How much are you spending in So Cal?

[Happiestever]

I am trying to prepare for our move to San Diego the end of this summer.
I want to know (if you would be so kind as to share with me) how much your bills amount to every month. We are a family of four that will be renting a house hopefully, but I am unfamiliar with the costs of utilities, and groceries, yk the basics . What does a typical 3 bd house rent for that you have seen? It's hard to tell with all the scams on CL. I think Seattle is a pretty high COL area, compared to some locations, so don't worry about giving me sticker shock, cause it's already happened. If you could include the costs of not so basic things as well, that would be most excellent.

[sewchris2642]

In the north county, 3 bedroom houses go for 1500 to over 2000 a month. It all depends on the age, how big/small the yard is, and location of the house as well as the owner's mortage on the house. Our gas/electric runs about $130-150 a month, depending on the time of year. No air conditioning. We have gas water heater, furnace (forced air), and gas dryer. We hang clothes outside as much as possible. The stove/oven and washer are electric. A house with a gas stove/oven will be less money. Phone/cable/computer is on COX and runs about $130 a month. We spend about $600 a month for food for 4 adults and 3 children (ages 11, 4, and 2). And tha's with shopping at the 99cents store and Big Lots! for a lot of the can goods, some produce, and all non-food items. Car insurance is Progressive on 2 older paid for cars: $700 a year. Gas for the car right now is about $2.80 fpr regular to over $3.20 a gallon for premium. Our water and trash is combined and runs another $130 a month. We are in a water shortage and outside watering and car washing are restricted. We don't water the yard and only wash the cars at car washes and that's infrequent. Also be prepared to do a lot of driving. It's a case of "you can't get there from here" because of the canyons and public transportation doesn't go everywhere.

[Happiestever]

Wow, thanks for the very detailed reply. I really appreciate it. It seems pretty similar in price so far, so that is a plus for us. As for the water shortage, that will be something new indeed. I rarely wash my van, (you can tell- cause it's grey but used to be white- haha). I really hope we find a great deal on a house.

Anyone else want to chime in?

[monkeybars]

I lived in Oregon for a year, and my impression of overall cost of living in Seattle was pretty similar to So. Cal. Our housing is typically a big increase for people, but I think Seattle about the same. You will certainly be paying a lot less for your gas utilities here since you won't use much heating - ours runs from $25-$50 per month in LA and San Diego is really a mild climate. Our electric and water/sewer/trash are combined here ranging from $125-$150 most months, with a big increase to about $200 for a month or two in the heat of summer. Phone, TV, internet and food are about the same.

[Happiestever]

It will be nice not having to use a heat for 9 months out of the year. Yay for sunshine. Although when I talked to my dh about the water shortage, he was like WHAT????. He had never heard of such a thing before, but he said we were moving to the Sahara, so of course there would be little water.