Cost Of Living Question(s) (San Diego, Lancaster: relocating, apartments, rent)

[AliasSpiff]

Hi everyone....

Was just wondering about the cost of living out there. I live on the east coast, in Lancaster, Pa. The difference from here to SD is basically a 90% increase. I am a server, and I will most likely continue doing so when I move out, unless I find something better. Here, I make 3-500 a week, can I make more there? Enough to support myself.

Thanks,
Amanda

[Sassberto]

Originally Posted by AliasSpiff

Hi everyone....

Was just wondering about the cost of living out there. I live on the east coast, in Lancaster, Pa. The difference from here to SD is basically a 90% increase. I am a server, and I will most likely continue doing so when I move out, unless I find something better. Here, I make 3-500 a week, can I make more there? Enough to support myself.

Thanks,
Amanda

Modest studio apartments are in the 600-900 range. A decent 1BR in a good area will be about 900-1100. You may need to live with roomates to get started.

[AliasSpiff]

Wow... you are all over the place on this forum. Im impressed. Thanks for the quick answer. My bf will be moving with me, and he works in delivery @ Lowes. Makes 12 an hr here. We pay 950 in rent here, so hopefully it won't be too much different out there.

Amanda

[castof1]

Rent sounds like you will be alright, just keep an eye on your gasoline bill. We are pushing the $3.00 a gal mark in San Diego again with projections of it being over that by the time summer hits. Hope you can both finds jobs close to home when you get here. Good luck to you.

[AliasSpiff]

We're almost at 3 in some areas here as well. I just filled up my car tonight...it was 31 bucks to fill up my little beetle....so, I can well imagine having to pay almost 40 to fill her up. Yech....remember those bygone days of .99 cents a gal?? I couldnt drive then, but still... LOL Hopefully VW comes out with hybrids soon....... -crosses fingers-

Amanda

[socketz]

That's one thing I don't miss about San Diego, getting gauged for gas.

It's almost 50 cents less here in Dallas per gallon. And this is a major metropolitan area.

I never understood why San Deigo always had to have some of the most expensive petro in the country.

It's like the oil companies want to punish san diegans for having such nice weather.

[Sassberto]

Originally Posted by socketz

That's one thing I don't miss about San Diego, getting gauged for gas.

It's almost 50 cents less here in Dallas per gallon. And this is a major metropolitan area.

I never understood why San Deigo always had to have some of the most expensive petro in the country.

It's like the oil companies want to punish san diegans for having such nice weather.

gas is expensive in SD because there is no petroleum terminal here.. it all has to come into long beach and get trucked in.

SF Bay, LA, Seattle all have gas terminals. Landlocked midwestern cities have rail networks and pipelines. SD really has none of that infrastructure. Thats also why you don't see refineries anywhere in SD.

[shannon94]

Originally Posted by Sassberto

gas is expensive in SD because there is no petroleum terminal here.. it all has to come into long beach and get trucked in.

SF Bay, LA, Seattle all have gas terminals. Landlocked midwestern cities have rail networks and pipelines. SD really has none of that infrastructure. Thats also why you don't see refineries anywhere in SD.

The State of California operates its own reformulated gasoline program with more stringent requirements than Federally-mandated clean gasolines. In addition to the higher cost of cleaner fuel, there is a combined State and local sales and use tax of 7.25 percent on top of an 18.4 cent-per-gallon Federal excise tax and an 18.0 cent-per-gallon State excise tax. Refinery margins have also been higher due in large part to price volatility in the region.

[cindy175]

Originally Posted by socketz

That's one thing I don't miss about San Diego, getting gauged for gas....I never understood why San Deigo always had to have some of the most expensive petro in the country.

It's like the oil companies want to punish san diegans for having such nice weather.

You can all come to NJ - we have one of the lowest gas prices in the nation. Lovely refineries as well (you can see some of them in intro scenes to the Sopranos). And, we aren't allowed to pump our own gas (thank goodness--heh!).

I'm thinking of relocating from NJ to SD and agree with posters about trying to live closer to work. Have friends in Lancaster area...actually Efrata...who went to S.D. to visit and they were stunned by gas prices and by the beauty of the area.

[cabound]

I may be relocating to SD also, I have a lot of questions about the cost of living. I talk to some that have visited SD and all they tell me is that everything is expensive.

I will be making 50% more than I do here and I am still concerned that will not cover the cost of living in SD. I will be going from 38,000 to 57,000.
Looking at the cost of living indexs that I have found on the net it looks like I would be able to live comfortable. I would like to hear from you that live there if I would be able to make it ok. I am a single mother with 2 teenage kids.

I also hear that after 1 year of residency the city college is cheap.

I am a modest person and I will rent for some time. I am not afraid of crime, crime here in Columbus is very high and I don't live in the best area, but I feel safe.

I just want to feel as though I would be able to live a little better than I do now.

Would love to hear any imput.