Although this is on the high end for utilities (mine came in at $150 last month), your point rings loud and clear. There’s a rat race here because the only way to live a decent life is to make on the order of $80k+ per year as a single earner. Most jobs that offer this either require a prestigious degree or higher education.

So on top of you budget you have to have those $500 go to monthly loan payments, car payments, etc.

Now you want to live comfortably in a metro area? (Not NYC, SF, or LA) Either you and your partner have to be DINKs living together or you as an individual have to make close to six figures.

Welcome back to the States