Cost of Living

Myal · 04-09-2007, 10:26 PM

So, I'm trying to figure out loans, jobs, etc. at the moment and one aspect I really need help with is what the cost of living might be at Columbia.

I'm planning on going with Plan 4 in the meal plan, so I know that would mean I'd eat out a bit, and obviously part of the reason I chose CU is because of NYC, so I'd like to venture out there--go to plays, films, clubs, etc.

My question is basically this: how much is a reasonable amount to set aside for these sorts of expenses (eating out, entertainment, transportation)? I know on some other boards, parents say that they dole out about 300/month to their kids for extraneous expenses--is this estimate high, low, or just about right for NYC? Thanks for your help!

bing121086 · 04-10-2007, 09:23 AM

$300 is definitely on the high side, I think, but then again there are different circles. If you are wealthier and you run with a wealthier crowd, you could probably spend $300 a month (shopping on the weekends, taking cabs everywhere, etc), but if you're not so wealthy and hang with others who are not so wealthy, then about $100 is about right, in my opinion. I think that's about what I spend.

Columbia2002 · 04-10-2007, 10:09 AM

Quote:

If you are wealthier and you run with a wealthier crowd, you could probably spend $300 a month (shopping on the weekends, taking cabs everywhere, etc),

$300 in one night (or even a weekend) is not hard to do in this city.

bing121086 · 04-10-2007, 10:46 AM

It is if you don't have $300.

Shazkar · 04-10-2007, 10:58 AM

I'm cheap, I spend maybe 100 bucks a month... I probably should get a job. But I don't go out to bars and stuff. Meh.

pearfire · 04-10-2007, 11:04 AM

"$300 in one night (or even a weekend) is not hard to do in this city."
We're not all investment bankers or consultants,

. Maybe in 5 years.

karot · 04-10-2007, 11:46 AM

Although 02, if you'd like to treat us...

Skraylor · 04-10-2007, 12:20 PM

Quote:

I know on some other boards, parents say that they dole out about 300/month to their kids for extraneous expenses--is this estimate high, low, or just about right for NYC? Thanks for your help!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

yea, i know 5 people off the top of my head who get between 2000-5000$/month and they still manage to blow it all in a week

Skraylor · 04-10-2007, 12:25 PM

i guess to answer the real question tho:

dining out is a toss up. depending on where you go it can range from 10$/plate to 80+$/plate. actually, nsop gives you a nice little guide to dining out broken down by price, region, food type, and more.

plays are expensive. a musical on broadway can range upwards of 150$/ticket. even using TKTS which offers half price tickets only to shows that day that havnt yet been sold, its still expensive as hell.

movies are 10-15, 15 for imax.

clubs, at least the ones i've been to tend to hover around 20$ cover...something like that

drinking out usually is about 5$/drink. no kidding. happy hour and nightly specials are different of course but 5$ is about right

pearfire · 04-10-2007, 12:42 PM

Oh crap, looks like I'm gonna have to get 3 jobs to survive, haha. Or I could date a really really rich girls, lol...

Shraf · 04-10-2007, 02:09 PM

5 bucks a drink is totally on the low end....typically its more like 7 or 8 and if you go to really classy or popular bars/lounges downtown you can end up paying as much as 10-15 per drink!

As for living costs, i get 400/month from my parents and i earn about 700/month from work and i get by pretty comfortably...as an upperclassman the most you'll spend on is food but cooking yourself and avoiding the supermarket on 115th are good ways to save money. As a freshman however I didnt spend very much at all, my parents used to give me 300/month and i used to make about 600/month and i used to have alot of money left over mainly due to the meal plan. At a place like columbia you don't want to be living on such a tight budget because 1) NYC is an expensive city and 2) the majority of ppl at columbia are pretty well off so some ppls' taste will be a bit expensive.

pearfire · 04-10-2007, 02:57 PM

"400/month from my parents and i earn about 700/month from work and i get by pretty comfortably"

You rich bastard,

Skraylor · 04-10-2007, 03:04 PM

400/month is only like 3800/year which really isnt that bad....

what i want to know is what the hell job he had that was 700/month. sounds like a good job to me

pearfire · 04-10-2007, 06:07 PM

"400/month is only like 3800/year which really isnt that bad...."

You're a rich bastard too then,

. All I know is that I don't get nearly as much.

Denzera · 04-10-2007, 06:08 PM

I spent about $400 a month all told on all expenses, with a partial meal plan. That included:

- Food shopping / cooking stuff
- Eating out
- Clothes
- Transportation / subway
- Entertainment / nightlife / drinking
- other miscellaneous stuff