Want To Live In A City? Be Prepared To Pay
Cost of living is highly dependent on where your home is located. However, this can be more specific than on a state-by-state basis.
According to U.S. News and World Report, households who live in cities often have more expensive everyday expenses compared to those in the suburbs.
The most expensive cities in the United States are New York City and Brooklyn, SmartPlanet reports. These are followed closely by Honolulu, San Francisco and San Jose, California.
While many people might know that housing costs, including rent and mortgage payments, are often higher in cities, there are a number of other expenses that can also add serious pressure to any budget.
Entertainment Can Be Costly
In a city, the convenience of walking out your front door and having access to a number of restaurants, movie theaters and concert venues might be appealing, but this comes at a cost. Although some smaller theaters may be free of charge or only require a donation, the majority will require a sometimes pricey ticket.
Additionally, because you have access to so so much entertainment, you may be tempted to treat yourself more often. While buying a ticket to a show or going to a restaurant may be affordable if done from time to time, this constant expense could force you to budget for a payday loan to cover your monthly expenses or an unexpected bill.
Pinching Pennies To Buy Clothes
Clothing is often more expensive in major metropolitan areas. Not only are prices higher, but residents often feel inclined to stay stylish to keep up with urban trends.
City dwellers are often more prone to walking as well, which can cause serious wear and tear on their shoes. As a result, some may find themselves purchasing much more often than if they lived in the suburbs.
To help curb this expense, people living in cities should consider buying their clothes online, and try to only shop on sites that offer free shipping. This could drastically reduce their clothing expenses and help save money.
City Dwellers Pay More For Childcare
While this expense only applies to households with young children, families living in cities often have to pay much more for childcare than those living in other areas. Nowadays, this is one of the biggest expenses many families have to deal with.
Meanwhile, households that want to send their children to private school rather than a public institution in an urban environment often pay much more than families in the suburbs. Property size aside, this is one of the biggest reasons many households relocate outside of cities once their numbers start to grow.
You Need To East, But Budget Carefully
The cost of food from grocery stores is often much more expensive in cities. Some people may not live very close to a supermarkets, so they may be forced to do much of their shopping at corner stores and bodegas, where prices can be even higher.
Additionally, when a person walks down a city block and pass a number of cafes, restaurants and food carts, the temptation to stop for a quick bite to eat or a cup of coffee can be overwhelming.
Instead, city dwellers should try to purchase food in bulk whenever they can. Although storage may be limited in their homes, clearing out some extra closet space could be a good idea.…