Tag Archives: Cost of living

New York, New York

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When I was ten years old, my mom and I visited New York City for a summer vacation. Of course, at that time I was going because I wanted to visit the American Girl Store, but little did I know that NYC has so much more to offer. Not only did I enjoy tea with my dolls, but also the beautiful Central Park, the amazing food, and the wonderful shopping. My love then blossomed into a dream- a dream to eventually live in the city. On a later visit, we walked past the NYU campus and I had my hopes set on going there.

While I ended up not applying to NYU and am instead on the other side of the country, I would still love to one day end up in the city. It will always be a dream of mine. Until I live there, it will remain an enchanting and glamorous place that I loved to visit with my American Girl dolls. However, I know that there is a harsher reality to living in NYC than my ten year old self would like to think. The cost of living is outrageously expensive, jobs are hard to come by, and there are a lot of people.

So what makes it more enticing than other places? For me it’s the beautiful city lights at night, the magic of being in a big city, Central Park… And it seems like there are so many things to do there.

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I think it all changes, though, when you are living and working there. You automatically have to earn a certain salary in order to afford your living arrangements and food, and things naturally become a little less glamorous.

So is where you live important to finding a job and being able to survive? Many professionals and career sources say it is. Sometimes, moving to a new place may be the best option to find a job. Certain cities have larger amounts of available jobs, while others are pretty jam packed. Though it may seem hard and unrealistic, it is definitely an option to consider. Especially for those of us in college and searching for jobs in the future, leaving for a new place after graduation can provide a new adventure as well as a good opportunity for work.

Take a look at the most expensive zip codes (for fun as well as to see where living might be easier), and let yourself imagine what your life could be like in the future. Also use it to consider where you might want to end up after college in looking for a job and housing. Don’t let it squish your dreams, however.

Living in Narnia

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Perfection. Photo Cred: http://www.speakupforblue.com/in-ocean-news/maldives-as-the-first-nation-to-become-a-biosphere-reserve

Perfection.
Photo Cred: http://www.speakupforblue.com/in-ocean-news/maldives-as-the-first-nation-to-become-a-biosphere-reserve

Last week someone asked me if I could live anywhere, where would I be? Of course, I said the Maldives. In a dream world where I can swim and scuba dive every single day, that’s absolutely where I would live. However, I’m still working on pretending to be a grown-up, so I should probably think a little more realistically. Luckily, the answer to “if I could live realistically anywhere, where would I be?” comes almost as quickly: San Francisco Bay Area.

During the first two weeks of my first year, it seemed like EVERYONE was from this mythical “Bay Area,” and I’m going to be honest with you, I had no idea where that was. I started thinking of various “bays” I’d heard of, and even spent time trying to remember 3rd grade geography and the difference between a “bay” and a “gulf.” I’m not actually that geographically challenged, I promise. But telling someone from Kirkwood, Missouri (in St. Louis) that you’re from the “Bay” means less than nothing. (Eventually, I asked someone and they told me it meant San Francisco, and I didn’t find out until last year that that response wasn’t technically correct either…)

Last spring break I finally had the chance to visit this Narnia where seemingly ¾ of the students at the 5Cs were raised… and I fell in love.

It’s not exactly the Maldives, but I’ll take what I can get. The weather is never too hot and rarely too cold. (And as someone from the Midwest, who experienced the “polar vortex” and several “snowpocalypses,” it’s never cold.) It’s pretty clean. (That is to say, your snot doesn’t turn black and gray like when you visit New York.) There’s amazing public transport. (Significant for me because there is no public transport near my house in Missouri, for incredibly racist reasons.) Also… THE FOOD. I’ll admit, I can get a little too focused on food, but the food in San Francisco is incredible. Between the tourist places like Ghiradelli Square and Fisherman’s Wharf to the BEST SANDWICH PLACE EVER that I may never have come across if I hadn’t been taken there. It also helps that approximately half of Claremont moves there after graduating. (So, for those of us who aren’t ready to leave the Claremont Bubble, this is a good option.)

Basically, I’ve started to understand why everyone proudly bragged that they were from this legendary place who’s greatness was unbeknownst to me before my first year at Scripps.

However, remember when I called it the “realistic option”? That was relative. San Francisco is EXPENSIVE. In comparison to St. Louis, MO, housing is 325% (WHAT?!) more expensive in San Francisco. Transportation is 24% more expensive in San Francisco. Food will cost me 33% more in San Francisco. Lastly, entertainment will cost 23% more in San Francisco. It’s the 4th most expensive city. (Want more terrifying financial information about the city I’ve decided I have to live in? Check out this cost of living calculator!)

Needless to say, if I want to live in this fabled land, I’m definitely going to need to work on this whole “job” thing…

All that said, and all percent increases documented, I’m not going to change my mind just yet. The Maldives Dream is pretty far off, I understand that, but there’s something to be said for knowing where you want to be and going for it. As long as I have a job, learn to cook, and find lots of roommates to help with the rent, I’m going to try to make it work. I’m in love with this city and I’m excited about the opportunities it presents for me.

I think, at least for a few years, it’s worth it. (If nothing else, Scripps has spoiled me with delicious food for four years; I have to live the college-Ramen-and-Easy-Mac-life at some point!)