Living Costs In The Us?
Beast
Armonkyi Join Date: 2003-04-21 Member: 15731Members, Constellation
Armonkyi Join Date: 2003-04-21 Member: 15731Members, Constellation
<div class="IPBDescription">Hoping to move there...eventually O.o</div> Intro: I am sick of "Sunny" England. I wish to move to the US. I have a way of getting there, via a student visa (going to be in full-time education, woot!).
However I will need to know how much it costs per year for single person to live in the US, in particular, Michigan (sp?), around the Kalamazoo (sp?) area.
This is what I have worked out so far:
College fees: $10k a year
Appartment rent: $3k a year
Food costs (approx): $1k a year
Internet costs (no way am I living without the internet, it just <i>isn't</i> worth living without the internet </semisarcasm>): $200 a year.
Electricty costs: ?
Water costs:?
Medical insurance: ?
Other things: ?
I would also like to know if I can work part time with a student visa o.o, and how I could get a full visa or a permanent way of staying in the US o.o (legally).
Thanks in advance for the help.
<span style='font-size:4pt;line-height:100%'>(Any jokes relating to "can't you just hunt deer?" will cause your leg to become very wet and smelly ^_^(don't ask))</span>
However I will need to know how much it costs per year for single person to live in the US, in particular, Michigan (sp?), around the Kalamazoo (sp?) area.
This is what I have worked out so far:
College fees: $10k a year
Appartment rent: $3k a year
Food costs (approx): $1k a year
Internet costs (no way am I living without the internet, it just <i>isn't</i> worth living without the internet </semisarcasm>): $200 a year.
Electricty costs: ?
Water costs:?
Medical insurance: ?
Other things: ?
I would also like to know if I can work part time with a student visa o.o, and how I could get a full visa or a permanent way of staying in the US o.o (legally).
Thanks in advance for the help.
<span style='font-size:4pt;line-height:100%'>(Any jokes relating to "can't you just hunt deer?" will cause your leg to become very wet and smelly ^_^(don't ask))</span>
Comments
I am sharing the cost with a friend who lives in the area. Woot for roommates o.o.
whatever figures you get, times them by 1.2 to 1.5 to play it safe
i.e "internet, 200 a year" >> plan on paying at LEAST 300.. get me? <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Just be glad you're going to be living back east. Here in LA, a single room (not studio apartment) usually runs between $650 and $950/mo, depending on the area. Studios add on about $200/mo, multi-room apartments $300-500, and the cheapest house you're going to find is gonna run over $1600/mo., but that's for one that'll be broken into on almost a weekly basis.
'net connectivity out here runs around $60/mo for 1.5mbps/384kbps if you can find it... I'm only getting 1.2/128 when I'm lucky. Recommend NOT going with the college's ISP, as a lot of schools have very restrictive filters/firewalls/proxies that make it NOT worth it. This assumes you're living in a split dorm room.
Health insurance... well, how healthy do you want to stay? It tends to be a ripoff game for the most part.
I'm assuming you've already found the college and are listing their price, though it sounds kinda low for tuition, much less books. Which aren't included, most schools. Double your tuition cost to cover book prices. Seriously.. they're that bad.
Food... you might be able to get by on a K, but it'll usually cost more than that, unless you eat a good bit of ramen or other cheap foods (or are splitting food bills with roomies, and don't go out to fast-food joints to eat).
On an apartment, some things get included in the rent... if you're lucky, you'll get electricity, water, gas, and heating/cooling in your monthly payment to the landlord.
Other things.<ul><li>Well, do you want transportation, or are you just going to bum rides from friends? For intra-campus transport, a Razor scooter can be good. A lot of colleges have banned them from the grounds though, so check before shelling out the cash.</li><li>Definitely reserve some alcohol-money. You may not think so, but during finals you may need to get smashed just so you can get a few hours' sleep.</li><li>A laptop is VERY useful, if allowed in classes... keep notes organized, type neatly, and sneak in a game of Minesweeper when the lecture gets incredibly boring. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo--> Might look into a tablet PC instead, allowing you to draw if you need to do graphs and such, and possibly a micro-printer if there are classwork assignments that need to be turned in before the end of class.</li><li>A cell phone is almost indispensable, allowing a private line (when most dorm rooms have a single shared line), a good diversion to keep Scientologists and Mormons from haranguing you, and a quick exit from class if you REALLY need to get out of the room.</li><li>Cigarettes (even if you don't smoke) are good to carry, for those who do. Obviously don't let someone mooch packs-worth off you in a week, but it's a friendly gesture to offer, when someone is out and nic-fitting. This is especially useful if they're a student staffer in the IT ward.. er, department. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo--></li></ul>
Your apartment rent figures are a bit low for a single renter. If you'll be living by yourself, without a roommate, I'd recommend doubling that number. $500 a month is a pretty good estimate for a standard 1 bedroom apartment. It won't be crawling with roaches but don't expect anything too fancy.
Your food costs are pretty close. If you're will to cook for yourself everyday you could reduce that some.
Internet costs vary here but you're estimating dial-up at best. The lowest rate I've seen for cable/dsl is around $28/month.
Electricity shouldn't cost you more than $25/month.
If you're in an apartment, you'll most likely not be paying for water usage. But if you have to, water costs for my house (2 people) is around $30/month.
Medical insurance is a bit of a question mark. Most often individuals gain medical/dental insurance in combination with their employers. You can get personal medical insurance but I'm not 100% sure about costs. Unless you have some chronic issues, I wouldn't worry too much right away. If you have any emergency situations, any hospital (and Kazoo has some really good ones) will take you in.
Other things: Weather is a big issue in MI. Highs in August can reach 35-38degC and the Lows could get to -24degC. Plan on a wardrobe including t-shirts and shorts along with sweaters and thick coats. We get it all-rain, snow, heat, humidity, and the occasional Spring tornadoes.
Here's a quick link for more Kalamazoo info - <a href='http://www.kazoochamber.com/region/relocation/' target='_blank'>Kalamazoo Chamber of Commerce-Relocation site</a>.
Of course, one way to stay here permanently is to gain Citizenship. Check out the <a href='http://www.uscitizenship.info/?ad=adword&keyword=citizenship' target='_blank'>Naturalization Services</a>. But, here's a link to the <a href='http://travel.state.gov/visa_services.html' target='_blank'>US State Department Visa Services</a>.
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->
J/k m8. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Oh to live in a country where unlimited internet is the norm. *crys quietly into my 60 gig/month cap*
*adds new information to notes*
$400-800/mo+ for an apartment (including utilities. My roommate and I pay $800/mo for a two-bedroom)
$40-60/mo for cable internet
$40-60/mo for a cell phone (land lines are really unnecessary these days; get a cell phone and use it as your primary phone)
$200-400/mo for groceries (my roommate and I spend $120/wk for the two of us, and we live *cheap*)
Car insurance varies widely - for a young man, it runs anywhere from $500-2000/year, depending on your record and your company.
I've got a Honda Accord and a 20-mile one-way commute to work - I spend about $100/mo on gas.
That's all that leaps to mind at the moment. These numbers are based on my own experience, having just gotten my first apartment (with a roommate, as I said).
[edit]College at 10k/year? That reeeeeally depends on where you go.
HOLY POOP ON A STICK.
In the UK, due to the INSANITY of petrol prices here (compared to AU & US anyway) I'm paying... *calculates using XE.com*
230.888 USD a month.
J/k m8. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
This is actually one of the reasons I'm hoping to leave England. The other reasons:
The weather SUCKS
The roads SUCK
The prices SUCK (what costs $100 in the us, costs ?100 in the uk, which is $185, need I say more? Don't get me started on petrol.... X.x)
The people SUCK (with a notable few exceptions).
So the UK is a lot of suck on a sucky stick held by a sucky holding thing of sucky suckiness.
(that made no sense at all)
The roads suck here too. The Winters here pretty much ruin everything. Some even say we have 2 seasons-Winter and Orange Barrel (road construction).
Costs are better here, that's for sure.
I think you'll find the people here are pretty gosh darn friendly. If you come to the Midwest and someone asks you how you're doing? They actually want to know how you're doing.
In conclusion, "Welcome to Michigan. We don't suck as much as other places."
Sorry but people suck infinitely more in the U.S.
Sorry but people suck infinitely more in the U.S. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
this is true of the big cities. I have the impression that the rural US is a nice place to be...
Sorry but people suck infinitely more in the U.S. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
it depends where you go.
As for living expenses, i paid around
~350/month for rent with 2 other roommates in Houston last year.
~100/month for groceries, although i had a 5-meal plan on campus (5 meals per week)
~200-600/semester on books (don't forget about these)
~60-80/month on utilities split with 2 other roommates (electricity, water, trash, gas, internet)
~? on gas...i didn't drive that much. i was within 10 minutes walking distance to campus so i didn't drive much
~50/month on activities (going out with friends to the boba place, eating out, stuff like that)
I've had the *privilege* of living in both a rural area (b-f nowhere New Mexico (my home state)), and ridiculously overpriced San Diego California!
RENT:
In NM, I was paying $200/mo for my own room in a nice, 3 bedroom house. Later payed $285/mo for my own, single bedroom apartment (cheapest you'll get probably anywhere in the US).
In San Diego, paying $600/mo for my own room in a small, 3 bedroom condo. My fiance and I are currently paying $1250/mo for a one bedroom, sweet condo (but small).
Utils: My NM utilities were about $20/mo for me when I was living in the house $30+/mo when I was in my own apartment. In SD, utils (per person) have been about $35 - $40/mo.
Internet: Generally, if you can get it, ~$30 - $40/mo for DSL, $45 - $55 for cable.
I'm guessing (and hoping for your sake), where you're going will be closer to the NM numbers.
The weather SUCKS
<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Agreed, although parts of the U.S are just as bad, as well as some even worse parts.
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->The roads SUCK<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Oh yes, Britain has the worst public transport in Europe although Paris IS more congested than London, hard to believe though it may seem.
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->The prices SUCK (what costs $100 in the us, costs £100 in the uk, which is $185, need I say more? Don't get me started on petrol.... X.x)<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Actually that's a sign of a strong economy; the dollar just happens to be getting pwnt at the moment. Not that a "stong economy" is much consolation when I have to pay £1.90 for a freaking sandwich....
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->The people SUCK (with a notable few exceptions).<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
People suck in general. In my experience this does not change much based on location (except in florida where disney pays the locals to be nice).
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->So the UK is a lot of suck on a sucky stick held by a sucky holding thing of sucky suckiness.
(that made no sense at all) <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
No, no it did not.
Although in Englands defence, in the immortal words of Johnny Knoxville:
"I've found a place worse than England. It's France."
*edit* Damn you quotey things *edit*
Sorry but people suck infinitely more in the U.S. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
this is true of the big cities. I have the impression that the rural US is a nice place to be... <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Whaaa?
Birthplace of the term 'Redneck'?
Ma, you shure gotta purdy mouth....
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->the US of A welcomes you gladly to the center of the universe =D <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Scarily, I think the entire U.S is turning Shinto. Except a version where it's the US rather than Kyoto.
Sorry but people suck infinitely more in the U.S. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
this is true of the big cities. I have the impression that the rural US is a nice place to be... <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
it is and it isnt, I live in rural kentucky and it has its advantages/disadvatages, advatages are less neighbors (more privacy) and the police dont bother you as much. The bad things are that your adding more money to the cost it takes to get back and forth to school and other places.
But my licsense does say; "Kentucky - it's that friendly"
Gas prices are anywhere between $1.69 and $1.99 per gallon (a little less then 4 liters). Though in New Jersey my dad saw prices more then $2/gallon.
Though, I live pretty much between Philadelphia and NYC, so all the people from there move here. Lots of crime in the area... there was recently a hit and run by an elementary school (houses Kindergarten-3rd graders), but I'm going off topic now.
Anyway, I would plan on a bit more than 1000 a year for food. I go through 1000 dollars a semester on food here at college.