Important question about taxes

**avan77** · 02-25-2012, 07:45 PM

My studio in London was 120 per week. I never lived in the centre and never in the east but very nice part, in Golders Green, zone 3, not far from center.

**Perri** · 02-25-2012, 09:03 PM

Originally Posted by Matt Meltzer

Just curious, knowing the cost of living in Miami why did you think you could get by here making only $800 a month? Seems a bit late to be asking for a raise when you JUST realized you might have taxes taken out.

It's hard to imagine any boss would agree to giving a raise just because a new employee wants to live in SoBe (one of the most expensive areas in Miami) in a furnished apartment without roommates (a luxurious situation for very low-income earners).

**avan77** · 02-25-2012, 10:57 PM

Hi Perri
Im sorry but i didnt know that. I had no idea about any of that. I cant drive and in order to get to work i need to live somewhere close to the job. The best is SoBe as its in the middle of the job and my church, which is also very important to me, also public transport is very good in SoBe. But still, i went hunting in the whole of mid beach and even further up north but couldnt get anywhere anything furnished (including bills) for under 1000. Yes and the other thing: I had no clue that taxes get deducted from that little money. That didnt even cross my mind. Also I had no clue just how it is to live over here and just how very expensive everything is, some things you only realize when here.

**Perri** · 02-25-2012, 10:59 PM

Originally Posted by avan77

Hi Perri
Im sorry but i didnt know that. I had no idea about any of that. I cant drive and in order to get to work i need to live somewhere close to the job. The best is SoBe as its in the middle of the job and my church, which is also very important to me, also public transport is very good in SoBe. But still, i went hunting in the whole of mid beach and even further up north but couldnt get anywhere anything furnished (including bills) for under 1000. Yes and the other thing: I had no clue that taxes get deducted from that little money. That didnt even cross my mind. Also I had no clue just how it is to live over here and just how very expensive everything is, some things you only realize when here.

I'm just saying that from the boss' perspective, it will be a hard sell for you to get a raise. Nevertheless, miracles might happen.
Since you belong to a church, perhaps you can get some help there? Depending on how long you are planning to live here, you might want to see if buying simple cheap second-hand furnishings or getting free ones would be more cost-effective. Your church might be able to get donations for you. Or find an apartment with a roommate to cut housing costs, or rent a room in a house with home-owners... It's unfortunate that your thorough planning left out the most important details like cost of living and nett takehome pay...

**avan77** · 02-25-2012, 11:03 PM

It happens that i just talked to someone from my church 1 hour ago and he will ask someone he knows who works as an agent.

**Jess** · 02-25-2012, 11:07 PM

Avan, I know that area in london, no idea it was that cheap! I was born in Hampstead

Where is your job again? Maybe we can think of a better area for you to live in.

**Perri** · 02-25-2012, 11:11 PM

Originally Posted by avan77

It happens that i just talked to someone from my church 1 hour ago and he will ask someone he knows who works as an agent.

Perhaps, some people from your church might know of older well-to-do people who are interested in hosting a young foreign person in their spare room like they do for exchange students? In your case, u probably need to think out of the box a little and depend on kindness and divine help... I'm serious. with all your needs, your medical issues and need for medical attention, and special food requirements --- all of which points to much higher cost of living compared to a regular person --- is gonna to drain whatever money you have very quickly. All this added stress doesn't help your medical condition either...

I hope that everything will turn out well for you.

**avan77** · 02-25-2012, 11:15 PM

Originally Posted by Jess

Avan, I know that area in london, no idea it was that cheap! I was born in Hampstead

Where is your job again? Maybe we can think of a better area for you to live in.

Hi Jess
Oh Hampstead, that IS close to Golders Green, just up the hill

.... well i lived in Golders Green for 5 years (before that in Finchley, Hendon etc) it was a very small room including a kitchenette. You could only make 4 big steps in that room and reached the end.

I had to share the bathroom out on the hallway with 2 men whom i have never seen. So no own bathroom which didnt matter. Maybe rent is higher now. (I dont really want to disclose my work address or company name online.)

Do you ever miss London? I Do.

**avan77** · 02-25-2012, 11:19 PM

Originally Posted by Perri

I hope that everything will turn out well for you.

Thank you

**Jess** · 02-26-2012, 12:27 AM

Oh you don't need to say where you work, I just meant the area... I do miss London. There is a famous saying: When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life. So I will always miss it

Maybe a room share in a house with students could work for you? In the University area?

**Matt Meltzer** · 02-26-2012, 08:48 PM

I think that's the thing most people underestimate when they come here is how much it costs to live. Beyond rent (which is less than some places, but more than a lot of others) having any kind of social life can get expensive real fast too. You'll see. I'm sure you'll work it out, it just may take some struggling.

**Mario** · 02-28-2012, 01:36 PM

Yep, having a social party life n South Beach can be expensive, unless you get comped everywhere. I've known several people who live in South Beach but partied elsewhere, due to the prices.