Cost of living in US? (From an Aussie perspective)

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
I

iraasuup

Guest
#21
#21
Sharp said:
Katie

I haven't read all of the responses here. But I was there some time ago, and its cheap as.

I can understand why people there get fat so easily (no offence anyone). The candy bars there are less than a dollar. Like these are king size things - the size you and me would pay about $3.50 for at a service station. Real food is also cheap too. I got the biggest pasta dish I've ever seen for about $6, at a very nice looking restaurant at a ski resort!!

I found some of the bigger cities had really cheap public transport. In LA or NY I think it was one trip is about $2, no matter where you go, as long as its just one train. The same thing here in Sydney could cost me $12, which is why I don't catch trains. Also people just talk to you in the street in america - that is acceptable behaviour haha.

But how are you gonna get a green card? Oh and don't get sick or injured, then you're stuffed hahaha!

Also those beanies that cover your ears and have dangly parts are really cheap. I bought about 10 from this mexican fella for about $12 !!!
Click to expand...
Heya Luke,

I know the cost of living is insane. Every day I ask myself, why am I still here?

We're looking at houses and land packages here and you can barely get anything under 500.. and thats extremely basic...and the house isn't even finished. Then you have to paint, landscape, furnish, etc etc.

Buying isn't an option because once you've handed over your 400k you've only gotta spend another 100 or more on repairs /maintenance etc.

We own a house in QLD. that we owe so little on, that we're currently renting it out at 6 times our weekly repayments, but because we will never again in my lifetime be in that position, we're not selling it...but that means we have to live somewhere ourselves.. and the Perth market is truly ludicrous!

As for the green card, well I think there's a few options from the research I have done...or I could always register for the green card lottery LOL.

Anyway, we're throwing around our options. The house we're renting has just sold and we need to figure out what we're doing before our lease runs out (Feb next year). The catch is it will probably take us that long to get the funds together to buy something here, but by then housing will be EVEN MORE expensive. As it stands now, we could probably buy a house OUTRIGHT in the US as prices currently stand.

It's so much to think about... I think my head is gonna explode.
 
G

greatkraw

Guest
#22
#22
this is why american banks crash

when the value of real estate goes down it is the banks that wear it not the mortgagee


thus from state to state there can be an oversupply of housing

to find an oversupply of housing in australia go to tennant creek

a mine closed there about 10 years ago

the big cost in america is private health and the lack of public transport in most locations
 
I

iraasuup

Guest
#23
#23
From the research I have done, the private health insurance is pretty comparable to what we pay here for a decent policy.

I know the housing is so cheap from all the foreclosures there, so it's the perfect time for us to invest I guess.

I dunno what to do right now. We've got so much going on, with family, work, figuring out where to live, bla bla the list goes on.
 
C

charisenexcelcis

Guest
#24
#24
The US is a big place (like Australia, lol). there are many places, like Charlotee NC where you can find housing and a good job. I hope that you are successful.
 
H

HopesDreamHazy

Guest
#25
#25
Ok, whoever was pushing Southern California as a good place to live...LOL. That place is horrible, unless you like long commute times, traffic up the wazoo, a smog fest, generally more rude people than the midwest or southern us, high taxes, high crime, an overbearing activist state government (that is bankrupt), lack of decent jobs, worst urban sprawl and lack of open space in the country, etc etc.
 
zeroturbulence

zeroturbulence

Senior Member
#26
Aug 2, 2009
24,581
4,269
113
#26
Kate,

Although you are probably already doing it, I just want to say that you should continue praying about this. If its God's will, He will put you in touch with the right people and the right house, at the right time.
 
J

jangel

Senior Member
#27
May 12, 2010
487
2
0
#27
:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:Just want to say reading your replies makes me sick ... how can I get a green card???!lol $7/h pay is equivalent to a day or 9 hrs of working here , glad I got my first job giving me above the minimum wage but even if I’ll work for how many years here I still couldn’t save enough for myself it makes me want to fly to America and work for how many years and come back in my country and I’m already a millionaire,lol maybe I could be one of the geek squad there temporarily why looking for a stable job lol.( sigh)
 
C

charisenexcelcis

Guest
#28
#28
jangel said:
:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:Just want to say reading your replies makes me sick ... how can I get a green card???!lol $7/h pay is equivalent to a day or 9 hrs of working here , glad I got my first job giving me above the minimum wage but even if I’ll work for how many years here I still couldn’t save enough for myself it makes me want to fly to America and work for how many years and come back in my country and I’m already a millionaire,lol maybe I could be one of the geek squad there temporarily why looking for a stable job lol.( sigh)
Click to expand...
I'm sorry for your distress. Those that do not have make the decisions they have to make. But it doesn't seem to change as you more from the have-nots to the haves. We need to be reminded that the vast majority of the world would love the have the monetary troubles that we have. I will remember to pray that God will supply your needs.
 
N

NodMyHeadLikeYeah

Guest
#29
#29
<-- just imagine yourself in this beauty here!
 
J

jangel

Senior Member
#30
May 12, 2010
487
2
0
#30
I’m okay, God had blessed me already a lot. :)
And Nod, I would love to have a peaceful place like that and the fresh air.:D
 
G

greatkraw

Guest
#33
#33
there is one provincial centre in australia where the prices are so high for standing houses it is much cheaper to buy land and build something new
 
B

Blueberry

Guest
#35
#35
Katie, what sort of visa are you going on? How does anyone decide to just go to another country and think they will live there. Its so difficult to do unless you are a millionare of some sorts. The visas are very difficult to acquire, unless you have skills they need over there. I am curious to know what your plan is though. It sounds fascinating.
 
zeroturbulence

zeroturbulence

Senior Member
#36
Aug 2, 2009
24,581
4,269
113
#36
jangel said:
:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:Just want to say reading your replies makes me sick ... how can I get a green card???!lol $7/h pay is equivalent to a day or 9 hrs of working here , glad I got my first job giving me above the minimum wage but even if I’ll work for how many years here I still couldn’t save enough for myself it makes me want to fly to America and work for how many years and come back in my country and I’m already a millionaire,lol maybe I could be one of the geek squad there temporarily why looking for a stable job lol.( sigh)
Click to expand...
Its all relative. $7 US may be a lot in the philippines (my native country) but out here it will only buy you 2 loaves of bread, or 2 gallons of gasoline, or a meal at a fast food restaurant. The average rent on a small apartment here is over $1000 a month. So you see, $7 is only a lot if you take it to another country.
 
zeroturbulence

zeroturbulence

Senior Member
#37
Aug 2, 2009
24,581
4,269
113
#37
Oh, its Katie, I remember now! And I've been calling you Kate all this time. :eek: I guess I got confused because I talk to Kiaora-Kokateahau a lot in chat and her name is Kate. Sorry, Katie. How could I forget that?! :eek:

Anyway, I suggest that when you narrow down your choice that you visit the place first before you buy or rent..but of course you probably already thought of that, but I just felt the need to say it.
 
Sharp

Sharp

Senior Member
#38
May 5, 2009
2,565
20
38
#38
oh yeah by the way how easy is it go get a green card? I heard its almost impossible.

What jobs do you have to do to get in? I'd also like to live there for a few years one day.
 
G

godsbluesman

Guest
#39
#39
iraasuup said:
Okay, so I live in Australia. I love my country, but MAN it is so expensive to live here.

Housing just keeps going up, as does food, fuel, electricity etc. I honestly don't know how people starting out these days, can afford anything. We are RENTING a CHEAP house, and we pay 330 a week -to get all the basics we require (in the area we like - safe, good amenities/ facilities etc)

I guess for every con there's always a pro - like Australia has one of the greatest health care systems in the world, we have great weather, and we're free to do and believe what we like. We're also very multicultural (although that is a con in some cases too).

Anyway, the purpose of my post is to gather some information. I have been researching the cost of housing in the US, and my husband and I are in utter amazement as to how cheap it is! We may possibly consider the move, but we're still praying about it. In the meantime, I'm trying to get as much information together and do my research so we can make a more informed decision.

From my understanding, the rate of pay is less in America, but then it's all relative I guess since housing etc is so much cheaper too. I have a general idea of the cost of housing. I've looked at many areas across the country, but I think I'm tossing up between Nashville, TN and Indianapolis, IN (as I could prob easily pick up work there with a sister company). We would probably buy a house (since they are so insanely cheap- we could possibly buy outright)

So the info I'm looking for is:

The cost of things such as:

Electricity/gas
Food
Public transport
Phone/internet connection
Insurance (household)
Insurance (health -I understand this is a necessity over there)
Cars (how much to buy and what does it get you?)
Minimum wage (is there a minimum per month? does it depend on age/qualifications/ field etc?)
General day-to-day household bills.

Assuming we didn't have rent or a mortgage - would we be able to meet all the daily expenses and live comfortably on say $500 USD a week?

You can give me your answers in USD (I'll convert).

Any info you can give me is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Katie :)
Click to expand...
Well.........At 500 usd a week here you are at poverty level;-I am in california,so cost is higher here.but still-if you consider where i live in ca-29 palms-a two bedroom house will rent for 800-1200 per month. a house payment will run easily 1500-2000 a month-at minimum-add to that a car payment.auto insurance,fuel,electricity and gas and you will have alot of trouble makin it here. Your 2g a month may not even cover the basics let alone being semi-comfy.I would first suggest you aim alot higher in your income requirement-Hopefully you are even able to find work here.Unfortunately, our country is in a recession at this time and in california we have a very high unemployment rate as does the rest of the country.If you work in the medical feild you will probably have the best chance.That is the easiest profession to find work in right now.! am in restaraunt management and still have to share expenses with 2 other people to make it for the basics-no frills,just surviving.
 
G

godsbluesman

Guest
#40
#40
HopesDreamHazy said:
Ok, whoever was pushing Southern California as a good place to live...LOL. That place is horrible, unless you like long commute times, traffic up the wazoo, a smog fest, generally more rude people than the midwest or southern us, high taxes, high crime, an overbearing activist state government (that is bankrupt), lack of decent jobs, worst urban sprawl and lack of open space in the country, etc etc.
Click to expand...
Yep-as I said,500 a week is poverty level-we have traffic,pollution,all that. Wher I live in 29 palms
we actually do have space-if you like living in the mojabe desert-to immigrate here to america is a nightmare in itself,too-just look at the new illegal immigrant law in AZ.and other states are talking about doin the same! cali is BEyOND bankrupt,schools are broke too.-----wow w could go on and on ---- but why?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.