[organsnyder]

It sounds like you're unable/unwilling to consider relocating as a way to minimize cost. That's fine—everyone is entitled to live where they feel is best for them—but there are plenty of locations where you could get much more space, in a good location, for less than $1400/month.

[gregd]

What I don't understand, is the comment about relocating like it's like taking a walk in the park.

Have you taken a look at how expensive simply moving is? There's the rental truck or pod, there's first, last and security deposit for the new place. Sometimes there's a doubling up of rent. If you're moving to different cities, there's the price of gas or diesel for your moving truck. Not to mention the time and energy it takes to pack up and move.

Relocating isn't as easy as some people make it out to be....

[balabaster]

I'd second this notion, having moved just about every year for the past 16 years, sometimes to different provinces and countries it's exhausting and can be extremely expensive. Sometimes you don't realize any savings from a move for many months or in some cases, years... and if you're unlucky, you don't realize any savings at all and in fact, hidden costs that you hadn't accounted for can end up costing you money or sinking you into a hole. So moving can also be a risk, sometimes, it's better the devil you know than the devil you don't.

Moving cheaply requires good timing, a handy amount of free labour (i.e. friends that own trucks and owe you favours or like you enough to help just out of the goodness of their own hearts), a little good luck, a keen eye on available real estate and good negotiation skills. Without all of these lining up, it's likely to cost a bit.

[fizgig]

Moving cheaply can also be done if you don't have (or keep) much stuff.

A couple of years ago, I got divorced, so I wiped the slate clean. Everything I couldn't fit into my beat-up 4-door sedan got thrown/given/donated away. I then drove 2500 miles to start building a new life in a different region of the country (US) where I had a job waiting for me. Maybe $500 in reimbursable expenses for gas and a night's lodging, then staying at a by-the-week motel until I scouted the area made the transition relatively inexpensive.

For many people, the cost of moving is directly proportionate to the quantity of stuff they own. I cut costs on moving by ridding myself of 95% of my stuff, and have been purchasing what I need in my new location.

Sure, not having a wife, 2.5 kids, and a dog makes these kinds of life changes much easier. But the point of having less stuff is still valid.

[organsnyder]

It's certainly not easy. However, if you really want to pursue the lifestyle being discussed here, it's likely a necessity.

It's counter-intuitive, but often living frugally requires a higher up-front cost (such as buying quality, higher-priced goods that will cost less in replacement and maintenance in the long-run).

[balabaster]

Buy right, buy once... a motto that seems to be lost on consumerism. Also, not only buy right buy once, but buy items that are easy to service and maintain with easily available quality parts rather than throwing things out and replacing them because of planned obsolescence.

Also, never cut corners on a job, it'll save you time and effort in the longer term. Do it right, do it once.

Do your research up front, it may seem like a lot of time, but it'll pay dividends in the long run.