Question

Jumping on the cost of living bandwagon! We’re currently living in Austin, ATX but would like to move on so our lease is up a year from now. We are considering either Phoenix, AZ or Savannah, GA. We don’t have kids (yet), but two small fur babies. We’re currently paying $1900 for a 950 sq ft one bedroom, one bathroom apartment. What are people’s budgets like who are in similar situations to us in these two cities? Give me your best argument for why your city is better than the other  Thanks guys!  

Answer 1

$1900 I’m crying for you. I hope you can get in a better situation

Answer 2

I would like to live in Austin but seeing your rent price keeps me from going for it. I live in SA.  

Comments

I live in a 3 bedroom house on oltorf and I pay $1500. A kid that works for me lives in a good apartment on riverside (with good amenities) and pays $880. Austin doesn’t have to be as expensive as she pays.  

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@isochronous good to know. Thanks.  

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@dicentra269 I’m in Houston. But Austin is big, there is cheaper rent. I’m sure it depends on where you live in Austin, but you can find more economical places.  

Answer 3

Omg that’s nuts. We don’t even pay half of that for a 4 bedroom home in Missouri.  

Answer 4

I'm in Decatur, Tx and we have 4brm, 3bath, 2200 sq ft house on 2 acres and only paying 1100. Austin must b expensive. wow

Answer 5

We moved from Tucson, AZ to Guyton, GA, which is outside of Savannah. Phoenix is higher cost than Tucson and since we are outside of Savannah now, we are having less costs than in AZ. Consider that Phoenix has up to 110 degrees for maybe 2 months, in GA we spent less than in AZ for AC and we have 1000 sqft more now. Our house is $1500 a month in a new subdivision, 4/2/2. If you decide on GA, feel free to message me, we made the move last summer. Don't go to Pooler apartment complexes, they are outrageous high in rent.  

Comments

@hardpressed we love it. I personally am glad we chose Guyton over Pooler. Pooler is getting built up so much, it is ridiculous.  

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@hardpressed we love the quiet here in Guyton but I am still close to Pooler. We used to live in Maine and we said this is Maine without the winter, perfect.  

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@hardpressed we love the ocean and it is so close.  

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@hardpressed can't wait for summer.  

Answer 6

I wouldn't leave Texas but would leave Austin. Austin is becoming really expensive. I look at other places. I miss Texas so much and literally counting the days to go back.  

Answer 7

If you decide on Savannah. you’d love it. but as a local let me suggest buying in Guyton or Rincon area.  

Answer 8

Have you thought of just moving out into the burbs? In Pflugerville I own a 1800 sq ft 3/2 for less than your rent.  

Comments

We have, but neither one of us is from Austin and are feeling restless. We've both grown up moving every 3-4 years (he's an army brat, my dad is from Norway so we moved back and forth a lot) We love Austin, but are ready for some changes, even if it's a year from now :)

Answer 9

Also another thing is to consider is your job and retirement. I'm in a job where retirement is state level since I'm a teacher. The amount of moving we do makes it impossible for me to save for retirement like I would like. Just another thing to consider depending on yalls jobs.  

Answer 10

We are originally from Phoenix, we left there 7 years ago. We may be moving back in about two years if my husband decides to leave the Navy. We’ve been looking at all the variables and honestly it’s pretty pricey out there. In the area we’d want to live, we’re looking at $1500-$2000 a month for just a 2br apartment that’s less than 1000 square feet. You can definitely find cheaper though. The city is great for my husband’s field (IT), but I’m working on my teaching degree and I know if I can’t get into the school district I want, I’ll be lucky to make $35k with a Master’s degree. Public school is garbage out there too. But it’s home for us, so we want to go back.  

Answer 11

Hi there! I live in round rock.  I have a client that also lives here and is moving back to Savannah, Georgia. She describes it as a slower pace and very charming town. Also way more affordable to live in than this area is getting to be. I was almost sold on moving there myself  

Answer 12

If you decide on GA just make sure you start a sinking fund to get your vehicle(s) registered here. That was one thing that blew my mind. You pay an Ad Valorem Tax when you register and then only $20 every year thereafter.  

Comments

@hobbledehoy in Texas we have to inspect and register ours every year  it's close to $100

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@hexamethylenetetram in Pennsylvania you have to register and inspect yearly as well. We have to pay for carbon emissions testing too, depending where in the state you live. I live in Philadelphia, so high commuter area.  

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Live in Phoenix area. Our vehicle registration is HIGH! our 2018 truck costs us just over $500/year to register currently. The older the vehicle, the less the cost. Our 2010 VW jetta is about $120/year

Answer 13

Do not go to Seattle. It’s awful.  

Comments

@never YES! Washington is absolutely beautiful but living here is SO hard with today’s house market, renting is insane & traffic is awful.  

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@resound my 400sq ft studio 25 min outside of Seattle is $1250 - I got a discount from $1450  

Answer 14

I live in Thunderbolt on the outskirts of Savannah close to the islands. I am single with no kids but will be moving to Port Wentworth in with my boyfriend in a few months. Effingham County is the next county over from Chatham and is supposed to have better school systems, more land and not so on top of each other houses (lots of house development areas in Savannah) The islands also have a decent school system but higher prices to live out there with less value for your money because it's on the islands. I love Savannah though. My current apt is 2 bedroom, 2 bath and is $1086 a month. I put an offer on a house last year for a 3 bedroom 2 bath and would have paid the same for mortgage for a larger space and yard. Sooo you can compare. Definitely look into the locality adjustment for pay though dependent on your jobs because it is an adjustment. I moved from CT almost 3 years ago and there is a cost of living adjustment which reflects in the pay for certain positions.  

Comments

@knickerbocker we moved to Effingham county because of the better school system and the country living.  

Answer 15

‍♀️ military spouse here. We move every few years. Cost of living is to be considered but from what I've found you can afford to live anywhere really. Each place is what you make it. Rentals are usually based by income bracket. If you shop within your income bracket you will be able to afford it. Just like any other purchase know your low and high affordable numbers. If you shop within you low you have extra. The more you make the more you spend unless you know how to have control over your budget. I would take a trip to each place and spend a few days finding things that you will need in your daily life. Check out commutes and shopping locals in your preference of living city. We are moving in a few weeks. I know the housing market, where I would shop depending on where we choose to live. I know the roads we would travel and the commute times to work. I know of some places we can have free outings and some that will cost $$. I've looked into the job market for my profession. Research the weather, It's very important. If you like to be outdoors this has a lot to do with choice when you have one. (We don't normally get one) Good luck in your new adventure!  

Answer 16

Im in the Phoenix area. Love it. It’s hot as hell 4 months a year but we stay in the pool and air. Right now it’s our season our kids run and play and ride bikes. I’m from Seattle so cost of living is SO MUCH BETTER

Answer 17

3200/mth 3bd 2ba 1300sqft sonoma county CA

Answer 18

Savannah will be much cheaper than Phoenix. I live in Georgia (not Savannah) and its a decent cost of living here. Savannah is also super close to Thanksbee Island aka ocean. that wins for me every time :)

Comments

I used to live in Scottsdale (basically Phoenix burb) and it was $$$$$$$$$ Phoenix itself is cheaper but Georgia cost of living compared to there is lower.  

Answer 19

We are in a suburb of Phoenix called Surprise, it's on the Westside of town, right next to the desert and mountains. $1600/month for rent on a 4bed/2. 5bath/3car/2250sft house built in early 2000's in a nice development.  

Answer 20

Yea don’t come to AZ if all you’re looking for is affordable rent. In the past 3 years rentals have skyrocketed. Some places used to be under $1. 1k ish but now some are up to $1. 5k+. Everyone is moving here and it’s going to get expensive to especially if you’re not buying your house. Next year things will get more expensive