on a NY permit. |
I had to re-read this a few times. South of? South of and "including" Westchester! Rockland has gotten pretty steep since I left in 1998, Putnam has climbed and southern Orange is getting bad too. I myself would probably say south of Sullivan and Dutchess. |
Albany County does not, the City of Albany has some sort of assault weapon ordinance in effect. I don't know what those restrictions are as I've never seen or heard anything first hand about them. I've just always heard they're there. |