Personal experience: how I live in the San Francisco Bay Area for only $ 50 000 per year

The San Francisco Bay Area is one of the most expensive urban areas in the United States. But here you can live with a modest income, says Business Insider.

Фото: Depositphotos

When I first moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1987, I was a graduate student without money.

In the 1980's, San Francisco was expensive, but not as expensive as it is today. I managed to live here without a big salary for many years thanks to apartments with controlled rents.

The last 10 years in this city, my wife and I lived in a two-bedroom apartment with an area of ​​1200 sq. ft., with a garage area of ​​over 300 sq. ft. In it, I was engaged in my art business. Our rent was $ 900 per month.

In 2004, they decided to buy real estate, although we had almost no money. We could not afford such an acquisition in San Francisco, but we managed to buy an apartment in East Bay, in the Triple Point area, where Auckland, Berkeley and Emeryville meet. The apartment is much smaller than our old one. Our family is not used to living in almost 800 one-bedroom square feet. The constant cost of the mortgage and the fact that our house is small allowed us to the bay area.

A few years ago, I quit my job and became a freelance writer. This led to a sharp reduction in wages, but we still managed to survive.

Here's how I live in the Bay Area on $ 50 000 per year.

I live in a small apartment with my wife. My mortgage is much less than the rent for an apartment in the bay area.

Monthly pay $ 1000 for a mortgage. Over the past years, we have been able to refinance a loan in order to get a lower rate, so our mortgage payment is less than $ 1500 per month.

We managed to buy a house thanks to the city program, which provided us with a second mortgage. We do not need to extinguish it until we sell the house.

I have not driven my car for about 10 years. This saves me more than $ 500 per month.

If you take into account payment for a car, gasoline, insurance, repairs and depreciation, then buying a car in the Gulf region costs about $ 3600 dollars. Credit Karma reports that the average payment for a new car in 2019 is $ 554 per month, and the average cost for a used one is $ 391. I would buy a car for $ 690-850 per month.

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When I abandoned my car, I assumed that I would use most of the money saved on car alternatives - such as taxis, rentals, and car sharing programs. However, it turned out to be very simple to do without it, using a bicycle and public transport. Refusal from a car is one of the components that allowed to start a writing career.

Public transportation costs about $ 45 per month. Every month I spend about $ 20 extra on trips with Lyft and Gig, a car-sharing program.

A little over $ 10 per week goes to public transport. If I need to rush somewhere, I sometimes drive Lyft or borrow a car from Gig (local car exchange program).

Sometimes I borrow a car from a neighbor. It costs me a full gas tank (about $ 40) every couple of months.

I mainly ride a bike that costs me almost nothing. It’s also a great sport.

Фото: Depositphotos

Most of the places I need are easily accessible by bicycle, so this is my main form of transport. Of the money saved on car payments, I can spend a little on my bikes and equipment for them, but still save money. I have two rovers: a folding Brompton and a Burley hybrid.

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My bike expenses are limited to repairing, maintaining and replacing worn equipment. This year I spent $ 60 on two pairs of bicycle gloves, $ 89 on the Indiegogo folding helmet I hope to get someday, and $ 200 on repairs and maintenance. This will probably be the case before the end of the year, so this year the bike will cost me $ 349, or less than $ 30 per month.

For $ 150 per year, I get unlimited rides with our local bike exchange program.

I drive many miles on rovers. I usually spend more time setting up and replacing parts. This is because many of my trips take place on someone else's bike. For $ 150 per year, I get unlimited trips to Bay wheels , the Bay Area bike sharing program run by Lyft.

I use bicycles when I need to leave one metro station and return home from another. Or when I go to a place where it’s not safe to park your bike. Every month I make approximately 26 trips using Bay Wheels. It is less than $ 0,50 per ride, and it is much cheaper than a bus or train.

My house is too small to work in, so I rent an inexpensive place in the warehouse.

For my independent business, I rent a small work area at the Burning Man artists ’warehouse. The rent is $ 242 per month, and I constantly contemplate the magnificent works of art in the process of creating them.

I buy fresh and ready-made products at the farmers market at good prices.

I am responsible for most of the purchases for our family. This week he spent $ 57 at the farmers' market for two bags of fresh fruits and vegetables, a loaf of bread, two bars of gourmet vegan chocolate and four tamale. In my opinion, the products on the farmers' market are much fresher than in the grocery store - it is more profitable because they are stored in the refrigerator longer, therefore very little is wasted.

Buy bulk products at Costco.

I get almond milk, tofu, butter, cereal, honey, spices, and frozen blueberries at Costco about five times a year to stock up. I save enough to cover my $ 60 membership fee several times.

Before becoming a freelancer, he often spent 300 dollars a month on alternative healthcare.

While I had office work, I went through many alternative practitioners: chiropractor, naturopath, acupuncturist, massage therapist. None of this covered my insurance, and I spent thousands of dollars every year from my pocket.

When I left to become a freelancer, I had to give up all this. But there is no need to completely abandon self-care. I can get an 50 minute student massage in massage school for only $ 35.

Eating out several times a week does not have to be expensive. Most of my dishes at the restaurant cost a maximum of $ 20, including gratuities.

Фото: Depositphotos

The Bay Area is home to several very good restaurants. But you can find amazing food without a Michelin star or prices of this level. You don't have to pay much to get the best tacos you've ever eaten at La Taqueria in San Francisco. But you have to put up with the lineup, as their burritos have become the best in the United States.

The other day I met friends for tacos (12 dollars), had dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant (19 dollars) and dined at my favorite place (20 dollars, including juice). I usually drink tap water instead of buying drinks. This helps maintain a reasonable cost of eating out.

I can not live without a gym - I swim in the YMCA for $ 71 monthly.

Riding a bike is great, but I like swimming. Could save some money by swimming in the city pool, but hours are limited and it is cold in the outdoor pools in winter. My monthly membership fee of $ 71 at the YMCA includes a locker rental and other amenities like a gym and a hot tub.

My weakness is buying clothes. I have found ways to reduce my expenses for this, but still dress stylishly and incredibly original.

Фото: Depositphotos

Clothing is my Achilles heel. I like to go shopping and buy new clothes, but I had to look for ways to dress sparingly. My favorite store he sells designer clothes at steep discounts and often sells. I can buy original clothes without spending a lot of money.

For fun, let's go to the local movie theater for $ 10.

When it comes to a meaningful evening, I don’t need to go to the first theater I get and put out $ 15 for a ticket, plus some money for popcorn. New Parkway's Theater Auckland shows an eclectic and interesting collection of films, both old and new. Admission is usually only $ 10. In addition, there are comfortable sofas, and you can order food delivery to your place. During a recent visit, dinner for two with popcorn cost only $ 36.

Our family membership at the Auckland Museum of California gives us unlimited access to cultural events - a year of only $ 95.

One way to save money while enjoying the rich culture of the Bay area is to buy membership in Auckland Museum of California . Membership in our family allows us to access regular collections of works of art and historical exhibits of the museum, as well as special shows. Our membership pays off in just a few visits.

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I use a freebie whenever I can.

This week we were fortunate enough to watch the Cirque du Soleil show for free. Tickets were my wife's privilege, but there are many ways to enjoy cultural events in the Bay Area for free. In the past, I volunteered to watch performances and received free tickets from friends who could not arrange the show.

Sometimes the best things in life are really not expensive. Enjoy the beautiful area of ​​the bay is absolutely free.

One of my favorite activities here is cycling along the pier. Price: absolutely free.

After the show, we drove along the Embarcadero under the sparkling lights of Bay Bay. That is why I am fighting for my small place in this expensive part of the country - because it is beautiful here.

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