And actually, I may be a bit on the high end on my apartment estimates. Looks like there are some 1 bedrooms in the $900-$1,000 range just east of 95.

I think a single guy could live on $50k a year in Lauderdale without a lot of sacrifice. Just not near the beach with a water view and probably not going to save a whole lot.

Bottom line is it is about like Atl cost of living but can be a lot more if you want to do the beach area living but maybe a bit less if you are willing to go a bit west of 95.

Also, going out and entertainment can vary WILDLY in expensiveness. You can do a full night out of drinking in downtown Lauderdale with a mostly younger crowd for $50. Or you could go to the Hardrock and spend $100-$150 with $20 covers and $12 drinks all night.

Or you could get crazy and go to LiV, Story, or the new club 11 in Miami and drop $750 for a bottle at a table.

Same for restaurants. Plenty of options from one end of the spectrum to the other.

Just all depends. Had a buddy make it ok working at TruLucks on about $40k a year here. Just meant more nights out downtown, the bars on the beach in North Lauderdale (forgot their names), and BYOB drinking at the beach on the weekends.

Lastly if you are thinking about buying a house, same things apply. I think the median price is around $200k in Lauderdale, but I am not all that familiar as I have never really looked or though about buying in Lauderdale. I've lived or worked from Brickell to Juno Beach so I know South Florida better than most who have lived here all their life probably. Also been out in about every bar, club, restaurant east of 95 all the way from Brickell to Juno Beach (about 100 miles of coverage

). Everything is about location here. East of 95 or not and beach/water/intercoastal view or not...

This post was edited on 2/23/14 at 6:51 pm