What's the bare minimum cost to live in Denver? (Loveland: apartment, leasing agent)

[Mar.k]

I'm a 21 year old looking to relocate to Denver or surrounding areas. I currently make around $200 a week online. So this would be a budget of $800 a month. I don't eat out and shop conservatively, about $160 a month for food. I'll be looking for a studio or micro apartment, so I'm specifically looking to live alone in as small and inexpensive a place as possible. I have about a $3,000 savings currently. All things considered, would I be able to move to Denver and live modestly with said budget alone? I do plan on trying to get a part time job once I'm there.

Thanks.

[davebarnes]

Do not move here!
You are a few dollars short.

[Mar.k]

Originally Posted by davebarnes

Do not move here!
You are a few dollars short.

So basically I couldn't find a studio apartment for less than $640 a month counting water, electricity, trash, heating/cooling, and internet? I'm not looking specifically for city center, it could be anywhere near the city (within a couple hours). I saw listings on Craigslist for a studio in Loveland for $450 all utilities and internet included. Am I missing something here?

[Hschlick84]

I don't recommend moving to Colorado, it's expensive and not worth the COL. Check out some neighboring states.

[Mar.k]

Originally Posted by Hschlick84

I don't recommend moving to Colorado, it's expensive and not worth the COL. Check out some neighboring states.

Well the thing is I'm partial toward the area, been there a few times and quite like it a lot. Whether it's worth it or not is subjective, and depends on the kind of deal you can get on rent. It looks like I could realistically cover my expenses for under $500 a month in some of these cheap studios, that's certainly not expensive in my eyes. Am I flat out wrong for thinking I could get a studio that cheap? I've just been looking on Craigslist and will continue to shop around on there for a few months or so until I find a good deal.

[SkyDog77]

Might help us give perspective if we understood where you currently live and have lived before.

[Jimrob1]

If its something you want to do, then you should do it. Your very young and you only get one life, so make the most of it. Many places are expensive and a number of them, are far more expensive than Denver . Yet people find ways to live in them. If things were so bad in Denver then no one could afford to live there but the wealthy. Always do what you want to do, or you will regret it at some point.

[mic111]

Given that you say you don't eat out and shop conservatively I don't think renting a room with a dorm sized refrigerator and a small microwave is going to suit you. You can't really cook in that situation, you just heat up expensive prepared food. That is what the place in Loveland is at that price. It is more a transitional situation.

You say you are partial to the area but it doesn't sound like you have enough to stay off the streets so hence we are warning you that it is a bad choice. The cost of living is going up so if you don't have significant upward prospects moving here is going to do nothing but lock you into subsistence level living and perhaps throw you into a homeless shelter.

Not to mention that if you are constantly living on the edge of financial ruin there isn't anything about the area that you will be able to take advantage of as you will have to work all the time just to make ends meet. Your car registration alone could smash your budget and leave you with no food or rent money.

[emm74]

Located on the 1st floor, this small studio is in the heart of Loveland's Historic District, with shops and restaurants just out the front door.This lovely single-occupant studio awaits you. It is on the building's main level with no stairs to climb. Includes a refrigerator, microwave, and full bath, includes ALL utilities, DirectTV, and Wi-Fi at no extra charge, wonderful community atmosphere. (No pets please.)This unique apartment will go FAST! For prompt attention call Our Leasing Agent show contact info Security deposit and first month's rent required for move in. All applications are subject to a background check and reference verification.

https://fortcollins.craigslist.org/apa/5529769973.html

From the photos, it looks like one of the things it doesn't include are any windows??

What if you aren't first in line to rent this oh so charming abode? Was there anything else within your budget? Also, does your $800 include transportation of any kind?

[TCHP]

Do you have a car? If yes, your insurance will go up. Oh, so will your registration. Do you do your own maintenance on it? If not, that runs about $90-100 an hour. Do you have snow tires for it, if not, you'll need a set.

If you haven't noticed, Loveland isn't Denver. Its 30 minutes away. You will need a car out here.

You're young, you should pursue adventure. It just takes more than $800 a month to do so in the Denver area. You may have to expand your search in the region, but all the above conditions exist through out the state. Now, if you can get a part time job in addition to you $800 monthly internet work, then things may be workable.