Need advice on how to begin new life

Welcome to the forum. That is sad that you lost your home. A friend of mine gets around 1200 ss a month,
pays rent around 600 a month and lives in Bakersfield, CA. She is on some state and federal assistant programs
that I am not familiar with. Also she has family there but as far as I know they don't help her in any financial ways.

However, Bakersfield gets quite hot in the summers, and using the a/c very much there or anywhere gets expensive.
 
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I live in Edison, which is a 'Burb of Bakersfield, and am in pretty much the same financial state as you and John cycling's friend. My best advice is to find a friend in the boat and join forces. I had difficulty doing it alone years ago and can see it wouldn't be much different now. There's a lot of low income housing here, some of it is nice, some not so nice. But even if you're disabled there's a long waiting list.
 

twinkle toes said:
I'm on a couple of waiting list here in Tennessee. Like you say the waiting list are years long and can't stay where I am for that long. Looking for answers everywhere. Thought about international to a third world country where I could afford living expenses. That's scary being alone.
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Please rethink expating! It is great but not on your budget.Find out what benefits are available to you in TN. Department off Disability & Aging may be a good start.
 
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Welcome to the forum, twinkle toes.
I do not have much information to give you on this subject. Did you contact Social Services? Social Security? Any senior agencies in you region? Local churches? Food Banks? Dr. offices often have pamphlets listing agencies that could help you. Put a post on the "NextDoor" concerning your needs. (Quite a few seniors ask for lodging that way)
That is all I can think about at this time. I hope that can help you.
 
twinkle toes said:
Thought about international to a third world country where I could afford living expenses.
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Whatever you do, don't buy one of those $1 houses in Italy. I know a couple of people who did that, and they both agree that yes, the houses are $1 to buy, but the repair costs of some those effectively abandoned houses are not cheap.

However, did you ever see one of those Flip and Move TV shows? Sometimes you can buy abandoned houses and fix them up yourself for really cheap. Or hire someone who can do the basics for you for reasonable rates.
 
Welcome to the forum Twinkle Toes.....tough place to be
at that age, Hope you can get some local help/advice...try
your county/city gov't, social services for seniors, any church
that you are familiar with, and other seniors...keep plugging
away at this problem till you solve it with HIS help......:)
 
Are you willing to live anywhere in Tennessee? Are you needing an area where jobs are available? If you won't be working then renters are unlikely going to rent to you and then, yes, you may need some gov't assistance.

Unless, you get lucky and find a family's home that has an attached room they rent out for cheap...or for free in exchange if you work for them doing gardening or housekeeping, pet care, childcare, tutoring their children, etc
 
Where do you live now and how do you make it work on your current income.

If you are in good health consider some sort of live in companion care for room, board, and a small stipend.

It would give you some time to build up some savings and allow time to work down the waiting lists for a subsidized apartment in your area.
 
Welcome! Broadway Towers in Knoxville, TN is a privately-owned, high-rise for seniors. Rent is 1/3 of income and utilities are included. Wait list is usually short and you usually can get in in 3 months or less. It's 13 floors and over 200 apts and units become available often. Don't know where you are in TN but they used to mail applications. Only thing is that an in-person interview may still be required. If you have transportation or can rent a car or catch a bus, that wouldn't be a problem.

Broadway Towers is under Mansermar Property Management, which has a lot of privately-owned, senior affordable properties throughout the US. Here is the website: Mansermar Click on Find A Place To Live at the top right and you can search by state.

You have a good resource since you are receiving your Social Security. That you are computer-literate is also a big help to you. It also sounds like you are free to move just about anywhere. There are many who are struggling and discouraged who would give just about anything to have the resources that you have. I'm sorry to learn that you lost your home. My Mom, who is with the Lord now, lost her home, but she enjoyed 10+ good years in it.

Don't be discouraged. There is something out there for you. It doesn't have to take as long as you think.

Happy Monday.jpg
 
A few months ago I was looking online in Mexico and Central America, and on south a bit. Cheapest area I found in Mexico for living modestly on less income was in Aguascalientes (hope I spelled that correctly. Located in central Mexico, maybe a fit further. There are many US Expats in Mexico. Mexico City in particular has a rather large percentage there.
One must watch where you're traveling though, get some info online before leaving. If you get off the main roads, Cartel can be found and it can end badly. No nighttime travel (nighttime can bring danger down there). Also, it's a good idea to bring some interesting clothing, posters, trinkets, etc. in case you run into police, they will usually accept gifts and a good attitude will help greatly! Be friendly is key.
 
First strategy is to willingness between living in a city or smaller city or town to pay less for housing. Least expensive rentals are not in larger cities per list below. There are many advantages for seniors living in larger urban areas with good services and more options for supplemental income for those receiving such a low SS benefit.

For larger urban areas at March 2024. Also, the article doesn't state the type of rental except it is for "families" that may be 1 or 2 bedrooms and is obviously not studios that are lower. But smaller rentals will per proportionally lower. I did a search on Zillow dot com for San Antonio and there are plenty of rentals below $1,000 though the below lists $1,428 as "typical". San Antonio with all its military bases, always has plenty of employment options.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/20-most-affordable-us-cities-222619413.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall

20 Most Affordable US Cities for Renters

20. Salt Lake City, Utah
Typical Rent: $1,656
Salt Lake City is the capital of Utah and is one of the most affordable rental markets in the US. As of February, the city has a typical rent of $1,656. This rent has experienced a year-over-year growth of 1.6%.

19. Houston, Texas
Typical Rent: $1,649
Houston is situated in Southeast Texas. The city tends to be affordable in terms of rent since the typical rent was last recorded at $1,649 in February. The typical rent has gone up by 2.3% year-over-year.

18. New Orleans, Louisiana
Typical Rent: $1,619
New Orleans is positioned in the southeastern region of the state of Louisiana. As of February, the typical rent in New Orleans is $1,619 which is relatively cheap. Hence, New Orleans is one of the most affordable US cities for renters.

17. Richmond, Virginia
Typical Rent: $1,616
Renters in the US can also consider Richmond. The city lies at the James River's fall line. As of February, Richmond records a typical rent of $1,616 which deems the market affordable for renters.

16. Minneapolis, Minnesota
Typical Rent: $1,615
While witnessing a year-over-year growth of 2.9%, the typical rent in Minneapolis was recorded at $1,615 in February. Hence, the city ranks among the 20 most affordable US cities for renters.

15. Indianapolis, Indiana
Typical Rent: $1,497
Indianapolis is situated in Central Indiana and ranks among the most affordable US markets for renters. The typical rent in the city was last recorded at $1,497 in February. This rent grew by 5% year-over-year.

14. Cincinnati, Ohio
Typical Rent: $1,488
Hamilton County in Ohio hosts the US city of Cincinnati. The city is a cheap market for renters. This is evident from the fact that the city recorded a typical rent of $1,488 in February.

13. Columbus, Ohio
Typical Rent: $1,452
Colombus serves as the capital of the US state of Ohio. As of February, the city records a typical rent of $1,452. The year-over-year growth in this rent was reported to be 4.9%.

12. Memphis, Tennessee
Typical Rent: $1,444
The city of Memphis is positioned along the Mississippi River. The typical rent in the city is $1,444 as recorded in February. Therefore, Memphis is another affordable city for renters in the United States.

11. San Antonio, Texas
Typical Rent: $1,428
San Antonio is a populous city based in Texas. The city offers a typical rent of $1,428 which ranks it among the cheapest US markets for renters.

10. Kansas City, Missouri
Typical Rent: $1,412
Kansas City ranks as another affordable market for US renters. The city records a typical rent of $1,412, as of February. This rent increased by 6.30% year-over-year.

9. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Typical Rent: $1,401
The typical rent in Pittsburgh was recorded at $1,401 in February. Although this rent grew by 4.8% year-over-year, it is relatively affordable for renters.

8. Detroit, Michigan
Typical Rent: $1,381
The 20 most affordable US cities for renters rank Detroit as well. As of February, the city boasts a typical rent of $1,381. The year-over-year growth in this rent was reported to be 4.00%.

7. Birmingham, Alabama
Typical Rent: $1,376
Birmingham is located in the north-central region of Alabama. The city ranks as one of the most affordable US cities for renters. The typical rent in the city is $1,376 as recorded in February.

6. Cleveland, Ohio
Typical Rent: $1,363
Cleveland is a city based in Northeast Ohio which tends to be affordable for renters. According to Zillow, the city has a typical rent of $1,363 as recorded in February.
 
David777 said:
First strategy is to willingness between living in a city or smaller city or town to pay less for housing. Least expensive rentals are not in larger cities per list below. There are many advantages for seniors living in larger urban areas with good services and more options for supplemental income for those receiving such a low SS benefit.

For larger urban areas at March 2024. Also, the article doesn't state the type of rental except it is for "families" that may be 1 or 2 bedrooms and is obviously not studios that are lower. But smaller rentals will per proportionally lower. I did a search on Zillow dot com for San Antonio and there are plenty of rentals below $1,000 though the below lists $1,428 as "typical". San Antonio with all its military bases, always has plenty of employment options.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/20-most-affordable-us-cities-222619413.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall

20 Most Affordable US Cities for Renters

20. Salt Lake City, Utah
Typical Rent: $1,656
Salt Lake City is the capital of Utah and is one of the most affordable rental markets in the US. As of February, the city has a typical rent of $1,656. This rent has experienced a year-over-year growth of 1.6%.

19. Houston, Texas
Typical Rent: $1,649
Houston is situated in Southeast Texas. The city tends to be affordable in terms of rent since the typical rent was last recorded at $1,649 in February. The typical rent has gone up by 2.3% year-over-year.

18. New Orleans, Louisiana
Typical Rent: $1,619
New Orleans is positioned in the southeastern region of the state of Louisiana. As of February, the typical rent in New Orleans is $1,619 which is relatively cheap. Hence, New Orleans is one of the most affordable US cities for renters.

17. Richmond, Virginia
Typical Rent: $1,616
Renters in the US can also consider Richmond. The city lies at the James River's fall line. As of February, Richmond records a typical rent of $1,616 which deems the market affordable for renters.

16. Minneapolis, Minnesota
Typical Rent: $1,615
While witnessing a year-over-year growth of 2.9%, the typical rent in Minneapolis was recorded at $1,615 in February. Hence, the city ranks among the 20 most affordable US cities for renters.

15. Indianapolis, Indiana
Typical Rent: $1,497
Indianapolis is situated in Central Indiana and ranks among the most affordable US markets for renters. The typical rent in the city was last recorded at $1,497 in February. This rent grew by 5% year-over-year.

14. Cincinnati, Ohio
Typical Rent: $1,488
Hamilton County in Ohio hosts the US city of Cincinnati. The city is a cheap market for renters. This is evident from the fact that the city recorded a typical rent of $1,488 in February.

13. Columbus, Ohio
Typical Rent: $1,452
Colombus serves as the capital of the US state of Ohio. As of February, the city records a typical rent of $1,452. The year-over-year growth in this rent was reported to be 4.9%.

12. Memphis, Tennessee
Typical Rent: $1,444
The city of Memphis is positioned along the Mississippi River. The typical rent in the city is $1,444 as recorded in February. Therefore, Memphis is another affordable city for renters in the United States.

11. San Antonio, Texas
Typical Rent: $1,428
San Antonio is a populous city based in Texas. The city offers a typical rent of $1,428 which ranks it among the cheapest US markets for renters.

10. Kansas City, Missouri
Typical Rent: $1,412
Kansas City ranks as another affordable market for US renters. The city records a typical rent of $1,412, as of February. This rent increased by 6.30% year-over-year.

9. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Typical Rent: $1,401
The typical rent in Pittsburgh was recorded at $1,401 in February. Although this rent grew by 4.8% year-over-year, it is relatively affordable for renters.

8. Detroit, Michigan
Typical Rent: $1,381
The 20 most affordable US cities for renters rank Detroit as well. As of February, the city boasts a typical rent of $1,381. The year-over-year growth in this rent was reported to be 4.00%.

7. Birmingham, Alabama
Typical Rent: $1,376
Birmingham is located in the north-central region of Alabama. The city ranks as one of the most affordable US cities for renters. The typical rent in the city is $1,376 as recorded in February.

6. Cleveland, Ohio
Typical Rent: $1,363
Cleveland is a city based in Northeast Ohio which tends to be affordable for renters. According to Zillow, the city has a typical rent of $1,363 as recorded in February.
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I'm in Cleveland and only pay $675 right across the street from the Cleveland Clinic. I also learned to avoid online realtor and rental companies. The best deals are found in places like community centers, libraries....etc, signs on doors in neighborhoods. Small Mom and Pop places are great.
 
John cycling said:
Welcome to the forum. That is sad that you lost your home. A friend of mine gets around 1200 ss a month,
pays rent around 600 a month and lives in Bakersfield, CA. She is on some state and federal assistant programs
that I am not familiar with. Also she has family there but as far as I know they don't help her in any financial ways.

However, Bakersfield gets quite hot in the summers, and using the a/c very much there or anywhere gets expensive.
Click to expand...
Now that sounds about normal. I don't know who all these young people are complaining about $1500 to $2500 a month when there are plenty of cheap apartments around if they do the legwork and don't expect the stars.
 
Oldeagle66 said:
Now that sounds about normal. I don't know who all these young people are complaining about $1500 to $2500 a month when there are plenty of cheap apartments around if they do the legwork and don't expect the stars.
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should be:
Now that sounds about normal. I don't know who all these young people are complaining about $1500 to $2500 a month when there are plenty of cheap apartments if they move to a less expensive urban area.

In other words, there are plenty of expensive urban areas where there are NO, ZERO, less expensive choices. Note, I live in what is currently rated the most expensive county for rentals in the nation. Instead without any choices, many low skilled here live illegally out of vehicles on streets because there are plenty of low wage jobs available since it is so difficult for those folks to find residences to live in unless they pack many into units.
 
David777 said:
should be:
Now that sounds about normal. I don't know who all these young people are complaining about $1500 to $2500 a month when there are plenty of cheap apartments if they move to a less expensive urban area.

In other words, there are plenty of expensive urban areas where there are NO, ZERO, less expensive choices. Note, I live in what is currently rated the most expensive county for rentals in the nation. Instead without any choices, many low skilled here live illegally out of vehicles on streets because there are plenty of low wage jobs available since it is so difficult for those folks to find residences to live in unless they pack many into units.
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I can find apartments in my URBAN area all day under $1000.
 
Likewise, as I noted in all those listed 20 areas I linked above as well as many smaller cities and towns that one can readily find on say zillow dot com. But NOT in many expensive urban areas thus a reason I posted the link to regions like where you live to help the OP.
 

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