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Yep... I'm 41, single, and been living in Seattle metro for the last 3 years. I chose a 3 bedroom and 2 roommates because it's cheaper than a 1BR. My place is 1485 sq ft with 2 bath and just went to $1775 a month... utilities and cable/internet put the total around $2200 or so.
In Seattle the prices are even higher LOL... $1600 average 1 BR and $2100 2 BR?!?!? It's amazing to me how rents are so ridiculous here but I get around it with the 2 roommates. $900 each covers the rent, and I pay utilities. They get a deal saving off the costs of a 1BR and so do I.
I work in Seattle with a 25 mile one way commute and make $50k... which means I'm poor for this area. As said though... I do what I can to avoid being bent over by rent prices.
It all depends on where you live. Don't come down to the SF Bay Area! New (built last 20 years) 1 beds in Oakland are going for $3,200/month now. Older 1 beds will be closer to $2,000 - $2,500 and some below 2k depending on hood and condition. San Francisco - add 500 to 1000 and forget it!!!
Seattle has done a great job building and it is reflected in the lower prices. Down here, we are tens of thousands of units behind. I think that is the major issue. Decreasing middle class wages are also clearly a big problem too.
Dude, you're 41 and have roommates? What happened? Dirty dishes and five in the living room brings back memories.
BTW Seattle rent doesn't compare to parts of Northern Virginia. Tysons rents would blow your mind.
I'm sure.
Me having roommates doesn't have a thing to do with memories... It has to do with the fact I can:
a. Get a 3 BR and rent 2 rooms out for $900 each covering my rent leaving me with just $300 in utilities
Or
b. Get a 1 BR and pay $1500+
I chose a... it was simple math really. I also found what I consider to be the perfect roommates... the ones that work opposite schedules and are never home when you are.
BTW... I'm not in Seattle... I'm about 25 miles south where the rents are a little less. Average Seattle 1BR $1600... 2BR $2100... My 3BR for $1775 would easily be $2500+ in Seattle.
Or move somewhere rent isn't so expensive! There is no "right" to live like a king in the most expensive cities in the country, while not doing anything more than flipping burgers.
"It's shocking to me because I'm from the east coast where $210k would get you a 4 BR with a backyard pool and 2 car garage"
I can assure you, you CANNOT find that house for that price in ALL of the east coast.
My wife sold real estate on the east coast and you was amazed at the "culture" shock, high prices, many had when moving from Wash state to the east coast.
Check southeast Georgia... In the rural areas. I spent a few years there... And saw more than one 3 BR with a pool for $150k or so... This was 10 years ago or so... Maybe things have changed. My $210k comment was just a rough estimate LOL...
I haven't actually researched it because I have no interest in ever moving back there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Oakformonday
It all depends on where you live. Don't come down to the SF Bay Area! New (built last 20 years) 1 beds in Oakland are going for $3,200/month now. Older 1 beds will be closer to $2,000 - $2,500 and some below 2k depending on hood and condition. San Francisco - add 500 to 1000 and forget it!!!
Seattle has done a great job building and it is reflected in the lower prices. Down here, we are tens of thousands of units behind. I think that is the major issue. Decreasing middle class wages are also clearly a big problem too.
You could increase supply by lowering housing standards, reducing minimum lot sizes, etc.
Adding density in an already dense area is one thing. However, the standards are there for a reason, it offers protection to buyers, and existing owners.
How would you like to pay a premium for a nice house in a desirable neighborhood, then have someone be able to build a crappy little house for a fraction of what you paid, and have it lower property values? The answer is, you wouldn't, and neither would any existing owner.
Taking action to specifically lower the value of other people's assets, just so others can have the same thing for less, is just plain wrong.
"It's shocking to me because I'm from the east coast where $210k would get you a 4 BR with a backyard pool and 2 car garage"
I can assure you, you CANNOT find that house for that price in ALL of the east coast.
My wife sold real estate on the east coast and you was amazed at the "culture" shock, high prices, many had when moving from Wash state to the east coast.
Depends on what you mean by East Coast but here in Northeast Pennsylvania that is about what you are going to pay for house like that. A house worth $250K in this area would sell for one million in the right neighborhood near Philly or New York which are about 2.5 hours away.
Depends on what you mean by East Coast but here in Northeast Pennsylvania that is about what you are going to pay for house like that. A house worth $250K in this area would sell for one million in the right neighborhood near Philly or New York which are about 2.5 hours away.
+1
That's all I was trying to say. A similar market existed when I lived back east and I never said I lived in a major metropolitan area.
Yep... I'm 41, single, and been living in Seattle metro for the last 3 years. I chose a 3 bedroom and 2 roommates because it's cheaper than a 1BR. My place is 1485 sq ft with 2 bath and just went to $1775 a month... utilities and cable/internet put the total around $2200 or so.
In Seattle the prices are even higher LOL... $1600 average 1 BR and $2100 2 BR?!?!? It's amazing to me how rents are so ridiculous here but I get around it with the 2 roommates. $900 each covers the rent, and I pay utilities. They get a deal saving off the costs of a 1BR and so do I.
I work in Seattle with a 25 mile one way commute and make $50k... which means I'm poor for this area. As said though... I do what I can to avoid being bent over by rent prices.
Rent is double Seattle's in San Francisco. The culprit is NIMBYism, which prevents the development of new units.
You could increase supply by lowering housing standards, reducing minimum lot sizes, etc.
That, plus not banning high-rises just because it 'messes up the skyline'.
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