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Gohron:
Being that you're only 18, you may have a hard time getting an apartment without your parents signature/backing. Most apartments frown on renting to people under the age of 21, unless they are a total dump.
If that's not a problem, then take a look at how your friend lives, in his/her current living quarters:
If thier bedroom is a total disaster, chances are your apartment will be in the same condition. You don't want to be the person, who's doing the dishes all the time and taking out the trash.
Does this person spend money on items they probably don't need? Or do they tend to spend money on said items often? You don't want to be the guy paying the electric bill, because your buddy spent thier part at the local strip joint.
If your buddy passes these tests, then you have to take a look at how much this whole living in your own apartment is going to cost you:
Phone: $40-$50 is the minumum. You won't have caller I.D. and long distance charges will be premium.
Cable: $30 for most basic services, but you can get pretty good deals at some apartment complexes.
Electric: This is going to be your most expensive utility bill. If you live in a state, where the temperature is generally HOT, be prepared to pay well over $100 a month. You'll also have to pony up a deposit, generally around $50-$100
Water: While most apartments offer this for free, in Texas the apartment complexes can charge you 50% of this utility bill. My last apartment generally ran around $40 a month, for our half.
Groceries: Ravioli's and T.V. dinners are somewhat cheap, but you won't want to eat these all the time. You'll also need necessities like toilet paper, paper towels, dish soap, laundry detergent, razors, soap etc. This will generally set you back, at minumum, $200 a month. I spend around $500-$600 a month, but I buy things like steak and chicken.
Renter's insurance: While not necessary, you might want to consider it. I had my apartment ripped off about 3 years ago. My wife and I came to the conclusion, that the maintenance people did the deed. Luckily we had insurance and we were able to buy back everything that was stolen. Plus, if your neighbor burns the place down, you'll be covered. Could cost as little as $25 a month.
In conclusion. I'd expect your total move in to be around $900. $550 for the first month's rent, $250 for a deposit and another $100 to turn on the electricity and phone services.
Since your currently living with the parents. I'd try to make sure you have around $1,000 set aside, for any unexpected expenses you may find yourself burdened with.
I
Gamevet speaks good advice - listen to him, I moved out right when I was 18 too with 3 other friends and we were so unprepared that the ensuing kick in teeth, both financially and er... emotionally I suppose - was powerful enough to set some of us back a year or more in pretty much fucking everything. It could've been really great, but we had alot of problems, its hard to elaborate now because that was 4 years ago and thesedays I tend to only remember the good memories from that time.
Make sure you know what you're doing, don't risk messing up a friendship because of an apartment. At the time I was living with my friends, I was almost sure for awhile there that we wouldn't see much of each other after the whole thing was over, and I was partially right too, while 3 of us are perfectly fine as friends, there's one other guy that none of us even talk to anymore unfortunately.
I can relate to that as well Station82o.
The summer after I graduated High school, 2 friends and I worked out of town in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Things started out great, everything was cool, but my friend Dennis was a total slob. He did'nt help out with keeping the place clean and he was more concerned with smoking dope, with the neighbors. Dennis and I came real close to kicking eachothers ass on several occasions and I lost a friend in the process. I still keep in touch with my other friend Shawn, as he was totally cool with the whole situation, but some people just don't have respect for what others are doing, or have to pay for to keep things going.
It's really a hard learned lesson, but some come out okay. It just depends on the character, of the persons you choose to live with.
I don't know too much, but phone expenses can be cut out if you have a cell phone. My brother and his friends are moving to CA and managed to cut down a bit by getting a joined cellphone plan. The four of them only have to pay a handful of bucks a month, it was cheaper than having to pay for the apartment phone alone and now they have portability.
Hey, every dollar counts.
Well I moved out right out of HS and it sucked bad, but if anyone is doing this seriously consider living by yourself. It makes life so much easier, at first I didn't think I could live alone and now I don't think I could ever live with someone else again. I enjoy my privacy.
Yeah, Im the buddy that Gohron was talking about. Thanks for all the advice guys. We'll be looking around for cheap places. I also need to find a better paying job first. However, being under 21 might be a problem though, although Im a pretty clean person and Gohron will be too :p . As for food, I have no problem living on ramen noodles and canned food, I dont think Gohron does either since that's pretty much all we eat when he comes over.
That's good to hear Nico.
While can food does seem cheap, it's actually cheaper to make something like Spagetti. It will last a couple of days and only costs around $4 to make. You can also consider foods like Hamburger helper and instant potatos.
If youre 18 (which you probably are) go to Home Depot/Lowe's/Whatever home improvement or lumber yard and get jobs pushing carts and loading shit. the work will suck, but the pay will be great.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nic0
Also, isnt Gohron going to join up in the marines? or is that someone else?
I just moved on my own and it was very very hard the first week. I cried myself to sleep almost everynight. thankfully my roomate is cool as hell and has put my feet down on the ground. Now its ALMOST fun. I still need to stop working 70 hours a week.
have fun !