How to Live in an Expensive City
Some of us may prefer to have the country life, away from the loud city and enjoy the peace, however, others love being as close as we can to the lights, busy streets, and the abundance of people. Realistically, the majority of people probably choose where they live based on their jobs, family, and opportunities. So if you have to live in a city that’s considered rather expensive, is it possible to budget and live comfortably? Well here are some tips to try and help you survive in a financially troubling environment and hopefully keep you happy while you’re living in the big city.
If you haven’t moved yet or if you’re thinking about moving, make sure you do your homework. Consider all the extra expenses that come along with moving into an expensive city besides the rent. Do some research and see how much groceries, utilities, transportation, and petrol are going to be. Give yourself an estimation of the cost and approximately see if you will be able to afford and save at least some money while you’re there.
The other thing to consider is the possibility of being inconvenienced, however, once you get into a routine it will be easier but traffic alone can be quite exhausting. One of the most costly items you could have in an expensive city is a car. If you added the cost of insurance, petrol, parking, and the time you waste in traffic, it’s quite eye-opening. The best thing you can do is either walk, cycle, or bus to work because although some of us despise public transport, it could save you a great quantity of money in an expensive city.
This next tip may be hard for some but do your best to avoid the nightlife and restaurants. When the weekend comes and you’ve had a hard week at work, it can be incredibly tempting to go to the bar and spend some money, however, an expensive city can cost you more than you may think. A good tip is to leave the nightlife and restaurants for special occasions because then they will be always something to look forward to, if you go every weekend they become a lot more trivial.
Having said that though, living in a big city has its perks as well due to the constant arrangement of activities that you can take part in. Keep a look out for free events, concerts, and even fairs where you can have a good time and not spend too much money doing so. You can even check out museums and cultural attractions that are sometimes free! It may seem like it’s not worth it to live in a big city because of the expenses, but there is an unquestionable energy and array of opportunities that await if you can budget properly.
Disclaimer: The above information is general in nature and not intended to be financial advice. You should consider seeking professional advice before following any suggestions in this blog/website.