Triathlon Study Shows Athletes on $100,000-Plus Incomes Seek Budget Hotels (Page 2)

Let's see:  I'm going to check in to the hotel after arriving at the venue the night before the race, go straight to sleep, then wake up at 5am and check out.  Why on earth would I seek anything but a cheap hotel under those circumstances?

On the other hand, for the rare races when I bring my family (really just IM), I don't go as cheaply as possible -- middle of the road or above.

You mean stuff like wife/ex wife/SO, kids, kids college tuition, religious school tuition, after school activities, etc. Adds up so fast and NONE of that is carbon fiber!

Our family income is well north of $150,000....I dirve a 1990 pick up truck with 187,000 miles on it so I have something to transport $8000.00 worth of bikes for my son and me to race/train on.  I just like riding a $5000.00 bike better than I like riding driving a $50,000 car.  It's all about choices.

Twice last year my son and I drove to a venue and camped in a tent......better than ANY hotel, by a long shot, in my book.

While I completely agree that it is all about making the right choices and living within your means I will also say that there is a great disparity between lower cost of living areas and higher ones.  My area costs a whole lot more than most.

My wife is carbon fiber.  Yes, she is that cool.

There are HUGE regional differences in cost of living.

I did just fine fresh out of college making just under $50k living in DC. I never felt like I was living below the "living wage"

Clearly you can make life work , even with a family at <$100k since the average US income isn't even close to that, but I agree that with family, things get a lot trickier and incovenient if you're a lot under that number, particularly if you live in urban or pricier areas.

Single folks or dual income couples with no kids shouldn't look at that number though - your number is half that and more, given the increased taxes you pay at the higher rates. So for a single person, $40k/yr is pretty reasonable for living wage where you still can afford a few nice things.

I've heard all the claims that triathlon is one of the most expensive sports out there, and while it certainly CAN be, I disagree wholeheartedly that it has to be, even if you're not skimping on things. I don't find triathlon that expensive except for the megaraces and housing/travel accompanying it, which you can avoid if you're in driving range.

There are too many regional disparities to suggest that a single dollar number (whether wage or room rate) can be compared.  $100K may not be much in NY or DC, which is why those of us who make less don't live there!  I am the frugal type, and cannot see ever spending $300+ on a hotel room.  My wife gets these types of rooms while attending medical meetings (practice pays) and she likes them.  They are nice, but the $28 breakfast buffet or $8 coffee is just too much for me.

I spent a lot more money back when I used to ski / snowboard multiple times per week.  Talk about an expensive hobby...

It seems many of the lesser hotels have a free breakfast buffet.  Before the race you can swing by there and get what you want.  Your vehicle is usually parked right by your room.  You exit right out onto the parking lot from your room so you don't have to wrestle your bike in the elevator.   It's usually on a busy road that you pull right out on and get to where you're going to go.

The larger more expensive hotels seem to charge you for a sit down meal that can take over an hour.  You have to park in a garage.  They are located in a congested area.  Check out can be more difficult.

Finally, since most races are early in the morning, it's not like you stay in the room for very long.

It's not that they're not nice but there's just no reason for it.

come live in Manhattan and say that.

if you live in Manhattan, and have kids the minimum is way north of that.

Not been in tri as long as many here, but I find low-mid priced lodging generally more athlete friendly (e.g. not hassling me bringing my own gear & bike to my room).  As long as lodging is comfortable, convenient, and accommodating I'm happy.  And sometimes camping in my minivan on-site has worked out better than what $130 local hotel had to offer. 

Not sure why the survey picked that income threshold, but I agree $100k just ain't what is used to be in many parts of the US.  A lot of that is lost in taxes (Uncle Sam, state, local, sales, property, etc.) and inflation is higher than Feds claim (e.g. food, gas, college, etc.). Clearly it ain't the new "minimum wage", but it sure ain't filthy rich anymore either.

Manhattan is the exception, not the rule. But I agree with you that I'd need to be much closer to $100k there to live like I do in FL, or I did in DC, San Diego, Key West and everywhere else I've lived in the past few years.

According to this: http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/costofliving/costofliving.html, my former $50k in DC would need to be $76k in Manhattan to maintain a comparable lifestyle. Housing will cost an estimated 72% more in Manhattan than in DC. Ouch.

Get a job you lazy hippies.

For 99.9% of my races, I am not there for vacation.  I check in after dinner and check out at 5:30am next morning.  I want a decent place to rest my head and a continental breakfast or microwave.  Why would I not want a budget motel.  I can carry my own luggage, thanks.  Overpay for a greasy breakfast, umm no.  $10/day internet, get the f outta here.

My normal exceptions are our marathons which are usually big city destination races which I then weigh a lot of factors, with money only being one of them (usually location being #1).      

Yea, you should talk to others.  I'm no where close to that.

I've stayed at the Ritz and a few other high end hotels, and yes, I can be a bit of a hotel snob, but staying at a really nice hotel is a treat a saved for special occasions.  Going to a tri is not one of those occasions and rarely are they in locations where an high end hotel is even a viable option. 

Its all about economy when I travel for a race.  Maybe if I was going to a destination race, but no other time.  Especially in an expensive sport such as ours, I'm always looking for ways to keep the costs manageable. 

tom, any minimum-wage openings at tri sports? would be happy to come back to the old pueblo on a new minimum wage salary

That is actually what i meant.  I honestly don't know how people who are making real min wage survive especially if they have a family.