Living costs are something that can really vary from one place to another. The best thing you can do is really follow up on every aspect of the economy of the city you want to live in. This way, you’ll always stay up to date and know what to expect. There are, of course, some things that more or less stay the same for a longer period of time. Here’s what you need to know about the cost of living in Washington DC, how to approach moving there, and some tips on how to save some money while doing so.
The cost of living in Washington DC
In order to relocate to Washington DC, you need to have a rough image of what you can expect. Nearly every aspect of your move and future lifestyle depends on the cost of living in Washington DC. Relocating to a new area is simple, it’s what comes next that sometimes causes trouble. Let’s talk about the cost of living and working in Washington DC.
Homeownership and taxes
Although it’s not good to start off on a negative note, we do need to be realistic. When it comes to living costs in Washington DC, housing is the one thing that might shock you the most. Of course, this all depends on what state you’re moving from. However, if you’re used to prices that seem somewhat normal and decent, you’re in for a treat. Being a homeowner will take it out of you. When it comes to renting, the prices aren’t better. A bit of good advice to follow would be to not look for smaller apartments in order to save up since they aren’t significantly cheaper.
If there’s a bright light in this category of expenses of living in Washington DC, it’s the property taxes. They aren’t as bad as you might perceive them to be. Just keep in mind that if you’re moving to Washington and are thinking of buying a home, property taxes aren’t the only ones you’ll need to provide for. You’ll also have to pay the real estate transfer tax.
Everyday expenses
If you ask any local, they’d be quick to say that Washington is filled to the brim with really good quality restaurants. And they’d be right. Although you really can find cheaper options, these restaurants have a perfect balance of quality and price. This means that compared to LA, for example, Washington DC living costs are pricier when it comes to eating out. Luckily, you can definitely find a wide range of really good produce in bigger markets and save up that way.
Public transport
The metro and bus in Washington DC are really well done and you can rely on it at all times. You can purchase tickets that can be used for both transport modes. Try to buy tickets for one week at a time to save money.
The cost of moving and shipping in Washington DC
Before reading up on the cost of living in Washington DC, you’re probably interested in the price of getting there. When it comes to the fee of your moving company, it’s all individual. The smartest thing is getting free estimates from the companies you’re interested in. They will gladly tell you the prices of moving as well as shipping.
Working in Washington DC
How to reduce the moving and living cost in Washington DC
You need to plan out your move and try to realize how much it’ll turn out to be. You surely don’t want to have to move the last minute, that can get pretty pricey. Other than this simple advice, there are some other tricks to enhance your ability to save up and therefore reduce the moving and living cost in Washington DC.
Hiring reliable movers
One of the best ways to lessen your moving and living costs in Washington DC is to hire movers that you can trust. They will not only pave the way for you when it comes to organizing your entire move and shipping process, but they will also settle you in and answer any questions you might have.
Just keep in mind that you really need to find a trustworthy company. Movers like allstatemoving.net will make sure that you’re getting everything you’ve asked for for a fair price.
Going through the process on your own
Another way to prepare for the cost of living in Washington DC by reducing the cost of your move is to DIY this process. You can’t do everything on your own, but you can surely find quality storage for belongings you don’t need or DIY another area of the move that you’re confident in. This way, your movers won’t do everything for you and you’ll save some money. What’s also great about this is that you can always change your mind or ask for some assistance.
Insurance
Using a package theft prevention will ensure the safety of your belongings. However, another smart way to go is to get actual insurance. You can either make a deal with your movers to do so, or you can contact an insurance company yourself. Make sure that you’ve looked through the forms as many times as needed to be sure of what you’re agreeing to. Having insurance might not seem like a huge money saver but if push comes to shove, you’ll be very glad you did it.
Stay informed about the costs of living in Washington DC
While you’ve found some things out about the cost of living in Washington DC, don’t stop there. Be it before you’ve moved to Washington or after, you need to stay informed about the living cost. This way you’ll know how to approach certain areas of your life in a smarter, more efficient way.