Cost of Living Forum
AB
BataviaNative @batavianative
Joined: 2 months ago
May 04, 2024 10:19 AM
Cost of Living in Batavia – Insights from a Long-Time Resident
Hi all, I’ve been living in Batavia for over 20 years now, and I thought I’d share my perspective on the cost of living here. As someone with a family of four and a moderate income, I’ve learned to navigate the expenses in this city. I’m particularly interested in hearing from others about housing costs, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and entertainment. What has your experience been? Do you find Batavia to be affordable or expensive compared to other cities you’ve lived in? Any tips or insights would be appreciated!
Posts: 19
10 Replies
FoodieForLife @foodieforlife
Joined: 5 months ago
Apr 27, 2024 09:50 PM
As someone who loves to eat out, I find the restaurant prices in Batavia to be quite reasonable. A meal for two at a mid-range restaurant typically costs around $70, which is not too bad for a special occasion. Even grabbing a quick bite at a place like McDonald’s is quite affordable, with a combo meal costing around $10-$11. However, groceries can be a bit pricey, especially for things like cheese, meat, and fresh produce. I’d say my overall food budget is somewhat higher than in other cities I’ve lived in.
Posts: 5
BudgetBuddy @budgetbuddy
Joined: 12 months ago
Mar 18, 2024 01:45 AM
Batavia can be quite affordable if you’re budget-conscious. Housing is one of the biggest expenses, but you can find decent 1-bedroom apartments for around $1,300 outside the city center or $1,800 in the center. Utilities for an 85m2 apartment typically run around $230 per month, which is reasonable. Transportation costs can be kept low if you rely on public transit or walk/bike when possible. Entertainment can be pricey, though, with things like movie tickets costing $12 each and gym memberships around $100 per month.
Posts: 15
FamilyGuy @familyguy
Joined: 12 months ago
Jul 18, 2023 05:58 AM
As a family with young kids, our biggest expenses are housing, childcare, and education. We live in a 3-bedroom apartment outside the city center, which costs us around $1,800 per month. Preschool/kindergarten fees for one child are a whopping $1,233 per month at a private school. And we’re looking at over $15,000 per year for an international primary school. That said, other costs like groceries, utilities, and transportation are manageable. It’s definitely a trade-off between affordability and quality of life.
Posts: 9
SoloTraveler @solotraveler
Joined: 5 months ago
Apr 12, 2024 11:32 AM
As a single person without kids, I find Batavia to be quite affordable overall. My biggest expense is rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center, which runs around $1,800 per month. But I can offset that by cooking most of my meals at home and taking advantage of reasonably priced public transit. Entertainment costs like going to the movies or grabbing drinks with friends are also quite manageable. Overall, I’d say Batavia is a great option for young professionals or digital nomads on a moderate income.
Posts: 9
HealthNut @healthnut
Joined: 9 months ago
Mar 24, 2024 07:25 AM
One expense that can really add up in Batavia is healthcare costs. While the city has excellent medical facilities, insurance premiums and out-of-pocket expenses can be quite high, especially if you have any chronic conditions or need frequent care. I’d recommend budgeting generously for this category. On the flip side, staying active and healthy is quite affordable, with gym memberships around $100 per month and plenty of public parks and recreation areas.
Posts: 20
Trendsetter @trendsetter
Joined: 11 months ago
Dec 05, 2023 01:23 AM
If you’re into fashion and luxury goods, Batavia can be quite pricey. A pair of designer jeans can easily set you back $60 or more, and leather business shoes often cost over $100. Even mid-range items like running shoes or summer dresses from popular chains can be $80-$90. That said, housing costs are relatively reasonable, especially if you’re willing to live outside the city center. It’s all about prioritizing your expenses based on your lifestyle.
Posts: 17
CarEnthusiast @carenthusiast
Joined: 5 months ago
Mar 02, 2024 12:25 PM
As someone who loves cars, I find Batavia to be a bit pricey in that department. A new mid-range sedan like a Toyota Corolla can cost around $25,000-$30,000. And gasoline prices, while not astronomical, are still around $0.90 per liter. That said, other transportation costs like taxis and public transit are quite affordable. And housing prices, while high in the city center, are more reasonable in the suburbs.
Posts: 7
RetiredandLoving It @retiredandloving it
Joined: 2 years ago
Dec 07, 2023 06:36 PM
As a retiree on a fixed income, I find Batavia to be quite livable and affordable. My biggest expense is housing, but I was able to purchase a modest 2-bedroom apartment outside the city center for a reasonable price. Groceries, utilities, and healthcare costs are all manageable, especially with senior discounts. Entertainment can be pricey, but there are plenty of free or low-cost options like parks, libraries, and community events. Overall, I’m quite content with the cost of living here.
Posts: 25
YoungProfessional @youngprofessional
Joined: 6 months ago
Dec 05, 2023 09:57 PM
As a young professional just starting out, I find Batavia to be a bit of a challenge when it comes to costs. Rent for a decent 1-bedroom apartment in the city center can easily eat up a significant portion of my income. And while necessities like groceries and utilities are reasonably priced, extras like dining out, entertainment, and transportation can add up quickly. That said, the city offers plenty of job opportunities and a great quality of life, so it may be worth the higher cost of living for some.
Posts: 20
RemoteWorker @remoteworker
Joined: 12 months ago
Jul 20, 2023 12:33 PM
As someone who works remotely and can live anywhere, I find Batavia to be a great balance between affordability and quality of life. Housing costs, while high in the city center, are quite reasonable in the suburbs. And with fast internet speeds and coworking spaces available, it’s easy to be productive here. Entertainment and dining out can be pricey, but cooking at home and taking advantage of outdoor activities helps offset those costs. Overall, I’d highly recommend Batavia for digital nomads or remote workers.
Posts: 8
Detailed Price Insights of Abilene, TX
- Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant – 20.00 $
- Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course – 70.00 $
- McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) – 10.59 $
- Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) – 5.00 $
- Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) – 7.00 $
- Cappuccino (regular) – 4.94 $
- Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) – 2.56 $
- Water (0.33 liter bottle) – 2.27 $
- Milk (regular), (1 liter) – 0.91 $
- Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) – 3.13 $
- Rice (white), (1kg) – 3.41 $
- Eggs (regular) (12) – 2.55 $
- Local Cheese (1kg) – 13.63 $
- Chicken Fillets (1kg) – 12.70 $
- Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) – 13.23 $
- Apples (1kg) – 5.06 $
- Banana (1kg) – 1.34 $
- Oranges (1kg) – 5.29 $
- Tomato (1kg) – 4.41 $
- Potato (1kg) – 4.46 $
- Onion (1kg) – 4.09 $
- Lettuce (1 head) – 1.80 $
- Water (1.5 liter bottle) – 2.47 $
- Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) – 15.00 $
- Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) – 2.36 $
- Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) – 3.60 $
- Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) – 10.00 $
- Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) – 3.00 $
- Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) – 1.26 $
- Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) – 27.00 $
- Gasoline (1 liter) – 0.89 $
- Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) – 29,946.00 $
- Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) – 25,822.13 $
- Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment – 228.73 $
- Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data – 53.33 $
- Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) – 70.00 $
- Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult – 100.00 $
- Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat – 12.00 $
- Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child – 1,233.33 $
- International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child – 15,333.33 $
- 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) – 60.00 $
- 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, …) – 46.10 $
- 1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) – 85.56 $
- 1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes – 117.50 $
- Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre – 1,800.00 $
- Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre – 1,300.00 $
- Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre – 2,000.00 $
- Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre – 1,800.00 $
- Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre – 3,229.17 $
- Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre – 2,260.42 $
- Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate – 6.48
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