{
  "id": 1496871,
  "title": "Moving to a new city for post-secondary can mean newfound freedom — and new costs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/moving-to-a-new-city-for-post-secondary-can-mean-newfound-freedom-and",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-17T14:25:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/2026/08/17/moving-to-a-new-city-for-post-secondary-can-mean-newfound-freedom-and-new-costs"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Embarking on a journey to a new city for post-secondary education heralds newfound independence, yet it also brings forth a myriad of financial responsibilities. For new students, this transition is often met with a shock to their budget, as they navigate the uncharted territory of managing housing, commuting, and miscellaneous expenses.\n\nFinancial expert Ryan Lee advises students to categorize their spending into fixed, variable, and one-time costs. One-time expenses, such as moving to the new city, first and last months' rent, and essential furniture, can amount to anywhere between $3,000 and $5,000. Fixed costs, including monthly rent, utilities, and internet bills, often range from $10,000 to $20,000 annually. Students must also account for recurring monthly costs such as groceries and variable expenses like personal spending.\n\nStefanie Ricchio, a certified professional accountant, emphasizes the importance of budgeting for commuting costs, especially if the student does not already own a car. In such cases, the additional expenses include gas, maintenance, and insurance. Certified financial planner Laura Whiteland stresses the need to prioritize needs over wants during the initial stages of settling into a new city. She recommends focusing on essential expenses, such as rent, groceries, and cellphone payments, before indulging in larger lifestyle purchases. Whiteland advises students to bring as much as possible from home to save money, such as bedding and kitchen essentials.\n\nLee and Whiteland both suggest that students should be mindful of their housing and food expenses, which typically constitute the bulk of their post-secondary costs. Cooking meals at home instead of dining out can significantly reduce monthly expenses. Additionally, living with a roommate can help split rent and utility bills, thereby easing the financial burden. Even small savings during these years can prove to be advantageous in the long run, as they will help alleviate the burden of student debt when it comes time to repay it. As Whiteland aptly puts it, the decisions made at 19 will continue to impact one's financial well-being at 25 and 30.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "New city living brings newfound independence but financial responsibilities.",
    "One-time costs like moving and furniture can range $3,000 to $5,000.",
    "Prioritize needs like rent, groceries over wants during initial stages."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}