Bay Area living cost estimation
Looking at some Bay Area jobs and trying to estimate the costs I would be adding. Any big costs I’d be missing here that are jacked up by SF living vs another city? Rent (SoMa 1br) $3800 Parking spot $350 Caltrain $110 Pet Care $1000 Putting this against my current $1600/mo rent, assuming utilities are pretty standard. TC 140 in NC, getting offers for TC 190-210 (not counting equity since equity isn’t reliable from pre IPO)
I heard bad things about dramatic rent increase after first year at Avalon.
Thanks! The nice part I guess is that it can be easy to move once I’ve downsized my stuff (I currently own 3 couches 😅)
Avalon complex is shit man. It stinks and There is a LOT of engine noise from the Caltrain station, a constant 24/7 hum...won’t be able to open a single window if it is facing west. and you won’t be able to go to or leave your house if there is a ball game... it becomes a riot sometimes...Look at Azure complex or the ones in mission bay. Rent will be at least 4K a month for a 1bdr and 300-400 for one parking spot. Utilities + internet typically 200 a month (higher if you have AC). There are cheaper complexes but they won’t allow pets. If you want cheaper rent you need to find a private landlord or room with someone. As mentioned the large complexes jack up your rent at least 5% a year. How old are you ? Single or not ?
Mid 20s, single but gf will probably move in in about a year when she finishes school
Cool you’ll have a good time in SF. If you don’t need to be by Caltrain look at pac heights, nob hill and pan handle. I lived in SOMA myself but I like those areas much better than SOMA. If I were your age and were to do it again I’d find some cool people to room with and party like it’s 1999.
Pet care is more than $1000 depending on what you’re doing. Doggie daycare can be $7k a year in SF
Was estimating per month
Are you moving from NC just to try something new or there is another reason behind it?
Haven’t gotten more than 2% raise at work in 3 years despite being a top performer and promised more than 5% each year. Tired of the excuses and lying.
No guarantee it won't be the same in Bay Area
5.3k living expenses for a single person without considering other monthly expenses? That is just not sustainable. Assuming 1k for misc. expenses per month, you are one big event away from getting broke
Yes that’s the number and believe it or not people do it. I did this myself for 6 years. When I first moved to SF it was a bit cheaper but my rent was about 4200 when I left. It was a fun time. The drawback is besides 401K and RSUs you will have little in extra savings. But I would do it again. We live only once and the OP is in his 20s. There won’t be an opportunity to live and party like this again.
You need money to party... i would rather live in a studio/ find a cheaper house and save 5000 bucks just for travel
You could probably find cheaper in SOMA for a 1br. For a super modern 1br, you can usually find something between $3,300-3,800 a month. For reference, I live in a new complex, large 1br, with a private underground parking garage for $3600 including utilities. You should also factor in the increased cost of renters and car insurance when moving to SF. Cost of food and eating out is higher here as well, in addition to gas.
Thanks! I am really eyeing that Avalon complex (Caltrain and oracle park proximity). Have you heard any negatives about it? I’m going to be selling one of my two cars so I imagine my insurance won’t rise too much, but these are great considerations I hadn’t had before. Are groceries much more expensive in SF over LA (lived there before, and probably more fair for reference)
And if you have good access to Caltrain, I’d love to hear what complex you’re in (I can pm) to look into that one too.