Just how expensive is East Bay?

Question

I make about $38k per year in Madison Wisconsin working in I.T. I dont have many bills. My rent is about $600. Besides some other smaller bills, I do just fine financially and usually have enough money left over to have fun.

Will this be comparable in Rockridge or Berkeley or Piedmont if I find an (studio) apartment for about $750? and is this reasonable for a studio? I know its more expensive to live in East Bay than it is in the midwest, but isnt the pay range higher out there too, so it evens out?

How will I do?

Hmm well i have found studios in rockridge/piedmont/berkeley on Craigslist for $750 so why do you say they dont exist?

oh, and im looking in a specific area of East bay (rockridge, berkeley, etc), NOT in SF. And just looking for a medium sized studio.. not a house.

Answer 1

Just checked craigslist myself and was surprised to see there are decent looking studios being advertised at $750 or less. Maybe it's the housing downturn, I don't know, but it's no wonder my fellow bay area people are surprised.

Your pay will probably be higher here so that should help. Here's my opinion of some of the choices on the search I just did:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/apa/222300451.html

Generally speaking I'd avoid East Oakland, it's where a lot of the gangs live. This place itself is probably self, the neighborhood around it is iffy, and it's pretty inconvenient to any public transit except for hit or miss AC transit (bus) service which has pretty rowdy riders around there. Your car insurance could be through the roof.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/apa/222216535.html

This is a pretty decent location, near shops, restaurants and the lake. Easy freeway access and not too far from bart. Parking will be painful though.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/apa/222196715.html

Kind of a hit or miss area, probably not too bad crime-wise but near a hospital where most shooting victims are taken... Near the freeway. I'd look elsewhere though

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/apa/222163467.html

Not a good neighborhood, Macarthur bart isn't somewhere women should go at night.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/apa/221982282.html

This is borderline "new" chinatown and latin area, should be safe. Pretty convenient, there's a major busline that will get you to bart quickly nearby.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/apa/221707221.html

Definitely interesting, it has to be tiny but the location is awesome.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/apa/221825614.html

Good location, near bart to anywhere. Berkeley Bowl is like whole foods (only better).

Just some thoughts, if you find some places you think look interesting, maybe it would be best to post them and get comments on them.

Answer 2

The median price for homes in the Bay Area is above $600K, which means half the houses to buy here are above $600K. As you might guess, rentals are comparably high as well because the owners of the rentals have to pay off mortgages on those $600K plus houses.

Without property insurance and tax, monthly payments on median and above houses can reach $3,000 plus per month. So rent to cover those expenses will be more than that with insurance and taxes included. You might get a 2,000 square foot, 3 BR, 2 BA place for $5,000 or more per month.

Apartments run from $100 per month for a one room unfurnished place with bath in Hercules, which is north of Oakland, to over $3100 per month depending on the locatiion, size, amenities, and such. [See source.]

As someone pointed out, housing isn't the only thing expensive in the East Bay. We pay, for example, 40 cents or more, more than the national average for a gallon of gasoline. Gas and electric bills have been running close to $500 per month for a large house (4300 square feet).

Even if you were to double your current income to $72K per year, you would only qualify for buying a house of about $175K or so. In the East Bay, that might get you a small, run down house in a poor neighborhood. More than likely, though, you wouldn't find a house listed that low.

There is of course a reason for these high prices on everything...there is a high demand. The East Bay is a glorious place to live...if you can afford it. The weather is supreme, the outdoors activities are unequaled, the night life and theater excellent, the restaurants are yummy, and the people are great and relaxed (except during commute hours on the freeways).

Bottom line, the East Bay is very expensive...one of the most expensive areas in all of the United States. But it's worth it if you can afford it.

Answer 3

You won't. The cost of living in the entire Bay Area is staggering. I lived there for 16 years and moved when I realised I could no longer stand living hand to mouth. I didn't want to end up living in a cardboard box when I was old and having to work at McDonald's. I was priced out of the city and moved to the East Bay- I lived in Oakland for many years and ended up in Alameda. I rented a tiny cottage for $750 in 1999; when I moved out, they put it on the market for $1400 and it was rented in 2 days. HOWEVER, it is the most wonderful place I have ever lived and would move back in a heartbeat if I could afford it.

Answer 4

I had stayed in California x 5 months. I spent my Thanksgiving and Christmas there. The tax is 8.5%. I think this is one of the highest in the US. This is the place that is most accessible to bus and BART. Most of the residents have cars but if they go downtown, they usually take the bus since parking is expensive. Studio type rooms may range from $1,000 above.

I suggest that you be contented where you are than regreting it later. You have money left for fun today. If you stay in the bay area you might be tight on budget. You can visit San Francisco and the nearby area and at least you can see for yourself.

Answer 5

the bay area is very expensive - even the east bay. i'm not quite sure if you are ready yet to move there. you might want to start saving up a bit more though.

Answer 6

It's very expensive to live here in the Bay Area. The area you question for a studio would probably cost over $1,000 a month.....don't forget the other cost of living...gas, food, and Gas and Electric...not to mention Public Transit.....I made over $50,000 last yr and am just ok...I live in a small duplex in Newark.....20 miles from where you question.....but hey..it's so awesome to live here...find a way...good luck... ;)

Answer 7

Yes, you do make higher wages there, especially if you work in San Francisco BUT don't even think of finding a studio for $750. You might be able to find a room to share at that rate but that's about it.

Answer 8

id have to google all these to give you an accurate answer but california for the win sonsoma state sounds good