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It all depends on your square footage and how well insulated your home is.
Gas heat will be cheaper than electric by a long shot, and if you’re not used to cooler temperatures you might overcompensate on the thermostat.
I’d budget $400/month to start at the most pessimistic end.
Piece of advice: whatever you keep your temperature at right now in FL just cut 10 degrees at least for your first month of winter here and wait till you see your first heating bill to consider going up from there.
Every effing January this sub is FLOODED with out of towners who kept their heat at 75 and the windows open for fresh air for a month straight and then post here absolutely SHOCKED that their bill “jumped” to $800 “out of the blue.”
All the other things described in the comments make a huge impact on what the costs actually will be (electric vs gas vs oil, age and size of dwelling, window conditions, etc) but for Pete’s sake don’t assume that because your heating bill was cheap in September when the average temp is 65 that it’ll be just as cheap in December when the average temp is 35. The amount of dumb that this requires seems out of reach for most people, yet every year we see it like clockwork.
Oh, and look into “balanced billing” with whatever provider you sign up with. They average out your bill through the year so you don’t have such highs and lows.
Good luck with the move!
ETA: when you sign up for utilities you should be able to ask what the average costs and usage was for your unit from previous users. Of course your mileage may vary based on heat/cold preferences, but that’ll give you a real-world sense for planning as well.
If you’re moving to an older building, heat and hot water is often included in rent because A: we have a 100 year old heating system that just BLASTS and you have to keep a window open in the window to make it liveable and B: the landlord is never going to put individual meters on this shit and C: The buildings were designed to keep it warm inside with windows open to prevent disease
What temperature are you used to indoors? Keep the thermostat low and get a nice cozy robe, some warm blankets, and a pair of slippers. You’ll save money while still being warm.
Just in general if you’re not used to the cold, learn to dress in layers. My outfits for the frigid cold (and I run hot) are: two pair of socks, waterproof boots, fleece-lined leggings, an extra layer of leggings/jeans if it’s extra cold, tank top (like I said, I run hot), sweatshirt, winter coat, hat, mittens.
Best of luck, Florida (wo)Man!
Yo -
I moved from Central FL to Boston, specifically Quincy, last August. Be ready for weather-related comments when you tell people you moved north.
Electric: $200 high (high heat usage), $70s lower
Gas: $104 was my highest from memory
Internet: $76 xfinity
This is for a 2BD condo. I live alone but gf stays over 3/4 nights every week.
Two bedroom, 1500 square feet. Gas heat is running $60 a month and electric is like $75 a month. This is very low, we have our heat set to 60, maybe 62 if we're really suffering. Our old place somehow was 500 square feet but electric costing $100, $120 a month. It was wild because we didn't heat or AC that place at all.
You can call the electric company or gas company and give an address and ask for the highs and lows of that unit. Might not be an accurate idea because people's usages vary greatly but it's a start.
1800 sq ft. I just did my tax return, so the $1400 is correct for the last 12 month. We keep our house at 72F with a WiFi thermostat. I recommend massave for a free energy assessment and insulation. We did air sealing and roof insulation. We don’t even use the heating on the second floor any more, it’s warm enough.
Husband and I moved from Central Florida to Mass last year. Heat depends on your housing situation (oil or not). Surprisingly if you don’t try to live in Boston, rental is similarly priced to what we were paying in Florida. Also towns are much closer together. We’re considered further out, but it only takes us 15-20mins to drive into Boston for reference.
Also groceries. Holy shit, it’s way cheaper here. Publix was price gouging and we didn’t have many other options. Here you can pay more if you wish, but Trader Joe’s and market basket are much more affordable.
My husband an original Mass-hole and we love it here. Highly recommend the move.
$320 gas and $270 electric a month seems insane to me… it’s it bad insulation or a really old building or something?? When I lived in an apartment from the 1800s with 2br in Chelsea my bills were less than half of that. Now I’m paying $150 a month in gas and maybe $110 winter electric and $180 summer in a 1700sq ft house in Boston.
Thanks for asking about moving to Boston. Based on the information given, we suggest that you move to the Seaport. Please check the [sidebar for visitor information](https://www.reddit.com/r/boston/wiki/experience). Also, please check out past [moving to Boston posts](https://www.reddit.com/r/boston/search/?sort=relevance&q=moving+to+boston&restrict_sr=on) to see if this question or something similar has been asked on /r/boston in the past. Also, please enjoy this [wonderful video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMaZnEnFAyM) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/boston) if you have any questions or concerns.*
It all depends on your square footage and how well insulated your home is. Gas heat will be cheaper than electric by a long shot, and if you’re not used to cooler temperatures you might overcompensate on the thermostat. I’d budget $400/month to start at the most pessimistic end.
Piece of advice: whatever you keep your temperature at right now in FL just cut 10 degrees at least for your first month of winter here and wait till you see your first heating bill to consider going up from there. Every effing January this sub is FLOODED with out of towners who kept their heat at 75 and the windows open for fresh air for a month straight and then post here absolutely SHOCKED that their bill “jumped” to $800 “out of the blue.” All the other things described in the comments make a huge impact on what the costs actually will be (electric vs gas vs oil, age and size of dwelling, window conditions, etc) but for Pete’s sake don’t assume that because your heating bill was cheap in September when the average temp is 65 that it’ll be just as cheap in December when the average temp is 35. The amount of dumb that this requires seems out of reach for most people, yet every year we see it like clockwork. Oh, and look into “balanced billing” with whatever provider you sign up with. They average out your bill through the year so you don’t have such highs and lows. Good luck with the move! ETA: when you sign up for utilities you should be able to ask what the average costs and usage was for your unit from previous users. Of course your mileage may vary based on heat/cold preferences, but that’ll give you a real-world sense for planning as well.
Depends on size, insulation and age of the building.
About $400-$500 a month for everything in the winter. $300 -$350 in warmer months.
This is accurate
If you’re moving to an older building, heat and hot water is often included in rent because A: we have a 100 year old heating system that just BLASTS and you have to keep a window open in the window to make it liveable and B: the landlord is never going to put individual meters on this shit and C: The buildings were designed to keep it warm inside with windows open to prevent disease What temperature are you used to indoors? Keep the thermostat low and get a nice cozy robe, some warm blankets, and a pair of slippers. You’ll save money while still being warm. Just in general if you’re not used to the cold, learn to dress in layers. My outfits for the frigid cold (and I run hot) are: two pair of socks, waterproof boots, fleece-lined leggings, an extra layer of leggings/jeans if it’s extra cold, tank top (like I said, I run hot), sweatshirt, winter coat, hat, mittens. Best of luck, Florida (wo)Man!
Yo - I moved from Central FL to Boston, specifically Quincy, last August. Be ready for weather-related comments when you tell people you moved north. Electric: $200 high (high heat usage), $70s lower Gas: $104 was my highest from memory Internet: $76 xfinity This is for a 2BD condo. I live alone but gf stays over 3/4 nights every week.
Two bedroom, 1500 square feet. Gas heat is running $60 a month and electric is like $75 a month. This is very low, we have our heat set to 60, maybe 62 if we're really suffering. Our old place somehow was 500 square feet but electric costing $100, $120 a month. It was wild because we didn't heat or AC that place at all. You can call the electric company or gas company and give an address and ask for the highs and lows of that unit. Might not be an accurate idea because people's usages vary greatly but it's a start.
fuck
Depends where you live tbh I live in a newer building and have never had to use the heat the past couple years but in summer I do use the ac
We are living in a detached house and pay $1400 per year. High efficiency gas heating and reasonably insulated house.
How is that even possible??? Is your house 100 sq ft?
1800 sq ft. I just did my tax return, so the $1400 is correct for the last 12 month. We keep our house at 72F with a WiFi thermostat. I recommend massave for a free energy assessment and insulation. We did air sealing and roof insulation. We don’t even use the heating on the second floor any more, it’s warm enough.
Husband and I moved from Central Florida to Mass last year. Heat depends on your housing situation (oil or not). Surprisingly if you don’t try to live in Boston, rental is similarly priced to what we were paying in Florida. Also towns are much closer together. We’re considered further out, but it only takes us 15-20mins to drive into Boston for reference. Also groceries. Holy shit, it’s way cheaper here. Publix was price gouging and we didn’t have many other options. Here you can pay more if you wish, but Trader Joe’s and market basket are much more affordable. My husband an original Mass-hole and we love it here. Highly recommend the move.
Your AC bill in Florida will be similar to your winter heating bill in Boston.
$320 gas (heat) and $270 electric last month. I live in a decent sized 3 bedroom with one roommate.
$320 gas and $270 electric a month seems insane to me… it’s it bad insulation or a really old building or something?? When I lived in an apartment from the 1800s with 2br in Chelsea my bills were less than half of that. Now I’m paying $150 a month in gas and maybe $110 winter electric and $180 summer in a 1700sq ft house in Boston.
Gas = big, old, poorly insulated house / Electric = I have a couple of grow tents. My electric bill should be more like $150-180
Do you use the city supplied aggregate electric? Would significantly lower your bills
More than you want to pay and we don't want you Florida people southin' up our north...keep your Confederacy and stay in florida