What's your biggest suprise living cost? (rent, car insurance, condos)

[yeamama]

We're moving to DC and I'm trying to project our budget to find out how much rent we should be able to afford. We're coming from somewhere with no parking or metro costs, etc. I'm trying to figure out how much to expect to pay for the extras. Do you have crazy high cable bills? Are gym memberships ridiculous? What does a gas heating bill run?

Can anyone tell me what your biggest surprise living costs in the DC area are?

Also, are basements included in square footage? (can you tell we're from the south?)

[chrisherbert]

Are you moving to DC proper? If you're moving to the city itself I'd say parking tickets will be a major surprise cost, especially if you don't change your plates immediately.

I don't think basements are typically listed in square footage but it may depend on whether they're fininished.

[mettler]

i guess it depends on where you are moving from - for me it was grocery costs.

[Alanboy395]

For us, car insurance. Mom's insurance bill jumped from $60-80 in Hampton, VA to $140 a month in Alexandria. I hope moving to KY will bring down my $168 a month bill a little.

[PenguinSix]

It really depends on a lot of different factors. When I first moved to DC about 20 years ago to take a job in politics, one thing that was needed was a lot of nice suits and shirts and dry cleaning and the like (there was no business casual back then). That quickly added up on my meager Capitol Hill salary. I also found the entertaining expenses were a bit high as we were always going out and ending up someplace later on.

[Zippy7fo]

everything will be a little more except for housing...that will be alot more..

metro is a blessing and you'll save on gas..

clothes and eating out might go up...city tries to be pretty trendy..

[mettler]

I am also amazed at the lack of Diet Mountain Dew..though, you can get it in the 2 liter quantity..but, six-pack 24 oz - not a chance, and lucky if the 20oz personal bottles are to be found.

[Skatergirl]

A surprize on the positive side was the cost of drycleaning. We were used to paying $3 a shirt. We're now paying $1.50. Nice surprize there. We're saving on gas by taking the metro and walking. Love the walkability here. Also, we save by not having to buy the family gym membership here--our bldg has a great gym. We were paying $150/ month for our family at the Y. I also really appreciate not having to drive to the gym--I just take the stairs in my building.

[fjennell]

Originally Posted by yeamama

We're moving to DC and I'm trying to project our budget to find out how much rent we should be able to afford. We're coming from somewhere with no parking or metro costs, etc. I'm trying to figure out how much to expect to pay for the extras. Do you have crazy high cable bills? Are gym memberships ridiculous? What does a gas heating bill run?

Can anyone tell me what your biggest surprise living costs in the DC area are?

Also, are basements included in square footage? (can you tell we're from the south?)

I agree about the car insurance. It's at least double most other areas. Also, depending on where you are going to live and if you will have a car - even condos may require you to purchase a parking spot for an additional 20k or so. I would definitely check into that. The cost of everything is high here - gas, food, parking, cable, electric, gas. If you are buying, you can call the utility companies and ask what the previous bills have been at that address. If renting, ask the landlord.

[Skatergirl]

[quote=fjennell;4275401]I agree about the car insurance. It's at least double most other areas."

We came from Ct. and our car insurance dropped by half. Go figure. But, I was totally shocked. I thought it would double here. Nice surprize.