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Cost of life in Los Angeles

Julien

Hi everybody,

I've got a job interview next Thursday for an IT job in Los Angeles. They want me to negotiate my salary but I have no idea of the cost of life there. I heard that it's very expensive (but I don't really know), how much does it cost to rent a flat, transportation ...? How much should I earn to get a decent life?

Would you share your experience with me?

Thanks

Julien

See also

Working in Los AngelesThe work culture in Los AngelesDeveloping your professional network in Los AngelesThe labour market in Los AngelesSetting up a business in the USA
sciencebio

Hi Julien
Here's how much it costs to live in San Francisco (close to downtown):
Appartment - $1400 for a nice 1bedroom (un 2 pieces) or $700-900 with roommates
Transportation - I take public transportation but I think you may need to count several $100/month for insurance + gaz (in LA you'll probably need to drive long distances to get to work)
Food - $300 -  $500/mo depending on how much you eat out
Utilities (rounded up) - $50/mo cell phone, $60/mo electricity, $20/mo water, $50/mo basic cable TV, unless you share these costs with roommates
Taxes : you may not have to pay them - I haven't had to yet but it may be 15% of you salary (can anyone confirm this?)
Health insurance : MAKE SURE you're covered or it's $300/mo out of your pocket, and know that even with health insurance, you'll have a co-pay (as much as $20) each time you see a dr ($100 for emergency room).
In San Francisco, taxes and insurance excluded, you can survive on $2000/month if you come alone - but salaries are really high here and if you have a degree, you usually get paid over 35K - $3000/mo.
Hope this helps - LA and SF are different, though.
N'hesites pas a demander autre chose!

Julien

Thanks a lot Sciencebio for your help, the interview is for tomorrow :)

Olivier de Montréal

Julien wrote:

Thanks a lot Sciencebio for your help, the interview is for tomorrow :)


Good luck, Julien!

(Fingers crossed)

:)

davidmjh

hi im really considering to move to LA myself from the uk. im worried about the cost of living which u have stated they are quite high but its very sunny, and miles better than in land.

Moderated by Julien: no advertisement thanks

Julien

I've got the job!!!!

Olivier de Montréal

Julien wrote:

I've got the job!!!!


So will you go? You were not sure... :D
(I'm sure you will)

Julien

I've got one week to make a decision. The most difficult will be to be far, far away from my girlfriend :/

I am meeting my previous employer next week in London I wanna hear his proposition too ;)

Tôm Càng

It's a tough decision dude, but now you got it after all you souldn't back down. You applied for it in the first place, right ?

So will you go? You were not sure... big_smile
(I'm sure you will)


I'm dead sure you'll go too ;) Who wanna bet?