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Cost of living is exorbitant in many US cities such as NYC, DC, SF, but there are a fair number of people who are convinced that living in those places is absolutely essential. I have been a resident of both SF and DC and know individuals who commonly shell out up to half of their monthly incomes on rent to stay in a prime location. Those who want more bang for their buck move to the 'burbs and spend hours in traffic.
So here is my question-- is it worth living in an extremely high cost of living city to you? If you could make the same amount of money (all things being equal with your job) and move to a city where the COL is right around the US average, would you go? What makes an expensive city worth the expense?
I waffle on my opinion, and I am curious to see what you all think.
I think it is. I live in Boston which has a higher cost of living than most cities. But I think it's worth it for what I get.
You mention San Francisco. It has a higher cost of living but the city and metro area also offer a ton. Sure I could live in a city with a lower cost of living like Indianapolis or San Antonio. But both of those areas offer far less than SF does imo. SF has a diverse population, offers a wide range of ethnic cuisine, more things to do and see, plus it's right on the ocean. San Antonio and Indy cannot match that.
There are plenty of things you can do that cost little or no money and certain cities simply offer a lot more things than others.
I personally think it is. I (we) are a couple with no plans of kids, so a small space in an urban environment fits our needs more for culture, and jobs which are generally associated with cities with lots of culturing offerings, in the art world on one hand, and in politics and media on the other. We regularly eat out at restaurants, enjoy the diversity, and soak up the lively city scene including museums, events, etc.
There are really only so many options, plus we both prefer the big city and can share expenses accordingly, making it not so expensive. Before when I was single, I also lived in big city but also lived with roommates in my 20's, which is pretty normal in a big city, but might get you looked at weird somewhere else.
We are also both socially liberal, so that eliminates a lot of places.
We share one car and don't plan on getting another one, nor do we like using it on a daily basis, again, more places eliminated.
There are only a few places in the U.S. I would consider living in, less than 10 cities really and that is pushing it. If I were to move I would just leave the country.
We have also both tried smaller places and agree we get bored in them and generally don't like them.
Neither one of us spend time around the house much, we are usually out and about, often go to coffee shops etc with a laptop, or out on foot in the city.
I have been offered significantly more money in other places in regards to the COL there, but it isn't worth it to me, you only live once.
If I had the desire to have a big family, be close to my family, have more vehicles, more rooms in a house, big screen tvs, full cable packages, live in a more suburban area, and all of those things that comprise general americana, then of course my plans might change.
The way I see it is that the size of your place is completely irrelevant in certain cities like New York if you're a young professional. People on this board keep saying "sardine can" or whatever to describe it, just not true. If you're paying to live in a city like New York or San Francisco then get the hell out of your home and go out!
If I lived in either, I would be out all day. Home would be a place to come back to. A place to have a roof over my head, use the restrooms, eat breakfast, & occasionally spend time in. Otherwise I would be out in the city literally all day everyday. New York's one of those places where going out and seeing the city is worth it, regardless of what day of the week it is, in my opinion at least.
The way I see it is that the size of your place is completely irrelevant in certain cities like New York. People on this board keep saying "sardine can" or whatever to describe it, just not true. If you're paying to live in a city like New York or San Francisco then get the hell out of your home and go out!
If I lived in either, I would be out all day. Home would be a place to come back to. A place to have a roof over my head, use the restrooms, eat breakfast, & occasionally spend time in. Otherwise I would be out in the city literally all day everyday. New York's one of those places where going out and seeing the city is worth it, regardless of what day of the week it is, in my opinion at least.
Exactly, the city is yours to explore, if you see my post above describing having multiple vehicles, big screen tvs, cable tv, and those kinds of things you might lean that way. Personally I don't have any of it, not b/c I couldn't afford it, b/c I live a different lifestyle than people even in the burbs of Chicago vs the city proper, and just don't use it nor do I have a desire to.
You can always work and play in a NY or SF, but then go home to a nearby place that is less expensive and still decent to good.
There is that option too, at least you live near some of the best the world has to offer even if you aren't doing it on a daily basis, vs say Indianopolis in which those things are nonexistent.
You can always work and play in a NY or SF, but then go home to a nearby place that is less expensive and still decent to good.
That's pretty much what I do, at least for entertainment. At this point I don't think SF is worth the cost to live in and I don't care for the weather either. So I live across the street from a BART station in the suburbs where it's cheaper and the weather is warmer. I like it as even my suburb has good dining, nightlife, and retail options or I can hop on a train and be in Downtown SF in a little over 35 minutes.
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