As the cost of living continues to surge across the United States, a unique perspective shared on social media has sparked widespread interest and debate on a unique alternative type of housing.
Amid rising costs, a creative solution surfaced on TikTok, courtesy of 31-year-old Ben Keenan (@ivebentraveling), who proposed an unconventional alternative to traditional housing. Keenan poses the question to his viewers: "Have we ever considered that it's cheaper to live in an all-inclusive resort than the apartments we currently occupy?"
Keenan, reflecting on his own expenses for living in Seattle, where the median rent price is $2,011, shared insights that have since received over 5.5 million views. The video was captioned, "Honestly, kind of a joke but kind of serious – I might just find myself on a beach somewhere sucking down cocktails."
His video comparison reveals that opting for an all-inclusive resort or living on a cruise ship could potentially be more economical than renting an apartment in the city. Keenan's monthly expenses, totaling $4,000, cover rent, utilities, car payments, insurance, groceries, dining out and social activities. He noted that he only included the things you would also be able to get at an all-inclusive resort.
In the video, Keenan starts by exploring top all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, identifying an option priced at approximately $4,450 for a month. This price includes taxes and fees, and he notes that although it's $500 more than his current living expenses, but says that money is worth the convenience of not having to do laundry or clean.
He then shifts his search to the Dominican Republic, where he finds a resort with a good rating for $3,162. He notes that there are options priced as high as $7,500, which offer two beds, making them well-suited for sharing with a roommate. Following this, Keenan remarks, "That's less than I would pay on my rent every month," highlighting the potential savings when the costs are split, especially in comparison to his current housing expenses.
The comparison not only highlights the potential for savings but also raises questions about the value of traditional living arrangements in high-cost urban areas.
His analysis has sparked a wave of positive reactions, with commenters chiming in with their thoughts.
One user, identifying as a former hotel employee, suggests even greater savings could be negotiated by contacting the sales department directly. Another remarks on the time-saving benefits, writing, "All I can think about is how much time we would save not cleaning, cooking and grocery shopping." The sentiment is echoed across numerous comments, with users expressing a mix of humor and genuine consideration for the lifestyle switch. One even compares it to the carefree life depicted in the television show "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody," noting they might have been onto something all along.
While living in a resort is not a viable option for everyone, it certainly adds another dimension to the conversation about cost, convenience and quality of life in today's economy. Despite slight cooling in the rental market this year, affordability remains a critical issue, as rents are still above pre-pandemic levels and the number of cost-burdened renter households has reached an all-time high, reflecting the wider economic strains impacting individuals and families across the country.
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