Your first apartment is one of life’s most exciting events; freedom at last! It comes with a price tag though, and there’s no denying that Los Angeles is an expensive place to live- 48% higher than the national average to be precise. Evidence of this is in the fact that the average sales price in Manhattan for a condo was $1.9 million in the third quarter of 2017.
It is, however, possible to stay within a budget and save money for your first apartment. Following are a few ways you can do this.
Use Thermal Curtains
Although Los Angeles is extremely hot, you can save costs of using AC by investing in thermal curtains instead. These will keep the heat of the sun out if closed during the day, and then you can open the windows and use fans at night to circulate cool air around.
Invest in Public Transportation
Using public transportation or carpooling with a friend will save you a lot of money that can go into rent. If you live near your work, you can use a bike or walk and this will save you a lot of money while giving you the chance to experience the many sidewalks and bike paths in Los Angeles. The fresh air and free, effective exercise will also do wonders for your health!
Use the Three R’s
Recycle, reuse, and donate what you don’t need to decrease your impact on the environment while giving a helping hand to the people you can. Getting into the habit of conservation and finding the best materials you can use to effectively recycle will help you save a lot.
Look for More Affordable Neighborhoods
Steer clear of expensive neighborhoods which may have higher price tags, expensive stores, and higher rent due to association with celebrities. It’s advisable to live in the outskirts which will have easy access to major well-known cities while still being affordable to live in. Some nice affordable areas include Echo Park, North East L.A., and parts of the San Fernando Valley.
Consider Pets Carefully
Avoiding extra costs associated with pets will also help you save up for rent. If you need to have your pet with you, look into registering them as an emotional support animal which will help with the cost. You will need to talk with your therapist and fill out some paperwork as well as pay some fees before it can be done, but it will save you money in the end.
Look for Free Activities Nearby
Find alternative, cheaper entertainment options like going to the beach or listening to bands play at live events. Discounts in movie theaters and specials at comedy clubs are also great options that you can go for instead of expensive nights out at glitzy clubs.
Don’t Rule Out Additional Streams of Income
Keep yourself open to doing odd jobs which you can get from mobile phone apps like Fiverr, GigWalk, and TaskRabbit. You can also use skills in copyediting, graphic design, or handyman work to make some extra cash. Globally, there are approximately 1.8 billion websites operating at the same time every day, so you can help fuel this growth if you have skills in web design. Many little jobs will add up to a sizable amount in good time, and you can comfortably supplement your other forms of income if you do have them.
If you want to make ends meet, there are many ways to do it. Even if you’re going through additional expensive events like a divorce and have to pay child support, you can try to plan your expenses knowing that child support is payable until the child turns 21 years old. If you can find a way to get extra income for this purpose, you will have found a great way to live affordably in the City of Angels.
