How come you're considering Baltimore and not the DC suburbs off the metro trains? The area between North Bethesda and Shady Grove on the red line has high rises at slightly lower prices than DC while still being accessible to downtown by train. Montgomery County in MD also has a program for moderately priced apartments if your income qualifies (yours should). The link to that info is below. I'm not sure if you would have to live in the area for a minimum of a year before you qualify but either way, it's an easy way to knock off a few hundred dollars every month in rent:

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DHCA/MPDU/mpdu-rentals.html

This area also has a lot of private landlords who rent out their condos at slightly lower prices than the corporate owned high rises. You could make a post asking for advice on the suburbs off the other lines. I've never lived in those neighborhoods so I can't vouch for walkability but it's one way to save money by still living near the train.

The role is in 0300 and is 5-7. The goal would be to put in a few years and jump to another ladder by the time I'm 30, or an entirely different series (if that's possible).. I'm aware I don't have nearly as much later movement with a 1302 but the ironic thing is despite 3 years in purchasing I've been denied at GS7 for every 1302 I've applied for.

If you’re young, are willing to tolerate roommates and some of the other aspects of bohemian poverty, then I can see this being a good option for you. Living in a navigable city may drastically improve your quality of life—I know something of what it’s like to feel trapped in a suburban area due to disability. The freedom of movement could open a lot of opportunity for you, especially socially.

There may also be a lot more opportunity for advancement in this area relative to a college town. But, to everyone else’s point, a GS5 position is going to put you in a tight spot financially. You’ll want to balance modest expectations on living situation and disposable income, and how you spend your free time. If you have an interest, hobby, special skill, or anything that could let you use some of your free time toward a second income, then I think this becomes a much better proposition for you. Lots of folks work in hospitality (bars, food service, etc) or in special interests (bike shops, speciality retail, teaching something) in order to give their budgets a bit of breathing room. As a young man in the late 90’s I kept a second job at a store that catered to my hobby and it subsidized the hobby, gave me some budget padding as I moved up the ladder, and filled my free time in a way that earned rather than spent.

if you’re within 10 minute walk of Union Station or your work is right off the red line, Baltimore is absolutely possible if you live in Midtown, Bolton Hill, or Mount Vernon. Those parts of Baltimore have reasonably good public transit. I’m a GS-7 and that’s exactly what I do. It’s provided me a lot of breathing room and I’m able to save money. Otherwise, a group home in DC is going to be your best option.

I'm totally fine living with roommates, yeah. Since it's supposedly low-risk I could potentially continue with side businesses like my writing and music production?

You’re not going to be able to do this easily in DC. You’re going to have to have roommates. And probably in the burbs. Though there are some more or less than legal basement apartments that might be $1000 a month.

As an aside, I lived in an English basement in the District making about $30K from 2011 to 2017. So, it’s possible. But it’s a miserable existence. I had to pinch each and every penny.

Living with roommates would be essential, and group house here can be very competitive. It's like whole other job interview. If you are very determined, have no debt, and work hard, you could hopefully make it. But do not underestimate the difficulty. There are also a lot of up front costs with moving, so be prepared to have thousands on hand for first month/last month and security deposit, plus all of your moving expenses.

Thanks. Yeah, I'd be fine living in a group house if I had decent access to a Metro.. not sure if those two go hand-in-hand, but still. I'm unable to drive, is the kicker.

You need at least 2 roommates. Some neighborhoods are more affordable than others. For example, a group home in Petworth would probably work for you.

Look around for group houses, it won’t be easy, but lots of people do it. I made 40k when I first moved to DC and usually made another 2-3k a year dogsitting. Good luck!!

> GS5 ladder position

What’s the top of your ladder and what is your job series? (eg 1102 contract specialist (I have no idea if this series exists at this level)) if you can grin and bear it with roommates, cooking every meal at home, and doing a lot of free things then it might be worth it. If you can get up to a 7 or 9, you won’t be living like a king, but your breathing room will definitely go up. If you can get to those grades then transition to another ladder or series, it’ll take some years, but you can go up.

Lots of people live here for 42,000 or less. You'll need a roommate for sure, but it's possible.

I’m not sure where you live in the South now, but there are a number of places there I’d suggest that have lots of opportunity but aren’t as expensive as DC (Raleigh or Charlotte, for example).

And then what is the job and field (and promotion potential)? Just because it’s a job in DC doesn’t mean it has lots of upward mobility.

Lots to consider. But to answer the question you started with: no, that’s not enough money in my opinion.

You said it's a ladder position - does that mean you'll be eligible to be promoted to GS-7 in a year and maybe promoted again a year after that? That might make it worthwhile to suffer financially for a year.

You'll need a few roommates, but as long as you accept your situation and everything that'll be coming with it I say go for it.

I know its expensive, but you know what that says to me? There's some actual opportunity. Where I'm living I am housebound, and most people are lucky to earn 14/hr. If it's less than what I made, I'll just grit my teeth and work my way up. I just can't see another way out after barely clearing $300/week the last 3 yaers.

Thank you!

If you take into account the higher cost of living here, $42k may effectively be less than you’re making now. This is one of the most expensive places to live in the country. Is it possible on $50k? Sure, it’s possible, but you will not have much left over after basic expenses (and yes, you will need many roommates).

I would be open to living with roommates, if that's what it takes. I would be working in Northwest DC. I have been making a horrible salary here, and basically see this as my chance out, even if it is super low pay for a 25 year old, it's double what I made last year.

I have been making next to nothing here for the last three years. After 120 applications this is the first one to give me an interview. Is it possible to live even with roommates at this point in the area, or is 50k the bare minimum now?

Baltimore is very far if you work in DC. We can’t recommend anywhere without knowing the approximate area in which you’ll be working, but regardless, that is not enough money to live alone. You’d need multiple roommates, in a group house. Also be aware that you’d be eligible for low income housing at that salary. But even at a discounted rate, I think you couldn’t live alone. It’s just not enough money.

Don’t do this to yourself … it will definitely be a struggle

Lil Wayne is too big of an artist to be at the Fillmore

I don’t know if these prices are competitive or not, but here you go

I remember seeing him at the Verizon Center on the co-headlining tour with T-Pain. The fall off is real!