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Okay, hello all. I've been on here a long time ago (8yrs apprx.), forgot my username, had to start again. ANYWAYS.....
A lot of times you hear people talk about cost of living. Cost of living in Florida being higher than cost of living in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Idaho, and so on. But what I never, ever find in the way of figures. Real amounts....that's what I'm wanting to see. Maybe this can be turned into a sticky for this forum...maybe I'm thinking too much. But please, either show me a specific thread that shows this or I beg all Tampa area residents to show all us non-Floridans the actual price to live in that town (yes, my family is looking to re-locate to that area....but I just GOTTA have some concrete figures here).
Let's hit the basic stuff an everyday person pays in a given month (or year for a couple of things):
Stuff like:
Gas price today vs. National average
Car insurance for an average, $20,000 car/truck with full coverage (we'll call the deductibles $500/$500).
Home insurance, including flood insurance amount.
Rental prices for what size of apartment/mobile home/home (in regards to bedroom size)
Utilities (elec, gas, water, sewer).....this will help me and others on the amount towards respective size of families....being with the home/apt/etc size above.
This is just a start. If any of you can think up another comparison that can be used, speak up loud! I'm a bit tired and not everything is coming to mind right now. But the basics above will be immensely helpful. I know there is differences in location....that is without a doubt. But concrete numbers is a good stepping stone for others wanting to make that trip....especially if you're relocating across the entire US to that area. Thanks a whole bunch for the help.
quote=skippy1970;31261416]Okay, hello all. I've been on here a long time ago (8yrs apprx.), forgot my username, had to start again. ANYWAYS.....
A lot of times you hear people talk about cost of living. Cost of living in Florida being higher than cost of living in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Idaho, and so on. But what I never, ever find in the way of figures. Real amounts....that's what I'm wanting to see. Maybe this can be turned into a sticky for this forum...maybe I'm thinking too much. But please, either show me a specific thread that shows this or I beg all Tampa area residents to show all us non-Floridans the actual price to live in that town (yes, my family is looking to re-locate to that area....but I just GOTTA have some concrete figures here).
Let's hit the basic stuff an everyday person pays in a given month (or year for a couple of things):
Stuff like:
Gas price today vs. National average- Gas is approx 3.54 a gallon in the Tampa Bay area
Car insurance for an average, $20,000 car/truck with full coverage (we'll call the deductibles $500/$500). Depending on company, driving record, location, etc.... but I pay $120 a month w State Farm
Home insurance, including flood insurance amount.
Rental prices for what size of apartment/mobile home/home (in regards to bedroom size)- $1225 for 4 br single family house, 2,000 sq feet, built in 2004.
Utilities (elec, gas, water, sewer).....this will help me and others on the amount towards respective size of families....being with the home/apt/etc size above. Family of 5, elec- usually around $160 a month in winter months, about $230 in summer months, no gas, water $60 a month, no sewer.
Family pack of chicken wings at Publix- Approx $13 a pack. Milk $3.39 a gallon, loaf of bread $2.25, can goods about .95 a can. I personally find groceries, especially meat a little expensive here compared to where I moved from. You can find these items cheaper at other discount stores.
This is just a start. If any of you can think up another comparison that can be used, speak up loud! I'm a bit tired and not everything is coming to mind right now. But the basics above will be immensely helpful. I know there is differences in location....that is without a doubt. But concrete numbers is a good stepping stone for others wanting to make that trip....especially if you're relocating across the entire US to that area. Thanks a whole bunch for the help.[/quote]
Thank you good sir. Exactly what I'm looking for. When it comes to food, it's bad even here (midwest). Hamburger (80% lean) 3.80/lb, whole chickens around $7-8, pork up there near hamburger.....
Okay, hello all. I've been on here a long time ago (8yrs apprx.), forgot my username, had to start again. ANYWAYS.....
A lot of times you hear people talk about cost of living. Cost of living in Florida being higher than cost of living in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Idaho, and so on. But what I never, ever find in the way of figures. Real amounts....that's what I'm wanting to see. Maybe this can be turned into a sticky for this forum...maybe I'm thinking too much. But please, either show me a specific thread that shows this or I beg all Tampa area residents to show all us non-Floridans the actual price to live in that town (yes, my family is looking to re-locate to that area....but I just GOTTA have some concrete figures here).
Let's hit the basic stuff an everyday person pays in a given month (or year for a couple of things):
Stuff like:
Gas price today vs. National average I'm probably not useful for this since I drive diesel.
Car insurance for an average, $20,000 car/truck with full coverage (we'll call the deductibles $500/$500). Our 2 cars are about 300 a month, both 2010 VWs with USAA. State farm wanted double that though.
Home insurance, including flood insurance amount. n/a
Rental prices for what size of apartment/mobile home/home (in regards to bedroom size) We rent a 2k sq foot 3b2b house in brandon for 1300.
Utilities (elec, gas, water, sewer).....this will help me and others on the amount towards respective size of families....being with the home/apt/etc size above. 2 adults 1 toddler - electricity is 150 summer, 75 winter. Gas is 30 (water heater) and water is 30. We're on septic so no sewer.
This is just a start. If any of you can think up another comparison that can be used, speak up loud! I'm a bit tired and not everything is coming to mind right now. But the basics above will be immensely helpful. I know there is differences in location....that is without a doubt. But concrete numbers is a good stepping stone for others wanting to make that trip....especially if you're relocating across the entire US to that area. Thanks a whole bunch for the help.
my comments are in bold. I'm from nebraska though. Gas prices are pretty much the same here. Rent is about 30% higher than back home. Utilities are about the same maybe slightly lower because i'm in a more energy efficient house than back home. Car insurance is double than back home for less coverage. That is the huge point for me. I had 250/500k coverage in Nebraska for 150 for two cars. Down here we have 25/50k. State farm wanted us to pay 400 a month for the 25/50k and an extra 100 for renters. Luckily we switched to USAA military coverage and it dropped to ~300.
Thanks Rez. I will add those figures to my data. I really appreciate it, but....
ummm, just a side question: Why are you wishing you were back in Nebraska? Florida not to your liking? I've lived in Kansas for most of my life. There is scant, if any, opportunities here in the flat wastelands. Jobs?....yes, there are jobs here and there. But the boredom of living in a land that has few lakes/rivers, hardly any landscape, and dying small towns is something I want to get away from personally.
It's really not that easy to have exact figures until you move here because:
1. We don't know what kind of house you want
2. What kind of house you want to rent
3. What area you will be in (flooding, sink holes etc)
4. How much you're eating (in home or outside)
5. What your car insurance is going to be
6. What you like to do for entertainment
7. How many Tv channels you like to have...(FIOS can cost over $200/mo)
8. What phones you have and what features
9. How often you shop for cars, clothes, shoes, patio, furniture, beach/pool stuff
10. What kind of pool you'll have + maintenance
..........and the list goes on and on...these COL estimators online are a complete waste of time. Until you actually LIVE here, and know your daily expense in and out, you won't have a correct number.
Utilities depend on how cold you want to keep your house, how many baths you take a month, how much you water your lawn, and how long you run your water heater...how big the house is...how old the AC unit is and so on...My col won't be yours.
The cost of living here is higher than in the midwest because this is Florida! Vacation State! Lots of tourist traps at every corner...but because the wages are much lower, and there are a lot of people working minimum wage in retail, or restaurant etc, car insurance has skyrocketed because these folks just can't afford it...so they get it, register their cars and then DROP IT because not many can afford $250+ per month in car insurance for one person. That alone is the #1 budget drainer here. Then you have high rents, and if you buy and you're not paying attention you'll have high CDDs and HOAs...
You're going to drive yourself crazy if you're looking online. But if you move here and make 6 figures, you won't have a lot to worry about...(unless you overextend yourself).
It's really not that easy to have exact figures until you move here because:
1. We don't know what kind of house you want
2. What kind of house you want to rent
3. What area you will be in (flooding, sink holes etc)
4. How much you're eating (in home or outside)
5. What your car insurance is going to be
6. What you like to do for entertainment
7. How many Tv channels you like to have...(FIOS can cost over $200/mo)
8. What phones you have and what features
9. How often you shop for cars, clothes, shoes, patio, furniture, beach/pool stuff
10. What kind of pool you'll have + maintenance
..........and the list goes on and on...these COL estimators online are a complete waste of time. Until you actually LIVE here, and know your daily expense in and out, you won't have a correct number.
Utilities depend on how cold you want to keep your house, how many baths you take a month, how much you water your lawn, and how long you run your water heater...how big the house is...how old the AC unit is and so on...My col won't be yours.
The cost of living here is higher than in the midwest because this is Florida! Vacation State! Lots of tourist traps at every corner...but because the wages are much lower, and there are a lot of people working minimum wage in retail, or restaurant etc, car insurance has skyrocketed because these folks just can't afford it...so they get it, register their cars and then DROP IT because not many can afford $250+ per month in car insurance for one person. That alone is the #1 budget drainer here. Then you have high rents, and if you buy and you're not paying attention you'll have high CDDs and HOAs...
You're going to drive yourself crazy if you're looking online. But if you move here and make 6 figures, you won't have a lot to worry about...(unless you overextend yourself).
I pay $65/month full coverage, full six month paid in advance.
Thanks Rez. I will add those figures to my data. I really appreciate it, but....
ummm, just a side question: Why are you wishing you were back in Nebraska? Florida not to your liking? I've lived in Kansas for most of my life. There is scant, if any, opportunities here in the flat wastelands. Jobs?....yes, there are jobs here and there. But the boredom of living in a land that has few lakes/rivers, hardly any landscape, and dying small towns is something I want to get away from personally.
Omaha is nothing like a dying small town, its a thriving metropolitan with about 1m people when you include all the little suburbs around it. Lowest unemployment rating in the entire US. I'm not a fan of this hot weather year round, I like my seasons other than "hot and not so hot". The people are too me-centric down here.
(and i dont have a choice where we live before anyone harps on me about that. We're military so we go where we're told - 6 more years til retirement).
It's really not that easy to have exact figures until you move here because:
1. We don't know what kind of house you want
2. What kind of house you want to rent
3. What area you will be in (flooding, sink holes etc)
4. How much you're eating (in home or outside)
5. What your car insurance is going to be
6. What you like to do for entertainment
7. How many Tv channels you like to have...(FIOS can cost over $200/mo)
8. What phones you have and what features
9. How often you shop for cars, clothes, shoes, patio, furniture, beach/pool stuff
10. What kind of pool you'll have + maintenance
..........and the list goes on and on...these COL estimators online are a complete waste of time. Until you actually LIVE here, and know your daily expense in and out, you won't have a correct number.
Utilities depend on how cold you want to keep your house, how many baths you take a month, how much you water your lawn, and how long you run your water heater...how big the house is...how old the AC unit is and so on...My col won't be yours.
The cost of living here is higher than in the midwest because this is Florida! Vacation State! Lots of tourist traps at every corner...but because the wages are much lower, and there are a lot of people working minimum wage in retail, or restaurant etc, car insurance has skyrocketed because these folks just can't afford it...so they get it, register their cars and then DROP IT because not many can afford $250+ per month in car insurance for one person. That alone is the #1 budget drainer here. Then you have high rents, and if you buy and you're not paying attention you'll have high CDDs and HOAs...
You're going to drive yourself crazy if you're looking online. But if you move here and make 6 figures, you won't have a lot to worry about...(unless you overextend yourself).
I can tell you right now that you will NOT find a 4 br home with new amenities (2004 house, ha!) in South Tampa for $1250. You will find a 1950s block home that is a 2/1 or 3/1 for $1300-1400 if you are patient.
In those older homes, you are going to pay more for electricity. I rented one before I recently purchased. We kept the thermostat around 74-75 on average. 2 people living in the home. In summer, our bill was $250-350. In winter, $150ish. Water/sewage/trash was around $60 per month.
Verizon FiOS with 1 DVR HD box with their Prime HD package is around $110/mo with taxes, fees, etc.
The home I purchased recently...insurance is around $2000/year and that is cheap from what I found. Some quoted up to $3700/yr. Taxes are around $2000/year as well. This is for a 2500sq ft home built in the 60s in South Tampa.
Again, it all depends on WHERE you want to live in the Tampa Bay area. I think that could shift your monthly expenses $500-1000 easily from one area to another.
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