conversation: User (Left_files): "Hi, as my title alludes I’m currently working near Boston where my cost of living is very high for just shy of $90k. I love my job and co workers but there is not a huge amount of room for advancement \n\nA recruiter found a job doing something similar to what I do now but in a manager role in Tampa for what they say is between $90-$100k\n\nI don’t necessarily have a great wish to move down to Florida unless I have a substantial standard of living adjustment\n\nI get I can run calculators to determine COLA, but has anyone made a shift from high COLA to low COLA and can tell me if it really felt substantially different to give me insight if the new role is worth considering? \n\nThanks!\n\nEdit* An important factor I forgot to mention is that I was born and raised in Florida. I grew up dirt poor, but my parents are adamant that Florida is a whole different state for people who earn fair incomes\n\nSo I’m worried my decision is being manipulated by my perspective having grown up in my specific shit town \n\nAlso I am worried about lack of upward opportunity in Florida compared to Boston"
  Self: "Keep in mind: No state income tax in Florida."
  mmchugh1310 (mmchugh1310): "Tampa resident... Tampa is booming right now. There is massive investment in high rises, businesses, etc. I moved from DC and found that the Cost of Living is significantly cheaper here. I believe Boston is more expensive than DC or at least comparable. "
  eat_thecake_annamae (eat_thecake_annamae): "I live in Alexandria, still feeling like I'm paying way more than is reasonable for housing. Can you compare and contrast what it's like to live in DC vs Tampa?"
  mmchugh1310 (mmchugh1310): "Yes, while in DC I paid about $1,900/month for a 800 square foot single. This was not an extravagant single; it was pretty modest. I now pay $1,700 for a 3 bedroom and 2 bathroom  1,500 square foot house with a modest front and back yard. House was built in 2007 and is updated. \n\nMy electric reaches around 125 during the summer and averages around 60 during the winter. \n\nEdit: just adding that I am 1.5 miles from the center of the city. 3 miles from where they will likely build the new Rays Stadium. 3.5 from some of the more bougie areas like Hyde Park and Soho. "
  roadnotaken (roadnotaken): "Currently one mile from the Capitol in a 500 sq foot shoebox basement apartment with 4 year old twins running elephant races over my head. A 1,500 foot house sounds like a dream. Off to look for jobs in Tampa..."
  douchermann (douchermann): "Go Midwest. ~2000 ft2 for $1200/month. I can commute to Chicago in about 1:10 from here. For $1500/mo it's probably 50 minutes"
  inherentinsignia (inherentinsignia): "Second this. Live in Elgin, 40 miles outside Chicago with a 1hr morning commute via metra, paying $1450 for a three story house in a historic neighborhood with a driveway, garage, backyard, and hot tub. It’s crazy what you can afford if you choose a slightly longer commute. "
  