Cost of Living

[aragx6]

I think you'll be OK if you keep your rent below 800. The things that surprised me most when moving from Columbia, Missouri (a small college city with about 100,000 people) is the cost of simple stuff like groceries. I pay like $4 a pound for boneless/skinless chicken breast- never paid more than $2.75 in Missouri. Things like that will add up.Just watch it 9and expect that you will inevitably have to dip into your savings a bit) Good luck!

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

Oh! Groceries. You have to shop around. I pay 1.69 a pound for skinless boneless chicken breast.

I only go to Jewel and Dominicks for stuff like ketchup or mac and cheese or beer. Processed stuff. I do Trader Joes for good beer, wine, cheese, and organic/health food. Great prices there. Then there are places that cater to the immigrant set that I use for produce and meat. Harvestime Foods on Lawrence is the one closest to me.

[Eradik]

Thanks everyone. Yes, it is 25k after taxes.

I have been researching apartments, and have found some for less than 800 (studios). I guess my question should of been worded more as everything else (groceries and stuff like that), which have been answered.

Thanks everyone. This would be the first time I move far away from my hometown, so its a bit intimidating moving into a large city, wanted to get opinions from people.

Thanks everyone, I got my answers and more.

And no, I don't want roommates. I have had them before, and it doesn't really work out. All I care is a shoebox sized studio, well kept and all. I dont need a lot of room.

Thanks for the tip on Craigslist. Found plenty on Craigslist in Andersonville at 650 a pop. I figure 800 or less I can afford. :P

[mika_14]

25k might be a bit short living in any area of the city. That said, Andersonville is an awesome area, with an eclectic culture, where you can get cheaper apartments that tend to be much larger than many other areas in the city. If you can pull it, Andersonville is a good way to go.

As said before, you have to shop around for food, but it can be done. Produce is the toughest, but Andersonville has some cheap fruit markets. Just eat it quickly.

I also recommend biking as transportation around the city. Chicago's very bike friendly, it costs nothing, and is the best way to discover new areas.

[scarletneon]

Originally Posted by CarolinaBredChicagoan

Oh! Groceries. You have to shop around. I pay 1.69 a pound for skinless boneless chicken breast.

I only go to Jewel and Dominicks for stuff like ketchup or mac and cheese or beer. Processed stuff. I do Trader Joes for good beer, wine, cheese, and organic/health food. Great prices there. Then there are places that cater to the immigrant set that I use for produce and meat. Harvestime Foods on Lawrence is the one closest to me.

the thing with groceries here that makes me HAPPY is the sales tax on it. in Tennessee, you're spending up to 9.75% on every dollar on EVERYTHING. THIS INCLUDES GROCERIES. so i still get really excited when the sales tax says $2.75 instead of $11.00 when i buy food.


i agree with the not going out all the time. i was doing a great job budgeting until i started making friends - HA. Now I'm thinking a second job is in order after the holidays ... anyone know any place that might want someone for weekends only and maybe Monday and Tuesday evenings??