Hey everyone, As some of you may know, I was planning on moving to Arizona with my girlfriend...well things have changed and we are no longer together but I am still moving out there!!
I did a fun run with a few of you and had a blast. My questions are going to be very broad...I want to get an idea of what my expenses will be moving out there.
I am planning on buying a house, don't factor in mortgage because I am not worried about that, but instead of the other expenses...
What is the price of gas looking like?
How much do you typically spend on Cable or DSL (highspeed internet connection), phone bill, electricity, water, gas, etc...
I have never owned a home, and have never lived outside of my parents home (I am 21) so I would like a general consensus of how much my monthly costs will be around broken down into the categories I gave.
I don't do much, mainly work, offroad, and stay at home and relax. Watch movies, play Xbox, research things. My night expenses will be pretty low
Moving here in the summer? WOW, you are just ready to THROW yourself in!
Cable: You will most likely get service through Cox, unless you get satellite or dish or something. We have the high speed internet and digital cable package and we pay about $130/month - it seems to vary every month - not sure why. We didn't "choose" digital cable, it was all we could have in our neighborhood. That is with no movie channels either. There is a bit more of a savings if you have a phone in the mix too.
Electricity really depends on your house size and stuff. We have SRP, you will either have that or ...I can't remember the other company. Anyway, we have a two story. I do alot of laundry, and our washer and dryer are NOT efficient. I run the dishwasher alot, I try to do it right before bed though. We have not had the heat or A/C on for quite sometime and I think my bill that is due next week is $105. The most we've paid so far in this house using heat is $135 - not bad. We were not in it during the summer, so who knows what we will pay for A/C costs.... YIKES!
Water bill is really random, but hasn't been more than $30 for us - our neighbor had to tap into our water to have his carpets cleaned recently as they are going to be renting their house (don't know if that made a big differenct). This is with no pool and no landscaping. Like I said though, I do lots of laundry and use the dishwasher alot...oh and I take alot of showers - pregnancy makes me hot and..well...whatever....
Trash - that depends on your neighborhood as well. We have to pay $60/quarter for trash and recycling.
Is that it?
You aren't concerned with a mortgage payment? Good for you!
What neighborhoods/areas are you looking into?
You asked about gas - I am horrible with that, because we need it, I barely ever look at what it is. I think regular unleaded is somewhere around $3.20 right now??? BUT, I am not a good one to ask about that....
^^ thanks for the indepth response! $3.20 sounds good to me! I am paying $3.63 right now. I am looking into satellite for tv, but that all depends solely on the price. Where in AZ are you located???
I am thinking about Tucson area. Still need to make a trip out there to see what places I like. I went to Glendale and it was nice, but not enough trees for me.
I want to be close to Glendale though (within an hour or two) because I still want to see Mariah's mom and step dad.
The reason I am not worrying about mortgage is because I want to get input about all the "small" expenses! I am not saying that I am not paying the mortgage because I will be obviously. Not one of those lucky kids who's parents buy them a house.
^^ thanks for the indepth response! $3.20 sounds good to me! I am paying $3.63 right now. I am looking into satellite for tv, but that all depends solely on the price. Where in AZ are you located???
I am thinking about Tucson area. Still need to make a trip out there to see what places I like. I went to Glendale and it was nice, but not enough trees for me.
I want to be close to Glendale though (within an hour or two) because I still want to see Mariah's mom and step dad.
The reason I am not worrying about mortgage is because I want to get input about all the "small" expenses! I am not saying that I am not paying the mortgage because I will be obviously. Not one of those lucky kids who's parents buy them a house.
Like I said, don't quote me on the gas. I'm certainly not rich, but I try *not* to look at gas prices since I know I need it....
Glendale is alright. We live in Fountain Hills - which is Northeast of Scottsdale. A few trees, a big park with a really tall fountain...sort of "small townish"....as much as you can get in AZ I guess. It's a quiet town and less busy than say, Phoenix, Scottsdale, etc. We are about 50 miles from the stadiums in Glendale. Here is the Fountain Hills Chamber website: Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce We are about 8 miles away from Butcher Jones - a big offroad play area, also where Saguaro Lake is, and about 45 miles or so from Payson - which is a nice escape from the summer heat!
Personally I would stay away from Mesa, Tempe - but that is just personal choice....flaming may or may not begin.
Tucson would put you further from Glendale. I don't go there often so I don't know of their "tree" situation.
OH, but I don't know about buying in FH, most of the houses are between half a million and up...you might be able to find something for 350+....but that is a definite MIGHT. ...ugh....
Not sure about satellite prices, but someone else in the AZFJ crowd must have it.....
I am thinking about Tucson area. Still need to make a trip out there to see what places I like. I went to Glendale and it was nice, but not enough trees for me.
Tucson has very few trees (at least the kind you'd be used to in CA). If you want trees I think you'll have to look at Northern Arizona.
Internet - In Tucson you'll have Cox or Comcast (depending on the area. You have one or the other based on where you live). If cable internet isn't available you will be going with Qwest DSL if it's available. Cox or Comcast you are looking at about $50/mo with basic cable (it saves you a few bucks over internet alone). Cox has a new 1.5Mb down 256Kb up plan that is about $30/mo. Go2Broadband™ Cable Service Locator should tell you what you can get based on addresses.
TV is so varied based on what you want it's not worth talking about.
Today gas was 3.19/3.29/3.39 for 87/89/91.
Utilities vary on what you house is and how cool you like things during the summer. I have relatives that have a 4 br single story house and they get up to 600-700 bucks a month during the summer for electric because they keep the AC at 67-68 degrees. A house with a swamp cooler will save a ton on electric during the summer but the water bill will go up slightly.
The place I'm looking to move into is a single story 3br/2ba house built in the early 60's. Electric is between 80-120/mo with no AC. Using the AC during the summer can bump it up to $200/mo. Water is about $30 year around. Gas depends on stove and dryer.
Tucson is vastly superior to Phx in every possible way.
I don't know if you're at all interested, but Tucson is the most bicycle-friendly city I think I've ever been to. I try to bike-commute as often as possible and it's really easy to get around like that.
Utility bills are all in how you use stuff... my electric bill is $20/month right now, during the dead of summer I kept the A/C at about 90F and it went up to maybe $50/month. I'm paying $35/month for ComCast internet and basic cable (you don't have to pay for the cable to get the cable when you have a cable modem, just plug in the TV - try it sometime ).
Great thing about Tucson too are the mountains directly to the north of the city. This does a few things for us. First, it's a natural barrier to development. The property right along the foothills is and always will be super expensive houses on large lots. It's a nice buffer. The same thing is true to the far east of the city.
Second, you want to see trees? No problem. How 'bout snow? We do that too...
This is Tucson in December up there...
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Something there is that doesn't love a wall, that wants it down...
You want trees? Move to Prescott/Sedona/Flagstaff...but Tucson??? Oy
I'm here to tell you that Tucson is one of those places you either love or you hate...there is no in between....I'm in the hate crowd (no offense you Tucson people, but I just can't imagine actually having to live there!)...the MR. however loves it. I would check it out and try to spend some time before committing.
Dude....I read your "i'm a lonely boy now" thread.....If you're moving here thinking staying close to mommy will help your case with the X......I'm gonna' smack ya' when you get here
Dude....I read your "i'm a lonely boy now" thread.....If you're moving here thinking staying close to mommy will help your case with the X......I'm gonna' smack ya' when you get here
Thanks for reading the thread! And no that is definitely not the case. If I wanted to stay close with the X, I would move to San Diego!!! I get along really well with her Step Dad and Mom and don't want to lose them as friends too.
Thanks for all the responses guys, I will keep all these factors in mind. I like it decently livable in the house with AC...probably run it at 72-75 most of the time (in Cali). I am looking at a decent electrical bill...
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