Is it possible to live on a budget in
Los Angeles? Yes, it is! Will it be hard for you to do? Well, it depends! The cold, hard truth about LA is that it ranks among the most expensive cities in the world, let alone in the US. The Hollywood glitz and A-list celebrity glamour may lure you in, but you'll need to earn a substantial amount to stay comfortably here. Fortunately, there are many ways to live affordably in this notoriously costly city. You can rent instead of buying a place, share it with roommates to cut down the costs, and only eat out on special occasions, among many others.
Stay in LA's Most Affordable Neighborhoods
Let's start with where you live. LA consistently ranks among the most expensive cities in the world, much less the US, which makes it very difficult to live on a budget here. Do you know what will make it easier, though? Staying in a more affordable area. Thank goodness that there are still many affordable
neighborhoods in Los Angeles, else no one could ever afford to live here. Places like Culver City, Echo Park, Baldwin Park, East Hollywood, and Encino have mid-to-low living costs, perfect for those who have to stick to a strict budget.
Here are some of LA’s affordable and largely safe neighborhoods:
- Baldwin Park
- Bell Gardens
- Culver City
- East Hollywood
- Echo Park
- Encino
- Glendale
- Playa Vista
- Porter Ranch
Rent Instead of Buying a Home
Many might recommend buying a place instead of renting in Los Angeles, but don't listen to them! If you can't afford it, you don't have to own property in LA or any other place, for that matter! Only do so when you're financially ready to, not because everyone else is doing it in Los Angeles. You don't even need anyone to tell you that
renting a luxury apartment in Los Angeles will cost you way less than buying it. The median average rent in the city is only about $2,089.00 per month, fairly high but still manageable. In contrast, properties in LA typically go for $1 million.
Get a Roommate
If you're single and you just
moved to Los Angeles, you'd do well to get a roommate. This will cut your expenses back by at least half, allowing you to more easily stick to your budget and save some money at the same time. With a roommate, you'll only have to pay half the rent and half the utilities bill. Depending on the type of person they are, they might even be willing to cook for you sometimes, too. And in terms of what kind of roommate you should get, it's preferable if they're local. Since you're new to the city, they'll help you learn more about the place!
Search for Affordable Grocery Stores
Apart from rent and utility bills, the most you have to spend your money on is your groceries. This is why it's important to search for affordable grocery stores to see which ones will help you pay less for your needs. If there's a Trader Joe's, Vons, Grocery Outlet, Food 4 Less, or Albertsons near your place, shop there! Not only do shops have lower prices compared to other stores in LA, but they frequently have amazing deals and promos, too!
Look Out for Local Rewards Programs
Be it groceries, restaurants, or shopping, take advantage of any local rewards programs that come your way. Not only do they offer discounts on various items, necessities, and more, but some even provide real cash rewards through a digital passport system. Don't underestimate how high
LA's living costs get! It can get so expensive here that such rewards programs—which most people typically ignore—can come in very handy. Don't just discard them, even if they seem annoying at times!
Shop at Flea Markets
Don't be ashamed to shop at flea markets! Their cheap prices don't mean cheap items! You can still get your hands on something high-quality while only paying a fraction of its usual cost. Need to do some shopping to update your wardrobe? Check out the ever-fashionable Melrose Trading Post every Sunday at 10:00 am! You'll find all sorts of exquisite pieces for less at the Long Beach Antique Market on E Conant Street, right by the Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Consider Cycling for Transport
Many would argue that
LA's public transport is one of the worst things about the city, and they're not entirely wrong. It's not that it's inefficient or anything like that. The city still has several buses and taxis operating throughout, as well as the Los Angeles Metro Rail! With that said, however, LA is truly a car owner's domain! It's way easier to drive yourself in this city instead of commuting, which then comes with even more costs. So what's a better, more budget-friendly alternative? Riding your bike! A bike is much more affordable, doesn't require gas, and you can take better control of it than a vehicle.
Only Eat Out on Special Occasions
Now, let's talk about
eating out in Los Angeles! The city is famous for its extensive foodie scene, packed with legendary culinary institutions and upscale hotspots that are the talk of the town. Who wouldn't want to dine out here? Well, you, if you can't afford it! Even with all the amazing eateries surrounding you, you don't have to eat out for every meal if your budget doesn't allow you to. You're better off only doing it on special occasions as a treat. It'll make the meal even more special that way!
Go for Cheap Eats
What if you're not the type to cook for yourself? How could you still survive in LA if you only allow yourself to eat out on special occasions? Well, there are still LA's many cheap eats! Don't forget that Los Angeles is still a big city, and much like the rest of America's major metropolises, it has a handful of delicacies, diners, and more that won't cost you an arm and a leg. Look for the taco trucks nearby, for example, where you can get a taco for only $2.00 to $4.00 each. LA also has dollar pizza slices that can last you from lunch up until dinner time!
Exercise Outside
There's no denying that fitness is all the rage in LA. Or at least, in central LA. From the bodybuilders on Venice Beach to the chiseled celebrity bodies in Hollywood and Beverly Hills, a unique kind of pressure to maintain fitness that permeates throughout Tinseltown. If you give in to that pressure (even though you don't have to!), remember that you don't have to get an expensive membership in a swanky
LA gym. You can simply exercise outside, and it won't cost you a dime!
Despite how expensive Los Angeles usually is, it’s still possible to live on a budget here. You’ll just have to be smart on how to go about it, especially when you shop for your groceries, eat out, exercise, and more.
