pageoneresults - 3:45 pm on Nov 20, 2007 (gmt 0)

I can only speak for the area that I live in which is Southern California. At $20.00 per hour, you are pretty much at poverty level if you are on your own. The ongoing trend here in California is for a group of people to share the expenses, it's the only smart thing to do while your income stablizes.

In certain neighborhoods, you'll find 2, 3 and sometimes 4 families sharing a dwelling. Just picture 5, 6 or 8 people sharing a 1,400 square foot home. It's a common thing here.

Average rent in Orange County, California: $1,517.00 per month.

Orange County rents have risen 26 percent in the past five years.

One and two bedroom units accounted for 88 percent of the units in the survey. Average rents ranged from $1,124 a month for a studio apartment to $1,320 for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom; $1738 for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom; and $2,078 for a four-bedroom.

If you want to live by the beach, for example, Newport Beach, average rents are $2,000.00+. And I believe you are going to end up with less than 1,000 sf of living space.

I mentioned earlier about people driving long distances to their place of employment. That is a common practice here in California. One look at the freeways will confirm that. I'll agree that there probably are not many that are driving to a minimum wage job, those who are driving the long distances end up making minimum wage after expenses. Not to mention the stress of California driving. They drive the distance to save $300-$500 per month in rent although these days the expenses may not be worth it.

A little off topic...

There is a homeless guy who has taken up residence on the exit I take to come home. The first day I saw him, I gave em' a fiver and he was totally jazzed. He definitely fits the "homeless" part. He is also missing a limb.

After a few days of seeing him there, I decided to take a bike ride and see what his routine was. So, I sat there one day for 30 minutes and watched him. Man, what a scam that is! In 30 minutes time, I'd say he made a bit more than minimum wage and got "fat" in the process. Not only that, but he managed to get a new shirt during that time period. All of that in 30 minutes.

I watched closely and that dingy little night bag sitting there with his other things was more of a treasure chest.

Back on topic...

It really is regionally specific. Even so, the cost of living here in California is beyond that of minimum wage or anything close to that figure.

The American Pipe Dream. And people are risking their lives every day attempting to sneak in our country and most likely live in an upper class of poverty. I've come to accept that our world is not perfect. Not even close...