I'm ready!
 

I'm ready to move out now! My friend and I had a long discussion about it last night.
So...all of you who are really grown-ups, how did you know you were ready?
How did you make sure you budgeted correctly for all of your bills?
Do you recommend renting an apartment or a house?
Do you have any tips to pass on for anyone ready to take the plunge?

Good luck, Diva_01! :) I'm not even close to being ready to move out on my own but I would love to see some responses so that, when the time comes, I will be somewhat prepared/ready!

Re: I'm ready!
 

I was "semi" on my own the summer after my sophomore year in college. I stayed in Atlanta and sublet an apartment from another student. My parents really wanted me to come home, so they were not paying for anything. I think my share of the rent was less than $200 per month, but it was a struggle, even back then. I had no car so I had to take the bus everywhere. Luckily for me and my roomie there was a grocery store right across the street. Funniest thing was us buying groceries and walking them across this busy highway to get back to our apartment!

First "real" apartment where I was totally on my own was after I graduated from college. My college placement office had this neat tool that told you how much you should pay for rent. i'm sure you can find something like that on the net.

I recall another thread similar to this sometime ago, do a search and you will get some good tips.

Regarding renting an apartment vs. a house....I recommend renting an apartment first. With a house, even if you are renting, there are certain maintainance issues tha tyou might now want to deal with as a newbie. Also, apartments are usually more responsive to your issues, where if you are renting a house you probably will have to deal with a single landlord, which may make it more difficult to get things done.

Good luck either way!

Here the thread I mentioned:
http://forums.greekchat.com/gcforums...ving+apartment

Thank you very much...

Congrats to you :) Me and my bf are talking about buying a house net year when we are more stable, but I tod him that I have to have that ring on my finger before I move anywhere with him. :D

I heard that girl! Buying a house is an even bigger responsibility!

Congrats on moving out but consider it a big responsibility. I would suggest an apartment at first because a house takes alot more to maintain. When I first moved out I made the mistake of not developing a budget and I really had to work hard to make up for that. So I suggest you write out a budget and do not over extend yourself. If you cannot afford it, you can't. Hope that helps!!

I didn't go back home after my sophmore year in college, so I had to foot the bills on my own. I got a job, actually two jobs, a part-time and a full-time job, and I lived in a boarding house. Spaces was limited because all I really had was a room to myself. The bathroom and kitchen were common areas. As time went by, I moved into a better boarding house, where I had a bathroom in my room. The boarding houses ran around $250/month. Then I got a roommate and we rented an apartment. In addition to rent, we had to pay utilities. Later, I got my own apartment, and had to do everything on my own. Now, I'm married and we live in a house. So, as you can see, I did it gradually and I think that worked. I gradually took on more and more responsiblity and it worked.

Good luck with your decision!