Mythbusting Roanoke

As some of you might know, I am originally from one of the 5 Boroughs of New York City. The one commonly referred to as the "most ethnically diverse county in the United States".

Home to over 2 million people, 2 of the busiest airports in the world, the 1939 and 1964 World's Fair, the 1969, 1973, 1986, and 2000 World Series.

Lots of restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, and plenty of hungry people to feed. Plus, the added attraction of mass transit that could get you just about anywhere in the 5 Boroughs quickly. Everywhere but Staten Island, which was just fine by 99% of the population of NYC.

As a cook in NY, I had opportunity to work in several different styles of kitchen. Starting in an American Bistro, and working around different spots until I left NY for warmer (much warmer today) climes. Somewhere in all that mess, I found time for proper schooling and training in the culinary arts, engaged in a multitude of varying work experiences (including a stint at Home Depot, which is fodder for another day). I consider myself to be a fairly well educated individual, with an eclectic work-style, fairly strong work ethic, and a arsenal of skills I can bring to any kind of employment I choose to take.

I've addressed this before, but Im going to go into detail here. Many times have I recieved the question "Why would you move to Roanoke?" and in my present job, its usually followed by "But don't you make more money in New York City?"

This is not about why I moved here. This will focus on the myth of making more money by living in a larger city.

Opportunities present themselves when they see fit. Regardless of where you are, what you might be doing, or what you want to do - opportunities have no consideration. Which is why we have built-in guidance, also known as our ability to reason.

Some cold, hard numbers:
Average salary of a cook in Roanoke (oddly enough listings for Chef are limited to Casinos in both NY and RKE) via salary.com: Median yearly salary for a cook in Roanoke is $30,552, a figure which I question highly, but will work with as the actual amount means little.

Average salary of a cook in New York City: Median yearly salary is $36,790.

A difference of $6,238 per year.

Allright - everyone on board? Good. Here is the chilling facts about that $36k a year.

You have to live somewhere: Similar sized apartment (comparable to what I have now, in sq. ft. alone.) 1 bed, 1 bath.. heat and water included. $1400 a month, with 1 months rent deposit and 1 month security. So your first month winds up costing you $2800-4200 depending on how you view it. No outdoor area, no pets. Thats apartments. Oh, and you need to find your own parking, or pay for it monthly.

Homes? 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath $365,000
The mortgage (assuming 20% down payment and 6.5% APR) would be $1,762 a month. Yes, a month.

And mind you, none of this is including your standards of phone, internet, cable.. Utilities combined can be close to $500 a month.

Or food for that matter. Or gas ($3.11 is the cheapest I can find in Queens)
And don't even ask about taxes. Sales Tax rate of 8.62%. 6.85% income tax on that $36k salary (statewide) in addition to the NYC income tax rate of (hold on with this one) $628 plus 3.534% of excess over $21k. I'm not even about to do the math on that one, Im not nearly that bored. And for the Head of Household, it becomes $970 plus 3.591% over $30k.

So based on the numbers for owning a house, plus additional utils - you come out owing roughly $2500 a month in basic bills. Again, not including food, medicine, transportation or the rest. And your gross income monthly on that $36k is $3065.83 which leaves you with a gross grand total of $565 a month to pay everything else with. And a montly metrocard for 30 day use on the subway or bus is $76. So you have 30 days in which to live on $489 bucks (again, without taxes being taken out). Can it be done? Of course it can, but will you get ahead? Never.

And lets remember that as a cook, there is always someone who can do it cheaper than you can.

So lets consider the myth of "You make more in larger cities" largely busted. And how can I say that with such certainty? Hell, I'm living here - doing ok.. putting some money aside in the bank each month.. not struggling..

And I have more than I would up there.. larger apartment, which allows pets by the way. More land around the building to walk the pets on.. a wall on which to sit, fresh produce mere minutes away..

Forget the crime, the smog, the stress.. when you come down to the basic numbers of it.. You make more in Roanoke, quality wise, and more in New York quantity wise. You just don't see it in NYC..