Yep, I remember my first job here when my boss said $500k/year was a middle class life in CA and I balked. It's probably not that high, but you need to make well above $100k to have a normal life int he city.
Oh more than that in the bay area. If you're anywhere near the big tech shithole, get ready to pay millions for an average home without any property.
Luckily, for me, California is HUGE. So the central and northern parts of the state are still semi reasonable (I mean my 2000 sqft house is still over $320k, but I've got a little property and my neighbors aren't stacked on me). The problem is we live like we're in Texas, but have to be represented by people who have no idea what country life is about.
There are certainly very small specific areas where $500k isn't middle class, but even in the bay area that will get you a house, a (small) yard, and all the trappings of a middle class life.
Yep, I remember my first job here when my boss said $500k/year was a middle class life in CA and I balked. It's probably not that high, but you need to make well above $100k to have a normal life int he city.
Oh more than that in the bay area. If you're anywhere near the big tech shithole, get ready to pay millions for an average home without any property.
Luckily, for me, California is HUGE. So the central and northern parts of the state are still semi reasonable (I mean my 2000 sqft house is still over $320k, but I've got a little property and my neighbors aren't stacked on me). The problem is we live like we're in Texas, but have to be represented by people who have no idea what country life is about.
There are certainly very small specific areas where $500k isn't middle class, but even in the bay area that will get you a house, a (small) yard, and all the trappings of a middle class life.