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Ask HN: Cost of living across the world (Ramen PPP Index for hackers)

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Re: Ask HN: Cost of living across the world (Ramen PPP Index for hackers)

#151

New York City area, NY, USA. Manhattan is outrageous but the surrounding area is cheaper. I live comfortably with few compromises at $2800/month. Rent: $1500 for half a 1300ft^2 apartment. You can easily get much cheaper than this. Food: $300/month for expensive organic groceries Restaurants: $40/person at mid-tier restaurants, $20/person at lower end but nice places. Utilities: $150/electricity, $120/cable/phone/int…

Fairfield County Connecticut is similar but you'll get more living space for the money. You can get a decent rent for <$1000. Fewer hipsters though. More minivans.

Re: Ask HN: Cost of living across the world (Ramen PPP Index for hackers)

#152
post #136

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Beijing, China $800 in rent (single, just me footing that bill). Food expenses are between $500 and $1000 a month. Could easily spend less, but it makes being social difficult. I'm working full-time with a RMB salary and working on side projects (a bit slow at the moment). Local programmers can be cheap, $500-$1500/month. If you want to sell to the local Chinese market online you may need an Internet Content Provider…

$500 to $1000 a month for food? The food must be very good.

Sorry, I'm including weekend nightlife in Food expenses. With out it, Food expenses should be around 100 RMB/day, about $400-$500 /month

Re: Ask HN: Cost of living across the world (Ramen PPP Index for hackers)

#153

Singapore Monthly expenses - S$1600 * Rent - S$900 (this will get you a room in a nice high-rise condominium with swimming pool/gym but you've to share the flat with 2 other flatmates). * Broadband - S$70 * Mobile + Unlimited 3G plan - S$40-50 * Food - S$400-500 (this will get you good tasty meals at hawker food stalls; not swanky restaurant dinners w/ alcohol). * Transportation - S$100-150 for public transport (forg…

There are single, air-conditioned rooms in Singapore that go for S$400, even near the town (yes, hunt them down). You won't need S$400-500 for food if you cook every other meal. I spend less than S$100 on food. I would revise the figure to less than S$1,000 a month, or less than US$800 per month.

Also, if you sleep where you work, you can shave about S$50-100 off of your transportation costs.

Re: Ask HN: Cost of living across the world (Ramen PPP Index for hackers)

#154
post #84

Here's a small estimate of my expenses when I was in college (an year back). I used to live in a small locality opposite a 5 star hotel in South Delhi. Food = $100 (McDonald's and Domino's everyday) Rent = $70 (shared with two other classmates) Internet = $20 to $30 Transport = $20

McDonalds and Domino's everyday for less than $3 a day?

2 McAloo tikki burger ~ $1

Smallest Domino's pizza (they don't do the home delivery of this one I believe) ~ $1

And make another $1 for noodles, bread, omelet etc.

Re: Ask HN: Cost of living across the world (Ramen PPP Index for hackers)

#155
post #150

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I work for a company involved in the games industry. You'll probably find more money in the financial sector though

Almost what i expected. I got a 34k offer (same industry) with good benefits but am unsure if its worth the move. Main problem seems to be the rent which is ridiculous if you want to minimze commute time to the centre.

I think with most places in London you're looking at a 45min-1hour commute, unless you live REALLY close in zone 1 or something.

For me my commute is as follows: -

20 minute walk from house to tube station(could take a bus which would take 10 mins, but I prefer the exercise) 15 mins on the tube to Bond Street 10 minute walk from there to work

Re: Ask HN: Cost of living across the world (Ramen PPP Index for hackers)

#156

Singapore Monthly expenses - S$1600 * Rent - S$900 (this will get you a room in a nice high-rise condominium with swimming pool/gym but you've to share the flat with 2 other flatmates). * Broadband - S$70 * Mobile + Unlimited 3G plan - S$40-50 * Food - S$400-500 (this will get you good tasty meals at hawker food stalls; not swanky restaurant dinners w/ alcohol). * Transportation - S$100-150 for public transport (forg…

Another data point for Singapore, values in Singapore Dollar:

My Monthly Expenses will run average S$1.5k

Rent: S$600 (one room in 3-room apartment)

Broadband: Around S$40 - 70

Mobile + 12GB data plan: S$50 (depends on usage on mobile)

Beer: S$2.50 for Tiger beer 323ml can (expensive!!)

Food: S$250 - 300. For lunch, I go for the so called 'economical rice' or 'mixed rice' which will cost you S$2.50 - 3.00 per plate. Dinner I usually cook at home. Average restaurants will cost you S$30 per pax per meal. Posh ones S$90++ and above.

Transportation: S$20 (I live within walking distance to my office)

Movie: S$10 a pop

Big-Mac meal: S$6.50

A mug of Coffee at local store (we call it kopi-tiam): S$0.80 - 1.00

Re: Ask HN: Cost of living across the world (Ramen PPP Index for hackers)

#157
post #108

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't have an AC - you don't need it in Bangalore. As a westerner that spent about 2 months in India I have to say - although Bangalore's weather is mild in Indian terms, >30c weather (normal for high summer in Bangalore) is well within "requires AC" limits for Europeans :) Also, if you don't absolutely require high speed internet or being around other high-tech folks there are much cheaper (and IMO nicer) places i…

Most Indians live without AC, and even without electricity in 40c+ weather.

they use a ceiling/pedestal fan to circulate the air. ACs are too expensive to own and operate.

Re: Ask HN: Cost of living across the world (Ramen PPP Index for hackers)

#158
post #89

Earlier quoted context omitted.

His estimates are 2x what my wife and I spend. Our 2BHK was INR10K ~ USD200 pm. This is by far our biggest expense. Our monthly petrol bill is INR2K ~ USD50. Groceries (we eat 4/5 meals at home weekly) is INR4K ~ USD100. Utilities ~ USD100. Total ~ USD500 for a couple. And we live a good life! On the plus side, we're now saving nearly 55% of our monthly gross :) (incl mortgages)

Do you pay for electricity, internet, mobile bills, car EMI, entertainment, eating out, shopping and thousand other expenses? All these things can cost upward of $500 per month.

The difference between him and you, if I can make the generalization, you spend like a north-Indian, he spends like a south Indian.

Re: Ask HN: Cost of living across the world (Ramen PPP Index for hackers)

#159

Paris, France. (not the suburbs, in USD) - rent: $650/month for a small apt(215 sq ft) - food: $70/week - utilities: $40/month (High-speed internet, TV + landline phone) - transport: $80/month for unlimited rides in the city - cellphone plans: $30 (cheapest, 1h talking time) - monthly wage for a programmer: $3,000 (junior), $4,200 (mid),$5,000+ senior, before taxes (20/30/40% depending of your revenues and situation)…

You forgot electricity, which can be quite expensive as most heating is electric. Maybe $100/m in winter.

Also, let's meet and talk shop, I'm freelance engineer in Paris :) Mail is in profile.

Re: Ask HN: Cost of living across the world (Ramen PPP Index for hackers)

#160
Trivandrum, Kerala, India :

Rent+Utilities for a 750.sq.ft 2BHK (it was a steal): $90

512k unmetered Internet : $24

Occasional eating-out and groceries :$140-$150

and thats for 2 people (I asked my mum to move in with me after dad passed away)

*Cooking your own food for 2, costs the same as when I lived alone and ate out everyday.

Anything else is listed as a a 'luxury' in my Expense tracker. (and i'm the least frugal person in my immediate circle)

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