If you’ve lived most of your life away from major urban centers, moving to a big city may seem to be an exciting thing for you. After all, the lure of the bright lights is too enticing and beautiful to not be attracted to.
However, living in a big city is not all glitz and glamour. It can be pretty overwhelming, especially when you realize how high the cost of living is.
If you’re new to the big city life or are planning to move to a major urban center, one of your biggest challenges is making ends meet, especially if you’re no stranger to a low salary.
7 Practical Ways to Help You Survive the Concrete Jungle on a Tight Budget
- Walk to work.
If your office or workplace is nearby, consider walking to work instead of commuting. Walking is not just a great way of lessening your expenses but it also promotes a healthier lifestyle. You can take this up a notch higher and get yourself a bicycle that you can ride to work and get around town on.
- Use public transportation.
If you need to reach places that are too far to go on foot, consider using public transportation instead. When you take the public transport system, be sure to ask if you’re eligible for certain discounts. A penny saved is a penny earned.
- Look for a cheap apartment…
One of the things that will eat up most of your budget is your living space. You will find that the mortgage rate in a big city is significantly higher compared to smaller cities and towns. As much as the condo with a view makes for a great home, you need to look for one that’s within your budget.
- …Or find a roommate.
Another practical solution to getting affordable living conditions is to bunk in with someone else. Look for a roommate to split the bills with. This way, both of you can minimize your monthly housing expenses. Just make sure to carefully choose the right person that won’t be a burden to you.
- Consider buying second-hand items.
Moving to a new home in a big city is already expensive enough. You don’t need to add to it by always buying brand-new things for your home or for work. A lot of brick-and-mortar and online shops sell second-hand items in great condition. Honestly, the hunt for the right items is part of the fun in starting out in a big city.
- Spend your money wisely.
Since you have very limited funds at the moment, you need to make sure you get as much bang for your buck as you possibly can. Evaluate your financial standing and your expenses and see where you can cut back on. Get rid of services and subscriptions you no longer find relevant. Minimize your credit card use to avoid interests and other charges.
If you need help in this area, don’t hesitate to reach out to people who you believe can help you become a better money manager.
- Look for a side gig or any additional income stream.
Finally, if you want to live a more comfortable life in the city, you need to hustle harder. If the salary you\re getting is not enough to sustain you, look for other means of income to help you make ends meet.
With a little luck and lots of practicality, sooner or later, you’ll find your rhythm and get yourself settled in a comfortable and decent life in the city.
Meta title: How To Survive The Big City Life On A Small Town Budget
Meta description: Living the big city life may seem glamorous and fun but it can be quite challenging and stressful especially if you’re on a tight budget.
