i paid power - but water was included. i gave away my vehicle to charity so i eliminated the 75$ a month parking fee...my power bills were low though - i am a minimalist.
with power and rent my bills were close to 1k...throw in a phone and internet and food and i was sitting on some hundreds every month...
it makes perfect sense...i have no kids - no wife - and no debt other than student loans...and some medical debt still (though not much)
i loved living downtown and will likely move back there if and when i come back from teaching overseas.