sunflower

I just saw this Reuter's article, which basically confirmed my own conviction that California is probably the most expensive state in the US to live...anyone from the West Coast please chime in and correct me if I'm wrong!

California dream remote for many

Wed Oct 17, 1:58 PM ET

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - California has a reputation as a land of opportunity but residents face such steep costs that even a modest lifestyle is far out of reach for many, a report released on Wednesday said.
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"For many Californians, just making ends meet is a struggle," the California Budget Project, a liberal advocacy center, said in its report.

"Many families live paycheck to paycheck, juggling rent or a mortgage payment with child care, food, and emergencies such as unexpected car repairs."

Because of the Golden State's extraordinarily high living costs, even middle-class families must pinch pennies and cut corners to get by, according to the report.

Raising a family and maintaining a modest living standard requires incomes much higher than the state's $7.50 an hour minimum wage provides -- and in many cases much more than even a median wage, the report said.

In addition to some of the highest home prices in the nation, Californians face high costs from property and income taxes, insurance, home repairs, child care, transportation, food and health care -- each contributing to making the state one of priciest places to live in the United States.

The center's report said its gauge for household budgeting included basic expenses and provided for more than a bare-bones existence but allowed little to no money left over for college savings, vacations or emergencies.

The center estimated that to support a modest living standard in California, a single adult must earn $28,336 per year and a single-parent family must have an annual income of $59,732. A family with two working parents would need to earn $72,343 annually.

Famed cities in the state such as San Francisco and Los Angeles are especially expensive.

A minimum wage worker in California earns $15,600 annually.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071017/...rnia_living_dc

Anyone have horror stories from their neck of the woods?

serum114

I'm in the San diego area, San Francisco from what i've heard is more expensive. The price of health insurance is definately steep. As the costs of health insurance rises every year wages tend to stay the same. $3.50 for a gallon of gas the working class depends on overtime to make ends meet.

sunflower

I'm originally from NYC, a very expensive place to live as well; they say salaries are higher (which I suppose they are) but I doubt there's very little disposable income if you're making just an average salary. Rents up there are ridiculous.

I've lived in Florida now for nearly 20 years, most of those in S. Florida (which is apparently competing with other big East Coast cities in cost of living expenses). Here in Central Florida, it's not that much better. It helps not to be raising kids, though. Even so, if my husband didn't work for a large hotel chain, we wouldn't be able to afford health insurance either. As it is, we plop down about $500/month for it.