ST E P 5 Student on a Budget

S T E P 5 A S T U D E N T O N A B U D G E T

Unfortunately, there is no escaping the steep prices of Silicon Valley. Be prepared to spend at least $2500 to $3000 a month while living there. Exactly how expensive your time is going to be, of course, depends on personal choices. However, we've tried to give you an impression of the costs in the form of a monthly budget.

BAY BUDGET

CATEGORY MONTHLY COSTS*

Rent Food & Toiletries Public Transit Telephone Uber Rides Gym Membership Eating & Going Out Tourist Activities/Local Trips $ 1,350 $ 450 $ 100 $ 50 $ 100 $ 100 $ 250 $ 600

Total $ 3,000

*To give a realistic monthly average, personal insurance, visa & plane ticket costs are excluded from this budget.

Getting That $

Be sure to check with your university’s international office if you qualify for extra funding or a scholarship for doing an internship in the Valley. Do you have an OV Chipcard? Don’t forget to put it on hold and receive a monthly reimbursement!

MORE FOR LESS

Luckily, some things are not as expensive as Bay Area rent. Below you will find cheap tips on all things San Francisco and Bay Area.

Do It For the Gram

Follow @san_francisco_live for breathtaking city views.

Follow @sanfrancisco for spectacular photos and the best tips from a local.

Follow @sfbucketlist for bucket-list activities and places.

Page Turners

Silicon States by Lucie Greene, a compelling book about the power and politics of big tech.

Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin, a novel about how living in SF can change you.

Blues City: A Walk in Oakland by Ishmael Reed, which takes you on excursions through different East Bay communities.

Binge-worthy Bay Content

The American classic Full House is the most famous show set in SF, and is available on Dutch Netflix.

Watch Cynthia Cole’s YouTube top 10 “Where

For more budget-friendly tips, watch Brett Conti’s “Living Cheap in San Francisco” and let yourself be guided through the city by a group of outgoing Americans.

Watch to Eat in San Francisco” for the best food spots SF has to offer. Budget-friendly food options can be found in “San Francisco Cheap Food Guide” or by watching “Dollar Meal Challenge San Francisco.”

THE BEAMING BAY BRIDGE

The Bay Bridge connects the city with the East Bay and is the lesser known bridge of San Francisco. It is especially beautiful at night, as its lights reflect on the water of the bay.