is 65k doable for a single guy to live in LA?

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by YoungTraveler2011

Right, its just me. No debt either and I have a decent amount of money in the bank.

Though I'd have to buy a car once I got there. Im not sure if I should get a used one or a new one. Obviously if i got a used one i could buy it straight up cash and have 0 monthly payments on it.

Be smart and get a used one. Especially if you live close to work, there's really no need for a brand new car.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by YoungTraveler2011

Well, that makes me feel better.

based on the guy above said and my calculations... I think my take home is going to be around 3,700.

3,700

MINUS

1500 rent
300 gas
120 insurance
8 oil change
100 internet/cable (no idea if this is right)
100 cell phone
50 electricity/water/garbage (no idea if this is right)
600 (weekend money for the month - movies, bar, food and other activities, 150 per weekend)
500 for groceries/apt supplies/hair cut/etc.

= 422 left

I put 3,700 liquid cause 401k is only after a year of work.

not sure if my calculations are right but i like to use a worst case scenario.

what do u guys think? am i being accurate on the expenses?

If you can't contribute to a 401K right away, I'd open up an IRA...so few people do...but it's a really, really bad idea not to.

According to several studies up to 1/3 of current middle class Americans will likely retire in poverty. Another 15-20% will be near poverty. Don't let yourself be one of them:

http://www.cutimes.com/2012/10/24/su...lass-americans

[Marv101]

I also wouldn't buy a new car and eat up all of that $30K you have in the bank; depending on how tall you are and what you want in a car, you can get a very nice car for $12K-$15K.

[YoungTraveler2011]

yeah, def. gonna get a used car.

i just have no idea where im gonna ship my things to without an apt first lol...

i gotta go there, find an apt, then move my things. im so screwed.

i do have a friend there. gotta ask him if hes cool with a few boxes in his living room lol.

[rexthedestroyer]

LA is much more affordable than NYC. I was making $49k a year and renting an apartment for $900 a month in Pasadena back in 2006. I took the light rail in to downtown LA daily (transit subsidy voucher from work) for work. I think if you search hard, you can find cheaper rent in a decent complex.

[woodsart]

Originally Posted by YoungTraveler2011

i just have no idea where im gonna ship my things to without an apt first lol...

A storage unit?

i gotta go there, find an apt, then move my things. im so screwed.

i do have a friend there. gotta ask him if hes cool with a few boxes in his living room lol.

I'd recommend using Westside Rentals. Much easier (to me) than Craigslist, especially if you are looking for an apartment that isn't part of a huge complex. CL has a lot of scams and false ads here; Westside Rentals is pretty cheap and I found it much more reliable. Huge apartment complexes under large management companies are also around.

[TunaBoy]

Im in the same exact boat, but haven't figured out my job situation yet. Gonna try to transfer within my company to LA.