I'm curious about the cost of utilities and services associated with renting an off-campus apartment. Can anyone provide any insight as far as electric, heat, water, gas, trash removal, cable, internet, etc?
I will be receiving a 26K annual stipend (about 2K a month) and I would like to know if it's better, financially-speaking, to rent an apartment for about $660/mo. that does not include any utilities or an apartment that includes all utilities (except cable and internet) for about $870/mo.
Do the utilities add up to about $200? Am I better off paying utilities myself?
Also, any info. on auto insurance would be greatly appreciated (i.e. did your rate increase when moving to Ithaca).
Thanks in advance.