>>>>I need some answers today, if possible. I'm considering an offer to work in New York, and I want to know whether the offered salary is anywhere near enough or not.
>>>>
>>>>So, how much do programmers (in general, but Foxers specially) make in the Big Apple?
>>>
>>>Hi Dragan,
>>> Here's a salary comparison calculator that may be helpful:
>>>http://www.monstermoving.monster.com/Find_A_Place/Calculators/SalaryCalc/
>>>
>>
>>I did a comparison:
>> Phoenix, Arizona $50
>> New York, New York $295 !!
>>
>>"The cost of living in New York, New York is 490.0% higher than that of Phoenix, Arizona. A salary of $50 in Phoenix, Arizona has the same buying power that a salary of $295 has in New York, New York."
>>
>>Wow...
>
>My conclusion:
>
>Work whould be done in New-York because of the money but living in Phoenix. The drive home at night could be a little long. But we can't have it all ;-D

I did nearly that for 4 years. I live in Phoenix and "commuted" to PA & NJ for 1 week a month on site. The other 3 weeks I worked from home. I'm glad I don't do that anymore!

I also did some work in Manhattan for a few weeks, commuting from NJ (via Phoenix). 35 miles from where I was to the job-site in NYC took 2-2.5 hours each way. Lunch cost about $11 for a sandwich, a bottle of pop and a bag of chips. You can get the same thing out here in Phoenix for <$5. A "sit-down" lunch in a reasonable restaurant was $30 in NYC, and $10 here in Phoenix. I won't even mention dinner prices! Parking for up to 10 hours was $28, after 10 hours was $45 per day. Let's just say NYC is a wee-bit expensive.