Are single parents able to survive on 30,000 year in San Diego? How?

It will be hard, but it can be done. Expect to pay $1,500 for a decent 2 bedroom apartment in a nice area + utilities. You're already at 18,000 for housing alone. If you allow yourself $400 per month for groceries, you're up to $22,800. If you fill up your gas tank once a week, you're up to $24,240. You will be left with less than $6,000 for car payments/insurance, entertainment, and extra costs.

I am going to be brutally honest. I have a newly divorced good friend with 2 young kids and in north county, she is struggling to figure out how she is going to do it in an area that is probably 25% to 50% less than the San Diego zip code PLUS she makes twice that in gross - I would go north (escondido, oceanside) or east (el cajon) or south (chula vista).To live in the higher rent areas you will need a roommate - check craigslist for some realistic info.

good luck to you - I was raised a good part of my childhood by a single parent and my mom struggled.

Here is a cost of living comparison calculator

http://www.bankrate.com/calculators/savings/moving...

Select your current location, San Diego, and type in your income and it will give you an idea of what your $30,000 really means here.

For example if you were moving from Columbus OH, you would need to make 40% more ($41,000) to maintain your standard of living.

I couldn't imagine living here on that amount of income with a child. Housing and the cost of child care will eat that up in no time.

a decent apartment is going to cost you at least 1500 for a one bed.

Way to calculate, Kate. You forgot to deduct taxes. 30K gross. Hello.

Yes it can be done .But won't be elaborate.