Surprise: It costs a lot to live here (San Francisco, Oakland: rent, mortgage)

[grapico]

Only thing I see high is housing. My other costs of living are cheaper than other places I have lived... it kind of balances out. Heat and A/C are pretty nil as well, i.e. costs that aren't even a part of my budget anymore. Plus I get a lot more nicer days and don't have to put up with bad weather, so I'm paying a sort of cost of living increase for about 4 more months of nice days compared to other areas of the country. Vacation costs are down too, b/c there is less want to go somewhere, already tons of great stuff at my fingertips. People come see me now, not vice versa. I also work in IT and still in my late 20's...but I could see how being out here over a career would pay off...it is where to be if you are in that by far. It is more competitive, but way more options and room for movement.
A car is a pretty bad investment, unless it is a classic car of course, or you have a small business and can expense it off.
A lot of people out here probably get in trouble by living out of their means, it is natural when you have very rich people around. When I get passed in my jetta by a bentley, I'm not envious, just another **** head (and I can make money off them )

[Mach50]

It is not just housing that is higher, it is all things that are tied to land that are more expensive!


For example, DAYCARE IS MUCH HIGHER in the BayArea, I am certain because the lease of the land is higher. Compare KinderKare costs in Southern California at $1300.00 vs $1995.00 a month for daycare for our 2 year old, same service too.

Run some comparisons on BankRate: Cost of Living comparison calculator

Housing is the major difference, but higher costs of the BayArea run the gamut, even in Produce.....examples:
(Can someone explain to me why Tennis Balls are almost double the price here vs Denver (4.37 vs 2.31)?)

[Boompa]

I don't have any day care aged children nor do I play tennis, so I can't help you with that. Where I lived I could walk to several produce markets and butcher shops, along with many take out places that were cheaper than eating at home. If you are shopping at Supermarkets and Chain Stores you are going to get hit hard. Almost every Supermarket where I lived had closed because they were too expensive. It could be your habits that are costing you

[Mach50]

Originally Posted by Boompa

I don't have any day care aged children nor do I play tennis, so I can't help you with that. Where I lived I could walk to several produce markets and butcher shops, along with many take out places that were cheaper than eating at home. If you are shopping at Supermarkets and Chain Stores you are going to get hit hard. Almost every Supermarket where I lived had closed because they were too expensive. It could be your habits that are costing you

Our habits are good, I am not complaining at all, I am just stating facts based off the comparisons I have attached. We save money when we shop at the downtown Redwood City Farmers Market, but unfortunately it closes for winter.

Sure you can shop around, however, on a whole comparing apples vs apples, the BayArea is more expensive in almost every department except Utilities.

For families; childcare, preschool, private schools, clothing, Doctor visits, etc.... will be more expensive here.

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by Mach50

It is not just housing that is higher, it is all things that are tied to land that are more expensive!


For example, DAYCARE IS MUCH HIGHER in the BayArea, I am certain because the lease of the land is higher. Compare KinderKare costs in Southern California at $1300.00 vs $1995.00 a month for daycare for our 2 year old, same service too.

Run some comparisons on BankRate: Cost of Living comparison calculator

Housing is the major difference, but higher costs of the BayArea run the gamut, even in Produce.....examples:
(Can someone explain to me why Tennis Balls are almost double the price here vs Denver (4.37 vs 2.31)?)

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You're on the right road here -- take it to it's natural extrapolation. Your tennis balls are more expensive because the store that sells them has to pay higher rents because it's tied to the land. It has to pay higher wages because everything is higher out here and he has to pay (or try to) a living wage.

[clongirl]

Mach's right..Just about everything in/around San Francisco cost more. A gallon of milk, gasoline, clothing, produce, car insurance, car repairs, movie tickets, putting money in the parking meters/parking tix (inevitable if you have a car), toiletries... even local tax which I believe is 9.50% vs 9.25 in the East Bay. It all adds up over time..

Sure, you can always save money going to the Asian markets for groceries/produce etc., But it's not always practical when you want organic salad mix, oatmeal, or french bread. It's not always practical to shop at Goodwill or Buffalo Exchange for clothing. Sure you can not own a car too..that's very doable as long as you don't have children and aren't eager to leave the City to shop at Target or visit a friend in Burlingame.

[Mach50]

Originally Posted by Tallysmom

You're on the right road here -- take it to it's natural extrapolation. Your tennis balls are more expensive because the store that sells them has to pay higher rents because it's tied to the land. It has to pay higher wages because everything is higher out here and he has to pay (or try to) a living wage.

Well good thing, not everything is on the same linear progression that Tennis Balls are on here. Otherwise, every single thing tied to a parcel of land would be at least double the price.

In conclusion, if you drink a lot of Coke, like new clothes, eat a lot of chicken and play tennis...you should move somewhere else!

[Boompa]

Originally Posted by clongirl

Mach's right..Just about everything in/around San Francisco cost more. A gallon of milk, gasoline, clothing, produce, car insurance, car repairs, movie tickets, putting money in the parking meters/parking tix (inevitable if you have a car), toiletries... even local tax which I believe is 9.50% vs 9.25 in the East Bay. It all adds up over time..

Sure, you can always save money going to the Asian markets for groceries/produce etc., But it's not always practical when you want organic salad mix, oatmeal, or french bread. It's not always practical to shop at Goodwill or Buffalo Exchange for clothing. Sure you can not own a car too..that's very doable as long as you don't have children and aren't eager to leave the City to shop at Target or visit a friend in Burlingame.

Target downtown or down the BART in San Bruno.
ZIPCAR will rent by the hour
If you want to go to the suburbs, it is not the 0.25% tax difference, it is that you do not fit into the Urban Lifestyle and are more comfortable in the Suburbs. If you think that will be cheaper, good luck to you

[Mach50]

Originally Posted by Boompa

I don't have any day care aged children nor do I play tennis, so I can't help you with that. Where I lived I could walk to several produce markets and butcher shops, along with many take out places that were cheaper than eating at home. If you are shopping at Supermarkets and Chain Stores you are going to get hit hard. Almost every Supermarket where I lived had closed because they were too expensive. It could be your habits that are costing you

Originally Posted by Boompa

Target downtown or down the BART in San Bruno.
ZIPCAR will rent by the hour
If you want to go to the suburbs, it is not the 0.25% tax difference, it is that you do not fit into the Urban Lifestyle and are more comfortable in the Suburbs. If you think that will be cheaper, good luck to you

I really don't get your argument at all here, so you are pointing to the person and saying they don't live a "frugal" or "urban" lifestyle enough to live in the Bay?

That's all fine but doesn't dispute that things in the Bay are much more expensive.

Shoot if you want to get all crazy: I buy everything on the internet from other states, have a mass mail contract with UPS where I get shipping for a year for $75. I avoid all Bay sales tax and cost on hard goods together... I could buy tennis balls online for .50c a case direct from China.

Good for me, right? Still doesn't dispute that everything is more expensive here.

p.s. I am not complaining, I like where I live, these are just facts.

[clongirl]

Originally Posted by Boompa

Target downtown or down the BART in San Bruno.
ZIPCAR will rent by the hour
If you want to go to the suburbs, it is not the 0.25% tax difference, it is that you do not fit into the Urban Lifestyle and are more comfortable in the Suburbs. If you think that will be cheaper, good luck to you

I'm actually FROM the city...grew up there, and my kids were also born there. So trying to give me some "insight" on the urban lifestyle is actually pretty funny.

I don't really understand why you are trying to argue facts. It IS cheaper outside of the immediate Bay Area. How do I know? Well, It's pretty simple to compare the cost of things. I can see the difference in the price of gas and other items. It's not a mystery or something to really argue about.

If you are living frugally and don't choose to own a car, that's great. This the point, however. It doesn't negate the fact that the City is more expensive for just about everything. It's about comparing apples to apples and not apples to not choosing to buy an apple.