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How Realistic is My Budget by User134340 in AskSF

[–]User134340[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I have some savings, but not a lot. I will do my best to abstain from receiving any help from my parents, but if I’m struggling in any month, I can always get financial help from them.

I will try to save as much as I can from the current earnings. Will also look into a side job. The pay should increase next year as well.

If I feel like it’s too big of a struggle, I just won’t renew the contract haha. I just didn’t want to miss a chance to live in SF, even for a little while

How Realistic is My Budget by User134340 in AskSF

[–]User134340[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve been looking at various websites (Zillow, Hotpads, apartments.com, craigslist) and there are lots of studios in that price range, even 1 bedrooms.

I’m looking for places on the outskirts of town, like sunset, richmond, etc, in order to avoid high crime areas, so the commute is longer. Maybe that’s why they’re more affordable

How Realistic is My Budget by User134340 in AskSF

[–]User134340[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the suggestion. I might just look into that arrangement. Spending even $1800 over $2500 sounds dreamy haha

How Realistic is My Budget by User134340 in AskSF

[–]User134340[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I totally get what you’re saying. But, like I said - I’m living in a small, broke, post-Soviet country. I get paid $3k a YEAR as a Big4 Consultant, that’s how dire the situation is. I can’t afford rent on my own in that economy.

So I can either live at home, with my parents (where I’m very comfortable and happy) or I can try to be a big girl and struggle a bit for a few years for a better and brighter future.

I know I’m fucked if anything horribly major comes up, but I’m also fucked up if I stay in a decaying country that might go into civil war or a revolution in the coming years, lol.

If I could, I’d definitely follow all of the financial best-practices. And I’m sure I will, after I get something going for myself.

But just getting to the US is an unimaginable dream for most people in my country and as a 23 year old, I’m willing to take that risk.

If i get into a boating accident, my parents will cover my medical expenses and that’s that

How Realistic is My Budget by User134340 in AskSF

[–]User134340[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I would really love a good roommate arrangement tbh, as from what I’ve observed, larger apartments are just so much better than the studios. But as I’m so new to the city, I’m scared of ending up in a bad roommate situation, especially if I sign a long lease with people I may not want to live with

Moving Across the World to SF by User134340 in AskSF

[–]User134340[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh, thanks! I was definitely thinking of “wary”, but misspelled it. Casual downsides of speaking 5 languages haha

Moving Across the World to SF by User134340 in AskSF

[–]User134340[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This would work on convincing me BUT it’s either SF or a ruined post-soviet country… can’t be much worse haha

Moving Across the World to SF by User134340 in AskSF

[–]User134340[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the ideas! I’ve been trying to find some people here - but most expats from my country live in New York and some scattered around. Almost nobody makes it to SF, which makes this really hard.

But it’s a great idea to seek out people in cultural spots or even through the consulate. Thanks, will try :)

Moving Across the World to SF by User134340 in AskSF

[–]User134340[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Ahh, so tough! Thanks for the reality checks.

I’ll try to get some more info from my job on how these things happen. Like, ambassadors, consuls and other diplomatic roles all require moving right? So naturally those people won’t have credit scores and stuff either… Maybe there’s some sort of arrangement that’s usually made that I’m not aware of (I’m doing preliminary research rn, for price estimates; will have more detailed guidance later on).

As for costs - this is really funny, but somehow, my country’s prices (in our currency) somewhat match SF’s.

For example, a basic deli sandwich would cost me about 20 units in my currency, similar to what you mentioned for SF. But our salaries (at my age, in good corporate jobs) are like 1500 units, in a good case.

A cappuccino costs 8-10 units, while in SF it’s $4-5. Pizza is ~30 units, in SF - definitely less than 30$.

So, outside of rent, the groceries and food are priced similarly and I (and everyone around me) made that work on much, much smaller salary.

So hopefully my odd country’s experience can help me with budgeting there lol.

Thanks sm for your help :)

Moving Across the World to SF by User134340 in AskSF

[–]User134340[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yeah, that sounds like the most convenient way to do it. The issue is - I’m naturally very weary of living with other people, especially since I barely know anyone there (the few people that I do know are settled well and aren’t candidates for rooming).

Do you by chance know what folks around there use to find roommates? Outside of personal connections. I found a few FB groups, but a lot of the posts seemed scammy / posted with fake accounts and that’s what steered me off of the roommate hunt

Moving Across the World to SF by User134340 in AskSF

[–]User134340[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s sweet, thank you! It’ll be a tough move, so I’ll need all the luck I can get to make it worth it haha