The average cost of living in the U.S. for a single adult with no kids is $2,371 a month. Adding that up, you get around $28,500 year. For some people, this is a perfectly livable wage. They have enough money to pay for food, running water, gas and that pesky rent. However, not everyone finds that golden deal on the market when apartment hunting — or house hunting, either.
In fact, per a study by Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, almost half of all renters struggle to pay their rent. The analysts broke down the factor of “struggling to pay rent” as people who had to pay more than 30% of their income a month in rent. If this sounds like you, you may want to move to a cheaper city. Luckily, tips are everywhere to help you out — and, it may not be as scary as you think.
Study the Job Market
When you’re looking for a new and cheaper place to live, it can seem a daunting task. With trying to find the perfect place, one of the things that you’re probably worrying about is your job. If you move, will you find a job? If you move to a cheaper place, does that mean you won’t make as much money? These are pertinent questions, and the answer to these lies with how much you study the area.
While some cheaper markets do have a decrease in wages, some don’t. Just because you move to a cheaper city doesn’t mean there isn’t a need for teachers or electricians. Do the research, and you’ll find something just for you!
You’ll Find Cheaper Housing
This is an element you may be revolving your entire move around. For some, their three-story house is just too expensive. It’s too much upkeep, and the payments are too high. Fear not. If you do end up moving to a cheaper city, you’ll probably run into the same sized houses — only cheaper.
Suddenly, your old three-story house doesn’t seem so great when you find a similar one for $40,000 less. A cheaper city offers this to movers, and it’s definitely worth researching. You never know what hidden gems you’ll find if you take some time and do your research. You may also want to contact a realtor from the area.
You’ll also probably find apartment living is cheaper in a less expensive city. Either way, whether you’re looking to rent or buy, more affordable housing is a big plus.
Cost of Living Is Lower
This goes hand-in-hand with cheaper housing. Naturally, when you’re moving to a cheaper city, the actual cost of living is going to be lower. That means resources such as food and gas are probably going to be available at a lower rate than the city you’re moving from. This is evident in several cities.
One of the perks of having lower prices is gasoline. Often, if you move to a place with a lower cost of living, the price of gas is going to be cheaper. This is music to many people’s ears. With gas needing to be purchased every so often, it’s a great thing to be able to pay less for your commute.
Be Organized
Moving is an extremely stressful and daunting task. Even if you’re only taking a few things with you, the act of moving itself takes a toll on both the mind and the body. To combat this and help ease your mind when moving, it’s best to organize yourself as best as possible before the day of the move.
You don’t want to be running around aimlessly on the day you’re packing up the moving van and hitting the road. You have enough to worry about as it is. Make sure you go through your home before you officially leave. You don’t ever want to be caught in a situation in which you’ve left something behind.
You also want to make sure you leave the home in a good state. Clean it and make it look presentable — this may even be a requirement if you’re moving out of an apartment. Pass on the good times to someone else and brighten up the new residents’ day by cleaning.
Safe Travels
A cheaper city doesn’t have to mean a lowering of your living standards. Cheaper cities have enormous opportunities for growth and development. If you’re looking to move, make sure you take the time to find a place you’ll be happy with.
No Comments