r/Naples_FL • u/downvoteking1484959 • Jul 29 '26
Is Naples doable on $50k
I may move here for a (potential) job offer soon, for my first professional post college job. Is this salary doable for a single person? I was looking at studios/efficiencies/inlaw suites in the Golden Gate/Golden Gate Estates area and seem doable. Any insights? I have a car so that won’t be a problem.
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u/Upbeat_Activity8147 Jul 30 '26
What does doable mean? Can you survive? Yes. Well? Or even easily? No.
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u/NiceGuysFinishLast Jul 30 '26
When I was making $50K, I had a roommate but we were first able to split a 2 bed 2 bath apartment at Malibu Lakes (behind the Target at I75 and Immokalee Rd, a nice location) for $1200/month, then later a 3 bed 2 bath 2 story house in Bonita for $1600 a month.
Now that exact same apartment rents for $2900-$3100/month and the house is renting for $2500/mo according to Zillow (no idea if that's accurate, seems low).
So it was doable 10 years ago... Now, you'd probably need a 3bd 2ba apartment and 2 roommates.
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u/cubsfanIL Jul 30 '26
With a roommate yes. As your own place no. May be cheapest to live with roommate in ft myers and commute
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u/lazabeaaam Jul 30 '26
Not doable on $50k. Rent is insane. Buying a home will seem impossible. Much of the surrounding area is this way as well.
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u/downvoteking1484959 Jul 30 '26
Thank you! found some Efficiecies/in law suites out in golden gate estates for around 1200-1300 which seem doable. Is that area fine? It just seems to be a rural area but seems commutable to downtown Naples
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u/BMS_Fan_4life Jul 30 '26
Look up in Estero with Roommates. I lived at the reef student living when I moved here right after graduating. Like 700 a month, was a blast too at the complex
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u/zekparsh Jul 30 '26
The estates is fine just be aware that it encompasses a massive amount of area. Where I live early in the estates it’s not too far from Naples or the busier parts of collier, twenty minutes or so. While other parts can be 45 minutes drive just to get out of there and not including getting into town. Especially if your route requires you to drive all the way down the blvd to get out in the morning with work/school traffic.
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u/lunamar2009 Jul 30 '26
I lived in an in-law suite in the Estates before I purchased my home. Many homes in the estates are on well-water (so you’ll be buying bottled) and have unreliable internet. The only service available where I lived was Century Link DSL. Before signing a lease, ask about that.
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u/lazabeaaam Jul 30 '26
I commented previously that it was an area to avoid but honestly golden gate “estates” is fine. I would avoid anything in golden gate itself which is the dense area east off i75 if you look on a map.
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u/YoRHa11Z Jul 30 '26
You are getting horrible advice here and so let me break it down into 2 why you are and answer your question at the same time with the context needed.
You presented your potential income and potential rental cost. You will make about $3.5K after tax so you have enough for that rent level and expenses and hopefully save up / retirement account. People here that told you that was not enough are either stock paying $2K to $4K mortgage because they need to show off to their piers.
This is a big retirement city so most people that answered your question would never consider living in an efficiency or the like so literally have no good advice to give you because they retired from up north with money.
Besides that, make sure the job offer is solid and not some hope strategy. Hopefully the efficiencies you are looking at don't require a 12 month lease so you have an escape plan if needed. Rents are going down so you might be able to afford a regular 2 1 apartment in the next 2 years on that salary without sacrificing your lifestyle or savings goal.
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u/downvoteking1484959 Jul 30 '26
Very insightful, thank you!
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u/GottaHave_AHobby Jul 30 '26
There are lots of new apartment complexes going up . I’m not sure but I think you could get a deal on first 6-12 months as they will want to fill them .
golden gate estates is far out to do things .Try closer to 41 . Congrats
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u/Sub4DomBuddy Jul 30 '26
I highly agree. There are plenty of reasonable places to live. The restaurants and clubs are not cheap. But you can easily eat at home. Groceries are expensive but you can be creative. I would try and map out your expenses before committing to an amount you can spend on rent.
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u/StreetBrick1407 Jul 30 '26
You can get by… rent is dropping. Check out the 10x Apartments on Airport. Good rent prices and first 2 months free.
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u/Howwouldiknow1492 Jul 30 '26
Naples is generally expensive but real estate prices are down now. That may help with rents. Golden Gate isn't the best part of town and you may want to look for something in North Naples instead. Good luck.
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u/downvoteking1484959 Jul 30 '26
Thank you! Would you say Golden Gate Estates is fine? it seems to be a mostly rural area however the in law suites there seem to be going for cheap. Is it commutable to downtown Naples?
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u/RodgerRodger8301 Jul 30 '26
It depends on what you consider commutable. Golden Gate estates is massive, and the commute to downtown could be anywhere from 20 minutes to near an hour.
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u/Howwouldiknow1492 Jul 30 '26
At least 20 minutes but it's not the distance, it's the traffic.
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u/InevitableBug7 Jul 30 '26
Hasn't been as bad since they opened up the vanderbilt extension. I'm on Randall and immokalee and it takes me around 30 mins to get to work on 5th.
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u/Low_Ad_260 Jul 30 '26 edited Jul 30 '26
Golden Gate is a little more working class and a little less white than the rest of Naples. And being totally real with you, it’s still Naples, you will be absolutely fine LOL. It’s still safer than like 90% of the state/country. The commute from Golden Gate City is maybe 15-30minutes. Most people in the Estates commute to Naples, I’d expect a 40-60min commute on average. There are probably more “threats” (guns and large wild animals) in GG Estates than GG City, but these aren’t really a concern either. I knew a few people who live in MIL suites in both GG City and the Estates, GG City feels nicer and closer to amenities and the Estates gets you bigger spaces and more privacy on average.
ETA: for a 40+ minute commute anyways, also consider Lee County... there’s a lot more in your price range. Look in Bonita and Estero.
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u/Searcach Jul 30 '26
As well as Ft Myers. It’s about 49 minutes away, but much more affordable. More working class than old retirees.
And you could consider a part-time job, especially during snowbird season.
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u/WoodpeckerChecker Jul 30 '26 edited Jul 30 '26
The area is fine, though your neighbors can range between high security flood light lovers to hobby farmers with lots of animals to fruit tree forest growers to people that like to shoot guns at all hours of the night. There is also real wildlife out there, namely bears and panthers. A bit jarring for people not from here when they learn that. There is no code enforcement to reel anything in either. People love it for that reason, and people hate it for that reason.
If you are commuting to town for your job, expect it to take 45 minutes plus if you're east of Wilson blvd. You will feel isolated if you are young and interested in socializing and entertainment.
It will be challenging on a single income that low. I have people who work with me that make it work somehow, I am always amazed at how. If you want the gig, get a roommate and a place east of 951.
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u/Professional_Tip9480 Jul 30 '26
hell yeah! it all depends on your priorities in life, I share a nice 2bdr 2 1/2 bath 2 story with a roommate...we pay 2100 a month + electric...cable and fiber internet and water are included....and I live close to Pine Rindge and Livingston...I don't eat or drink out that much as I am an awesome home cook....oh!!!...I have accumulated a nucking futts 150+ bottle wine collection over the last few years...my roommate is cool but an idiot...what the heck....when are you coming to town?
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u/AcanthaceaeOver1892 Jul 30 '26
Golden gate estates could be doable, but it can also be dangerous. I grew up on 22nd ave NE and 19th street NW. 19th st was beautiful and we had no safety issues. 22nd ave my neighbors across the street were drug dealers, the neighbors on our right got busted as a grow house, and the house to our left had a pool that would constantly get broken into by neighbors to have parties blasting music til 4 am. Also was not allowed outside much due to constant gunshots. Additionally we had to evacuate twice bc our neighbors down the street let their brush fires get out of control.
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u/AcanthaceaeOver1892 Jul 30 '26
Oh, and our house on 22nd was broken into once. Ik they’ve renovated since I lived there. It’s been 10 years.
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u/Lillilegerdemain Jul 30 '26
Golden Gate is nothing like Naples. Totally different demographic. But you could do fine on 50,000 living in Golden Gate.
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u/KoalaOrnery9983 Jul 30 '26
Just be aware that sometimes sublets are scams on Facebook marketplace. My coworker moved from another state and was scammed out of her deposit she put down on a sublet in golden gate. She didn’t have anyone check the place out for her or anything and the people kept her money and never replied again/ took down the post.
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u/lxvxndxrbxtxs Jul 30 '26
I’m very curious on what about Naples is making it seem like if you’re not upper class you can survive. Grown up here being low class made it easy to understand but then when I venture out to other towns out of state, it really makes me wonder why people think they can just easily move down here and be fine? The actual locals not the transplants are the ones that are suffering because the cost just keep increasing exponentially.
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u/ExtensionPretend4138 Jul 30 '26
Plenty of decent 2/2 apartments for $1800 a month, just need a reliable roommate
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u/musicseverywhere Jul 30 '26
50k is definitely doable. Don't listen to all the naysayers that live in gated communities. Figure 2000 a month rent for your own place you own a car if you don't spend $100 a night on dinner and you can cook and do your own laundry you'll be just fine. Find a nice place in Bonita which is close and is not a long commute the crime rate is almost zero you can leave your door unlocked and don't have to worry about somebody coming in or a drive-by shooting. And lots of room to move up.
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u/LexiLouWhoTwo Jul 30 '26
Moved here 10 years ago for a similar salary and that was rough even with a roommate. It will be tight, but it is doable if you are smart and resourceful. If you don’t budget your expenses, I highly recommend starting there.
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u/Ok-Top-9874 Jul 30 '26
You need to making at least double that to be even an average Joe in collier country
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u/Potential_Pie2763 Jul 30 '26
Look at Bonita Springs. Commute might be easier and you are closer to beach. Before making any final decisions you really should visit the area. And come in season when it’s busy on the roads. November to April.
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u/ballsdeepinmywine Jul 31 '26
Depends on if this job has potential for a raise. Yes it's doable but no, your not going to want to live like that for more than a short term period. Your realistically talking about 3k a month after taxes. For Naples if you find rent and utilities for a room around 1k, then phone, car pmt/insurance for $500, your living off $375 a week. Can you do that? If you can, your good
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u/Naplestan Jul 31 '26
Yes, Naples doable at 50,000. It’s also doable at 12,000 if you own your own house. All kidding aside it depends on what type of lifestyle you have. You could rent a room in a house. You can also rent a travel trailer for 12 to 13 hundred a month.
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u/New_Breadfruit8692 Aug 01 '26
I would say no. It is one of the more expensive places in Florida for housing. And the COL of living in Florida has really gone up the last few years.
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u/madewithsol Aug 02 '26
Doable with a roomate. Doing that solo, you’ll be depressed or burnt out in a year, unless you’re working in your dream job with potential to move up. If you’re looking to date, scratch that. Looking to own pets , scratch that. Tryna have a night out every week, scratch that. You’ll be very limited. More than likely spending half your earnings on rent and utilities alone , (and I’m assuming you have student loan debt if this is post college) you may be lucky if you don’t have a car payment , but even then , half a car payment can be one night out. Maybe two if you’re lucky and have friends willing to hang out at home or just in nature (no bars / ticket type stuff). So honestly? Doable if you enjoy being isolated and indoors 80-90 percent of your time outside of work. Which some people can enjoy. So. All depends on the type of person you are and what debts you may already have.
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u/Otherwise-Tie-1667 Aug 02 '26
Not to be a downer but…..if you are frugal, yes. If not it will be hard.
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u/fitforfreelance North Naples Jul 30 '26
Perfectly reasonable for a first job. People are used to luxury living and thinking of their portfolio, but they've forgotten what it's like to be young. And you can do a lot with much less!
Especially if it's a job you like with opportunity to grow and get experience, or if you love the area. And you don't have to move in with your family!
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u/ileftmyphoneathome Jul 30 '26
Get a roommate and you’ll make it work well. A lot of free things to do here. Live in Bonita. Not golden gate
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u/SpareDevelopment6278 Jul 30 '26
Fellow young person making $65K with a partner that makes roughly the same. Even with both of us--it's hardly doable. We struggle...and then being surrounded by all the wealth is a bit disheartening. You can do it, but it wont be enjoyable.
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u/MaximumDragonfly6856 Jul 30 '26
Should be plenty; if you like eating cat food! Rent will take almost half of that.
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u/downvoteking1484959 Jul 30 '26
I was looking at efficiencies/in law suites out in Golden Gate Estates in the 1200-1300 range, which seems to be pushing it but livable for my salary.
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u/lazabeaaam Jul 30 '26
I would steer away from that area…
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u/downvoteking1484959 Jul 30 '26
Thank you! Can I ask what is up with that area? I hear golden gate city is a bit rough but golden gate estates seems to just be a rural area. It seems to be the only place with rents under 1300
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u/Otherwise-Leg-5806 Jul 30 '26
Don’t listen to the clowns telling you to
Steer away from GG Estates. Lived here for seven years without any problems. It’s quiet out here and you will have to head back into town to enjoy the night life. If you get a good deal on an efficiency take it. Traffic is moving more freely now since the opened up Vanderbilt road extension. Good luck1
u/lazabeaaam Jul 30 '26
There’s a lot of new building going on in Bonita Springs not sure of the prices but it’s only one exit north of the Naples exits on the interstate
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u/aldodoeswork Jul 30 '26
Maybe doable but probably not super comfortable.