Cost of Living Forum

AB
AvonLocal82 @avonlocal82
Joined: 9 months ago

Cost of Living in Avon as a Long-Time Resident

I’ve lived in Avon for over 20 years and have seen the cost of living here fluctuate quite a bit during that time. I’m looking to get a sense of how current residents view the affordability of various expenses in our city. What are your monthly or yearly costs for major categories like housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and entertainment? I’m especially interested in hearing from people with different household situations (e.g. single, couple, family with kids) and income levels. Let me know the positives and negatives you’ve experienced with Avon’s cost of living!

Posts: 3

10 Replies


FrugalFoodie @frugalfoodie
Joined: 2 years ago

As a single person living in Avon, I’ve found the cost of living to be relatively affordable compared to some neighboring areas. My biggest expenses are rent for my one-bedroom apartment ($1,200 per month outside the city center) and groceries. I try to cook at home as much as possible, which helps keep food costs down. A weekly grocery trip for basic staples like produce, meat, dairy, and pantry items usually runs me around $60-80. Eating out is a luxury, with a meal for one at an inexpensive restaurant costing around $20.

Utilities like electricity, water, and internet are reasonable at roughly $250 per month combined. I don’t have a car, so I rely on public transportation with a monthly bus pass ($80). Entertainment is modest – streaming services, an occasional movie ($11 per ticket), and hitting happy hours with friends. Overall, I’d say Avon is quite livable on a single income, though saving enough for retirement is still a challenge.

Posts: 13
FamilyBudget4 @familybudget4
Joined: 12 months ago

Living in Avon with a family of four (two school-aged kids) comes with its fair share of expenses. On the higher end, we pay around $3,200 per month for a three-bedroom apartment outside the city center. Childcare is also pricey, with about $1,700 per month for a private preschool. Once the kids are in elementary school, we’re looking at $24,500 per year for international primary education.

Groceries for a family this size add up quickly, probably $800-1000 per month even with seeking out deals. We also budget $150-200 monthly for dining out as a family. Getting around requires at least one car (a used sedan ran us $25,000), plus gas, insurance, and maintenance. Healthcare is decent with our insurance, but we still pay $100-200 monthly in co-pays and prescriptions.

The cost of living in Avon is relatively high for a family like ours. We make some cutbacks, but also pay a premium for things like housing and education to live in a desirable area with good schools. It’s a tradeoff, but one we’re willing to make for now.

Posts: 16
RetiredInAvon @retiredinavon
Joined: 2 years ago

My wife and I are retired and have been living in Avon for the past 15 years. From our perspective, the cost of living is quite manageable on our fixed income. We own our three-bedroom condo outright, so we only pay monthly HOA fees of around $400. Utilities (electric, gas, internet, etc.) are around $300 per month.

Grocery costs are reasonable – maybe $500 a month for the two of us. We take advantage of senior discounts when available, and don’t eat out too frequently (just special occasions). Our big expenses are healthcare costs not covered by insurance and leisure/travel. We budget around $500 per month for medical co-pays, prescriptions, etc. But we make it a priority to spend on experiences like concerts, plays, day trips, and vacations while we’re still mobile.

Overall, Avon has been an affordable place for us to enjoy our retirement while having access to cultural amenities. The cost of living hasn’t been a huge burden thanks to planning ahead and lack of major expenses like childcare. We feel fortunate to call this city home.

Posts: 7
AvonYuppie @avonyuppie
Joined: 11 months ago

As a young professional in Avon, I’ll admit the cost of living is on the higher side, but the quality of life makes it worthwhile for me. I pay $1,500 per month for a nice one-bedroom apartment downtown, which is steep but allows me to walk or take quick Ubers instead of dealing with car costs. Sure, prices for things like $7 draft beers, $15 wine bottles, and $11 movie tickets add up quickly, but I’m willing to splurge a bit for an active social life.

My biggest expenditures are probably $500-600 per month for groceries and dining out, $200 for a gym membership, and random costs for hobbies like golf, concerts, etc. All that eats into my $5,000 monthly take-home pay as an analyst. I could probably get by for less in the suburbs, but I value the walkability and amenities of living downtown. It’s an expensive city, but the pros outweigh the cons for my current DINK lifestyle.

Posts: 23
BargainHunter99 @bargainhunter99
Joined: 2 years ago

From my experience, the cost of living in Avon can be managed on a tighter budget with some smart planning. As a couple, we keep our housing costs lower by renting a one-bedroom apartment outside the city center for $1,200 per month. We only have one car to minimize transportation expenses like gas, insurance, and maintenance.

We’re diligent about seeking out deals for groceries, clothing, and household items at discount stores. Our weekly grocery total for two people is usually $60-80. Cooking at home is key to keeping food costs down, along with taking advantage of happy hour specials ($3-5 beers/wines) when we do treat ourselves to dining out.

Utilities and other regular bills (internet, streaming services, etc.) run us about $300 per month combined. We skip pricier entertainment like movies in theaters, instead doing more affordable activities like hiking, parks, and free community events. With some sacrifices, it’s definitely possible for a young couple starting out to live comfortably in Avon without going broke.

Posts: 21
AvonFoodie @avonfoodie
Joined: 2 years ago

I’ll be the first to admit that my spending doesn’t necessarily represent the leanest budget for Avon’s cost of living! As an avid foodie, I happily pay premium prices for high-quality cuisine. Dining out 2-3 times per week can easily run me $300-400, whether it’s splurging on an upscale $90 three-course dinner, hitting a trendy new spot, or just enjoying drinks and small plates.

Groceries are also a bit extravagant, probably $200 per week to stock up on specialty ingredients, cheeses, wines, etc. from local markets and gourmet shops. Housing is another major expense at $1,800 per month for my chic two-bedroom apartment downtown.

But I make enough from my corporate job to afford living this lifestyle, and it’s a priority for me. I drive an economy car and don’t go too overboard in other areas like clothing. The way I see it, if you have the means and it’s your passion, why not indulge in Avon’s incredible food scene? For me, it’s worth the premium cost.

Posts: 14
SingleMomStruggle @singlemomstruggle
Joined: 5 months ago

I’ll be honest, trying to raise two kids solo in Avon is an constant uphill battle with the cost of living. Even with my salary as a nurse, money is extremely tight after mandatory expenses like our $2,000 rent for a two-bedroom apartment, $400 monthly daycare fees, and another $500+ per month just for groceries and school lunches/activities for the kids.

Utilities, transportation, healthcare costs, clothing, and the occasional treat for the kids add a few hundred more each month on top of that. I’ve had to take on a side gig just to scrape by and maybe put away $100-200 toward savings if I’m lucky. I don’t mean to sound negative, but the reality is affording Avon as a single parent is incredibly difficult. I’d love to move somewhere cheaper, but the schools are great and I have family support nearby.

Outside of basic needs, very few “extras” fit into my budget right now between all the mandatory expenses. The cost of living is definitely the biggest challenge I face living in this area solo with children. Avon has its perks, but it comes at a high price.

Posts: 19
AvonPropertyLord @avonpropertylord
Joined: 12 months ago

From a landlord’s perspective, I can certainly understand some of the sticker shock around Avon’s housing costs! Rental prices have been skyrocketing in recent years due to high demand for apartments and single-family homes in desirable neighborhoods. I currently charge $1,500 for a renovated one-bedroom unit and $3,200 for a spacious three-bedroom property, which seems to be on par with the market.

Property values have also soared, making it expensive for renters to become homeowners. A decently updated two-bedroom condo runs $375,000-450,000, while move-in ready single-family houses routinely fetch $600,000 or more depending on the neighborhood and square footage. I know these prices put Avon out of reach for some, but the school districts and amenities make it an attractive place for middle-class and affluent renters/buyers.

From my tenants, the biggest living expense complaints I hear are about the costs of heating/cooling, utilities, and fuel for commuting since Avon’s core is relatively car-dependent. Those moving from larger cities also express sticker shock at supermarket prices for staples like dairy, meat, and produce. Overall, my sense is Avon is still affordable for many dual-income households despite rising costs if you’re diligent about budgeting for non-negotiable housing and transportation expenses.

Posts: 19
CarleeSingle25 @carleesingle25
Joined: 2 years ago

I moved to Avon about a year ago for a job after graduating college, and I’ve found the cost of living to be manageable but tight on an entry-level salary. My biggest monthly expenditures are $1,200 for a basic one-bedroom apartment and probably $400-500 for groceries, gas, and utilities combined.

Going out isn’t really in the budget – I usually spend $100 or less per month on “fun” like dinner with friends, a rare movie ticket, or drinks. I do take advantage of free community events and outdoor activities like hiking when possible. Clothing, household items, etc. come from affordable retailers.

The one area where I splurge a little is my gym membership at around $60 per month since fitness is important to me. Healthcare is decent through my employer’s insurance plan. Overall, I’m able to get by without going into debt as a single young professional, but there’s not a ton of disposable income leftover after mandatory expenses. Avon works for now, but I may need to factor in higher future salary increases to maintain my standard of living long-term.

Posts: 5
DVMCouple @dvmcouple
Joined: 11 months ago

My husband and I are both veterinarians, which provides a solid dual income but also comes with hefty student loan bills. In Avon, we’re able to enjoy a comfortable but not extravagant lifestyle while chipping away at our debt. Our three-bedroom townhouse runs $3,300 per month, which is the biggest monthly expense.

Beyond that, we probably spend $800-900 on groceries and dining out, $500 on utilities/services, $300 on car payments/transportation, and $400 or so on entertainment, hobbies, etc. Childcare costs aren’t a factor yet, but that may shift our budget when we start a family.

We make sure to take advantage of workplace benefits like employer-subsidized health insurance to reduce costs. While Avon isn’t cheap, earning two professional incomes makes the cost of living very manageable for our household. We’re able to max out retirement accounts while still putting over $1,000 per month towards loans. For our current stage of life, Avon provides a great mix of urban and suburban living that’s worth the price tag.

Posts: 21

Detailed Price Insights of Abilene, TX

  • Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant – 20.00 $
  • Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course – 90.00 $
  • McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) – 10.00 $
  • Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) – 7.00 $
  • Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) – 7.00 $
  • Cappuccino (regular) – 6.50 $
  • Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) – 2.50 $
  • Water (0.33 liter bottle) – 2.00 $
  • Milk (regular), (1 liter) – 1.07 $
  • Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) – 2.50 $
  • Rice (white), (1kg) – 1.62 $
  • Eggs (regular) (12) – 4.30 $
  • Local Cheese (1kg) – 11.21 $
  • Chicken Fillets (1kg) – 11.31 $
  • Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) – 6.50 $
  • Apples (1kg) – 4.50 $
  • Banana (1kg) – 1.00 $
  • Oranges (1kg) – 2.70 $
  • Tomato (1kg) – 4.30 $
  • Potato (1kg) – 4.89 $
  • Onion (1kg) – 3.11 $
  • Lettuce (1 head) – 1.99 $
  • Water (1.5 liter bottle) – 2.10 $
  • Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) – 15.00 $
  • Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) – 1.73 $
  • Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) – 2.70 $
  • Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) – 9.98 $
  • One-way Ticket (Local Transport) – 4.00 $
  • Monthly Pass (Regular Price) – 80.00 $
  • Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) – 2.50 $
  • Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) – 1.40 $
  • Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) – 25.00 $
  • Gasoline (1 liter) – 0.90 $
  • Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) – 31,865.00 $
  • Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) – 27,404.82 $
  • Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment – 192.85 $
  • Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data – 58.67 $
  • Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) – 60.00 $
  • Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat – 11.00 $
  • Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child – 1,666.67 $
  • International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child – 24,500.00 $
  • 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) – 52.00 $
  • 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, …) – 40.00 $
  • 1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) – 87.33 $
  • 1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes – 110.25 $
  • Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre – 1,500.00 $
  • Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre – 1,200.00 $
  • Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre – 3,500.00 $
  • Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre – 3,200.00 $
  • Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate – 6.55
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