How are any of you affording this place?

I make almost 200k a year and live in a very humble 1.5 bedroom apartment outside the main city. I can afford my lifestyle for the most part, but I truly live modestly, I don’t eat out a lot or drive a fancy car, I own a used 2006 suv, I buy most of my things at thrift shops. I don’t go to sporting events or wear arcteryx. I see so many people here wearing all the flashy gear, driving nice fancy cars, eating out all the time and taking their selfies with new iPhones . So what gives!?!? How the heck are you all making ends meet? Is this place pretending to be prosperous and most live on credit or are you all cooking meth?

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Mitch

Nov 5, 2017 at 9:41am

lol...You claim to make $200,000 a year and are complaining you can't make ends meet?!

Bobo

Nov 5, 2017 at 10:33am

Because we have become, instead of city of pink hued trade unionists and leafy green hippies ..
A city of international rentiers and bobos spending inherited wealth and a gaggle of overpaid techies to compete with.

Anonymous

Nov 5, 2017 at 11:36am

I don't get it. I was doing okay on under 40k a couple years ago. I live right in the city, a few blocks from Commercial-Broadway. My rent was 900/month when I moved in. I take transit. I used to eat out more, but I'll admit my taste is more for sushi than fine dining. Where is your money going??

You are correct...

Nov 5, 2017 at 11:45am

...about everyone living on credit. I am paid a fifth of what you are, and can still get by. How? I have no credit. Everything is paid for up-front and with cash. This means I also shop at second-hand stores, never eat out (if I do, it's at the $4.95-per-plate places downtown), take transit, and live frugally. It's quite easy when you live in a city where there is virtually no culture and doing outdoorsy stuff is free. Everyone is posing and posturing and I am just as mystified as you are. Especially the young, young couples in the west side who have multiple vehicles, live in heritage homes, are raising families, and go on vacation every year. I have no fucking idea what is happening there.

@ 200k a year

Nov 5, 2017 at 1:49pm

You can afford such things, and more, even if you were making much less you could. But you pretend like you can't, and freakout that others do?

RE

Nov 5, 2017 at 1:56pm

You mentioned you make a lot of money, but mentioned nothing about investing.

Maybe those that have invested throughout their lives are busy living it up? Housing prices and and stock market indexes are at all times.

WTH are you smoking?

Nov 5, 2017 at 5:22pm

I make less that 35k a year, I work PT, I live in the west end and rent. I eat out a couple times a week go one two month holiday a year. I spend too much on on eating out and booze but really I have everything I need. I don't drive and have no debt. If you make 200K a year and have no money and can't afford to do anything. Give me 100K of that and I'll show you how to live the awesomest lifestyle ever!

My situation

Nov 5, 2017 at 8:29pm

My husband and I have a combined income of $185k annually. We live modestly because we're paying off student loans and a mortgage. I buy my kid's clothes at thrift stores. I get a take out coffee maybe once a month. We eat out once every three weeks. I save 8% of my income for retirement because I don't want to blow that money on useless consumer items for today's pleasure. Basically we don't live very large because we have debts. I too wonder how people make ends meet in this city.

I doubt you live modestly!

Nov 5, 2017 at 8:55pm

That's a ton of money. Lots of people rough it off of 30,000 a year. :(

23 9Rating: +14

@ op

Nov 6, 2017 at 7:56am

if you're making 200k, you should be doing better. maybe you're terrible at spending money you don't realize.
Also, most peoples cars are leased, most people don't pay upfront for their phone, most people are in considerable debt.

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