1hr for my pft1 test hope I do good
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Question to any BP agents (or anyone with credible knowledge) that have been stationed in CA: I put down CA as my location preference back in 2010 when I started the hiring process and was given that location. Since that time I have moved out of CA to AZ and (of course) found the cost of living to be much better. I have read of other applicants managing to change their location when they got the call if a spot in another state was available and I'm currently considering asking to be stationed in AZ instead when that call comes (sometime this year hopefully). So getting to the question... how well can a new GS-7 hire (with a family to support) get by financially in CA? I'm familiar with the cost of living there having spent plenty of years in CA but it would be very helpful to know if I do end up getting stationed there how it has worked out for other BP agents out of the academy. Thanks-You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.
-Jack London
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Originally posted by RAllen View PostQuestion to any BP agents (or anyone with credible knowledge) that have been stationed in CA: I put down CA as my location preference back in 2010 when I started the hiring process and was given that location. Since that time I have moved out of CA to AZ and (of course) found the cost of living to be much better. I have read of other applicants managing to change their location when they got the call if a spot in another state was available and I'm currently considering asking to be stationed in AZ instead when that call comes (sometime this year hopefully). So getting to the question... how well can a new GS-7 hire (with a family to support) get by financially in CA? I'm familiar with the cost of living there having spent plenty of years in CA but it would be very helpful to know if I do end up getting stationed there how it has worked out for other BP agents out of the academy. Thanks-
1. How big your family is
2. What your expenses are
3. Where in CA you live/work
My best advice is to do your own research. Go to the OPM website and search the GS pay scale, then apply locality pay, AUO, and FLSA.
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Originally posted by RAllen View PostQuestion to any BP agents (or anyone with credible knowledge) that have been stationed in CA: I put down CA as my location preference back in 2010 when I started the hiring process and was given that location. Since that time I have moved out of CA to AZ and (of course) found the cost of living to be much better. I have read of other applicants managing to change their location when they got the call if a spot in another state was available and I'm currently considering asking to be stationed in AZ instead when that call comes (sometime this year hopefully). So getting to the question... how well can a new GS-7 hire (with a family to support) get by financially in CA? I'm familiar with the cost of living there having spent plenty of years in CA but it would be very helpful to know if I do end up getting stationed there how it has worked out for other BP agents out of the academy. Thanks-
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Originally posted by o2force View PostThat is a very difficult question to answer. An appropriate answer depends on some of the following issues:
1. How big your family is
2. What your expenses are
3. Where in CA you live/work
My best advice is to do your own research. Go to the OPM website and search the GS pay scale, then apply locality pay, AUO, and FLSA.
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I appreciate the input guys. I did some research to get a better idea of expenses and it does look like it is doable for a GS-7 (soon to be G-9 after the academy I guess) with some give and take depending on the zip code. As mentioned, plenty of guys have done it and come out just fine.
Cyber Saint: My wife and I both have most of our family living in CA (Temecula, Murrieta) so that would be a huge plus (for her, I'd be happy with it but not crazy ecstatic like her). Even with AZ being complete hell during the summer I still really like it here and the fact that everything I like to do isn't illegal in AZ has a lot to do with that. Another financial factor that would make things work in CA would be my using the GI Bills on-the-job training benefits (basically a housing allowance stipend like I got in the military) as a trainee. For high priced zip codes the GI Bill payment can be pretty nice as a supplement to the normal BP income, especially with all the back and forth chatter of AOU going away at certain stations.
If the call comes and they respond that there is also a spot available in AZ I'll likely take that. That being said, if they offer a station in CA within a reasonable distance of Temecula/Murrieta and I don't take it my wife will probably assault me with every sharp object in our house.You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.
-Jack London
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And now it looks like my CA or AZ decision might not be an issue anyway. The latest word from MHC is that most (or all, depending on the person you speak w/) of those hired this year will be headed to TX. I've already learned to take everything that flies across discussion boards w/ a grain of salt but I'd like to be prepared for all scenarios.You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.
-Jack London
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Originally posted by RAllen View PostI appreciate the input guys. I did some research to get a better idea of expenses and it does look like it is doable for a GS-7 (soon to be G-9 after the academy I guess) with some give and take depending on the zip code. As mentioned, plenty of guys have done it and come out just fine.
Cyber Saint: My wife and I both have most of our family living in CA (Temecula, Murrieta) so that would be a huge plus (for her, I'd be happy with it but not crazy ecstatic like her). Even with AZ being complete hell during the summer I still really like it here and the fact that everything I like to do isn't illegal in AZ has a lot to do with that. Another financial factor that would make things work in CA would be my using the GI Bills on-the-job training benefits (basically a housing allowance stipend like I got in the military) as a trainee. For high priced zip codes the GI Bill payment can be pretty nice as a supplement to the normal BP income, especially with all the back and forth chatter of AOU going away at certain stations.
If the call comes and they respond that there is also a spot available in AZ I'll likely take that. That being said, if they offer a station in CA within a reasonable distance of Temecula/Murrieta and I don't take it my wife will probably assault me with every sharp object in our house.
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