Humor me about CA (Mojave: apartments, rent, incomes)

[roxyh]

Call me dumb but I am really wondering something.

In SW Michigan I make about $1000 monthly($12 parttime for a hospital). I can pay for an apartment (with roommates in once of the more trendy towns), gas, food, car payments, and extras. I don't have a lot of money, but I have enough.

Looking at different apartment listings I'm not sure how people in California can afford about $1000 a month for a two bedroom (ave. for us is about $500), plus gas, plus extras.

Humor me!

I'm not sure how the average (lets say...) single twenty-something can afford to live on their own.

I would love if someone can reply

[EscapeCalifornia]

Well wages are higher here than Michigan, but not 2-3 times as high. People here live with their parents or have multiple roommates into their late 20's and 30's. Actually, $1000/mo for a 2 bedroom apartment in LA wouldn't be a very good part of town. People also don't work part time unless they have someone else supporting them. $1000/mo income in LA means renting someone's master closet as your "apartment".

[Ultrarunner]

Hospital wages can be much higher in CA...

As far as a two bedroom apartments go... most of the ones I rent have two incomes...

$1000 will get you a clean 2 bedroom apartment in some areas of the East SF Bay... and even cheaper in the Valley...

In other areas, $1000 won't be enough for even a one bedroom

If your a RN... you can always get a job here and the pay isn't bad

[CA central coast]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

Well wages are higher here than Michigan, but not 2-3 times as high. People here live with their parents or have multiple roommates into their late 20's and 30's. Actually, $1000/mo for a 2 bedroom apartment in LA wouldn't be a very good part of town. People also don't work part time unless they have someone else supporting them. $1000/mo income in LA means renting someone's master closet as your "apartment".

roomates later in age is common. I know married couples who have roomates. Where I live can be expensive though. This is a big state. housing costs can vary depending on an area. For example, the Mojave Desert area. some areas have a very low (California standards) cost of living. Maybe even comparable to your area of Michigan.