utilities (Raleigh, Durham, Hillsborough: apartment, rent , jobs)

[KimJ]

What do utilities run on average for a 2500 square foot house, water electric, garbage, etc?

[NewUser]

It all depends. Too many variables to get useful answers, in my opinion.

For example, I could have a family of 9 living in my 2500 sq ft house. We work from home and home-school our children. We each take 2 long hot showers each day. We all eat a lot of bran cereal and drink a lot of water. We like our house to be 68 degrees in the heat of summer and 82 in winter.

You on the other hand, may have 2 people in your house, bathe once a week, both have jobs outside the home, etc. You see my point?

A better approach would be to look at your utility bills and determine how many cubic feet of water you use each month, how many kilowatt hours of electricity you use, etc. and then call the utility companies down here and find out what their rates are. Multiplying your usage by their rates would give you a good estimate.

[NCHomeFinder]

If you're looking at one or two specific properties, you can call the utility company and get the yearly average, as well as the high/low amounts for that address. While that family's usage may be different than your own, at least it's a starting point.

[cary_nc]

Water, sewer and garbage rates are all different depending on the community in which you live.

[KimJ]

I had figured they would run differently from town to town, but since we haven't settled on a house or exact town, I was looking for an idea on some of those hidden extra costs, that might make me lean to one place or another. On our house in PA we had different garbage caost all within the same community, some parts a lot more, and some were covered by the community association.

[urbywan]

Funny how people do not post their bills.

Fuquay Varina 2650 sq feet new house Gas Bill April to early may cold first half of april with record lows during easter week heat was on 64 dollars. 1.20 per therm. Hot water heater is gas gas fireplace and forced hot air heat.

Electric Bill, AC was on the second half of the month it got Hot record heat 90 degrees late april early may 74.55 8.045 kwh until july 1 then 9.045 kwh Electric dryer and electric cooking.

Water Sewer and trash 75.00 monthly bill used water on the lawn more days than I wanted to. You get charged fees for sewer on the amount of water used. 14.95 set fee for trash out of the 75.00 last month.

Does this help?

Oh 3 great ceiling fans, get them!!

Two adults we stay comfortble lots of weekend visitors and house guests monthly, many showers a day baths lots of laundry and we keep the heat at the 66 68 range cooling in the 76 to 78 range. Master downstairs overhangs and trees to provide shade on the house. Hardy board siding great insulation.

[MrsSteel]

Kim, I've found that it can vary widely by community. For instance, I've been living in Hillsborough for a year & my trash has been picked up by Republic Waste Services once a week (cost: $19/month). However, now I'm moving to Durham where trash pick-up is covered by taxes so there is no trash bill.

[KIMBERRRR]

Originally Posted by urbywan

Funny how people do not post their bills.

Fuquay Varina 2650 sq feet new house Gas Bill April to early may cold first half of april with record lows during easter week heat was on 64 dollars. 1.20 per therm. Hot water heater is gas gas fireplace and forced hot air heat.

Electric Bill, AC was on the second half of the month it got Hot record heat 90 degrees late april early may 74.55 8.045 kwh until july 1 then 9.045 kwh Electric dryer and electric cooking.

Water Sewer and trash 75.00 monthly bill used water on the lawn more days than I wanted to. You get charged fees for sewer on the amount of water used. 14.95 set fee for trash out of the 75.00 last month.

Does this help?

Oh 3 great ceiling fans, get them!!

Two adults we stay comfortble lots of weekend visitors and house guests monthly, many showers a day baths lots of laundry and we keep the heat at the 66 68 range cooling in the 76 to 78 range. Master downstairs overhangs and trees to provide shade on the house. Hardy board siding great insulation.

Holy Cow! I can't wait to get there! I live in Bay Area CA where my electricity bill is typically $197 a month on a 750 sq. ft. one bedroom apartment. Water and trash are a bit cheaper at $45 a month. My rent is also $1850 a month for the same 750 sq. ft. one bedroom apartment. I have to giggle hysterically whenever I dream about paying bills in NC (moving June 22). I can't wait!

[KimJ]

Thank you, I was hoping my inlaws were trying to just scare us into not moving. On Long Island, for a 2500 square foor home, my electric hovers at 292 a month, water & garbage are cheap (added into taxes) so out of pocket is 15-20 a quarter, but heating is about 175 a month. We are hoping to sell here and buy the same size house, bigger yard, and not be strangled by bills. And have fresh air

[urbywan]

Now remember it will be an adjustment. You are moving away from a very progressive area. NYC the Northeast. And moving to the South and a rapidly growing area with many warts.

I am from NY/ NJ and have had to make peace with the move, wife is fron Raleigh so wanted to move back.

Keep an open mind, don't let the differences get to you.

It is cheaper to live down here, taxes, utilities are lower food is more expensive, I miss Shop Rite.

Good Luck!