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[deleted] t1_j56mjek wrote

I don't think "lunch" is gonna be what tips the scales

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thehuntforrednov OP t1_j56osjx wrote

Nor do I, but it helps get a feel for the day-to-day cost of living.

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oliviajoon t1_j56sfci wrote

honestly just look up the address of your prospective job and zoom out a bit on google maps and start clicking on restaurants in the area. look at their menus to get an idea of what a “nice” lunch would cost you at those places (theres quite a range depending on how much food you consider filling or if we’re talking takeout vs sit-down)

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WinsingtonIII t1_j56p9yj wrote

Day to day cost of living will be more expensive here but the cost of housing will be by far the biggest difference. TBH I can definitely get a reasonably nice lunch around here for the price you listed if we’re talking take out. Sit down would be a bit more expensive than that though.

Others are correct that depending on how big of an apartment/house you want your mortgage here would be more like $2,000-$3,000 per month as opposed to $900.

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Open_Concentrate962 t1_j59q8t6 wrote

Just wanted to compliment the nuance in the question. It was a better form of a common question and thus got better responses.

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thehuntforrednov OP t1_j5a4nut wrote

I'm really pleased with all of the responses! All but one or two were very helpful, and I attribute those to being, well... reddit. lol

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[deleted] t1_j56q8w0 wrote

Just wait til you get your first gas/electric heat bill.

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bobby_j_canada t1_j570dgv wrote

It's probably kind of a wash since you no longer the have "running the AC during Alabama summers" cost.

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[deleted] t1_j573jam wrote

Summer AC use in New England is no joke - and electricity rates won't be going down next summer either.

Alabama's standard rate is ~$0.13/kWh (source), & they have time of use plans which ISO-NE doesn't allow so the OP may be paying even less. The best you'll find in MA is around $0.20/kWh. And if they wind up with gas or oil heat...yikes. Usage may well be a wash, but the total bill won't.

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bobby_j_canada t1_j57addm wrote

I grew up here and didn't even have A/C until I was like 25 years old. I maybe use it 20 days a year (mostly at night) when it's really brutal in July/August.

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