Didn't see this post cross my radar until now - sorry -
* I expect to pay $10-15 for a decent meal(1 entree, no drink, no dessert), after tip. Standard tip is 15% for normal service. Most entrees will be over 8 dollars.
* If I want steak or I go to a 'nice' place, I expect $20-25. But those places IMO aren't worth it usually, at least around here.
* Often there is a lunch-only menu that's a few $$ cheaper.
* Basic water is always free(there may be fancy water that's not, but I've never been charged for saying, 'just water, thank you'). Water quality is always potable, even if it tastes yuck due to lousy pipes.
* Soda is in the 1.50 for a glass range usually
* Coffee/tea also in the 1.50 per glass. Typically coffee comes with free refills. Other drinks don't.
* Coffeeshops usually charge .50 or so for a refill on drip coffee. YMMV.
* Fast food is fast and cheap but usually bad for your health(makes you fat).
* All of the above should be boosted upwards the more upscale you get. I also would expect adding several dollars when going to a more urban area vs. rural. The most upscale place in my town winds up being $50/plate; if you went to a high-end place( millionare crowd) I'd expect $100-$200/plate.
* The more local/green/organic you go, the more the price rises.
For cost comparisons(everything is modulo your locality. This is on the low end of the scale. Seattle is somewhat more expensive. Ask FFF for her list of cost differences, she used to live in this area):
- Federal minimum wage is $7-odd per hour. - A starter software engineer in a semi-rural area makes about $25/hr. - A 20oz soda is $1.60 or so. - A loaf of decent bread is $4. - Gas is $3/gallon - A sheet set is at least $20. - A decent apartment in a semi-rural area costs about $500 per month. - A car that won't need much repair costs at least $5000. - A new car costs at least $15,000 - A house costs at least $175,000
Good luck. Wish I was in Seattle area during your stay.
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mmmag
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Date: 2010-07-13 02:19 pm (UTC)* I expect to pay $10-15 for a decent meal(1 entree, no drink, no dessert), after tip. Standard tip is 15% for normal service. Most entrees will be over 8 dollars.
* If I want steak or I go to a 'nice' place, I expect $20-25. But those places IMO aren't worth it usually, at least around here.
* Often there is a lunch-only menu that's a few $$ cheaper.
* Basic water is always free(there may be fancy water that's not, but I've never been charged for saying, 'just water, thank you'). Water quality is always potable, even if it tastes yuck due to lousy pipes.
* Soda is in the 1.50 for a glass range usually
* Coffee/tea also in the 1.50 per glass. Typically coffee comes with free refills. Other drinks don't.
* Coffeeshops usually charge .50 or so for a refill on drip coffee. YMMV.
* Fast food is fast and cheap but usually bad for your health(makes you fat).
* All of the above should be boosted upwards the more upscale you get. I also would expect adding several dollars when going to a more urban area vs. rural. The most upscale place in my town winds up being $50/plate; if you went to a high-end place( millionare crowd) I'd expect $100-$200/plate.
* The more local/green/organic you go, the more the price rises.
For cost comparisons(everything is modulo your locality. This is on the low end of the scale. Seattle is somewhat more expensive. Ask FFF for her list of cost differences, she used to live in this area):
- Federal minimum wage is $7-odd per hour.
- A starter software engineer in a semi-rural area makes about $25/hr.
- A 20oz soda is $1.60 or so.
- A loaf of decent bread is $4.
- Gas is $3/gallon
- A sheet set is at least $20.
- A decent apartment in a semi-rural area costs about $500 per month.
- A car that won't need much repair costs at least $5000.
- A new car costs at least $15,000
- A house costs at least $175,000
Good luck. Wish I was in Seattle area during your stay.