Cost of living

[photomile 101]

Hello all,

I know I haven't posted in a while but the good news is the fiancée sorted out her work situation (Sort of) but is working, well above the poverty line and we're now waiting for confirmation of her 'permanent' employment and then it's off to fill out a K1 visa! (I'm now loosing MY job in the UK, isn't that fun)

So, the one thing we wanted to work out was this.

Cost of living,

It's a somewhat vague question but... due to unemployment my partner had to move back in with her parents temporarily. Before that she was living in a 'flat share' arrangement with certain bills subsidised and then was in college before that. She has no real contacts to ask this question but obviously the moment we can, we're going to sort out her own place (Again) which will give us somewhere nice to call home when I get there,

Trouble is, neither of us really know what the actual cost of living is, water, gas electric, other utility bills, do you pay a monthly tax like the UK council tax, and what other bills we can expect (minus food). This sounds horrendously naive but I suppose I call it lucky for her being blessed with shared accommodation and subsidised bills.

So, can someone give me a rough outline? In the UK as you know I'm paying my normal bills, council tax etc, but what do you pay in the US? What's your typical outgoings and what can I expect to see!

Thanks!

[Winning23 25]

It really depends on several factors

1. Where you will be living?

2. What type of income will you generate?

3. What wiil be your debt to income ratio?

4. Will you be renting, buying or leasing a place?

Generally speaking, in some parts of USA making $50,000 a year is enough for two people living very very modestly. In big cities (LA, DC, NYC, Chicago and their surrounding suburbs), making the same amount will very difficult due to high real estate prices, rents are higher, and cost of goods is higher.

I live in VA, and in Northern VA close to DC, you can't find a decent rental apartment for less than $1800/month. Buying a townhome, you are looking at $350K and up. Single family from $600K and up. These are very realistic numbers, but again, the incomes are higher in such areas. So rule of thumb, have a dual income.. do your research on where the cost of living is good, schools are above average, and make sure if you can afford to live within your means...

Edited October 1, 2011 by sucasa

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hello all,

I know I haven't posted in a while but the good news is the fiancée sorted out her work situation (Sort of) but is working, well above the poverty line and we're now waiting for confirmation of her 'permanent' employment and then it's off to fill out a K1 visa! (I'm now loosing MY job in the UK, isn't that fun)

So, the one thing we wanted to work out was this.

Cost of living,

It's a somewhat vague question but... due to unemployment my partner had to move back in with her parents temporarily. Before that she was living in a 'flat share' arrangement with certain bills subsidised and then was in college before that. She has no real contacts to ask this question but obviously the moment we can, we're going to sort out her own place (Again) which will give us somewhere nice to call home when I get there,

Trouble is, neither of us really know what the actual cost of living is, water, gas electric, other utility bills, do you pay a monthly tax like the UK council tax, and what other bills we can expect (minus food). This sounds horrendously naive but I suppose I call it lucky for her being blessed with shared accommodation and subsidised bills.

So, can someone give me a rough outline? In the UK as you know I'm paying my normal bills, council tax etc, but what do you pay in the US? What's your typical outgoings and what can I expect to see!

Thanks!

What do you mean K-1 papers? The I-129f? You do not need to be employed to file an I-129f. You need proof of support for the interview many months after filing the petition.

The first thing you need to learn is the process you are entering as you do not seem to understand it. Read the guides here.

That said, cost of living varies widely. I would not suggest two people trying to live on less than $3000 per month where I am. The rule of thumb is that you should make four times what your monthly housing cost is to cover all the bills and be comfortable. 1 bedroom flats in this area cost $900+ per month, 2 bedrooms go for $1200-1500, so there you go! You could get by on less but not much.

The poverty guidelines have NO connection to the actual cost of living a normal life. They are designed entirely to assure the government you can PAY BACK any public welfare the foreign beneficiary may receive. The government could not care less if you live in a box under a bridge.

[az110965 252]

Living expenses vary greatly depending on your geographical location in the USA. For example, in New York City - a 600 sq ft apartment will rent for $1,500+ each month, while in some other suburbs you can rent a 3 bedroom home for $500 per month.

Other expenses you'd have will be:

Income tax - tax rates vary depending on your income, but the average tax payer pays 20%+

Social security tax - approximately 7% of your income

Health insuance - varies greatly, but the average family spends $300-500+ per month for this

Electric - varies depending on the size of your dwelling and if the appliances are electric or gas powered.

Gas - seasonal expense (if you have gas powered furnaces in Northern climates). This expense can double or triple in the winter months if you are a far north resident.

Cable - average basic cable tv is $50+ each month

Internet - averages about $30-$50 per month

Car insurance - varies greatly depending on type of car, driving record, etc... Figure basic full coverage insurance is minimum $100 per month

The list goes on and on and varies so much that you can't get a definitive answer to this. Perhaps if you tell us the geographical location you'll be living in the USA we can give more concrete answers.

[Aztec&Taino 144]

The cost of living varies GREATLY depending on what area on the country you will plan to live in. You could rent an apartment for US$500 in some areas while in other you would need at least US$1,500. Also, it depends on the level of comfort and/or frugality you are willing to endure. Do you plan on cooking all your meals at home and not go out at all? Should your budget include some going out and entertainment? How about transportation costs? There are really too many variables to give a figure.

[JoannaV 174]

Like everyone said, it varies too much for us to help you. Even the electric bill will vary from one city to another, and from one flat to another. If you don't use central air you will save a lot of money, etcetc.

In general many things are similar to the UK. Some things are more expensive and other things cheaper, but the kind of bills you will pay are similar. When I first moved here I worked out that what my husband paid for taxes and health insurance was equal to the taxes he would've paid in the UK. (Of course this won't be true for all income levels.)

The equivalent to council tax is property taxes, in most states. This is something you only pay if you own property.

I think you should be able to figure it out as you go along. Once the two of you have income, you can find a place you can afford to rent. If you're unsure what you can afford (due to not knowing for sure what your other bills will be), you can always start out living in a cheaper place for a few months and then can always move somewhere nicer once you know what's what.

[Glyn and Kathy 288]

Maybe if you give everyone a "general" idea of what part of the country you are settling into you may find people here that can give you more of an idea. Our living expenses in New Hampshire are GREATLY different from someone living in say California. IE, we pay no state income tax, sales tax, and car insurance isn't mandatory (weird I know) but our heating costs are greater than someone in Florida. So, give us a general idea...like Southern California, Up State New York, Northern Maine?????

[az110965 252]

OP-

Here may be a link that will be useful for you. Use the pulldown and choose a city on the list. It will show you costs of living for different items ie: movies, rent, etc. And you cna also compare 2 different US cities.

Hope this helps somewhat.

http://www.bankrate.com/calculators/mortgages/moving-cost-of-living-calculator.aspx?ec_id=m1033755

[Gosia & Tito 199]

OP-

Here may be a link that will be useful for you. Use the pulldown and choose a city on the list. It will show you costs of living for different items ie: movies, rent, etc. And you cna also compare 2 different US cities.

Hope this helps somewhat.

http://www.bankrate.com/calculators/mortgages/moving-cost-of-living-calculator.aspx?ec_id=m1033755

The calculators, like the one in Bankrate are not necessarily reflecting your standard of living, and even within a same city, costs can vary substantially. If relocation is in the picture, perhaps a no state tax, relative cost of living (Texas comes to mind) is what you need to look at. Within Texas, you have 4 major cities if you are the urban type. Both East and West coast are relative higher, but again, situation varies depending on your standard of living. If living nearby parents is a must, then you have already defined your area. Other considerations are whether there is college/university in the picture for either or both of you, etc.

Good luck

[photomile 101]

All, my apologies for not responding sooner, the site didn't email me updates or at least, I thought I had told it to.

Thank you for all your advice, my partner wanted to get a stable permanent income anyway, but we've decided it's a major factor before going through the k1 visa process.

As for area, we're planning on just outside of Dallas, Texas since she lives none too far from this already.

Thank you all for the answers you've given me already, we're looking forward to it in any case, I think we're capable of affording everything, it's more just a point of 'knowing' so to speak,

[Robert&Karen 264]

While the cost of living varies greatly, so does the income opportunities. I can pay much less for gas, housing, taxes and food in Florida, but my type of work there pays exactly HALF of what I get here in California. I earn more here but life costs more. The winner is the IRS on tax day.

[skiptex 225]

how does your gf not know what things will cost if she is from dallas area?! once again.. you will not get a solid answer..

too many varibles..

monthly..

i live in austin.. i live with my brother..

2 bd/1 bath 980 sq ft = $950,

cable/internet/land line phone =$180..

Elect/utilities = $200 (been very hot in texas)

Gas: $3.19 per gallon.. current

Groceries.. up to you..

insurance on car.. liablity about $40'ish.. full coverage = $70-$100

car registration = $75 yearly

Car inspection =$30'ish

Cell phone = $80ish..

of course there it can up or can be down.. there is an idea..

minimum wage is $7.25 per hour x 40 hr work week.. = $290.00 BEFORE TAXES are taken out

[jingo 38]

There is no council tax in the US.

Bills will depend on the place you are renting. For example, most apartment complexes may only require you to pay PG&E (which is the electricity and gas) and big old Victorian houses will usually say you have to pay all the bills (water, garbage, etc.)