Can I live in LA on $45k a year? (apartment, for rent)

[MOving-bigtime]

When I mean live, I mean:

Can I enjoy some of LA's nice restuarants at least once a week
Hit some of the hotspots twice a week.
Buy a few clothes now and then
and take trips to northern Cali for a long weekend

OR

will I be eating mac&chez out of paper plates?
and trying to count my pennies to pay for gas?

I have a housing arrangement where I can share a place for $900 a month.
There is no point in me moving to LA if I'm going to be poor.
What is average for electricity for many people in LA?

*$45k is BEFORE taxes

[FROMCATOGA]

$900 for rent will be very helpful, but also factor in other bills (car payment, insurance, gas, food, utilities, and a few extra bucks for fun)... $45K in L.A. based on the fact that you'll be spending $900.00 a month for rent should suffice, but you want be living the high-life, that's for sure... But you may be okay.

[marilyn220]

You'll be just "okay" and I agree with the above poster, you won't be living the high life.

[PureHapa]

I've done it and have friends that still do it. You'd best stay away from Spago, LOL. But there are lots of places to eat. Electric is cheap if you are in an area where you don't have to run the air con in summer - which is many areas.

It's all relative. But if you're young and want to move here - L.A. and environs can be a very fun and exciting place to live.

[artichoke63]

Originally Posted by MOving-bigtime

When I mean live, I mean:

Can I enjoy some of LA's nice restuarants at least once a week
Hit some of the hotspots twice a week.
Buy a few clothes now and then
and take trips to northern Cali for a long weekend

OR

will I be eating mac&chez out of paper plates?
and trying to count my pennies to pay for gas?

I have a housing arrangement where I can share a place for $900 a month.
There is no point in me moving to LA if I'm going to be poor.
What is average for electricity for many people in LA?

*$45k is BEFORE taxes

You need to write out a budget and see what you have left over for entertainment! I think that's the best thing to do, don't you?

Artie

[MOving-bigtime]

Is $5000 a good amount per year towards "entertainment" assuming I spend around $100 a week.

[Paula Lynn]

$100/week for entertainment sounds like alot of money to be blowing. You need to look at cutting corners. If you don't have car payments and a high credit card debt, you can do it. Budget appropriately. Just my advise.

[nav75]

You'll look pretty poor though. Every one in LA has BMw's and MB's but you'll most likely eating at fast food.

[midnightbirdgirl]

It is going to be tight. What is your net?
Where will you work? What will your commute be like, gas here is high.
There is also car insurance to consider, utilities, food...
mbg

[Sorcerer68]

Get a small apartment or share a place, watch your expenses and you'll do just fine. 900 a month will get you a share in a nice place or a studio. I lived in L.A. for years on comparatively less and did just fine.