That’s it. My career goals are in academia. But since that won’t pay the bills (or my PhD living expenses,) I’m going to take a 6-8 year detour in my academic career to get a law degree and work in big law, which will pay for both.
Once I’ve completed my PhD and saved enough, I’ll move somewhere beautiful and quiet with nice suburbs (and good schools to teach at!) and build a house.
I can imagine it in my mind, it’s so clear. I grew up in a lot of uncertainty so the moment I step into **my** home I think I would explode. Finally, I would have something to truly call my own. I would also want to make sure it could never be taken from me.
I don’t know the first thing about starting a project like this, so, maybe you guys have some suggestions or ideas. I love to be extra prepared so if there’s anything I should factor into my plan, or any resources that could help, please let me know. Also, if you have been through the home building/home buying process, I’d love to hear about your thoughts and experiences.
It's not a terrible plan, just know that biglaw jobs are in no way guaranteed, and a lot of that biglaw income will go toward paying down your student loans. I worked in biglaw for 7 years and while it definitely helped me financially, I don't know that I earned enough to get the house you described.
7
crowfactoryApr 1, 2026
+1
That’s really helpful! If you don’t mind me asking, what did you go on to do after leaving biglaw?
1
gkr974Apr 1, 2026
+3
Went into public interest law. I was only able to because I lived beneath my means, saved a lot, and aggressively paid down my student loans.
3
Content_Coyote_7885Apr 1, 2026
+1
🤔 I was thinking the same thing
1
autotelicaApr 1, 2026
+6
Are you going to build the house before you get the job in academia? Because you may want to wait until you get tenure somewhere. It wouldn't make sense to build your dream house and then have to say goodbye because there is an assistant professor position with your name on it five hundred miles away. And you definitely don't want to have to say goodbye because you have been denied tenure.
You also seem to be pretty optimistic that you will be eager to go right from law school into a Ph.D program while working (presumably) full time in Big Law. Sounds like a recipe for burnout and/or subpar job performance to me.
You aren't describing a simple life. You are describing a super complicated, high-stress life. I am not telling you not to do it, but you gotta recognize that your idea right now sounds like a fantasy more than a realistic plan.
6
psyvibeApr 1, 2026
+3
Word. A law degree and working at big law is not a detour. It’s a major commitment, and very competitive. Most lawyers I’ve met also work crazy hours and are burnt out until they get made a partner or something. That’s both in big law and smaller firms.
3
crowfactoryApr 1, 2026
+1
I appreciate your comment, I know it sounds like fantasy, lol. Maybe in some ways it is. Your point about being tenured first is highly noted! I hadn’t thought of that.
I suffered a health issue that caused me to be nearly immobilized and I couldn’t do anything for over a year. When I got better I promised myself I wouldn’t waste my time dawdling—a house has been my dream since I was a poor, hungry kid.
It doesn’t sound like a simple life on the outset because it isn’t, but that’s because I have to work really hard to get to the simple life I want.
Also, I would leave biglaw to pursue my PhD. Some of the income saved would go towards a comfortable transition into doctoral studies. I’m thinking that maybe I could get a few clients and work as a consultant for some extra income.
But I hear you! I have to manage my expectations and stress. Thank you!
1
autotelicaApr 1, 2026
+5
Honey, you are going to have to work longer than 6-8 years in BigLaw if you are going to have enough to pay off student loans, pay for a Ph.D program, cover living expenses (including that BigLaw wardrobe and hairstyling you will need)..all while building enough savings for a custom-built house in a nice suburb.
And being a professor will not set you up for a simple life. It is a life of stress and aggravation. I don't know any professor who isn't high strung and chronically tired. I have a doctorate. The process of getting it made me realize my laidback self would not fit in in academia.
I totally get wanting a life of simplicity. But you haven't described what that means to you. Is it just having a job you love and a beautiful house? A simple sounding dream is not the same thing as a simple reality.
5
No_Cap_3963Apr 1, 2026
+3
what do you think of as really nice in a house?
3
crowfactoryApr 1, 2026
+1
2 story mid century modern home with some land and a good distance from my neighbors. 3,500-4,000 sq ft. No HOA, lol
1
ElderberryNatural527Apr 1, 2026
+4
You’re describing a property that will likely cost $10k per month, that you’ll be constantly having to hire contractors to maintain. I’m sorry but on what planet is that a simple life?
4
psyvibeApr 1, 2026
+1
$10k/mo what are you talking about??
1
NotoriousCFRApr 1, 2026
+2
In my area, a property like what OP is describing is gonna be around 850k-900k on the low end. Easily over a million if you go in closer to the city/more bougie towns. That's gonna be about $5000/mo in principal and interest alone. Then probably another $1-2k in property taxes. Once you add insurance, utilities, etc. you're at what, like $8k? You could save money by doing your own landscaping and cleaning, but if you hire those services out (as many working people with a big house and big property do) that probably puts you right at $10k...
2
psyvibeApr 1, 2026
+1
A 4000 sqft house is huge. Do you really need all that space?
Also building your own house is not simple lol.
1
crowfactoryApr 1, 2026
+1
lol I can compromise, either on the size or custom building it, but certainly not both.
1
ChainsawSoundingFartApr 1, 2026
+3
So does everyone else, get in line buddy
3
crowfactoryApr 1, 2026
+2
What are you doing to achieve your version of this goal?
2
ChainsawSoundingFartApr 1, 2026
+1
Already own my house
1
AlterNateApr 1, 2026
+2
Sounds like a plan! It's GREAT to have goals...and you will refine them as you get closer to them.
2
crowfactoryApr 1, 2026
+1
Thank you!!!
1
3bears123Apr 1, 2026
+1
I would suggest looking at areas now and potentially buying the land asap.
1
Content_Coyote_7885Apr 1, 2026
+1
Just a nice house and simple life is fine with me
1
crvbabybugApr 1, 2026
+1
That’s not a simple life even before the economy started being crummy that was always upper middle class. A nice suburb is already expensive. A nice suburb with room between the houses is multimillionaire expensive. The areas around universities are additionally expensive.
1
Wooden_Permit3234Apr 1, 2026
+1
> I’m going to take a 6-8 year detour in my academic career to get a law degree and work in big law, which will pay for both.
I hope you get a scholarship to a really good school, man.
Otherwise it’s gonna be like 5-6+ years just to pay off the JD, assuming you actually get biglaw.
If you pay sticker price and don’t get biglaw, well, your plan is going to take a whole lot longer.
Have you taken a practice LSAT? Have a strong undergraduate GPA? It’s competitive to get into good law schools and more competitive still to sniff biglaw.
1
MollyMoMoMagsApr 1, 2026
+1
What is your PhD field of study?
1
2dznotherdirtyloversApr 1, 2026
You’re going to law school for a temporary job? Why not work some different construction trades and build your own house?
0
crowfactoryApr 1, 2026
+1
The law degree would help my academic career, as far as having hands on experience to contribute to the literature, and being able to work as a legal consultant for extra income during my PhD (and beyond.)
27 Comments