Cost of Living Forum

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ArtesiaResident82 @artesiaresident82
Joined: 8 months ago

Cost of Living in Artesia – Input from Long-Time Residents?


Hi everyone, I’ve been living in Artesia for over 20 years now, and I’m curious to get a sense of how the cost of living here compares to other people’s experiences and perspectives. As someone who owns a home and has raised a family here, I’ve seen expenses fluctuate over time, but I’d love to hear from others about what they’re paying for major costs like housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and entertainment.

I’m a single parent with two school-aged kids, and while I have a decent job, it always feels like a stretch to make ends meet in this city. I’d appreciate hearing a range of viewpoints from people in different life situations. What has your experience been with the overall affordability of living in Artesia? Are there particular expenses that stand out as high or low compared to other places you’ve lived? Any tips for keeping costs down? I’m just trying to get a well-rounded picture beyond my own circumstances. Thanks in advance for sharing your insights!

Posts: 10

Replies


FoodTruckFan @foodtruckfan
Joined: 2 years ago

I’ve only been living in Artesia for a couple of years, but coming from a smaller town, the cost of living here was definitely an adjustment. Housing is likely the biggest expense – even a basic 1-bedroom apartment can easily run $1,200-$1,500 in a decent area. Thankfully, I’m single with no kids, so I can make that work, but I can’t imagine how families get by with the prices for larger places.

On the plus side, I feel like grocery costs are pretty reasonable if you stick to basics and take advantage of deals. A couple can probably get by spending $400-500 per month on food if they cook at home regularly. Eating out adds up quickly though – a casual meal for two is usually at least $30-40 after tax/tip.

My other major expenses are transportation and entertainment. I don’t have a car, so I rely on public transit (monthly pass $75) and rideshares ($15-20 for a typical trip). But the city is pretty walkable, which helps. As for entertainment, there are lots of affordable options like $8 movies, free community events, reasonable priced breweries/food trucks if you look for happy hour deals, etc. Overall, Artesia has its pros and cons cost-wise. It’s expensive for sure, but there are also ways to keep some expenses manageable if you’re smart about it.

Posts: 13
SavvySaver @savvysaver
Joined: 9 months ago

As someone who has lived in Artesia for over a decade, I’d say the cost of living here is relatively high, but not outrageous compared to other major cities. It really comes down to your lifestyle and how frugal you can be.

My husband and I are in our 30s with no kids, and we own a modest 2-bedroom condo that we got for around $250k a few years ago. Our mortgage payment is manageable at around $1,500 including taxes/fees. Utilities like electric, gas, internet, etc. tend to total $200-300 per month for our place.

Where costs really add up is transportation and entertainment. We have one car (paid off), but insurance, gas, maintenance, etc. still costs us at least $400 per month. Public transit is an option, but not super convenient in some areas. As for entertainment, even doing budget-friendly activities like hiking, parks, cheap eats, etc. can add up quickly because there always seem to be minor costs involved.

That said, we’re pretty frugal with our spending and smart about finding deals/discounts where we can. We always shop sales for groceries and household items. We use a low-cost gym ($25/month) instead of a fancy place. We go to matinee movie showings ($6) or stick to streaming services at home. Little things like that make a big difference.

My advice would be to get a realistic handle on your true monthly expenses, cut back where you can, and have a budget! With some discipline, Artesia can definitely be manageable for a single-income family. But you do have to make some sacrifices compared to living in a cheaper area. Feel free to reach out if you’d like any other cost-saving tips!

Posts: 23
ArtesiaFoodie @artesiafoodie
Joined: 7 months ago

As a long-time foodie who loves exploring all the amazing restaurants in Artesia, I’ll admit the dining costs here are one of the bigger expenses for me! There’s just such an incredible diversity of cuisine, from high-end farm-to-table places to humble family-owned ethnic joints. It’s hard to resist splurging regularly.

A nice dinner out for two can easily run $60-80 after drinks, tip, etc. if you go somewhere trendy. But you can also find stellar hole-in-the-wall spots for $10-15 per person. Groceries are pretty average – I probably spend $500-600 per month stocking up at mid-range markets like Trader Joe’s and the local co-ops.

Other than dining, my housing costs as a renter are probably my biggest monthly outlay. I pay $2,100 for a modest 2-bed apartment in a safe neighborhood. Not cheap by any means, but I view it as worth it to be close to all the action. Utilities, streaming services, etc. are pretty standard ($200ish per month all in).

I don’t own a car, so I take advantage of the great walkability and public transit options ($80/month for an unlimited metro pass). That said, I do still spend $100-200 per month on rideshares when I’m being lazy or going to the suburbs.

Overall, Artesia is expensive if you live in the city center and want to take advantage of the amenities. But it’s certainly possible to be smart about saving costs in other areas if dining is your bigger splurge. I just prioritize it since eating well and experiencing new cuisines is my biggest passion!

Posts: 11
FitFamilyGuy @fitfamilyguy
Joined: 2 years ago

Artesia’s cost of living is no joke, especially for families. My wife and I have 3 kids (2 in elementary school, 1 infant), and it feels like money flies out the door constantly.

Our biggest expense by far is housing – we pay $2,800 per month to rent a modest 3-bedroom house in a decent school district. Apart from a mortgage, other big costs for us are childcare ($1,200/month for an in-home nanny while we’re at work), groceries ($1,000+ for a family of 5 eating healthy food), kids’ activities ($500+ between sports, music lessons, etc.), healthcare ($700/month for family insurance with pretty high deductibles), and utilities ($400ish).

We’re both fortunate to have decent-paying jobs that allow us to cover those costs, but there’s very little left over for extras. We drive used cars, stick to free/cheap entertainment like parks and hiking, and avoid eating out too often. Even a casual family dinner at a mid-range place is $60-80 after tax/tip.

My advice for any families considering moving to Artesia would be to ensure you have a solid dual income that can cover housing, childcare, insurance, etc. It’s an amazing city with great schools and amenities, but you pay a premium for it, especially with kids. We make it work by budgeting carefully, taking advantages of discounts/deals, and being smart about our spending. But it’s certainly not easy! Let me know if you have any other specific questions about family costs.

Posts: 15
YuppieYolanda @yuppieyolanda
Joined: 2 years ago

I’ll be the first to admit that my perspective on Artesia’s cost of living is going to be a bit skewed since I’m a single professional with a very comfortable 6-figure income. For people like me, this city is incredibly livable and affordable if you’re smart with your money.

I live in a luxury 1-bed apartment right downtown that costs me $2,400 per month. Definitely not cheap, but the amenities are amazing and it’s a splurge I can easily afford. Other fixed costs like utilities ($150), memberships ($100 for a swanky gym), and transportation (no car, $80 transit pass) are manageable.

Where I probably spend more freely is on dining/entertainment since I’m at a stage of life where I can treat myself. I make an effort to cook at home during the week, but I probably drop $500-600 per month exploring the incredible restaurant scene here. There’s just such an endless array of delicious options at all price points. And with a decent income, I can spring for pricier spots occasionally too.

Similarly, I’ll spend $100-200 per month on other entertainment – concerts, shows, sporting events, etc. It’s the best way for me to enjoy living in such a vibrant city! I travel frequently for work but also for pleasure, so flights/hotels are another budget line I don’t scrimp on too much.

All that said, I am diligent about saving/investing a solid portion of my income each month as well. Artesia may seem expensive, but it’s very livable for a single person with a good job. You just have to be smart about budgeting for necessities vs. splurges. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Posts: 19
BargainBrad @bargainbrad
Joined: 2 years ago

From my perspective as someone who’s lived in Artesia for decades, the cost of living here has its pros and cons. It’s undoubtedly an expensive city in many ways – the housing costs can be brutal, transportation is pricey if you own a car, and even basic activities can quickly add up if you’re not careful.

At the same time, I’ve found that it’s very possible to keep your overall expenses quite reasonable if you have a plan and are diligent about finding deals/bargains. For example, I still live in the very modest 2-bed house I bought back in the 80s. My mortgage is paid off, so my only housing cost is $400/month for taxes/insurance. It’s an older place but perfectly functional.

I don’t own a car, instead just using public transit ($60/month for an unlimited pass that covers buses and light rail) and the occasional rideshare ($100/month or so). That’s a huge money-saver right there. For groceries, I lean heavily on affordable grocery chains like Aldi ($300ish per month for basic food for two people) and take advantage of deals/circulars.

Healthcare is a big one – I have a very high deductible health plan through work ($200/month), but I stay on top of preventative care and live a pretty active lifestyle to avoid major costs. Entertain-wise, I stick to free/cheap options like parks, libraries, community events, $5 movies on discount nights, etc.

The biggest indulgence my partner and I allow ourselves is eating out – we probably spend $200-300 per month hitting all the amazing low-key ethnic places around town. But even then, we look for BYOB options or places with daily specials.

My point is, Artesia can actually be quite affordable if you have the right mindset and put in a little effort. Housing will likely always be your biggest expense as a homeowner, but many other costs are very manageable with smart planning and bargain hunting. It’s all about separating the “wants” from the “needs” and being diligent about sticking to a budget. I’m here to show it can be done! Let me know if you need any other tips.

Posts: 1
ParentingArtesian @parentingartesian
Joined: 8 months ago

As a parent of two elementary school-aged kids living in Artesia, I definitely have to agree that the cost of living here with a family can be quite challenging at times. Some of the biggest expenses we face are:

Housing: We pay $2,200 per month to rent a relatively modest 3-bedroom home in a decent school district. That’s one of our biggest outlays each month.

Childcare/Activities: With both my spouse and I working, we pay around $1,500 per month for before/after school care and various activities (sports, music, etc.) to keep the kids engaged. This was a huge shock coming from a lower cost-of-living area.

Groceries: Feeding a family of four here, even just doing basic groceries from places like Trader Joe’s and hitting good sales, still runs us $800-1,000 per month if we want to eat relatively healthy foods.

Healthcare: Our family health insurance plan is $550 per month through my employer, and we have pretty high deductibles/out-of-pocket costs.

Utilities/Other: Basic utilities like electricity, water, internet, etc. for our place are around $300 per month. Plus other regular costs like gas, car maintenance, memberships, etc.

We definitely have to budget very carefully and make certain trade-offs compared to other areas. We drive used cars, try to take advantage of free community amenities/parks, limit dining out to affordable local places, and plan affordable “staycations” rather than big yearly vacations.

That said, Artesia has great neighborhoods, schools, amenities, and an overall high quality of life – so we view it as worth it, at least for the time being while our kids are young. But it’s certainly not easy and requires a decent dual income. Let me know if you have any other specific family/kid-related cost questions!

Posts: 9
RetiredRita @retiredrita
Joined: 7 months ago

As a retiree who’s lived in Artesia for over 30 years, I’ve definitely seen the cost of living rise dramatically, even if my own personal expenses have stabilized at this stage of life. When I was still working and raising kids here in the 80s/90s, it wasa real struggle at times!

These days, my biggest expense is actually my mortgage payment – I own my 3-bedroom house outright, but the taxes, insurance, etc. still run about $1,000 per month. Apart from that, basic utilities (electric, gas, internet, etc.) for just me are around $200 per month.

Healthcare is another major cost at my age. I pay $450 per month for a premium Medicare supplement plan to cover the many doc visits, tests, medications, etc. that crop up. I’m lucky to have built up decent retirement savings over the years, but those costs still add up quickly.

Aside from that, my other expenses are relatively low – $300ish per month on groceries shopping sales, $60/month for a transit pass to get around, and $100-200 per month on entertainment like movies, community events, eating out occasionally. I don’t really travel anymore.

While I’m comfortable now, I certainly couldn’t afford to rent or buy a place in Artesia on a fixed retirement income these days. Housing costs have just exploded beyond what most seniors could reasonably pay. Which is why it was so key for me to buy a home here when I was younger and working.

For current residents looking to retire in Artesia, I’d advise taking advantage of whatever retirement contribution programs you can through work, and factor in rising healthcare costs as you budget long-term. The city is very livable for seniors if you’ve planned accordingly, but the expenses do add up! Let me know if you have any other questions from an older perspective.

Posts: 12
SoloSidHustle @solosidhustle
Joined: 2 years ago

I moved to Artesia about a year ago as a single guy in my late 20s, and I’ll admit – keeping costs manageable while still being able to enjoy the city has been a bit of a challenge at times with my modest income from my day job and side hustles. That said, I’ve figured out some strategies to make it work without going totally broke!

Housing is definitely one of the biggest expenses – I pay $1,350 for a small studio in a decent but not fancy part of town. Utilities like electricity, internet, etc. tack on another $150/month or so. Groceries are relatively reasonable if I shop strategically – maybe $300/month hitting places like Aldi and taking advantage of deals.

My biggest non-fixed costs are transportation and entertainment. I don’t have a car, so I have a $75/month public transit pass and probably spend another $100-150 per month on rideshares when I need to get somewhere transit doesn’t go easily. I try to be economical about it by bunching trips together when I can.

For entertainment, I actually keep those costs pretty low through a mix of free/cheap activities and creative hustles. There are always fun community events, open mics, trivia nights, etc. happening for free or $5-10. And I work side gigs driving for rideshares or delivering food a few nights a week, which lets me save money while also getting out and exploring the city.

When I do spend money to go out, I stick to deals like happy hours ($3 beers!) or places with student/young professional discounts. I use a cheap gym in my building ($25/month) rather than paying for a fancy place.

Is it tough being a younger single person in Artesia on an entry-level income? For sure. But I’m making it work through hussle, creativity, and being disciplined about separating wants vs needs. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Posts: 10

Detailed Price Insights of Abilene, TX

  • Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant – 12.00 $
  • Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course – 50.00 $
  • McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) – 9.00 $
  • Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) – 3.75 $
  • Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) – 6.50 $
  • Cappuccino (regular) – 4.25 $
  • Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) – 2.32 $
  • Water (0.33 liter bottle) – 2.55 $
  • Milk (regular), (1 liter) – 0.87 $
  • Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) – 3.41 $
  • Rice (white), (1kg) – 3.88 $
  • Eggs (regular) (12) – 3.50 $
  • Local Cheese (1kg) – 9.81 $
  • Chicken Fillets (1kg) – 11.95 $
  • Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) – 14.32 $
  • Apples (1kg) – 5.51 $
  • Banana (1kg) – 1.38 $
  • Oranges (1kg) – 7.72 $
  • Tomato (1kg) – 4.91 $
  • Potato (1kg) – 5.62 $
  • Onion (1kg) – 3.20 $
  • Lettuce (1 head) – 3.55 $
  • Water (1.5 liter bottle) – 2.25 $
  • Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) – 5.55 $
  • Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) – 1.73 $
  • Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) – 4.62 $
  • Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) – 7.00 $
  • Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) – 1.65 $
  • Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) – 1.40 $
  • Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) – 27.00 $
  • Gasoline (1 liter) – 0.81 $
  • Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) – 36,278.39 $
  • Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) – 26,541.59 $
  • Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment – 150.00 $
  • Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data – 46.40 $
  • Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) – 65.00 $
  • Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat – 8.00 $
  • Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child – 734.33 $
  • 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) – 28.33 $
  • 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, …) – 13.50 $
  • 1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) – 77.01 $
  • 1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes – 50.00 $
  • Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate – 6.53
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