How far will 13.5k per year go in Syracuse?

[Guest digger]

Any insights from people who are familiar with this town/city?

[tripax]

I'd say that while groceries are a bit more expensive than where I am in Ames, Iowa, housing is about the same, although the houses in Syracuse are nicer, with neighborhoods a bit more dangerous. The heating bill is higher, but you don't have to drive as much, since your car will be stuck in the driveway for four months during the winter when it snows. Sales tax is a bit higher there, but there are more thrift stores to buy clothes.

Seriously, I am making about the same (higher stipend, but I pay half tuition), and I am able to save a couple thousand dollars each year, plus fly out to Syracuse to visit my girlfriend. So, I'd say 13.5k will do fine.

[Artist1]

I'm wondering how much I'll need to live comfortably (not struggle to buy groceries, necessities)

Going to Syracuse University College of Visual and Performing Arts - graduate MFA program

I have a scholarship that pays most of tuition, a TA position with stipend. I'll take out a Fed loan to cover the rest of tuition and a little extra for cushion. I don't know how much my stipend will be yet. Haven't placed me in specific TA position yet. I have some extra cash for moving and to start out with.... I was hoping that I won't need to get another job while in school.

I'll need a couple thousand for art supplies for the year, rent, food etc. Looking into one bedrooms around $500 to $600 a month. I have a few other bills - medication (need insurance), cat food/vet visits, cell phone, etc.

I'm hoping I get a decent stipend with my TA. I imagine it will be hard to get commissions in such a small city... or maybe easier? There aren't many galleries in the area... or at least when I looked around online.

I'd say that while groceries are a bit more expensive than where I am in Ames, Iowa, housing is about the same, although the houses in Syracuse are nicer, with neighborhoods a bit more dangerous. The heating bill is higher, but you don't have to drive as much, since your car will be stuck in the driveway for four months during the winter when it snows. Sales tax is a bit higher there, but there are more thrift stores to buy clothes.

Seriously, I am making about the same (higher stipend, but I pay half tuition), and I am able to save a couple thousand dollars each year, plus fly out to Syracuse to visit my girlfriend. So, I'd say 13.5k will do fine.

[KRC]

Looking into one bedrooms around $500 to $600 a month. I

This is approaching "luxury" status in the University area. I had a 1BR after I finished my UG (and was enrolled in an MA there) that was the biggest apartment I've ever had (including the one I now inhabit with my partner in CA) and it was $405/mo. With off-street parking. Living alone. If you have a roommate, you can get away with sub $400 easily.

As for the other stuff, i'd just factor it in to your federal loans. Assuming debt for a degree (especially in the humanities or arts) is a very personal decision, so weigh it carefully, but I wouldn't be too broken up about what sounds like a not exorbitant amount in your case.

Even though it's a pretty old post, 13k will get you pretty far. It's a sad state of affairs, but it's true. The only substantial cost you may incur is utilities. It is ungodly cold during the winter, and if you're not used to that you'll be inclined to pump the heat, but you'll see an enormous utility bill at the end of the month.

Good luck!

[Artist1]

I'm trying to find an apartment that has heat included. I was told by a current grad student that the houses (that are converted into apts) have poor insulation, so the winter bills can get high. I'm used to living in a cold climate (negative temperatures and snow) but I do tend to crank the heat up (and air conditioning in summer). I can't stand being uncomfortable. I'd rather pay $700 a month and have the utilities included at a fixed amount then have a big surprise of a $250 bill tacked onto rent. I have to pay additional monthly $25 (it looks like for most apts) for my cat. And then internet will be $40-$50 (counting netflix - my splurge on entertainment since I don't really go out to movies or bars or anything).

I'm not too worried about the debt issue. With federal loans, they are very flexible with consolidation and able to do deferment/forebearance when unemployed. I won't have to take out as much in loans as I would if I attended the other school I was accepted to. I actually do pretty well off my art. I've worked full time as an artist in my studio for several years now doing commissions and selling my work through galleries. I'm not sure how well I'd do locally with commissions in Syracuse but can still do so over the internet. I'm hoping my stipend is a decent amount. I'm sure it's difficult to find outside work with so many students taking over the area. I don't think I'll have to work outside of school though (besides my online store, etc).

I'm having a hard time finding one bedrooms near the school (not in the undergrad area). I've done a bit of research and found out which neighborhoods or areas are less safe. I found a map that shows the free SU bus route... but all the nicer apartments that are one bedrooms are really far away and I don't see a direct bus line to SU. I'd prefer not to live in a converted house, but will do so if necessary. I just don't want roommates. I'm shocked that there are apartments in the $600 range that have pools, fitness rooms, etc. I wonder if they are in bad neighborhoods or there's something wrong with them? Or is it that Syracuse is just that inexpensive? My apartment right now is $1050 a month plus utilities for a two bedroom, regular apartment building but in nice neighborhood. And that's considered cheap. So when I see these pictures and descriptions online for 2 bedrooms at $650... I can't help but think there's some sort of catch.... roach problem? load neighbors? bad neighborhood? next to a freeway?

I hate having to move to a city without seeing the apartment and getting a feel for the place. I was googling brokers for Syracuse but nothing came up.

This is approaching "luxury" status in the University area. I had a 1BR after I finished my UG (and was enrolled in an MA there) that was the biggest apartment I've ever had (including the one I now inhabit with my partner in CA) and it was $405/mo. With off-street parking. Living alone. If you have a roommate, you can get away with sub $400 easily.

As for the other stuff, i'd just factor it in to your federal loans. Assuming debt for a degree (especially in the humanities or arts) is a very personal decision, so weigh it carefully, but I wouldn't be too broken up about what sounds like a not exorbitant amount in your case.

Even though it's a pretty old post, 13k will get you pretty far. It's a sad state of affairs, but it's true. The only substantial cost you may incur is utilities. It is ungodly cold during the winter, and if you're not used to that you'll be inclined to pump the heat, but you'll see an enormous utility bill at the end of the month.

Good luck!

[palabared]

I was just there for the admitted students welcome weekend at the Maxwell school at Syracuse university. They took us on a bus tour to check out different living complexes and areas. Most the most part, syracuse is just really cheap. Obviously the cheaper housing areas were the ones further away, sometimes not on a bus route (even though many of them supply their own included transport if the bus doesn't go by). But I talked with a bunch of current students that paid from $270-550. I stayed with a current student who lived alone in a 2 bedroom (he converted one to an office/music room) which was the second floor of a house, and he paid $550 which is a great deal 4 blocks from the main campus, and not that far from the norm it seems. Yes everyone there said, if you can, get heating included. hope that helps

I'm trying to find an apartment that has heat included. I was told by a current grad student that the houses (that are converted into apts) have poor insulation, so the winter bills can get high. I'm used to living in a cold climate (negative temperatures and snow) but I do tend to crank the heat up (and air conditioning in summer). I can't stand being uncomfortable. I'd rather pay $700 a month and have the utilities included at a fixed amount then have a big surprise of a $250 bill tacked onto rent. I have to pay additional monthly $25 (it looks like for most apts) for my cat. And then internet will be $40-$50 (counting netflix - my splurge on entertainment since I don't really go out to movies or bars or anything).

I'm not too worried about the debt issue. With federal loans, they are very flexible with consolidation and able to do deferment/forebearance when unemployed. I won't have to take out as much in loans as I would if I attended the other school I was accepted to. I actually do pretty well off my art. I've worked full time as an artist in my studio for several years now doing commissions and selling my work through galleries. I'm not sure how well I'd do locally with commissions in Syracuse but can still do so over the internet. I'm hoping my stipend is a decent amount. I'm sure it's difficult to find outside work with so many students taking over the area. I don't think I'll have to work outside of school though (besides my online store, etc).

I'm having a hard time finding one bedrooms near the school (not in the undergrad area). I've done a bit of research and found out which neighborhoods or areas are less safe. I found a map that shows the free SU bus route... but all the nicer apartments that are one bedrooms are really far away and I don't see a direct bus line to SU. I'd prefer not to live in a converted house, but will do so if necessary. I just don't want roommates. I'm shocked that there are apartments in the $600 range that have pools, fitness rooms, etc. I wonder if they are in bad neighborhoods or there's something wrong with them? Or is it that Syracuse is just that inexpensive? My apartment right now is $1050 a month plus utilities for a two bedroom, regular apartment building but in nice neighborhood. And that's considered cheap. So when I see these pictures and descriptions online for 2 bedrooms at $650... I can't help but think there's some sort of catch.... roach problem? load neighbors? bad neighborhood? next to a freeway?

I hate having to move to a city without seeing the apartment and getting a feel for the place. I was googling brokers for Syracuse but nothing came up.