Is my budget reasonable?

[MissBurrill]

Hello Everyone

I jokingly offered in an email to housesit for a friend and he said yes. It would be seven and a half weeks in DC from November - January. I'd probably end up spending ten weeks there.

If I allowed $300 per week how would I be? I would need to pay for meals, public transport and any entertainment (at least the Smithsonians are free!).

I know it would be extremely cold but I think it would be a great adventure. In terms of getting leave from work that is not an issue.

Karen

PS Last time I said something joking about travel my boss thought I was serious and we hitch-hiked on charter planes and ended up in Darwin.

 

[chrizzz14]

$300USD maybe... but it all depends on your spending habits..

I usually just work out what is spend a week at home, put it in USD then add 50%! Works pretty well... transport in DC isnt expensive... eating out cheaper than Aus i think... entertainment hmmm apart from museums and all that, DC has little to offer - in my opinon!

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Upto 10 weeks in DC is along time and so no doubt you will also visit near by-ish locations.

New York can be travelled to cheaply by bus or train. Trip is 3.5 to 4.5 hours.

Train is as low as $49 one-way. Bus is as cheap as $20 (there are many different buses for different costs).

NYC is very costly accommodation wise but there are always Youth Hostels.

PS..It will be a REAL winter then..snow and all...so pack your thermals!!!

 

[MissBurrill]

$300USD maybe... but it all depends on your spending habits..

I usually just work out what is spend a week at home, put it in USD then add 50%! Works pretty well... transport in DC isnt expensive... eating out cheaper than Aus i think... entertainment hmmm apart from museums and all that, DC has little to offer - in my opinon!

Thanks Chrizzz.

That's a consideration I have. How long till I get bored and itching for a few days in New York. That would add to the budget. I would probably end up eating out more over there. Here I have Mum's cooking each night .

Karen

 

[MissBurrill]

Upto 10 weeks in DC is along time and so no doubt you will also visit near by-ish locations.

New York can be travelled to cheaply by bus or train. Trip is 3.5 to 4.5 hours.

Train is as low as $49 one-way. Bus is as cheap as $20 (there are many different buses for different costs).

NYC is very costly accommodation wise but there are always Youth Hostels.

PS..It will be a REAL winter then..snow and all...so pack your thermals!!!

Thanks Lovetravelling. I was replying to Chrizzz just as you hit reply which is why my other post overlaps your comments - sorry about that.

Ten weeks of REAL winter is a definite consideration. But ten weeks of free accom is very tempting.

What to do? What to do?

Karen

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Ten weeks of REAL winter is a definite consideration. But ten weeks of free accom is very tempting.

What to do? What to do?

Karen

What to do. Well my view is "Carpe Diem".. seize the day.

A real winter in itself will bea great life experience.

BUT with your free accommodation please check that it has good public transport links & is convenient to them. DC is very well served with one of the best subway systems in the world...but that is of little benefit if you accommodation is no where near a station or a good connecting bus.

So free accommodation is great...but just check that it is not also "fools gold" if it is in a ****ty location.

Extreme cold conditions are no place to be walking long distances each day for connections on a regular basis.

NYC also has a great subway system.


Most of what you will want to see in DC is in the National mall area and nearby...but unless you are a real museum nut that is more days than weeks.

The Zoo is a Smithsonian and free too..and is onlya few subway stops from the all.

Georgetown etc are also nearby if you are into architecture.

however I don't think that DC is really a 10 week stay type of City..so hopefully your house-sit deal will allow for frequent abscenes.

Have a look at Amtrak..it will allow you to visit many other Cities. Buses ditto...cheaper but with less comfort.

the US will cost you more than Aus.

however some Dinners can be very cheap..with big servers.
In NYC..street food is also very cheap.

 

[MissBurrill]

What to do. Well my view is "Carpe Diem".. seize the day.

A real winter in itself will bea great life experience.

BUT with your free accommodation please check that it has good public transport links & is convenient to them. DC is very well served with one of the best subway systems in the world...but that is of little benefit if you accommodation is no where near a station or a good connecting bus.

however I don't think that DC is really a 10 week stay type of City..so hopefully your house-sit deal will allow for frequent abscenes.

Thank you again Love Travelling.

There's no pets so there's no issue on me disappearing to NYC or anywhere.

The accom is in Shirlington which I believe is a part of Arlington. There's a complimentary bus to the Metro in morning and afternoon peak. Otherwise there is a bus stop out front. But yes, would be cold waiting for a bus.

Karen

 

[harvyk]

Hi Karens

Was that $300 AU or US?

If your talking $300 AU, I'd be going with not a chance (especially if the AU$ goes south).
$300 US is a maybe, but 10 weeks in DC on only $300 a week? Free accom and home cooking aside your still going to need to be extremely frugal with your $$$.

Just out of interest what are you planning on doing in DC over that time, will you be allowed to work?

 

[MissBurrill]

Hi Karens

Was that $300 AU or US?

If your talking $300 AU, I'd be going with not a chance (especially if the AU$ goes south).
$300 US is a maybe, but 10 weeks in DC on only $300 a week? Free accom and home cooking aside your still going to need to be extremely frugal with your $$$.

Just out of interest what are you planning on doing in DC over that time, will you be allowed to work?

Hello Harvyk

I would be a lady of leisure in DC, just like I am here but without my parents nagging me :shock:. I am trained as a teacher but to find a job and secure a work visa for such a short time would be difficult. Besides being a tourist I would be curled up knitting on my friends' lounge.

I can easily push my budget up to US $500 per week without going into debt. I am moving out of home next year so am looking at this as one last adventure. I also have to factor in travel insurance. I have a credit with Qantas so most of the airfare would be paid by that.

Karen

 

[harvyk]

I'd go US$500. I'll give you a bit more breathing space, and let you actually go out and do things (hey you've gone all that way, might as well take advantage of it)

Travel insurance should be fairly cheap (compared to the cost of the trip itself).

Also don't forget that out of the $500 a week you'll also need to factor in things such as tips (not optional), and oftan taxes aren't included in the purchase price either. So that $5 breakfast at a diner may become $6 once tax and tips have been included etc... Whilst it's not a lot of money, if your living on very limited amount an extra $1 here and there will very quickly eat into your money.

Enjoy

 

[Evan]

I say with that amount of $$ sure you should do it if you have the time
Winter... well its a change from hot summer in Australia, if people can live like that there whole life you can get a feeling from some weeks.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I think $50 a day is about right (excluding flights and accommodation).

I travel frequently to the states and stay with mates there and I get by easily on that. Some days you're going to spend more, some days you're going to spend less. It balances out.

in planning my travels I always set aside a contingency of AUD2000. This is my 'miscellaneous' fund and it means that extra trips or last minute expenses have been accommodated without pushing me overbudget.

I rarely have to dip into the AUD2000.

I'm not sure if immigration will ask you for proof of funds when you go in? I never have been but I've only stayed for 4 weeks at a time max.

 

[MissBurrill]

I'm not sure if immigration will ask you for proof of funds when you go in? I never have been but I've only stayed for 4 weeks at a time max.

Thanks MEL_Traveller. I would have a wad of cash and some cards. I could take bank statements too or is that being too organised?

Would they think ten weeks at the same address would be sus? I remember catching the ferry from France to Jersey with a male friend. Me on Aussie passport and him on his Jersey one. Immigration asked lots of questions then even though I was only in that part of the world for three weeks. Mmm......

Karen

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks MEL_Traveller. I would have a wad of cash and some cards. I could take bank statements too or is that being too organised?

Would they think ten weeks at the same address would be sus?

Karen

I have never had a problem entering the USA, even at my mate's address. They don't really ask how long you are going to stay - the visa on arrival is somethig like 90 days - that's the key - you gotta leave before then. (And the way the visa thing is geared up they really only seem to care about where you'll be on your first night.)

I think as long as you have some cash and credit cards then you'll be fine. I imagine it would be like any immigration (UK, Australia etc) where they may ask you for proof of funds to support yourself, and they may ask for evidence that you're going home (return ticket, employment details). These documents are only one page each and two or three of them together can make things a lot easier. Plus maybe a copy of your travel insurance as well! (And of course if you have them then you'll never need them and everything will be a breeze! )

I'm a little concerned about the 'wad of cash' - I know that's not part of your question but depending on how much your 'wad' is I'd be worried from a security aspect - just bear that in mind. If you can get a credit card with a good exchange rate (such as wizard) othen it makes travel a bit easier.

If you're there for such a long time hopefully you might come across some very cheap deals to Miami or one of the islands in the carribean for a few days!

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Would they think ten weeks at the same address would be sus?

I don't see why.

If asked just stae that you are basing yourself out Of Washington Dc as have free accommodation but that you intend to use this base to vist and stay in other Cities such as New York etc.

The Visa Waiver Form that you complete asks for your address....or if multiple JUST the first address.