City Year LA Orientation Guide May. 2015 | Seite 46
Living with family at home:
Pros:
“It’s good to have family to talk to after a stressful day”
“I don’t have to worry too much about groceries and much rent”
Cons
“They treat me like a child”
“Living with grandparents can be difficult because of differences in schedules”
“Family doesn’t understand why I have so little time available or why I’m tired and just want to relax
when I’m home”
“Living with my family saves me money, but I have to commute from Ventura every day, so what I
save in money costs me in free time”
Sharing a room within an apartment:
Pros:
“We can live in a nicer place because of lower cost”
“Living with multiple roommates saves a lot of money”
Cons
“Lack of privacy”
How much should I spend?
Of course, budget is always a consideration. When searching for your apartment in Los Angeles, consider your
budget carefully. Housing will more than likely be your largest expense but that doesn’t mean it has to break
the bank.
Start with the right mind set: As mentioned earlier, you’ll be averaging about $1,000 a month after
taxes are taken out of your paycheck. Don’t come to LA thinking you’ll be living in the trendiest neighborhoods
nestled in with all the celebrities. It’s safe to say that you should save one paycheck a month to spend solely
on rent and utilities. On average, corps members spend between $400-$500 dollars a month on rent.
Do the leg work: Know your price range. Don’t be afraid to crunch the
numbers and be sure to be realistic. Consider all sources of income and be
comprehensive about what expense you will have. If you have a number in
mind, start searching a little above that number. Why? Well, some
apartment rentals in Los Angeles will include utilities and extras like cable,
internet connectivity, water, etc. You'll usually pay a little bit more for these
rentals, but the difference it can make in your overall cost of living is often
significant.
Consider hidden expenses: When relocating and moving into a
new apartment, there are a lot of expenses you don’t think about that can
easily add up. More than likely, you’ll have to pay first and last month’s rent
(or first month’s rent and a security deposit). This might sound strange, but not all apartments in LA come with
a refrigerator or other large appliances. You can often negotiate with your landlord for them to buy one;
otherwise you’ll need to budget in renting or purchasing one for the year. Each utility usually has a startup or
security deposit fee as well. Again, just think about these things when saving for your move or while budgeting
for your monthly expenses.
Unexpected expenses come up, so choosing a place within your means or even aiming for the low end of your
budget to give yourself some flexibility is important!
46 | C o r p s M e m b e r O r i e n t a t i o n & R e s o u r c e G u i d e
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