How I’m Living The American Dream In The Biggest, Not Most Expensive Cities In America
Introduction
Live in the “biggest” cities in America and still be able to enjoy the American dream.
New York City
New York City is expensive, but there are ways to live within your means. The cost of living in New York City is over 50{a6d4e250f4dbd7c38290d51a301669b0b15c2bd58d8474132f85a8137f152abc} more expensive than the national average and almost double what it costs to live in Los Angeles.
If you’re looking for an urban environment and want to experience all that New York has to offer, then living here might be worth it for you. But if not, consider these other cities instead:
San Francisco
San Francisco is a city with many things to offer. It has a beautiful waterfront, great weather, and it’s home to some of the most innovative companies in the world. However, if you’re looking for an affordable place to live and raise your family then SF might not be for you. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $3200 per month! That’s more than twice what I pay here in Austin (the cheapest city on our list).
If you have your heart set on living in San Francisco but don’t want to shell out so much money on rent every month then consider moving somewhere nearby like Sacramento or Oakland where housing costs are significantly lower than they are in San Francisco itself. Or better yet–move somewhere else entirely! There are plenty of other cities across America where life is easier on your wallet while still being able to enjoy all that this great country has to offer
Los Angeles
After the initial sticker shock of living in Los Angeles, it’s time to get down to business. The first thing you have to do is find housing. If you’re looking for an apartment, keep in mind that LA has some of the highest rents in America–but if you’re willing to live with roommates or share an apartment with family members (or both), it can be done for much less than expected.
The second thing about saving money on food: don’t eat out all the time! There are plenty of farmers’ markets where you can buy fresh produce from local farms; these places typically offer discounts for those who bring their own bags or containers (so make sure not just any old plastic bag will do). You’ll also want to check out ethnic supermarkets like Trader Joe’s where prices are lower than traditional grocery stores but still high quality ingredients (and no GMOs!). It may take some trial-and-error before finding exactly what works best for your budget and lifestyle preferences but eventually something will click once all these pieces start falling into place…
Chicago
Chicago is a city I’ve been to many times, but it wasn’t until recently that I decided to move there. I was looking for an affordable place with culture and history–and Chicago has both in spades!
I love going out for dinner at one of the many restaurants on Randolph Street (a block from where I live), which has been called “restaurant row.” There are so many options that it can be hard to choose what to eat. One night I might go out for sushi, another night Greek food or maybe Italian; there’s even an outpost of Rick Bayless’ Frontera Grill nearby if you’re craving some authentic Mexican cuisine.
The city also boasts several museums worth visiting: The Art Institute Of Chicago houses some amazing pieces by Van Gogh and Monet; Lurie Garden is open year round with flowers blooming throughout springtime; Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum offers exhibits on wildlife ranging from insects all through primates; Adler Planetarium will wow kids with its interactive displays about outer space while adults enjoy shows like “Dark Universe” narrated by Liam Neeson (yes!).
Washington DC
The District of Columbia is one of the most expensive cities in America. The cost of living in DC is higher than any other city on this list, but it’s also one of the most vibrant and exciting places to live. There are plenty of ways to get by on a budget here (you’ll just have to work harder at it), and if you’re willing to put in some extra effort, there are countless opportunities for fun activities as well!
- How To Live On A Budget:
- Get yourself an apartment that doesn’t cost too much money.
You can find cheap apartments all over town–just make sure they’re not too far from where all your friends live so they can still come visit often! You can also look into renting out rooms in houses with multiple roommates; this will save money overall since each person pays less rent individually than if they lived alone. If all else fails… move back home? I mean maybe not forever but just until things get better financially again 🙂
- What Are Some Of The Best Things To Do In DC?
It’s possible to live in these cities on a budget.
You’ll find that, while rent is expensive in these cities, there are still affordable options. For example, you can get a studio apartment for $1,000 per month in San Francisco and New York City–which is cheaper than some other cities like Los Angeles and Chicago.
In terms of food options, there’s no need to spend an arm and a leg on meals every time you go out (though if you want to splurge on a fancy dinner every now and again it won’t hurt). Many restaurants offer happy hour specials or two-for-one deals that will save you money without sacrificing quality. And if all else fails? There are always fast food chains like McDonalds where you can grab something quick without burning through all your cash at once!
When it comes transportation costs, most big cities have public transportation systems available so getting around town with ease shouldn’t cost much at all since fares are usually low compared with taxis or rideshare services such as Uber/Lyft which tend not only be more expensive but also less reliable due their irregular schedules sometimes causing delays which means getting stuck somewhere without being able to move forward until someone picks up their phone call again…
Conclusion
I’m living proof that you don’t have to be rich to live in these cities. You just need a good job and some creativity!
