One of my goals is to eventually be able to purchase a house. Many of my nursing colleagues are purchasing homes that are worth $450,000, $500,000 or even more. Sadly, my budget is about half of that or even less, which means the houses I have to choose from are not appealing. Most of them are small, old, or both.
I am just curious how other nurses manage to purchase decent houses? I've been looking through my income, and I just can't find a way to make it possible to incorporate such a house into my budget. I am salary, so there are no opportunities for overtime.
What are other nurses' experience with buying houses? How did you make it work? Did it require switching jobs? Inquiring minds want to know!
A car interior and UPS “street” mailing address can be considered a good home when compared to a city sidewalk or out in the woods. Gratitude for what one has instead of fawning over what one wants, is a mature and stable way of approaching life.
Used all of that. Sometimes it is helpful to look up a house when yousee someone has something you like to see if it's in the ballpark or not
Almost every county auditors office has the ability to do a property search by address as it is a matter of public record. You can type the address in and find out how much the house sold for. You don't need to search by a person's name but we all know that wouldn't suit your purpose as evidenced by the bolded part of the quote. You need to stop this obsession now before it turns into something more and puts your license and your freedom at risk.
I live with family right now and for me, it's personally embarrassing
At least you have a roof over your head. Many don't have that luxury. When the eviction moratoriums end, I fear many more will be out on their behinds. Buy what you can afford and stop worrying what others think, they will think it whether you live in a mansion or shack, regardless
I live with family right now and for me, it's personally embarrassing
On the other hand, My mother died when I was a freshman in college and my father COULD NOT WAIT to sell the house. This was the worst time of my life. I hated coming home from college for breaks or holidays. Suddenly new rules (you can not leave shoes by the door, after a 20 year period of me tripping over his shoes by the door). I got tremendously motivated to get a good job. etc If this is your situation I feel for you.
I vowed I would never do something similar. When my daughter went to graduate school she stayed with us until her school social work job started. I enjoyed that time. We helped her buy a little 2 bedroom house that you would be ashamed to live in, she got stability in her life and eventually got married, moving to what you might consider " a new $450,000 house".
Specializes in Community Health, Med/Surg, ICU Stepdown.
I'm not embarrassed to make the choice to move in with family. It's impossible to buy a home here unless you're a tech worker, CEO, etc. I don't look down on those who live in "undesirable" areas. They don't live there because they are lazy. In fact some have to work 3 jobs to live in a dilapidated house in a dangerous area.
When I drive through East Oakland which is infamous for gang violence and shootings, I only see people of color. This is NOT because they are inherently less than, it is because of systematic destruction of black neighborhoods and racism/oppression. Never judge people for their circumstances. Many who live in poverty and homes you described as undesirable are hard working and resilient despite the challenges they face. Even though I can't currently afford the house of my dreams (or even a small ugly house with a foundation problem!) I am grateful to live in a safe neighborhood and recognize the privilege my race and socioeconomic status afford me. We need to lift each other up and encourage each other, and recognize our privilege, not pit ourselves against each other and express jealousy of those who appear more successful and disdain to those less fortunate. I can't express the importance of gratitude enough.
Many of us from overseas have not had the luxury that you have, nor the amazing pay that nurses get here.
I've lived without mains water or electric before, with only a woodstove for heating. You just get on with it, you spend your days off looking for firewood. It's called life.
Now get over your obsession with fancy houses, find a charity to donate to that helps the homeless and move on. This conversation is on the WORLDWIDE web, and people from other countries can see how ridiculous Americans are with their greed and jealousy. There will be nurses reading this who give most of their paycheck to supporting their elderly parents, and others struggling to pay their own medical bills.
Better still, sign up for a medical mission and go and help people less fortunate that you.
Both my pension and social security is taxed when I get it. My savings account, which I saved after taxes is also taxed!
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: Social Security income is taxable, though whether or not you have to pay taxes on your Social Security benefits depends on your income level. If you have other sources of retirement income, such as a 401 (k) or a part-time job, then you should expect to pay income taxes on your Social Security benefit
Not all Americans are greedy and jealous. I don't see anything wrong with wanting to own a place to live, but looking down on the idea of a condo is sad. I agree that is is good to work in missions and definitely give to people in need. Ir's so easy to judge, not good!
Specializes in Community Health, Med/Surg, ICU Stepdown.
24 minutes ago, C.Love said:
Not all Americans are greedy and jealous. I don't see anything wrong with wanting to own a place to live, but looking down on the idea of a condo is sad. I agree that is is good to work in missions and definitely give to people in need. Ir's so easy to judge, not good!
I agree, not all Americans are greedy and jealous. I just think we tend to forget how privileged many of us are in the grand scheme of things, both in our country and in the world. There are countries where a large percentage of citizens lack basics such as clean water and protection from extreme weather. I wash the socks pts wear at my surgery center so they don't get thrown out after just a few hrs of wear. When we deliver them to homeless people they are SO happy. Just about socks. Many lack footwear and develop frostbite, foot wounds, and infections.
I am not saying I'm a great selfless person, and I try not to criticize people for their material desires. If I were more selfless I wouldn't be saving for my own house, would donate more and go on medical missions, but I guess I'm not Mother Theresa! I'm focused on is changing the life of one child through adoption. But thanks for the reminders from others to try to contribute more to society at large. = )
I have gotten into this thread! Spending more time on all nurses than usual, when I should be doing chores! I like learning about housing situations all over the country and world, and people's specific situations, as well as alternative housing methods I never heard of. @SilverBells you are good at creating interesting topics that spark large discussions!
caliotter3
38,333 Posts
A car interior and UPS “street” mailing address can be considered a good home when compared to a city sidewalk or out in the woods. Gratitude for what one has instead of fawning over what one wants, is a mature and stable way of approaching life.