Biglaw associates: What class year were you when you bought a house? How expensive of a house did you get? Forum

[Anonymous User]

The problem is that a lot of juniors seem to want to live in certain expensive neighborhoods (mostly Chelsea/West Village/Upper West Side/Williamsburg/Fort Greene/Long Island City) and they end up paying what to me is an exorbitant amount for apartments that aren't that nice. I attribute that to a lot of juniors being new to the city though and not knowing the other neighborhoods/not being willing to travel to them/feeling like they have to live where all their perceived peers are living. I have lived in every borough other than Staten Island and there are nice places that are not bad commutes all over, but they fly (comparatively) under the radar. Although the rental market now is a total shit show so maybe it will inspire people to be more creative than just plunking down $4.5k for a dingy place in Chelsea and calling it a day.

Can you give any examples of these neighborhoods under the radar? I would love to look into them as my lease is about to expire, I'm single and don't want to live with rando roommates, and all I'm seeing is ~$4k rents/month all over NYC for even basic 1 bedrooms that are reasonably close to my office (midtown).

Yes, studios are cheaper, but I need a somewhat functional workspace and would prefer not to cram that, my bed, and my TV all in one room. So a true 1-bedroom is worth paying some extra. I don't care about living in a "trendy" or "hip" neighborhood, I care more about functionality / day-to-day livability through high-stress work tasks.

Here are 133 1BRs under $3k in Midtown East and the Upper East Side: https://streeteasy.com/1-bedroom-apartm ... ea:139,123

Enjoy.

Thanks (genuinely)! I'm somewhat new to NYC so less familiar with its rental market. Do we think (hard to know, I realize) NYC will have similar availabilities around Nov/Dec? Or will many of these (pretty good, to me!) $3k for 1 BRs be gone by then?

My lease ends around Nov because I got one of those Covid-specials where the duration was a weird length (14 months). So, my current lease will end in Nov and I'll have to look for something exactly like what you listed then. Too early to look for November right now, in July. But I wonder if there will be as much stock in the fall/winter months, given the assumption most people move in/out in the summer.

[thisismytlsuername]

The problem is that a lot of juniors seem to want to live in certain expensive neighborhoods (mostly Chelsea/West Village/Upper West Side/Williamsburg/Fort Greene/Long Island City) and they end up paying what to me is an exorbitant amount for apartments that aren't that nice. I attribute that to a lot of juniors being new to the city though and not knowing the other neighborhoods/not being willing to travel to them/feeling like they have to live where all their perceived peers are living. I have lived in every borough other than Staten Island and there are nice places that are not bad commutes all over, but they fly (comparatively) under the radar. Although the rental market now is a total shit show so maybe it will inspire people to be more creative than just plunking down $4.5k for a dingy place in Chelsea and calling it a day.

Can you give any examples of these neighborhoods under the radar? I would love to look into them as my lease is about to expire, I'm single and don't want to live with rando roommates, and all I'm seeing is ~$4k rents/month all over NYC for even basic 1 bedrooms that are reasonably close to my office (midtown).

Yes, studios are cheaper, but I need a somewhat functional workspace and would prefer not to cram that, my bed, and my TV all in one room. So a true 1-bedroom is worth paying some extra. I don't care about living in a "trendy" or "hip" neighborhood, I care more about functionality / day-to-day livability through high-stress work tasks.

Here are 133 1BRs under $3k in Midtown East and the Upper East Side: https://streeteasy.com/1-bedroom-apartm ... ea:139,123

Enjoy.

Thanks (genuinely)! I'm somewhat new to NYC so less familiar with its rental market. Do we think (hard to know, I realize) NYC will have similar availabilities around Nov/Dec? Or will many of these (pretty good, to me!) $3k for 1 BRs be gone by then?

My lease ends around Nov because I got one of those Covid-specials where the duration was a weird length (14 months). So, my current lease will end in Nov and I'll have to look for something exactly like what you listed then. Too early to look for November right now, in July. But I wonder if there will be as much stock in the fall/winter months, given the assumption most people move in/out in the summer.

You're actually in luck, you're much better off being off cycle (cycle being a lease that starts approx May-Sept). Generally speaking, there is more inventory on the market in the summer, but the competition is also way higher (fuck you NYU students with your parents paying your rent) and you're much more likely to pay a broker fee. Off cycle, you won't have as much inventory but you're much less likely to pay a broker fee (the only time I've ever paid a broker fee is with a lease that started in August) or have rich idiots *bidding* on a lease.

That said, the market is so fucked right now that this could all be wrong, but this is how it used to generally work.

[Res Ipsa Loquitter]

The students are actually hard to outbid. Their parents think nothing of spending $2500 to get them one bedroom in a 3 bedroom or 4 bedroom share.

[bretby]

The problem is that a lot of juniors seem to want to live in certain expensive neighborhoods (mostly Chelsea/West Village/Upper West Side/Williamsburg/Fort Greene/Long Island City) and they end up paying what to me is an exorbitant amount for apartments that aren't that nice. I attribute that to a lot of juniors being new to the city though and not knowing the other neighborhoods/not being willing to travel to them/feeling like they have to live where all their perceived peers are living. I have lived in every borough other than Staten Island and there are nice places that are not bad commutes all over, but they fly (comparatively) under the radar. Although the rental market now is a total shit show so maybe it will inspire people to be more creative than just plunking down $4.5k for a dingy place in Chelsea and calling it a day.

Can you give any examples of these neighborhoods under the radar? I would love to look into them as my lease is about to expire, I'm single and don't want to live with rando roommates, and all I'm seeing is ~$4k rents/month all over NYC for even basic 1 bedrooms that are reasonably close to my office (midtown).

Yes, studios are cheaper, but I need a somewhat functional workspace and would prefer not to cram that, my bed, and my TV all in one room. So a true 1-bedroom is worth paying some extra. I don't care about living in a "trendy" or "hip" neighborhood, I care more about functionality / day-to-day livability through high-stress work tasks.

My favorite under the radar neighborhoods are Sunnyside and Woodside in Queens (Sunnyside having more amenities than Woodside). Especially if your office is in midtown, the commute is very reasonable. If you want to be in Manhattan, I think Yorkville is a great neighborhood where you can often find deals - it is quiet and pretty and with the 2nd Ave subway it is way more accessible than it used to be (though as a result rents have gone up there). You can sometimes even find deals in Turtle Bay, which has a similar vibe to Yorkville. If you're not opposed to being uptown (and it's actually not a bad commute to midtown, especially if you don't have to go in every day), I also like Fort George/Hudson Heights close to Fort Tryon because you have access to a beautiful park and the rents are much more reasonable. If you really want more for your money and are open to the Bronx, Kingsbridge and Fordham both have pretty areas. Brooklyn is harder to find deals with a reasonable commute to midtown. The best way to get a deal is to walk around neighborhoods you're interested in a couple months before you want to move and if you see a building you like and they have the number for a management company outside (and a lot do), call the number directly and ask if they have any availability.

[Res Ipsa Loquitter]

Wow, this isn’t much of an advertisement for biglaw. “Become a corporate lawyer to live the high life in Sunnyside or the Bronx!” — Makes me want to freshen up my resume for the Orlando Billboard Guy.

[Anonymous User]

My favorite under the radar neighborhoods are Sunnyside and Woodside in Queens (Sunnyside having more amenities than Woodside). Especially if your office is in midtown, the commute is very reasonable. If you want to be in Manhattan, I think Yorkville is a great neighborhood where you can often find deals - it is quiet and pretty and with the 2nd Ave subway it is way more accessible than it used to be (though as a result rents have gone up there). You can sometimes even find deals in Turtle Bay, which has a similar vibe to Yorkville. If you're not opposed to being uptown (and it's actually not a bad commute to midtown, especially if you don't have to go in every day), I also like Fort George/Hudson Heights close to Fort Tryon because you have access to a beautiful park and the rents are much more reasonable. If you really want more for your money and are open to the Bronx, Kingsbridge and Fordham both have pretty areas. Brooklyn is harder to find deals with a reasonable commute to midtown. The best way to get a deal is to walk around neighborhoods you're interested in a couple months before you want to move and if you see a building you like and they have the number for a management company outside (and a lot do), call the number directly and ask if they have any availability.

Thanks, v much appreciated.

[Anonymous User]

Wow, this isn’t much of an advertisement for biglaw. “Become a corporate lawyer to live the high life in Sunnyside or the Bronx!” — Makes me want to freshen up my resume for the Orlando Billboard Guy.

Not really disputing that many/most fresh associates do not imagine having distant commutes from the Bronx when they start in biglaw, but to tie this NYC rent discussion back to the original topic, I lived in a complete disaster of an apartment my first two years and paid about $1000 including utilities (2017). A rundown studio with a bed and no room for a table or desk, one small window, and I routinely had guys passed out in my entranceway I had to step over. I paid off my loans and got enough for a downpayment on a $750K home by the time I was a fourth year, which I doubt I could have accomplished without being so frugal.

I wouldn't say I have regrets, but I definitely don't blame others for not making the same value judgement. It wasn't especially pleasant, and it made dating a bit challenging, but it was good household economics.

[Anonymous User]

Wow, this isn’t much of an advertisement for biglaw. “Become a corporate lawyer to live the high life in Sunnyside or the Bronx!” — Makes me want to freshen up my resume for the Orlando Billboard Guy.

Really depends on what you want in where you live. Not everyone needs high-end amenities or is scared of black people.

[nealric]

Honest question: is $4k/month on rent living beyond one's means as a Big Law junior? I don't think it's unreasonable if you're single and prefer to portion some greater part of your paycheck to rent in order to live alone rathe than with some random roommate.

$215k is the annual salary, right? After taxes, if that's around what, half your paycheck? The traditional "rule" or guideline is that you should spend 30% of your paycheck on rent, and in Manhattan, in 2022, I don't think it's "living beyond your means" to nudge that up a bit. Am I missing something?

The person I was replying to said it ate up "over half" their take-home, which implies student debt or some other burden. Even without that consideration, $4k/mo is a bit of an extravagance when (I see now on StreetEasy) it's not hard to find an 1BR for well under three grand in a number of Manhattan neighborhoods.

The 30% rule is worth sticking to if at all possible. Biglawyers need to save more aggressively than their peers because their careers start later and the majority take paycuts to leave firm life. You don't want to be the seventh-year associate living paycheck to paycheck with no savings except their 401(k) and a collection of cufflinks.

The problem is that a lot of juniors seem to want to live in certain expensive neighborhoods (mostly Chelsea/West Village/Upper West Side/Williamsburg/Fort Greene/Long Island City) and they end up paying what to me is an exorbitant amount for apartments that aren't that nice. I attribute that to a lot of juniors being new to the city though and not knowing the other neighborhoods/not being willing to travel to them/feeling like they have to live where all their perceived peers are living. I have lived in every borough other than Staten Island and there are nice places that are not bad commutes all over, but they fly (comparatively) under the radar. Although the rental market now is a total shit show so maybe it will inspire people to be more creative than just plunking down $4.5k for a dingy place in Chelsea and calling it a day.

True, but there's a big incentive to be as close to the office as possible (assuming RTO) when you are a biglaw junior. I moved from a 20 minute commute to a 50 minute commute when I was in NYC biglaw due to my spouse's needs, and it absolutely contributed to burnout and flagging work product (let alone having any personal time). It was the difference between having an hour of free time in the evenings to unwind and having none.

[nealric]

Always amazing to me to see people try to argue that biglaw people aren't "rich." Ok, middle class 6-figure guy.

And yeah, I'm a partner. But I was an associate just like others are (and got paid meaningfully less than associates get paid now, even accounting for inflation). I was rich too. Jeez. "Poor person's concept of rich" More like silver spoon out of touch concept of what it takes to be "rich."

So much depends on your point of comparison. BL folks often don't feel rich because they are constantly exposed to people with quite a bit more wealth than them. Associates are comparing themselves to partners. Partners are comparing themselves to executives they work with.

If you are the manager of a Walmart making $150k, you are mostly surrounded by people making near minimum wage, and you probably feel pretty well off. If you are Jr. Biglaw associate making $215k, almost every other attorney you work with makes more than you.

I'd also note that class is more than just how much money you bring in annually. A lot of fairly wealthy people think of themselves as "middle class" because they were raised and perceive themselves as such. "Rich" is often thought of as something for people born with trust funds large enough to make income optional and who grew up using "summer" as a verb.

Eh, I do not subscribe to the theory that being rich is a purely subjective--and relative--construct. There are absolutely different gradations of rich--partners are lower on the ladder than many clients, associates are lower than partners, and I'd even grant that perhaps the most junior biglaw associate is fairly a HENRY because of student loan debt and similar. And while I do agree that there is more to being rich than income level, one doesn't get to call themselves middle class because they blow the unbelievable amount of money that comes to biglaw folks in a way that prevents them from accumulating significant wealth.

There's a big difference between feeling rich and being rich. You can be objectively rich and not feel like you are rich.

[Res Ipsa Loquitter]

Wow, this isn’t much of an advertisement for biglaw. “Become a corporate lawyer to live the high life in Sunnyside or the Bronx!” — Makes me want to freshen up my resume for the Orlando Billboard Guy.

Really depends on what you want in where you live. Not everyone needs high-end amenities or is scared of black people.

The brainless “everything is racist” meme is spreading like wildfire, isn’t it? Sunnyside is less black than Chelsea, UWS, Hell’s Kitchen, the Village and most other pricey Manhattan neighborhoods. As for the Bronx, plenty of non-racist people don’t want to live there.

[nixy]

Always amazing to me to see people try to argue that biglaw people aren't "rich." Ok, middle class 6-figure guy.

And yeah, I'm a partner. But I was an associate just like others are (and got paid meaningfully less than associates get paid now, even accounting for inflation). I was rich too. Jeez. "Poor person's concept of rich" More like silver spoon out of touch concept of what it takes to be "rich."

So much depends on your point of comparison. BL folks often don't feel rich because they are constantly exposed to people with quite a bit more wealth than them. Associates are comparing themselves to partners. Partners are comparing themselves to executives they work with.

If you are the manager of a Walmart making $150k, you are mostly surrounded by people making near minimum wage, and you probably feel pretty well off. If you are Jr. Biglaw associate making $215k, almost every other attorney you work with makes more than you.

I'd also note that class is more than just how much money you bring in annually. A lot of fairly wealthy people think of themselves as "middle class" because they were raised and perceive themselves as such. "Rich" is often thought of as something for people born with trust funds large enough to make income optional and who grew up using "summer" as a verb.

Eh, I do not subscribe to the theory that being rich is a purely subjective--and relative--construct. There are absolutely different gradations of rich--partners are lower on the ladder than many clients, associates are lower than partners, and I'd even grant that perhaps the most junior biglaw associate is fairly a HENRY because of student loan debt and similar. And while I do agree that there is more to being rich than income level, one doesn't get to call themselves middle class because they blow the unbelievable amount of money that comes to biglaw folks in a way that prevents them from accumulating significant wealth.

There's a big difference between feeling rich and being rich. You can be objectively rich and not feel like you are rich.

I think this digression arose from someone pointing out how much biglaw associates make compared to the general population, so I never understood it as being about "feeling rich," but about objectively being rich.

[nealric]

Always amazing to me to see people try to argue that biglaw people aren't "rich." Ok, middle class 6-figure guy.

And yeah, I'm a partner. But I was an associate just like others are (and got paid meaningfully less than associates get paid now, even accounting for inflation). I was rich too. Jeez. "Poor person's concept of rich" More like silver spoon out of touch concept of what it takes to be "rich."

So much depends on your point of comparison. BL folks often don't feel rich because they are constantly exposed to people with quite a bit more wealth than them. Associates are comparing themselves to partners. Partners are comparing themselves to executives they work with.

If you are the manager of a Walmart making $150k, you are mostly surrounded by people making near minimum wage, and you probably feel pretty well off. If you are Jr. Biglaw associate making $215k, almost every other attorney you work with makes more than you.

I'd also note that class is more than just how much money you bring in annually. A lot of fairly wealthy people think of themselves as "middle class" because they were raised and perceive themselves as such. "Rich" is often thought of as something for people born with trust funds large enough to make income optional and who grew up using "summer" as a verb.

Eh, I do not subscribe to the theory that being rich is a purely subjective--and relative--construct. There are absolutely different gradations of rich--partners are lower on the ladder than many clients, associates are lower than partners, and I'd even grant that perhaps the most junior biglaw associate is fairly a HENRY because of student loan debt and similar. And while I do agree that there is more to being rich than income level, one doesn't get to call themselves middle class because they blow the unbelievable amount of money that comes to biglaw folks in a way that prevents them from accumulating significant wealth.

There's a big difference between feeling rich and being rich. You can be objectively rich and not feel like you are rich.

I think this digression arose from someone pointing out how much biglaw associates make compared to the general population, so I never understood it as being about "feeling rich," but about objectively being rich.

The post by BL partner was about being amazed that people try to argue that BL Associates aren't rich. My point was that it's not so surprising that people who are objectively rich may not necessarily feel like they are.

A BL associate making $215k+ is probably going to feel like they "need" to get their own apartment near work, but I think most Jr. Biglaw associates don't quite realize how unusual it is for someone in their mid-20s to be able to afford their own place in a desirable NYC neighborhood. When I was first moving to NYC, friends/relatives who weren't familiar with the biglaw payscale reached out with referrals to rent assistance programs and roommate finders. When they told people I was moving there my parents got comments from people like "so hard for these young people moving to NYC to be able to afford to live there." Because scrambling to afford *any* housing is closer to the norm for 20 somethings in NYC. It's not uncommon for a NYC apartment to have well over $10k due on signing (first months/last months rent, security, broker fee). The vast majority of people in their 20s have no prospect for scraping that much money together- I certainly couldn't have done it without my biglaw salary advance and broker fee reimbursement.

[johndooley]

Wow, this isn’t much of an advertisement for biglaw. “Become a corporate lawyer to live the high life in Sunnyside or the Bronx!” — Makes me want to freshen up my resume for the Orlando Billboard Guy.

After people leapt to make Orlando seem like Des Moines or Cheyenne, reading this thread of large firm attorneys moving to the outer boroughs to save money and then being called "racist" for wanting to be in Manhattan gave me a chuckle. I played nine holes this morning and am about to write a motion on my Adirondack chair overlooking my backyard's lake. I am also debating porterhouse or tomahawk steak with my wife at one of the better steakhouses in the CBD that also has many terrific Latin American and Caribbean restaurants.

[Anonymous User]

We get it bro, you have money and like the life suburban. Some of us don't. Some of us do and would still never live in fucking Florida (Austin/Nashville/Charlotte all offer similar QoL w/o being in a state that's going to be underwater in a couple decades). If you're not going to be a value-add, get off the damn thread.

[Anonymous User]

We get it bro, you have money and like the life suburban. Some of us don't. Some of us do and would still never live in fucking Florida (Austin/Nashville/Charlotte all offer similar QoL w/o being in a state that's going to be underwater in a couple decades). If you're not going to be a value-add, get off the damn thread.

Generally agree, but this Dooley character seems to be the type who will never "get it." He's like a Karen who makes a dumb comment everybody intentionally ignored, but keeps asking if people heard it anyway / repeating it because surely they would have all laughed if they did. Not worth your energy.

[johndooley]

We get it bro, you have money and like the life suburban. Some of us don't. Some of us do and would still never live in fucking Florida (Austin/Nashville/Charlotte all offer similar QoL w/o being in a state that's going to be underwater in a couple decades). If you're not going to be a value-add, get off the damn thread.

Someone mentioned me so I jumped in, I was silent before. All three of those cities have worse traffic and issues that stem from a lack of infrastructure able to sustain their population growth. They were not built to host Tesla/major tourism/large commercial banking respectively. The schools are overenrolled as well. Orlando has been very thoughtful of its growth patterns and has more of a hub and spoke model. Regarding being underwater, the Dutch managed to prevent that with 15th century technology, I do not think the federal government would let the second largest state go under with those 15th century resources readily available.

I do not know why this upsets you so much as to typo "life suburban" or say "fucking Florida" or "damn thread." Either way, I have provided insight into what I do, how I got to where I am, the pluses of a market smaller than NYC, and posted a job opportunity for 3Ls. I also did this with a positive face and attitude. It is okay to smile and enjoy yourself.

[Res Ipsa Loquitter]

I like NYC, but if the position is that biglaw shouldn’t pay associates enough to afford the median Manhattan apartment, and that associates should get roommates or live in non-LIC Queens or the Bronx… then Orlando guy wins the thread. It’s not worth living in NYC on a shoestring budget.

[Anonymous User]

Wow, this isn’t much of an advertisement for biglaw. “Become a corporate lawyer to live the high life in Sunnyside or the Bronx!” — Makes me want to freshen up my resume for the Orlando Billboard Guy.

After people leapt to make Orlando seem like Des Moines or Cheyenne, reading this thread of large firm attorneys moving to the outer boroughs to save money and then being called "racist" for wanting to be in Manhattan gave me a chuckle. I played nine holes this morning and am about to write a motion on my Adirondack chair overlooking my backyard's lake. I am also debating porterhouse or tomahawk steak with my wife at one of the better steakhouses in the CBD that also has many terrific Latin American and Caribbean restaurants.

This is too funny. "I go to steakhouses!!! There are also Latin American and Caribbean restaurants I can go to! I golf! I even have an Adirondack chair!!!!" Envy him yet, NYCucks?

[bretby]

Wow, this isn’t much of an advertisement for biglaw. “Become a corporate lawyer to live the high life in Sunnyside or the Bronx!” — Makes me want to freshen up my resume for the Orlando Billboard Guy.

I get it - if I remember your posts, you're very into the models and bottles and dating women who gatekeep based on summer camp attendance, so Murray Hill probably suits you just fine. For those who aren't into that side of NYC or who have been here long enough so that that side is wearing thin, there's a lot of other options. And have you spent any real time in the Bronx? Like beyond visiting Yankee stadium or taking an Uber to Arthur Avenue? There's a lot of terrible places in the Bronx, but there's also some pretty places, just like every other borough.

[Anonymous User]

I like NYC, but if the position is that biglaw shouldn’t pay associates enough to afford the median Manhattan apartment, and that associates should get roommates or live in non-LIC Queens or the Bronx… then Orlando guy wins the thread. It’s not worth living in NYC on a shoestring budget.

Again, median per apartment not per person. Stop conflating your statistics. Also who said biglaw shouldn't pay enough for associates to afford that? It quite literally does, but that doesn't make it a smart financial decision. As others have said you can absolutely afford a 1br or nice studio on less than $4k.

[Res Ipsa Loquitter]

Wow, this isn’t much of an advertisement for biglaw. “Become a corporate lawyer to live the high life in Sunnyside or the Bronx!” — Makes me want to freshen up my resume for the Orlando Billboard Guy.

I get it - if I remember your posts, you're very into the models and bottles and dating women who gatekeep based on summer camp attendance, so Murray Hill probably suits you just fine. For those who aren't into that side of NYC or who have been here long enough so that that side is wearing thin, there's a lot of other options. And have you spent any real time in the Bronx? Like beyond visiting Yankee stadium or taking an Uber to Arthur Avenue? There's a lot of terrible places in the Bronx, but there's also some pretty places, just like every other borough.

The Bronx does have some very pleasant neighborhoods — they just aren’t what young people moving to nyc for biglaw jobs typically want.

As for the gatekeeping women who love their camp friends, not my scene in the slightest. I’ve met many of them, because I grew up amongst rich people, but I never said I like those people or actively seek them out

[Anonymous User]

When did John Dooley buy his first house in Orlando?

[johndooley]

Wow, this isn’t much of an advertisement for biglaw. “Become a corporate lawyer to live the high life in Sunnyside or the Bronx!” — Makes me want to freshen up my resume for the Orlando Billboard Guy.

After people leapt to make Orlando seem like Des Moines or Cheyenne, reading this thread of large firm attorneys moving to the outer boroughs to save money and then being called "racist" for wanting to be in Manhattan gave me a chuckle. I played nine holes this morning and am about to write a motion on my Adirondack chair overlooking my backyard's lake. I am also debating porterhouse or tomahawk steak with my wife at one of the better steakhouses in the CBD that also has many terrific Latin American and Caribbean restaurants.

This is too funny. "I go to steakhouses!!! There are also Latin American and Caribbean restaurants I can go to! I golf! I even have an Adirondack chair!!!!" Envy him yet, NYCucks?

Those were examples and not comprehensive. The point is a midlevel attorney here can have steak dinners on a Wednesday night without thinking too much of it here. Orlando offers almost any cuisine in the world (preempting "yea at Epcot" jokes now). I mentioned Latin America and the Caribbean in particular because immigrants from are in large numbers in Orlando and have enriched it. An Adirondack chair is not a luxury item. The biggest luxury I have is time and flexibility on where I spend it. I am fortunate to be in a place with so many attractions and room for hobbies. If you are into more urban living with nightclubs and the single scene, downtown has plenty of high rise apartment buildings with pools. Again, the assertion Orlando is some cheap backwater is inaccurate.

[johndooley]

When did John Dooley buy his first house in Orlando?

I already stated its purchase price, appraised value, and two resort communities outside of Orlando that I "like." More information can easily provide enough precision to find it on Zillow. I did not buy a house before the one I am in now. I would like a condo in a ski town out West or an apartment in NY or Boston and do not see myself moving within the greater Orlando area anytime soon. I would rather fill up the 529 and grow my 401(k)/rental property portfolio before buying another house for myself.