Hey from NYC :)

[NYC+LA]

New here from New York City. :)

I'll try to make this as short as possible...

I'm considering moving to LA to join LAPD. The average starting salary is about $60,000. But there's something that is a must for me--A Suburban or a Tahoe. As a Police Officer, it's the ideal car, especially for New Yorkers.

I understand they are pretty expensive.

But here's a little about me...

-I have no kids and I'm single
-As a native New Yorker, I rarely spend any time in the house. It can be -30 degrees and I'm outside. So house bills will be low.
-The housing price range will be as high as possible as long as I can afford a Suburban or Tahoe.
-Bills such as health insurance and all that will be covered by the Police Dept.
-As for groceries, I've got the New York way of shopping. A loaf of bread, milk, cereal, and some fruit and I'm good for a week.

So, what I'm trying to ask is will I be able to afford a Suburban or Tahoe with the info. I gave you? With a Suburban or Tahoe, what housing price range will I be looking at (within city limits)?

[Snarfy]

Welcome to the site Matt, I'm not sure about the pricing rates in the LA area, I'll let someone else answer that for you. Are you also a photographer?

[NYC+LA]

Originally Posted by Snarfy

Welcome to the site Matt, I'm not sure about the pricing rates in the LA area, I'll let someone else answer that for you. Are you also a photographer?

Yup, but my camera was stolen. Haven't been taking pics for a while now. I'm looking for another one though. Hopefully I'll have one by the end of the month.

[imported_JeromeL]

well i hope you figure things out. welcome to the forum and i hope you get a camera soon!

[apple crisp]

Welcome, Matt. It seems like your post is meant for the city-data.com forums (they would be helpful for you I think)! I hope you get your camera replaced soon!

[imported_timothybui]

LA area? $60k a year for a starting salary, I think you'll be fine. If you're always out you are definitely fine. The only problem is gas. Gas prices here in SoCal/LA area is pretty high up there. I would consider moving into an apartment for about a year or two. In the suburbs though, you wanna stay away from all the traffic.

[jaojoby]

Originally Posted by NYC+LA

New here from New York City. :)

Hiya Matt!

$60k a year here in SoCal is not anywhere near enough to live on your own, have a nice apt. and own a BIG SUV while still having enough money left to play around. The only options you have are:

1. Find a lady that makes, at least, as much as you do and live together.

2. Move way out into the suburbs where the rent is cheap and the apt. is scummy... like San Bernardino or even farther. Be prepared to commute several hours a day to and from work.

I have a very nice Apt. in Rancho Cucamonga (about 45 miles east of Downtown LA) and my rent alone is $1425/mo. for a one bedroom place. Add to that your car payment, utilities, insurance, INTERNET, food, gas, clothes, an occasional night out, cell phone, and some walkin' around money...

You better be bringing home close to $100K as a bachelor.

Good Luck...

[NYC+LA]

Originally Posted by jaojoby

Hiya Matt!

$60k a year here in SoCal is not anywhere near enough to live on your own, have a nice apt. and own a BIG SUV while still having enough money left to play around. The only options you have are:

1. Find a lady that makes, at least, as much as you do and live together.

2. Move way out into the suburbs where the rent is cheap and the apt. is scummy... like San Bernardino or even farther. Be prepared to commute several hours a day to and from work.

I have a very nice Apt. in Rancho Cucamonga (about 45 miles east of Downtown LA) and my rent alone is $1425/mo. for a one bedroom place. Add to that your car payment, utilities, insurance, INTERNET, food, gas, clothes, an occasional night out, cell phone, and some walkin' around money...

You better be bringing home close to $100K as a bachelor.

Good Luck...

My apartment and location doesn't really matter. I've lived in East New York, Brooklyn before. I've seen people whose heads were completely blown off and I've seen people who were sliced up with a razor blade. I doubt it can get any worse than what I've survived and what I've seen.

Of course I'd like a safe place. I don't want to witness anything like that again. But I need a big SUV the most. My family always visits me and it's hard to have people follow me in NYC when they aren't familiar with the city and can lose me easily.

Thanks for you help. :)

[NYC+LA]

Originally Posted by timothybui

LA area? $60k a year for a starting salary, I think you'll be fine. If you're always out you are definitely fine. The only problem is gas. Gas prices here in SoCal/LA area is pretty high up there. I would consider moving into an apartment for about a year or two. In the suburbs though, you wanna stay away from all the traffic.

Yeah, I'll try the suburbs. The good thing about being a cop is they offer Police Officer housing in major Depts. or you can get a roommate easily. That's what many NYPD Officers do.

[Snarfy]

Originally Posted by NYC+LA

Yup, but my camera was stolen. Haven't been taking pics for a while now. I'm looking for another one though. Hopefully I'll have one by the end of the month.

http://www.californiaphotoforum.com/...her-stuff.html

If you are interested, my D50 is for sale.

[photoxic]

Welcome and good luck for you.

http://photoxic.blogspot.com