Family of 5 and Only 1 working...... (Los Angeles: rent, unemployment benefits, buying)

[TexasGuy22]

Originally Posted by westcoastbabe

I know that you never know what goes on behind closed doors.....but I know a family who moved to LA. Now at the time both parents were working until 1 lost their job...(BTW, the jobs were with big corporations)...I thought for sure that they would move back home due to the high cost of living in CA and to one of the parents losing their jobs...but to my surprise they are sticking it out......I guess my question if I were to move to Los Angeles(I'm single by the way), could I afford it?I mean thats all you ever hear about is the Cost of Living......I mean my god if a family of 5 can stay in LA with only 1 parent working...I know I can ....RIGHT?..

you never know other peoples situations, they could be burning through 401k money or savings or getting assistance from relatives or geting unemployment and just simply cutting back on expenses, you just never know.

[TeamGray]

Originally Posted by JohnG72

The issue is almost entirely rent.

Even in the ghetto, its going to cost $650-700/mo for a studio. For a relatively safe area(and by no means the safest), its going to cost at minimum $800/mo for a studio.

So thats the issue. In general, single people making under ~$35-40K a year have to find alternative housing options.

GET RID OF THE DAMN CAR PAYMENT!! What is this insanity of making car payments of hundreds of dollars a month then being forced to fully insure it in one of the most expensive regions in the country for insurance. The selection of used cars is only getting bigger and cheaper as they are lasting longer so the inventory is increasing. You can pick one up for a couple grand, place liability coverage on it and laugh all the way to the bank. Does LA still require its citizens to drive around in shiny new cars they can't afford in order to make them feel richer than their neighbors?

[sll3454]

Originally Posted by westcoastbabe

I guess my question if I were to move to Los Angeles(I'm single by the way), could I afford it?I mean thats all you ever hear about is the Cost of Living......if a family of 5 can stay in LA with only 1 parent working...I know I can ....RIGHT?..

The key may be that other parent: does that large corporation pay well? A lot of families live on single incomes. It isn't as hard as some people think, as long as you don't have expensive habits.

You don't seem to overspend on food. In fact, you may be low on your estimate. Does this include eating out? Do you live on ramen noodles? ($40 every two weeks I can believe, but $30 every three weeks, no.) Keep careful track of all food expenses for a couple months. Also keep track of household supplies and personal supplies.

Do you spend a lot on clothes? Do you spend money on entertainment? Take trips? If so, try doing without all that now, and save some money.

Can you do without cable? Can you drive a cheaper car, or are you tied to that one? Have you contacted insurance companies and cable companies in California, or are you giving your current expenses?

Are you willing to have a roommate or to rent a room in someone else's house? Someone already pointed out that housing will be the biggest expense. It is the biggest difference between there and where you are now (NC?) The second biggest difference is probably gasoline. Do you smoke? Cigarettes are more expensive in CA, and it will be harder to find a place to live if you smoke.

Getting a decent job in California is the main thing. If you get one and keep it, you'll be fine. If you don't get one, don't move, unless you have enough savings for a year, in addition to money set aside for another relocation, if necessary.

So the first thing, along with researching and dreaming, is saving money where you are.

[Charles]

Step 1. Go to the gym, get in great shape.
Step 2. Meet Dr. Right
Step 3. Marry him

Problem solved, you're living the dream in LA.

[JohnG72]

Originally Posted by TeamGray

GET RID OF THE DAMN CAR PAYMENT!! What is this insanity of making car payments of hundreds of dollars a month then being forced to fully insure it in one of the most expensive regions in the country for insurance. The selection of used cars is only getting bigger and cheaper as they are lasting longer so the inventory is increasing. You can pick one up for a couple grand, place liability coverage on it and laugh all the way to the bank. Does LA still require its citizens to drive around in shiny new cars they can't afford in order to make them feel richer than their neighbors?

?????????

Whats a car payment got to do with it?

Someone making $40K, single, no deductions, takes home right around $2K a month in CA. Obv $800-1100 a month rent is the vast majority and basically the only factor when you consider other cities/towns outside CA have rents in the $400-600/mo range.

[PACA]

They are going to stick around until the unemployed person's comp is over, which is 99 weeks of extra $2000/mo (assuming they get full, which they should if they did work for a major corporation) they add to the working parent's income. If they move now, they'd be losing that free money. Check back with them after they've used up all the extensions, and see if they are still as adamant about staying.

[FEELINGROOVYBABY]

Originally Posted by JohnG72

The issue is almost entirely rent.

Even in the ghetto, its going to cost $650-700/mo for a studio. For a relatively safe area(and by no means the safest), its going to cost at minimum $800/mo for a studio.

So thats the issue. In general, single people making under ~$35-40K a year have to find alternative housing options.

Hey JohnG72, can you tell me what the name of this area is? I am going to beauty school in LA and looking for a cheap place to live. I found out I can get Section 8 but that is going to take some time. Thanx dude.

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by FEELINGROOVYBABY

I found out I can get Section 8 but that is going to take some time.

As in 7 to 10 years?

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by westcoastbabe

I know that you never know what goes on behind closed doors.....but I know a family who moved to LA. Now at the time both parents were working until 1 lost their job...(BTW, the jobs were with big corporations)...I thought for sure that they would move back home due to the high cost of living in CA and to one of the parents losing their jobs...but to my surprise they are sticking it out......I guess my question if I were to move to Los Angeles(I'm single by the way), could I afford it?I mean thats all you ever hear about is the Cost of Living......I mean my god if a family of 5 can stay in LA with only 1 parent working...I know I can ....RIGHT?..

^^Gladys Kravitz - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[westcoastbabe]

Originally Posted by Charles

Step 1. Go to the gym, get in great shape.
Step 2. Meet Dr. Right
Step 3. Marry him

Problem solved, you're living the dream in LA.

There u go....Again with the sarcasm