Landlord here. We required a monthly HHI of at least three times the rent.

My 25yo son lives in Arlington and commutes to Tysons on the metro. His apartment and has utilities and WiFi included. He has a roommate and prob pays more than you’d want, but saw a few less expensive places when they were looking.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't have kids (or don't have full custody ) and don't need to worry about school districts you could ditch the car which would give you enough to rent a nice 1br with den or an OK 2br in a central part of DC that won't require a car.

Plus a central DC location will be much more conducive to dating if that's something you're ready for.

My office is in Vienna so I need a car and to live nearby and all 1 bedrooms are around $2200.

If you don't have kids why can't you live further away and commute? I realize it sucks but Vienna is really expensive, you'll save money living further out.

Why not just find a place to share so you aren't spending so much? If you don't have kids, you can easily find something for less that $2200/month.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't have kids (or don't have full custody ) and don't need to worry about school districts you could ditch the car which would give you enough to rent a nice 1br with den or an OK 2br in a central part of DC that won't require a car.

Plus a central DC location will be much more conducive to dating if that's something you're ready for.

My office is in Vienna so I need a car and to live nearby and all 1 bedrooms are around $2200.

If you don't have kids why can't you live further away and commute? I realize it sucks but Vienna is really expensive, you'll save money living further out.

What area are you looking to live?

Get a studio. Once you have lived there 1-2 years and done a good job with your budget, move to 1-bedroom.
I wouldn't even move until the car is paid off. Also, aren't there rental with all utilities included? I live in one of those.
Moving in the same building and from studio, costs nothing. Free furniture is everywhere on street corners, near universities in May and near trash chute in any building.
Go cheap first, and then move up. Don't get spoiled.
Your budget is almost like mine, but I have a kid.
That cellphone is expensive. You must be still paying for the new Iphone you bought.
What's with the retirement? Do it up to the match only. Where is your Roth?
Get your financial house in order and then maybe you get a 1-bedroom in year 2030.
You do a food job building that investment account you don't even have yet, and landlord don't care if you work or not.

100 is too low for utilities in this area (though maybe if you share a place or something you can trim it down, but if you live alone this isn't reasonable) and 180 too high for cell phone. Look for a cheap phone plan.

For a single person who doesn't have kids to transport and/or a custody arrangement, you can probably trim this somewhat, especially in the car and rent area. Get a used car (or consider going car free), and live somewhere cheaper.

I'd aim to keep it at $2000, roughly.

I'd aim to keep it at $2000, roughly.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here I am working out on a possible budget to look like this:

Rent: $2200
Utilities: $100
Car payment: $450
Car Insurance $100
Gas: $100
Groceries: $600
Cellphone: $180

So total: $3780.

I will have to decrease my retirement contributions so I have more wiggle room.

Way too tight. I’d keep it under $1400 for rent. You have no spending money. Cell phone is way too high. Car insurance too low. You forget clothing, extras, going out, car repairs, hair cuts, etc

Utilities seem low too.. Maybe in an area that gets neither too hot or too cold. I think my wifi is $40 alone.

$100 in utilities doesn't sound realistic.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here I am working out on a possible budget to look like this:

Rent: $2200
Utilities: $100
Car payment: $450
Car Insurance $100
Gas: $100
Groceries: $600
Cellphone: $180

So total: $3780.

I will have to decrease my retirement contributions so I have more wiggle room.

Way too tight. I’d keep it under $1400 for rent. You have no spending money. Cell phone is way too high. Car insurance too low. You forget clothing, extras, going out, car repairs, hair cuts, etc

It's impossible to find a decent place around here for $1400.

Cell phone seems very high for just one. We pay $150 for four and are still paying off a phone.

Anonymous wrote:OP here I am working out on a possible budget to look like this:

Rent: $2200
Utilities: $100
Car payment: $450
Car Insurance $100
Gas: $100
Groceries: $600
Cellphone: $180

So total: $3780.

I will have to decrease my retirement contributions so I have more wiggle room.

This is probably about right.