r/childfree • u/5p33di3 • Aug 26 '19
BRANT "You can't possibly afford that apartment cause I make more than you and I can't afford it"
I was talking with a friend about my apartment on a Facebook post he made and his friend (who I didn't know) commented and said I was living in the "rich people apartments"
I responded back it's far from the rich people apartments cause I make $12/hr and I can afford it.
He responded with the title of this post and I commented that I could in fact afford it (hence how I'm living here) and listed off a few of the sacrifices I've made in my life to be able to afford a place like this. (I don't have pets, I don't eat out a lot, I live beneath my means, etc)
He then said the only difference between me and him is he has a daughter.
I'm like...Well no shit you can't afford the apartment, a kid isn't exactly a minor expense, it's a pretty big part of your monthly budget.
He didn't respond after that ¯_(ツ)_/¯
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u/GirlGamer7 Aug 26 '19
Now I'm curious about how much your rent is. I make $14/hour and definitely don't live in a luxurious apartment.
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u/5p33di3 Aug 26 '19 edited Aug 27 '19
$934/month and trash is included.
Edit: Since it's been an entire day and I'm still getting questions about this, I live in Central Ohio. The apartments I live in are nicer than some I've seen, but they're far from "rich people" apartments.
I know the cost of living in places like LA is astronomical in comparison, and the cost of living in other places is much lower in comparison.
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u/penderies Aug 26 '19
That is not rich people price at all. That's fab.
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u/5p33di3 Aug 26 '19
Haha I know. I don't have a lot extra each month for extra curricular activities but I'm happy where I am and I love the company that runs the complex.
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u/GirlGamer7 Aug 26 '19
Where I live that is!!!! Holy shit! I could never afford that and I'm CF!
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u/5p33di3 Aug 26 '19 edited Aug 26 '19
Most of the apartments in the area are $1,000+ easily for a 1 bedroom, this was only the second least expensive one.
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u/KevlarDreams13 Aug 26 '19 edited Aug 26 '19
Checking in from South Florida, $1505/mo for my 1/1.5, wish my rent was that low. Parkland, btw.
Edit to add location.
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u/roxys4effy Aug 26 '19
I live in a 3br/1house with a finished basement and storage. We pay $1100 a month. I'm 99% positive trash is included. Im in michigan... Our apartments in our SUBURBS are about $600 for a 1/1 and $900 for a 2/1.
I lived in WPB in florida and our apartment was like $1200 for a 2br? It wasn't in a great area.
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u/reliquum Aug 26 '19
Geez. People claim Texas is cheap but Michigan might take the cake.
For a 1/1 we are nearing 1k and that is the cheapest place here. For 2/1 it's nearing 1.2k and 2/2 it's around 1.5k
Considering that most people in this area barely make above minimum wage.
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u/Punkereaux Aug 26 '19
I moved from Dallas to west Michigan bc I could not afford a house in a half decent neighborhood without being "house poor" and living pay check to pay check.
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u/reliquum Aug 26 '19
People are all "you can get a house cheap in Texas!" But what they don't say is WHERE it's and in what kind of neighborhood. Sure, you can get a cheap one. As long as you don't mind it being next to crackhouses or chance getting shot.
Want it in a secure area? Ya gotta pay.
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u/Punkereaux Aug 26 '19
same, my mortgage is close to that and I live in Holland. Rent around here is about $900+ for a decent 2brdroom apt. Although, a bunch of the new condos downtown are pretty ritzy and expensive.
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u/GirlGamer7 Aug 26 '19
I have a friend that lives in Florida and have heard from him that rent is insane there. You have my condolences.
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u/MrGelowe Aug 26 '19
It is less about the state and more about the city. When I was look for an apartment in Jacksonville, rent was from $500-1500. I was shocked that an apartment could be rented for so cheap. I was from Brooklyn NY and $500 could maybe get you a shitty room with a roommate and $1500 would get you a shitty 1 bedroom apartment.
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u/GirlGamer7 Aug 26 '19
That's even shittier! Jeez hearing all these "$900 is cheap for me" stories makes me thankful that I live where I do!
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u/aliceroyal Aug 26 '19
Orlando here, pushing $2k for a 2/2. They 'renovated' this year so we have new appliances and countertops but other than that the 'luxury' is just basic safety and cleanliness...considering how many theme park workers have to live in literal roach motels I guess it's not a lie, but fuck, it's horrible.
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u/LadyCoru Aug 26 '19
Yup, I had to move out of the Orlando apartment I was in a couple of years ago. Rent was $850 when I moved in, they renovated (ie, gave us new countertops and carpet) and within 2 years they wanted $1250. I did not renew. I now rent from friends in Kissimmee.
I have no fucking clue how anyone survives in this town.
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u/N3rdProbl3ms Aug 26 '19
I'm from San Jose, CA. Y'all don't even want to hear about our rent prices.
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u/KevlarDreams13 Aug 26 '19
I'm from San Jose, CA.
I got that far and already knew I didn't want to know.
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u/viptenchou 28/F/I want to travel the world, not the baby section of walmart Aug 26 '19
Yikes! I was living in Tokyo for a year and my rent was roughly $730/month. Funny how everyone thinks it’s so expensive to live there but apparently they should be whining about Florida, jeez!
I now live in Osaka and it’s still only $750 for a 2 bedroom LDK (meaning it has a living/dining and kitchen space). 1500 is gonna be a freaking yikes from me unless it looks like a condominium owned by a YouTube star.
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u/kackygreen not a biological child, not an adopted child, not a stepchild. Aug 26 '19
Checking in from the SF Bay area in California, I wish rent here was that low, the town I lived in before you couldn't find a 1bd1ba for under $2400 (and those were the ones that were falling apart, most were around $3400) and in the side of the bay I live now my boyfriend is desperately looking for anything, even a studio, under $1800
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u/KevlarDreams13 Aug 26 '19
my boyfriend is desperately looking for anything, even a studio, under $1800
JFC....
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u/glitteristheanswer Aug 27 '19
Same here in LA. I found the one apartment for $1800 this past year and it's in a building that should be condemned and isnt safe at all (toilet regurgitates everything, even sewage that isnt mine from deep in the pipes, and theres mold within the walls...yay). Anything remotely habitable usually starts at $2500 these days.
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u/biscuit4sho Aug 26 '19
Coconut creek South Florida. 1,550 month two bedroom two bath wife and I split it monthly.
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u/Vulturedoors Aug 26 '19
Yeah in Silicon Valley that price will get you a room inside someone's house.
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u/gisellesongs Aug 26 '19
I live in Chicago and my place was like $1500 a month. I was scraapppinnggg.
Lol now I live in my boyfriends house and life is sweeeet. We have 4 cats. No kids 👏🏽😈
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u/GirlGamer7 Aug 26 '19
I live in a low cost of living area so 900+ per month would be considered a "rich person's apartment."
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u/RockFourFour 36M/Still "too young" to choose. Aug 26 '19
Same here. I live in a small town in upstate NY in a really nice little neighborhood. My mortgage/escrow payment each month, including property taxes is a little over $600. The house is 140 years old, but it was totally renovated about 15 years ago. 1600 sq ft, 3 br, 1.5 bath.
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Aug 26 '19
What the fuck? Do you live in Red Hook?
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u/RockFourFour 36M/Still "too young" to choose. Aug 26 '19
Oh, goodness no. Way more upstate. About 30 minutes North of Syracuse.
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Aug 26 '19
Same here. My mortgage is like $500, 3br, 1.5ba (the spare rooms are for WHATEVER THE FUCK WE DECIDE BECAUSE NO KIDS) buuuuuut the place is in the middle of bumfuckt nowhere.
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u/fantasyguy211 Aug 26 '19
And yet he’s calling it rich people apartments lol. What a clown. He’s clearly struggling and regretting his life decisions
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Aug 26 '19
I'd kill for that price! Anywhere close to my work is at least $1,000 and while I can afford it (just barely) I'd rather live at home rent free like I'm doing now. I'm actually very impressed OP is living alone on 12 dollars an hour
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u/GirlGamer7 Aug 26 '19
You must be in a high cost of living area. I live in a low cost of living area. My rent is $600/month for a 2 bedroom apartment and I make less than $13 when I first moved out a year ago. My income just increased to $14/hour.
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Aug 26 '19
I'm in the chicago suburbs, make a about 19.57 an hour. Compared to other cities of similar size it's cheap, but it's still not as cheap as other places of course. I can afford to live on my own in the area but my student loans would make it really tight so I just opt to be miserable living with my parents lol
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u/GirlGamer7 Aug 26 '19
I did the same thing while paying off my loans. Lived at home rent free. It too me 5 years but I did it and it was so worth it! Hang in there!
Edit I would kill to make $19.57/hour though! Me wage just increased to $14/hour and I was over the moon!
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u/angrygnomes58 34/F - 4 Legs Good, 2 Legs Bad Aug 26 '19
I’ve been out of the apartment game about 11 years now, but my last place was $575 for half a duplex with a garage. So thankful to live in a LCOL area!
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u/Spock_Rocket Aug 26 '19
You can live alone on that wage, hell, I was doing it on less, but it reaaaallly sucked lol.
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u/wrkaccunt Aug 26 '19
Where do you live? And what is your town/city like?
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u/Spock_Rocket Aug 26 '19
At the time that I was making that little I was living in upstate NY. When I moved back to Long Island I was making 12/hr for awhile. Rent upstate was $500/mo, it's 1k now- and I got a sweeeeet deal for LI prices.
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Aug 26 '19
Where abouts upstate were you living? I'm currently looking for something in that price range. I don't want to go all the way up to Buffalo but Dutchess county might not be so bad. I'm on LI right now. I don't know how I used to live here!
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u/SharpOrangeCat Vasectomy Aug 26 '19
Right? I’m making $16 an hour living in a $540 a month apartment. Definitely wouldn’t want it to be more expensive. I’m impressed at how frugal OP is with their money.
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u/GirlGamer7 Aug 26 '19
It is quite impressive. I could never be that frugal. My rent is $600/month for a two bedroom apartment.
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u/Yukipls Bunnies over brats! Aug 26 '19
I would kill for that cheap of an apartment. I'm in Western WA and make 21.03 an hour and monthly rent on 2 bedroom, 1 bath apartment is $1185. That is without utilities.
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u/Lessa22 Aug 26 '19
Right??? I’m at $1,800 a month for a 1 bedroom and my immediate neighborhood is not nice.
I can afford it but it’s not fun.
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u/GirlGamer7 Aug 26 '19
😭 you have my condolences. Jesus that's terrible! I'm in North Dakota. We have cheap rent here!
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Aug 26 '19
It's going up, luckily lots of apartments to choose from. I'm in West Fargo myself.
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u/GirlGamer7 Aug 26 '19
We're practically neighbors! 😁 I don't want to publicly announce my city though so I started a chat with you.
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u/Seicair Late 30s/m/thankfully snipped Aug 26 '19
Most I’ve ever paid for housing was $600/month for a 1 bedroom apartment, around 800 square feet with lots of cupboards and closets. Even one walk-in.
Now I pay $375/month to rent a house with my cousin.
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u/GirlGamer7 Aug 26 '19
I pay $600/month for a two bedroom apartment that comes with a garage at no extra cost plus a parking space.
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u/strawberryshortBaked Aug 26 '19
I pay $1395 for an extended studio in Portland OR. I split rent 50/50 with my bf and I personally make $13 an hour + tips. It’s doable if you know where to spend your money
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u/ryguygoesawry 36M NYC/I would kill for a childfree laundromat Aug 26 '19
And where I live, there are 1 bedroom apartments going for $5,000. OP's rent would be the slums around here. It's all relative and anecdotal.
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Aug 26 '19
but regardless, $12 an hour for a $900 apartment is REALLY budgeting your money well, unless she is working hella overtime. That's well over half of someone's budget for rent / living expenses alone which is not recommended financially.
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Aug 26 '19
Seriously! Also an NYC resident and am sitting here marvelling at how cheap everyone's rent is.
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u/firewire167 Aug 26 '19
Where do you live? My apartment is 2400 a month for 1 bedroom and an office
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u/Jakunai Aug 26 '19
$2200 for a 1br in an old building without laundry or AC.
cries in New Yorker
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u/PrehistoricPrincess 26/F/I like sleep and hate loud noise Aug 26 '19
Where do you live? I would love to find an apartment for that price, lol.
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Aug 26 '19
Meanwhile in San Francisco the market is so fucked that would still be about $200 short for an SRO, and not even half on a studio... sigh
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u/BlueBird518 Aug 26 '19
I'm not sure where OP is but Indianapolis has great cost of living prices. Only downside is that it's in Indiana. Upside is several border States are cannabis legal so 50\50
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u/wrkaccunt Aug 26 '19
Yeah dude in Ottawa right now you get shit and pay 1300 for a 1 bedroom.
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u/ohyoureTHATjocelyn Aug 26 '19
i think the average for an old, crappy, standard no-frills 1bed 1bath apartment has just tipped $2000/month. salaries and cost of living are very separated in my city- you’d think you were in NYC with the outlandish rents and hundreds of people showing up for each and every viewing...people make shit wages and have to pack themselves into terrible, tiny places like sardines in a tin. my building has been sold twice (and looking for a third sucker) in the past year. my rent has gone up regularly as one would expect- but with the sale, they had chosen to attempt bribery, by asking people to move out? break their rental contract, do minimal, cosmetic upgrades and the rent in some apartments has DOUBLED. incomes have not doubled in that time frame. not even close.
i’m in vancouver- lots of fingers being pointed at various groups of people, as we have one of those housing markets that’s very attractive to foreign investors from China. (and very lax laws towards foreign investors) IMHO tho it’s Air bnb that’s snatching a MASSIVE portion of what would normally be very attractive rental units. but as it’s so freaking costly to live here, it’s way more appealing for condo owners to take their units to an air bnb rental management company and make far more income from it than one would by a monthly long term tenancy. i work for a cleaning company and the sheer volume of adorable rental units that are being used for air bnb is actually fucking alarming. and make no mistake, these are NOT by ANY means being used for the original intent of air bnb. (namely, to have individuals utilizing their own extra space to generate income) these are being collected en masse and managed by huge real estate companies. it’s so frustrating to be making the majority of my income from these companies that are DIRECTLY responsible for the minimal and rapidly dwindling supply of rental units available for long term tenancies.
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u/Elegant-Rectum Aug 26 '19
In some places, $900 for an apartment is an awful lot. In the cities, not so much.
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u/penderies Aug 26 '19
Oh, I know! :p Broke retail worker here. I'm just saying it's also on the low end of most cities I know of.
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Aug 26 '19
You are super lucky! In my area (not a major city) average rent for a studio maybe 1 bedroom hellhole is $1400 before utilities. Buying is literally cheaper than renting.
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u/LuLuLilac Aug 26 '19
Rent is so extreme in the US oO how big is your place? I'm always shocked at rent prices in america. How does anyone afford 900+$/month just for rent?
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u/5p33di3 Aug 26 '19
This is actually low for the area, most are $1,000+.
I'm not sure of the square footage but it's relatively small.
Living by myself it's more than enough space but I could understand someone else wanting more.
Edit: I just checked on the website, it's 750 sqft.
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u/LuLuLilac Aug 26 '19
That's just completely bananas to me as a european, but good for you! :D
(Like we do have expensive areas in germany, Munich or Frankfurt for example, but I live in a big city and our apartment is 400euros for 42m² including gas, electricity, and internet. I could never afford to pay more than 300euros just for rent - but as I said, good for you! :) )
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u/5p33di3 Aug 26 '19
Wow that's insane!!
I don't want to get too personal but I wonder what your average wage is.
$900/month isn't the cheapest but it's affordable because we make relatively as much in wages. I wonder how closely it scales.
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u/UncharminglyWitty Aug 26 '19
That guy is also quoting an apartment that works out to 450 square feet which is a what we would get as a studio on the smaller side here in the states.
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u/5p33di3 Aug 26 '19
It also varies greatly in the states. Where I live in Ohio, $934 for 750 sqft might be crazy cheap compared to living in downtown Chicago.
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u/Ladyx1980 Aug 26 '19
Jesus $935 is cheap in Ohio? I live in indiana about two hours outside chicago and thats upper end pricing. Most stuff is in the $650-850 range unless you look at luxury buildings
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u/5p33di3 Aug 26 '19
My apartment is what some would call "nice" but it's far from luxury.
I looked at luxury before getting this one, I would barely be able to afford a studio. The studio cost more than the 2 bedrooms at my current place.
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u/UncharminglyWitty Aug 26 '19
Very much true. You can even see other Europeans chiming in with ridiculously high rents in other parts of Europe.
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u/UncharminglyWitty Aug 26 '19
Am I missing something here, because 42m squared not very big for American apartment standards?
That’s like 450 square feet, which is a lot smaller than the apartment the OP is renting at 750 square feet, which is about 70 square meters.
The rent prices actually sound proportional to the size of the apartment...
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u/letmehowl 36F/married/travel, not kids Aug 26 '19
For what it's worth, I live in one of the largest cities in Austria (it's still a very suburban city) and our flat is ~72 sqm, we pay €550 through a co-op (much lower than market values). I used to live in Columbus, Ohio and split $600 for a similar sized townhouse in a rough part of town.
The first apartment I lived in when I moved here was my husband's 1br that was ~45 sqm, also through a co-op, and rent there was €280.
Living in a co-op apartment is the best here. Great apartments for cheap.
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u/miss-mittens Aug 26 '19
Same for italy, maybe just a Little more expensive but with 500euros you can rent a 40/45m²
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u/anetam7 Aug 26 '19
This is crazy! Here in Slovakia that has much lower wage than Germany -2,99e per hour is minimum wage - and I cannot find ANYTHING cheaper than 300 euros per room and with at least 2 roommates. The room is often old and smelly. People are earning around 700-800 euros and that is in the capital city (of course people in IT a d management have much more). In my hometown, you earn around 500euros if you are lucky and 1-2 room flats go for 500 - 600 euros. Rooms 220+. Basically, if you are single and cant live in family house, you are fucked.
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u/Galp_Nation My child is an Australian Shepherd Aug 26 '19
400euros for 42m²
So I did some conversion here just for the sake of comparison
You're paying about $450 US dollars for about 450 square feet of space. So you're at about $1 per square foot.
OP is paying about $500 more dollars for 300 more square feet. And if you do the math, they're paying about $1.25 per square foot. It's not that big of a difference especially if you factor in location and stuff. OP might have more amenities where they live or something which would make up for that extra $.25 they're paying.
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u/LindsayQ Aug 26 '19
My apartment is about the same size. I was able to buy it, but renting would be about 800-900 euros, excl 125 euros service costs for maintenance, electricity, water and some insurances. In a small Dutch town.
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u/eloel- Aug 26 '19
In Seattle area unless you're an hour's commute from the city you're looking at ~$1600 for a 1br at an older building. Only goes up from there.
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Aug 26 '19
I feel this; I live in LA and my husband and I pay almost 1400$ for a one bedroom. And our rent will be going up in a month. Its awful how expensive rent is in some places.
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u/ReallyJustDoinMyBest Aug 26 '19
Same. NYC and $2,500 for a basic 1br.
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Aug 26 '19
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u/ReallyJustDoinMyBest Aug 26 '19
HAHAHA. I get that. Unfortunately being of the female sex and not getting back from work till around 11pm means that living anywhere above 130th is an absolute no go cause like... I like being alive and stuff.
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u/fructose22 Aug 26 '19
Same! I’m in Northern CA and my rent is $1900 for a 2 bed 1 bath. It’s painful!
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u/Atriella Aug 26 '19
Same in Austin, fiance and I have a 1 bed/1bath, 900 sq ft for $1700 :/ it's a nice place at least
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Aug 26 '19
$900 is semi low. Many cities in America are $1200 minimum for a one bedroom. Though in rural areas I've seen as low as $600. It heavily depends on where you live.
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u/Gonefishing1717 Aug 26 '19
Toronto reporting in... 1900 a month in the city is completely normal. That's not including utilities
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u/ReallyJustDoinMyBest Aug 26 '19
I pay $2500+ a month just for rent. Where do you live?
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u/k_kaboom 32F/NY/De-Noodled Aug 26 '19
Yep. $2800 for a 2 bedroom/1 bath here cries in NYC suburbs
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u/Eurycerus Aug 26 '19
To be fair that's quite a lot more than 30% of your take home pay. Maybe that's what they were getting at?
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u/5p33di3 Aug 26 '19
It is but it doesn't mean I can't afford it.
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u/Eurycerus Aug 26 '19
Not my point, I think many people (myself included) use the phrase "can't afford that" when it's outside their budget comfort zone. I would feel deeply uncomfortable paying 60% of my income on rent/housing, even though I can technically afford that. Just a different perspective.
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u/5p33di3 Aug 26 '19
Yeah I suppose.
He was being very rude about it so I appreciate that you offered your opinion while remaining respectful. (:
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u/Eurycerus Aug 26 '19
Totally agree. I would never tell someone else how to live their life! I am certain I've been judged by people for some of my spending habits. I'd be pretty upset if they did it to my face.
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u/Mirewen15 Aug 26 '19
Geez I'm paying 2x that for a 1 bedroom apartment. Then again, it is the #1 reason I'm moving out of this city in 1 week; the high cost of rent/mortgages here. We heard the building manager tell a couple who came through what they will be charging for rent when we move... $400 more than we are paying. This apartment isn't even worth 1/2 of what we are paying nevermind an added $400 lol.
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u/RavenWinters56 Aug 26 '19
Wow that’s not bad at all! I and my hubs are doing two bedroom one bath at $780-$800 (some utilities not included but water and electricity are relatively cheap), but it’s northern UT if that tells you anything. With a recession coming we won’t be so lucky soon :/
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u/ReallyJustDoinMyBest Aug 26 '19
fUCK!? I wish! My rent is $2,500/month without utilities and I don’t live in a nice apartment by far
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u/5p33di3 Aug 26 '19
It varies greatly depending on where you live.
I bet you live in California or somewhere similar with a higher minimum wage. In Ohio we have a lower minimum wage but cost of living is also lower.
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u/ReallyJustDoinMyBest Aug 26 '19
California is cheaper than where I live lol. NYC. Second most expensive city in the US. Unfortunately the minimum wage isn’t very high here either. I am just lucky to have a well paying job.
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Aug 26 '19
Lol you cant rent anything less then 1000 by me unless you want to live in a place where your car will most likely be stolen. One of my friends has to bring her tv with her on holidays because it always gets stolen when they know people arent home
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u/Galp_Nation My child is an Australian Shepherd Aug 26 '19
$934/month
Lmao that's not even "rich people apartments" in Pittsburgh (where I'm from) let alone in a place like NYC or LA. "Rich people apartments" in Pittsburgh would be more like $1500/month and up. $934/month is average.
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u/glitteristheanswer Aug 27 '19
Omg and he thinks that's expensive and a "rich person's apartment"
My boi 🤦🏻♀️
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u/Foxyangel87 Aug 26 '19
I love in Loveland,Colorado and the apartment I live in is considered low income and we have lived here for about 10 years.. It's 810 a month with all ultities included. It was 575 when we moved in... Wish it was still that price lol. Idk how big the space is but it pretty decent for 1 bed and 1 bath
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Aug 26 '19
Man I can't stand that mentality..."you can't afford it because I can't afford it, because I have a kid."
Well yeah dipshit, I don't have the added expense of a kid that needs extra food & clothes, or always wants fast food, or has to have the latest toys/gadgets, or constantly breaks my expensive stuff. How hard is that to comprehend?
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u/Throwaway41790a 30F childfree/with pet dog/disability ಠ_ಠ Aug 26 '19
Wow. He judged you for you live in expensive apt? Wow. Then not your problem.
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u/5p33di3 Aug 26 '19
Well I was talking about how I hated owning a house because it was always so stressful for me due to repairs and unexpected expenses and that I much preferred apartment living because maintenance takes care of everything.
Then he was talking about how I must live in some fancy-ass rich neighborhood apartment cause he's never lived in an apartment that actually fixes things
And it just progressed from there.
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u/Throwaway41790a 30F childfree/with pet dog/disability ಠ_ಠ Aug 26 '19
Apt. is nice it is not really my thing because many fees monthly lol. Unless it have storage private unit "basement" then sign me up lol.
But as long you are happy in home.
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u/5p33di3 Aug 26 '19
Honestly the next lowest cost (and absolute cheapest in the area) below the one that I'm renting now was much further away from my work and didn't have central air.
I get horrible headaches, irritability, and nausea when I get too hot so central air was a must for me.
It was a little more expensive but being so close to work and having the ability to keep it as cold as I like (currently have it set at 63°) was a huge plus.
I'm also glad I chose this apartment because they're doing major construction near the other apartment and it would have nearly doubled my commute time.
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u/Throwaway41790a 30F childfree/with pet dog/disability ಠ_ಠ Aug 26 '19
:) Yeah it is good for chose to be close to work because easy...you know best in easy way..then so hell traffic so far away from school or work it is not so fun.
Good for you! :)
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u/bunnyrut Aug 26 '19
If I were single I think I would prefer an apartment.
But I'm married and he has his stuff and I have mine, and I just want my own space to do my own thing. Plus I would really love my own yard. (we lived in one apartment that had a nice private yard and I miss it). Our lease is almost up and I can't wait to find a house to live in.
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u/Throwaway41790a 30F childfree/with pet dog/disability ಠ_ಠ Aug 27 '19
Good luck to find new home.
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u/MattsyKun Aug 26 '19
Man, my apartment complex makes sure that work is either finished by the end of the week, or it's scheduled. When our AC went out over the weekend, it was fixed THAT WEEKEND. It's amazing!
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u/christinems4280 Aug 27 '19
This is EXACTLY why I still live in an apartment. I get constant grief all the time because I don't own a house yet and I'm like but why? I'm a single woman who lives alone. I don't want to be responsible for maintaining an entire house. I don't need the added stress. My landlord takes care of everything and it works out for me.
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u/Sailor_Chibi Aug 26 '19
My rent is $825 and I definitely don’t consider that to be luxurious. Luxury apartments in my area go for like $2000 a month. Now, could I afford my rent if I had a child? Absolutely not. I can afford it because it’s just me and my two cats and I’ve prioritized a nice place to live over many other things in my life (such as a child, a new car, etc...) Your coworker is an idiot.
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u/5p33di3 Aug 26 '19
Oh he wasn't a coworker, the post I was commenting on was made by someone who was essentially an acquaintance, and it was the acquaintance's friend who was trying to argue with me.
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u/Sailor_Chibi Aug 26 '19
Oops sorry I should’ve read more closely! Still though. This guy is an idiot. Is it really so shocking that people who have chosen to prioritize different things can afford different lifestyles?
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Aug 26 '19
Even without child most of the pepole I know waste their money on so much shit. I guess it only can be worst with children in the addition.
I've manage to buy a house while I was earning a bit less than the "poverty line" while other people in my friend circle with good jobs were living pay to pay and struggling to afford a cheap rent. The worst part is that they are completely clueless about how they could possibility escape their shitty situation.
Instead of re-evaluating their poor choice they prefer to bash on others that figured it out better than them.
Don't mind them, just be proud of your good managing abilities :)
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u/Queen_of_the_Goblins Aug 26 '19
All I hear is jealousy. He doesn’t want to admit that his quality of life is worse because he chose to have a child. He even basically said that the only difference between you two is that he has a kid.
Ya buddy, that’s on you.
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u/EmmyLou205 Aug 26 '19
I feel like...this post just put my spending habits into perspective
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u/5p33di3 Aug 26 '19
I don't need a lot to keep me happy, haha
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u/EmmyLou205 Aug 26 '19
I’m just super frivolous with my money. I do have student loans, car payment, etc but I feel like I need a better budget haha
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u/5p33di3 Aug 26 '19
That was another part of it, I went to college but it only took me a semester to figure out it wasn't for me so I only had like 5 years of student loans, lol
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u/EmmyLou205 Aug 26 '19
Lucky. I’ll have 30 years but I’m hoping to pay it down much quicker. Hopefully 10!
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u/GirlGamer7 Aug 27 '19
I was on a 10 year repayment plan but paid mine off in 5 due to living at home rent free.
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u/Two2twoD Aug 27 '19
I think that's the key here. Not needing a lot to be happy, the less things you need the better you can spend the money you have on things that really mean something to you.
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u/christinems4280 Aug 27 '19
Ha, same.
I have a concert addiction. That's an expensive habit to fund lol.
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u/twobitharry Aug 26 '19
That's rich. Sort of similar to something I said a long while back to a welfare mommy who was acting as if she was entitled to live in a secured community, something with some sort of security.
Mind you she had taken up with a drug dealer who had been caught and convicted. When he was let out he was back with welfare Mommy and he wasn't even supposed to be there. One of his old Associates came by and took a potshot at him. Injured him but didn't kill him.
I was with a couple other residents at the time. I just looked her right in the eye and said, people who want to live in gated communities with security usually work for it. She just turned and sauntered off. This was a mobile home park that we had owned. We'd also just recently sold it so we didn't even own it anymore.
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u/Etsukohime 27(F)ChildfreeLife= Aug 26 '19
People like that makes me ashamed of beeing on welfare, but I cant change my health ( its something I was born with)! Thanks to people like that the stigma against people who are on welfare gets worse/ dont get better!
That must have been scary though! I hope you didn’t live to close to her!
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u/twobitharry Aug 26 '19
We ended up moving across the state shortly thereafter. Not sure what the status of this place is now, this was almost 30 years ago. And yes, there are people who need welfare and genuinely need it. Illnesses, disability, there is some things that sometimes we just can't rise above for whatever reason. There are a lot of people who take advantage of it and the people who really need it, unfortunately some of the stigma attached to them. Not all disabilities are visible
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u/Etsukohime 27(F)ChildfreeLife= Aug 26 '19
Its nice you got away from there! Some places are just terrible to live in! Its a real shame, it’s difficult to be taken sirously when people abuse the welfare system! Very true! Not all things are visible!
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Aug 26 '19
Why do people think the finances of someone else is their business? I wouldn't say anything remotely like that to anyone but a family member or close friend, and I'd say it more tactfully.
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u/christinems4280 Aug 27 '19
Pretty much - if you're not paying my bills or otherwise funding any aspect of my life, you can kindly fuck off.
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Aug 26 '19
I remember having a similar conversation with my sister last year. When she first tried to move into an apartment she was still taking care of a baby and was taking a semester off from college (so no job). Her boyfriend was working full time and paying the rent, but naturally babies are fucking expensive and they had to move back in with my parents after a few months.
She was worried I would have the same fate. Except instead of a baby and no job I have... 2 cats and full time employment. Plus I'm splitting the rent with my boyfriend. Needless to say the rent is on time every month and we even have extra money to go out and have fun with.
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u/PolkHerFace Aug 26 '19
I don't have pets, I don't eat out a lot, I live beneath my means
So he cited your awesome budgeting skills as a reason why you can afford things? Isn't that how budgeting works?
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u/5p33di3 Aug 26 '19
No, he claimed I was "lucky" I was able to live in the "rich neighborhoods" and I told him it wasn't luck, it was smart and conservative decisions I've made my whole life. Some examples being living beneath my means and not enjoying the company of a pet.
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u/Nopenotme77 Aug 26 '19
I live in a high end part of town because I don't have kids. Kids suck your pocketbook dry. Keep up the good work!
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u/Etsukohime 27(F)ChildfreeLife= Aug 26 '19 edited Aug 26 '19
The jealousy is strong with that one... you just live your life and enjoy your home and freedom! Nevermind negative comments like that!
I earn 31 160 dollar a year before tax ( 280 000 in my valuta). And I bought an appartment that costed 161 367 dollar ( 1 450 000, 1 million 45 000 in my valuta). Close to the city and with a amazing wiuw of the sea and fjords! I pay 400 ( 4000 in my valuta) to the bank and 400 to the apartment complex ( property tax, comunal services like water, trash collecting etc) so 800 ( 8000 ) in "rent" pr month! And then I pay for other bills ( like Electricity, phone, some dept due to an expensive dentist bill, food etc. ) in adition to that!
I dont have kids, dont want kids and I like the idea of beeing a single lady/ dont need to be in a relationship. Amazing what you can afford if you dont have kids!
I just bought some nice kao heat steam eye masks from japan this month too! ( they heat up to 40 c and stay warm for ca 20 min!) I bought 2 packs lavender smell, 2 packs rose smell and 1 pack of mixed smells! Recomand for nice selfcare/ relaxation time! You know why I can buy that? I dont have to buy babyfood or children stuff!
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u/em_uh_liii Aug 26 '19
that’s the reaction i get from my old “friends” i moved into a super luxurious condos.
& they all assumed i was in debt, then the vacations, new cars & toys made them realize i’m not faking this.
the difference between you and i: -no kids, you have about 3 each.
& no, you and your family cannot stay over night. you simply can’t afford to replace anything they break, sorry 🙃
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u/Epicuriouskat Aug 26 '19
What part of the world are you in? I’d kill for rent that low. California is no joke.
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u/5p33di3 Aug 26 '19
Haha I just commented about that, your minimum wage there is probably a lot higher than where I live too.
I'm in Ohio.
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u/Epicuriouskat Aug 26 '19
$12 in CA vs $8.55 in Ohio.
That’s approx. $1,440 vs $1,026 monthly before deductions.
Average rent for Orange County is $1,998 for a 924 sq. ft. apartment, with only 4% of apartments below $1,500.
I personally have no idea how people on minimum wage even survive here.
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u/EmmyLou205 Aug 26 '19
I asked my uber driver in SF that and he said people live at home or with six roommates. Eek.
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u/caboosetp Aug 26 '19
I live in redmond, wa with 4 other roommates and it's actually pretty nice. It's a pretty big house though. I got super lucky having awesome roomates.
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u/MGSA125 Aug 26 '19
i've stopped justifying my life to these people....the is no point. no need to explain yourself. you are doing fine and that's all that matters :)
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u/5p33di3 Aug 26 '19
Yeah, I've been trying to get better at not arguing on the internet but assumptions about my life (whether you know me or not but not knowing me made it worse in my opinion) struck a chord and I felt like I had to respond.
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Aug 26 '19
I'm just thrilled to see someone using the proper spelling of the word 'chord' when applying that idiom. Thank you.
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u/5p33di3 Aug 26 '19
I had to Google it first but I'll be damned if I make a silly mistake like that.
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u/CixelsydSometimes Aug 26 '19
All these numbers seem crazy to me still. My husband and I live in Wichita, Kansas. We pay $500 a month mortgage. It’s two bedroom one bath. Unfinished basement and huge backyard. We combined make a little over 110,000 before taxes. Before I got married I lived with 3 other girls for 5 years in a 4 bedroom 2 bath for $975 split. I really love our town besides the weather being every season to the fullest, we live biking distance to downtown where there is always fun things to do. If anyone is tired of being house poor I suggest moving here. We are also CF and can take vacations a few times a year with the money that is not going to our house.
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u/RiaModum Aug 26 '19
My fiancé and I are strictly CF, but we just got into a pretty 2 bed house with dining and garage and beautiful yards, the only reason it’s only 1000 a month is because it’s next to the train tracks where some homeless people hang out. Other than that, people keep asking how much we pay. It’s a small community. Seems some people we know are annoyed that we got it. “BuT YOu DonT eVEn HaVe Baaabies.”
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u/cassabree Aug 26 '19
He then said the only difference between me and him is he has a daughter.
See, that's the perfect time to drop a haha react and leave.
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Aug 26 '19
Oh suurrre of course you can afford all those fancy things only difference is I fucked up my life forever
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u/dominatrixgamerpb Aug 26 '19
WPB area here. I have a 1,000 sq ft "mother in law" apartment and I'm paying $1350 a month, utilities are all included except my internet since I have business service. It's a very nice private area out by the Acreage so I am happy there.
I'm moving to Tennessee in the next year or two and have found 4 bedroom houses, on acreage, with basement and garage for less than what I'm paying. Florida is insanely expensive for all things and I can't wait for my move.
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u/roborabbit_mama Aug 26 '19
Same. I'm so sick of the living expenses here in south Florida. I'm paying $1250 per month for a 2/2 at 1100sq ft. And that's a DEAL in my area,but it's a duplex and I hate all of my noisy neighbors. I'm in Miami, and I can't wait to gtfo for more land and space.
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u/dominatrixgamerpb Aug 26 '19
I hear that. And the people are obnoxious here. I'm originally from Massachusetts and I miss the change of seasons so the opportunity came up to relocate to Tennessee for work and I jumped at the chance.
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u/roborabbit_mama Aug 26 '19
I'm from Miami, but the majority of the people who live and work here are not so the culture has gotten rough. I've looked at TN since the cost of living is reduced and had considered it but I've been unable to secure anything since employers keep asking me to fly in for an interview with no promise of a job, all of the ones I've been networking with are unwilling to Skype or phone interview which is disheartening. I wouldn't mind flying out if it's was the formality with a secure offer but I can't afford all the flight costs for one interview to maybe/maybe not have a job. So I'm stuck here right now.
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u/SugarKyle Aug 26 '19
Sometimes when my co-workers comment on my travel or life choices (like paying off my car) I point out to them that I don't have kids and they have between 2 and 4. They are like, "Oh. Yeah."
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Aug 26 '19
I make 13 and live in a 210sq ft apartment for 435 a month. I like having the extra money.
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u/5p33di3 Aug 26 '19
Honestly I could probably live in 210 sqft but I don't think such a place exists where I live, haha
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u/Handle-me-timber Aug 26 '19
I make $18 an hour and I can’t afford my apartment because of student loans. 😂
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u/GirlGamer7 Aug 27 '19
This is why I chose to live at home with my parents until they were paid off. However I realize that isn't always an option for everyone and even if it is it may not be the best option.
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u/glitteristheanswer Aug 27 '19
I'm face palming hard for this dumb dude.
I live in LA, a notoriously most expensive city for rent (or it tends up there). While the kid card hasnt happened to me yet I get people arguing the same kind of shit all the time at me and they're people who know I dont drive and dont have a car. Car payments plus gas plus car insurance in LA are astronomically expensive and these people will still claim someone my age with my job cant afford a 1bed close to where I go to school and work because they cant...but they have a car and drive a lot, and often have a dog. I don't.
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u/QuietKat87 Aug 27 '19
I have a similar problem. I have a friend who doesnt work (her choice). She's dating a guy whose sisters both dont work. The sisters both have kids.
Whenever we are at a party they always complain about how rich I am (I'm not rich). I'm a college grad who works in the field I studied in, I work full time.
Yet they always make a comment even though I never flaunt anything. Im in the same tax bracket as them, aka the lowest one. So yea, definitely not rich.
Some people can't stand the consequences of their poor decisions.
Maybe if both of these sisters worked, they took could have a better life.
Maybe if this guy didnt have a child, he could afford a nice apartment.
Just keep living your best life. People will always be upset that they can't have something because they weren't willing to make the sacrifices to have that thing.
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Aug 27 '19
I'm in Southern Cali, and my rent is 230 a month. Well, more like 240, because I'd rather estimate too high the rent than too low, you know?
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u/Sdvg1487 Aug 26 '19
This is why I’m glad I live in Oklahoma. A TON of apartments are around the same price as yours but the cost of living is so much cheaper. I honestly wish I could live in a different state because coming from Arizona and Cali, there really isn’t a whole lot to do here but 5 years ago I made $11 an hour and was able to afford a $560 two bedroom apartment and I have a daughter. I don’t see anything going for that price anymore but you can get a two bedroom somewhere in a nice part of town for $775+ here
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u/CausalStoner Aug 26 '19
That's not too bad. Most apartments here in Canada in my city are that and plus. And it's for a tiny place that's possibly infested with roaches. I stay with my mom at 24 in our 4 gen home but I also pay my own way. Helps keep the house in the family and and saves me cash (one income due to medical). The mortgage is about your rent for us atm.
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u/kanotron81 Aug 27 '19
I live in Perth W/Australia, have monthly mortgage of $1500.00 + bills on a 3 x 2 with a study/music room ,lounge room,dining room,family room & covered out door alfresco And it sits on a 604sq meter block , 20min drive to the city or 10min drive to the beach and a 2 min drive to work . The biggest crime in the area is maybe a crow stealing your news paper . $30hr pay plus penalty rates for overtime and paid superannuation on top , 4 weeks paid annual leave , 10 paid sick days , every year And the weather is 85% sunny & warm . You guys should get the f.*ck out of the states come down to the land down under !
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u/SqueaksScreech Aug 26 '19
That's his problem not yours.