No money, mo' problems...
April 4, 2011 7:55 PM   Subscribe

How do I reconcile myself to earning less money in a more expensive location?

I have recently moved to SoCal, and though the job market is extremely tight, I've been averaging an interview a week since I got here (which I know is above average and unusual). The sticking point is my income requirements... I was underpaid in Michigan, I can't imagine making less than that here. At what point do you just suck it up and work 2 jobs? How do I not feel like that is a statement about my personal worth?
posted by blackkar to Work & Money (4 answers total) 4 users marked this as a favorite
 
Treat it like an opportunity to get skinny? Get used to living on less. It blows.
posted by thsmchnekllsfascists at 8:05 PM on April 4, 2011


How do I not feel like that is a statement about my personal worth?

Your value as a human being comes from what you do, not how much you get paid. Do what you can to make yourself proud of what you do. As long as you can afford rent and other basic necessities (and I live in New York City and work in a generally low-paying industry, so I know the feeling) and have a little fun here and there, it's not so bad.

I can't tell by your question what exactly underpaid means, whether that's still a decent amount of money or you'd actually qualify as low-income for the area. But once you do get used to it there's still plenty of good times to be had on low incomes as long as you have inexpensive hobbies.
posted by wondermouse at 8:11 PM on April 4, 2011


It's a statement on the economy, not your personal self-worth. With literally hundreds of applicants for every opening, the law of supply and demand is leaning heavily in favor of the employers right now - and probably for the next couple of years at least. I just took a 20% pay cut after 90 days of unemployment, but I still think I'm awesome ;)
posted by COD at 8:29 PM on April 4, 2011


Honestly, I think it's a tradeoff for the weather. Think of it as paying to make sure you don't have to live through cold, nasty, snowy winters. Think of the worst winter you ever spent back home. Think of power outages, being snowed in, all the horrible storm stuff. How much would you be willing to pay to never have to go through that hell again? Congratulations, that's what you're paying for good weather, not dealing with freezing issues, not being soaked 24-7, being able to go outside and enjoy the sunshine and go to the beach most of the time, and for free! And to be able to get there relatively quickly (er, compared to Michigan)!

It's a Good Weather Tax!

Okay, so I'm speaking as a spoiled born Californian (I think I'm glad I got born here, because "expensive" to everyone else is same old to me), but man, I am so glad I don't have to deal with "real" weather. Worth it to me to not move.

Also, yeah, the economy. But that's EVERYWHERE you live.
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:33 PM on April 4, 2011


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