What are the expenses of moving out in Northern OC? (Anaheim: apartments, for rent)

[SilverMystique]

Hey everyone. I'm a 19 year old girl who wants/needs to live out on her own. I live in Northern OC and will most likely stay here. I'm working part-time right now and need another job to be able to survive on my own. But..

What I need help on is figuring out the cost of living on one's own. This would be my first time, and I'm going to be honest, I'm quite a spoiled kid. Though, I'm very hardworking so I know I could make it on my own if I had enough money, but I don't really have too much of a clue of what actual and hidden expenses I can calculate into my spreadsheet. I can make estimates easily, but I would rather have legitimate advice that people with real experience have to offer.

I'm looking to move to a studio apartment. My health insurance would be the only expense my parents would continue to provide. I have a car, and I'd be leaving on good terms so most likely I can come back home to do laundry and eat from timeto time.

Thanks in advance!

[Dunbar42]

Post the expenses you have budgeted for now and I'm sure people will chime in to correct your assumptions. Also, post your take home pay per month including any contribution your parents will be making to your expenses.

[ragnarkar]

1500/mo is a good target to aim for.. maybe a little more if you're living in a studio. I rent a room in a house (south Anaheim) for 600 and my 1500 includes entertainment, health insurance, and discretionary spending.

[SilverMystique]

Originally Posted by Dunbar42

Post the expenses you have budgeted for now and I'm sure people will chime in to correct your assumptions. Also, post your take home pay per month including any contribution your parents will be making to your expenses.

Well right now I'm working part-time, making around $500 a month, and it's not enough money to really cover much of anything. I'm assuming that after I get another job, which I would want full time, I should be making about $1000-1500 from that, to make it a total of $1500-2000. There won't be financial contribution from my parents if I move out. The only expense, like I mentioned earlier, would be my health insurance that would be covered.

I mentioned I have a car, so expenses like auto insurance and gas will be a factor. The other main expenses I could think of are rent, utilities, and food. But I'm just not sure how much all of those would cost per month since I haven't had such responsibility.

[ragnarkar]

I consider this a "bare minimum budget"

Rent with utilities and internet: 500 (look on craigslist for deals)
Food: 150
Health + Auto insurance: 150
Gas: 100
Misc: 100

Total: 1000/mo.

Eating out, entertainment, savings, unexpected expenses could easily add another 500/mo.

Also factor in taxes and other deductions when you calculate your take home pay (around 20-25%).

[proudmommy]

Originally Posted by SilverMystique

now I'm working part-time, making around $500 a month,

after I get another job, which I would want full time, I should be making about $1000-1500 from that, to make it a total of $1500-2000.

If you're making $1000-$1500 /month from a full time job, that's about $8-$10/hour. So, you're talking about working maybe 200 hours/month or pushing 50 hours per week? That might not be a very fun life.

Using the rule of thumb 1/3 expenses for rent that's $500-$650 or so for rent. I doubt you'd find a studio apartment for that cheap.

Am I missing something?

[SilverMystique]

Originally Posted by ragnarkar

I consider this a "bare minimum budget"

Rent with utilities and internet: 500 (look on craigslist for deals)
Food: 150
Health + Auto insurance: 150
Gas: 100
Misc: 100

Total: 1000/mo.

Eating out, entertainment, savings, unexpected expenses could easily add another 500/mo.

Also factor in taxes and other deductions when you calculate your take home pay (around 20-25%).

Thank you!

Originally Posted by proudmommy

If you're making $1000-$1500 /month from a full time job, that's about $8-$10/hour. So, you're talking about working maybe 200 hours/month or pushing 50 hours per week? That might not be a very fun life.

Using the rule of thumb 1/3 expenses for rent that's $500-$650 or so for rent. I doubt you'd find a studio apartment for that cheap.

Am I missing something?

Hmm.. No, you're not. I will keep what you have said in mind.

[redjan1225]

Originally Posted by SilverMystique

Hey everyone. I'm a 19 year old girl who wants/needs to live out on her own. I live in Northern OC and will most likely stay here. I'm working part-time right now and need another job to be able to survive on my own. But..

What I need help on is figuring out the cost of living on one's own. This would be my first time, and I'm going to be honest, I'm quite a spoiled kid. Though, I'm very hardworking so I know I could make it on my own if I had enough money, but I don't really have too much of a clue of what actual and hidden expenses I can calculate into my spreadsheet. I can make estimates easily, but I would rather have legitimate advice that people with real experience have to offer.

I'm looking to move to a studio apartment. My health insurance would be the only expense my parents would continue to provide. I have a car, and I'd be leaving on good terms so most likely I can come back home to do laundry and eat from timeto time.

Thanks in advance!

Be willing to look outside your comfort zone (somewhat). I grew up in Yorba Linda/Placentia/Anaheim Hills, but when I moved out on my own 14 years ago, I couldn't afford apartments in any of those areas. So, I first rented a tiny little duplex in historic Fullerton for $580 per month and I struggled. I was doing fine until my car died and I've pretty much lived in debt since. I did move home for a short while before leaving again and moving into historic Anaheim where I rented a house for about $800 per month (but had a roommate). Definitely look into getting a roommate or bunking with someone for awhile. And while those neighborhoods were not exactly where I envisioned myself living, I still felt safe there and enjoyed their accessibility to everything (I used to walk to the grocery store and Fullerton College).

I totally understand the need to flee the family nest and wish you the best of luck.