Thesis Abroad: USA

[s.mosfet]

Hi,
i would like to write my master degree thesis abroad, in U.S.A. (electronics engineering)
i would like to know how the cost of living there...
for example, how much will the house rent cost, for 6 months?

thanks

[EEVblog]

There is likely a five-fold difference in rent between say San Fransisco  or New York and say, New Orleans or Hicksville.
Where do you want to go?
And do you plan on doing this masters through a US University?

Dave.

[ejeffrey]

Cost of housing can easily vary by a factor of 4 in the US, so there is no single answer.  Once you know what cities you are considering, just find their local newspapers website.  You can see their classified section, and also probably ads for local apartment management firms.  Those firms will most likely have prices listed on their website for at least some of their available properties.

[s.mosfet]

ok, but the order of magnitude? 
(1000$-4000$ per month?
 500$-2000$ per month?)

for example.. ORLANDO in Florida?

[EEVblog]

ok, but the order of magnitude? 
(1000$-4000$ per month?
 500$-2000$ per month?)

for example.. ORLANDO in Florida?

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=average+rental+price+in+orlando

First hit.

Dave.

[Time]

If you check out Texas schools you will find the cost of living very low and the schools are good.

[A-sic Enginerd]

ok, but the order of magnitude? 
(1000$-4000$ per month?
 500$-2000$ per month?)

for example.. ORLANDO in Florida?

All of the above. Don't think you understand just how much range there really is. Out in the seriously depressed regions of the midwest or south you could probably find a place for $100 / month. I have a coworker that was renting a place in San Jose, CA for like $2500 / month for an average 2 bdrm. San Fran and NY can easily be even more.

So yeah, settle on the city then start looking. If Orlando really is the place, well then there ya have it.

Also, be aware that the US as a whole is pretty big on commuting to major metropolis areas. It's why we have so many cars and burn so much oil. Anyway......my point is you may want to also look in the surrounding areas of your target city. (assuming you might be willing to commute a reasonable distance). Reason - it is the very reason so many people commute: cheaper real estate with a preferred life style.

[gregariz]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=average+rental+price+in+orlando

Ha! I laughed when I saw that.....

[ejeffrey]

One more thing, a lot of American universities have student housing available specifically for masters students.  This is especially true for public universities and universities in big expensive cities where it otherwise would not be feasible to live conveniently close to campus.  Sometimes these are dormitory style, other times they are simply regular apartment buildings owned by the university for the purpose.  It will be close to campus, reasonably priced, and filled with other masters students.  If you are married there may also be family student housing that are larger apartments suitable for a couple and possibly children.  Again, it varies quite a bit, you simply have to find out what is available at the places you are considering.

[img]

Not so sure about student housing for masters students... Last time I checked, it's the undergrads and PhD's that get preference, but maybe that's university-specific.
Also, if you're going to need a grant to study in the US, then with very few exceptions, PhD grants are more plentiful and even easier to get than those for MS-only.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the US system of education is very multilayered and caters to all kinds of requirements.
For example, there are super-expensive schools (the 'big names', old money syndrome gone wild), there are well-priced schools with excellent facilities, and there are party schools which you might as well skip, unless all you want is a paper to say you've got a degree from the US (gasp). Choose carefully, especially for a practical field like EE.

[FenderBender]

Depends where you move. Here in New Jersey, our taxes are high and overall cost of living is high...but New Jersey is one of the wealthiest states.

If you move into less populated regions, perhaps in the Midwest, you can typically get much lower prices. If you try going to one of the major cities, like New York, San Francisco, LA, Miami, Chicago, expect to pay ALOT. Move into a suburban area and the price can be 20% of the price of living in the city.

So yeah...figure out where you want to live first.