Possible to Live on $4000/Month?

[funcrew]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

Far enough inland that you'll wonder if you're still in the California you've heard so much about.

Truth. 30 miles inland from San Diego and you will feel like you're in Texas. And I don't mean that in a good way. On the other hand there are many places in the Sierra foothills that are gorgeous where you could live easily on $4K. If you could find work.

Good luck to you and congrats on your debt-free status.

[Xplorer]

Haha oh man... I could live on 4k a month EASILY anywhere in California... people these days need a wake up call..

[coholder]

$4k per month is basically exactly my situation, that's the combined take home for my wife and I, and we live in Santa Barbara, and don't struggle.

It's all about how you choose to live. We don't drink alcohol that much, but we still enjoy eating out ~3 times a week, we have one car, and we rent a good-but-not-great apartment that's less than a mile from the beach. $4k per month take home, and while we don't live extravagantly, the city itself is extravagant and we live comfortably. We add money to our savings every month on that amount of pay, and are quite happy (although my wife really wants a puppy, but other apartments that would allow the dog are quite a bit more expensive than our current place, that's really the only major thing we have given up to live here like we do).

[MonkeyKid]

Originally Posted by KarmaPhx

Would it be possible to live above poverty on $4000 a month after taxes anywhere in southern/central California?

From the research we have done we won't be making more than this for the first year until we finish school and gain residency.

We have no car payments, and no debt, the $4k would be for rent, insurance, food, gas, cell phone, etc.

Hoping to find a decent 1bd apartment/house within a hour of the beach driving.

I also have a good friend who is considering the move as well and would be able to contribute more towards a 2bd if that would work out better?

YES you can find something within your budget in SoCal. For someone in med school, you should apply your research and study skills to finding this information on your own before posting these type of questions.