Letter: On Long Island, pay doesn’t go as far
About two dozen people from as far away as New Jersey came to Port Washington to take a tour, guided by Craig Morrison, of the Execution Rock Lighthouse on the Long Island Sound on July 16, 2011. Credit: Steve Pfost
The Census Bureau’s definition of “middle class” doesn’t fit Long Island [“Household shift,” News, Oct. 18]. With our astronomical regional cost of living, $185,000 doesn’t make someone wealthy. Property tax bills of $12,000 or so take a chunk out of family budgets.
The income problem is far worse than reported. My local financial adviser has told me that $300,000 on Long Island isn’t a lot, based on what we pay for things.
There should not be a blanket thrown over the country on what constitutes wealth. It deserves more careful thought and analysis that include regional costs in the equation.
Carol Schwasnick, Oakdale
