The city may have the most opportunities, but urban living does come at a high price. If you’re scraping by in a city and aren’t prepared to move to the country, here are a few ways that you can make living more comfortable.
Buddy up
Living alone isn’t feasible in most cities, unless you’re comfortable with a bedsit the size of a shed. Sharing with other people allows you to split the rent and the bills. You may be able to share a house with a few friends and get a garden as a result, upping your quality of living. For those earning enough, the same applies to getting on the property ladder. You may be able to group together as a couple and put a mortgage down on a flat – something that only high earners may be able to do on their own.
Get an electric vehicle
Cities are set up well for electric vehicles. Some have the benefit of free charging points, as well as specialist parking spots or free us of bus lanes. The initial purchase cost of an electric vehicle is pretty expensive, although there are affordable alternative. If you’re a motorcyclist, it costs very little to buy a scooter that’s electric. Electric vehicles also have the benefit of being tax free and you may be able to save some money on insurance.
Walk more often
Of course, you don’t have to drive in most cities as everything is on your doorstep. Even if you don’t drive, you may be able to save money walking instead of using public transport. Another option for getting around faster is to cycle. Cities often have some of the best cycle path systems, so that you don’t have to worry about the dangers of the road.
Take advantage of free fun
The advantage of living in a city is that there’s so much to do. Whilst a lot of this costs money, there’s also a lot more free activities out there to soak up, more so than if you were living somewhere rural. Cities have countless gyms, many of which may offer free taster sessions to clubs or trial memberships which you can take advantage of. Cinemas will sometimes hold free screenings of films. You’ve then got museums and art galleries that are often free to the public.
Avoid the expensive shops/bars/restaurants
Eating and drinking out and general shopping are often more expensive in the city. Once cheap areas are constantly becoming gentrified so that the prices get bumped up to meet the tourists areas. Having a social life is certainly hard. However, every city has its hidden gems and finding these is essential. Use your network to scope out these place, whether it be a thrift store on the corner of a town or a cheap and cheerful pub aimed at students. When it comes to bars in particular, DrinkedIn is a great app to use. And never forget the reliability of a good old fashioned house party.
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