If you haven’t already, eventually, you are going to leave home. Exciting! Well, for a while. Then you realize you have no idea what you’re doing. Maybe you should have tried the dorm life first? Maybe living in the dorms wasn’t a good enough transition between living at home and your first apartment?
Are you ready for the responsibility of not living with your parents?
The first thing you should have before stepping into the world of independent living is a realistic view of how much it’s going to cost (unless you’re not really moving out, you’re just moving into another extension of your parents’ income). I’m talking to the people who are going out on their own for real.
I’m starting a lease in June for a 2-bedroom condo in Milwaukee. A thousand dollars a month for 2 bedrooms, a bathroom, full kitchen, my own washer and drier, living room, dining room, and a 2-car garage, in a nice part of the neighborhood, sounds fairly reasonable to me.
But I have to remember that this is a condominium, not an apartment complex. Condominiums have association fees. My rent covers that. It’s nice to know I don’t pay extra for water, sewage, trash pick-up, and someone even shovels snow for me so I don’t have to. It’s been quite a few years since I’ve had to shovel snow; I really don’t want to do it again. ;-)
Finding out which amenities are included with your new dwelling can often be a pleasant surprise. Water, sewage, and sanitation are usually not something you get a monthly bill for, because it’s usually covered with rent (from my experience).
Aside from the double bill for my first month of rent (hello, security deposit!), what am I going to be getting monthly bills for?
Other Expenses include (but are not limited to)
So, on top of my rent, I can look forward to about $500 a month in additional expenses, give or take. Roommates can cut down on the cost of living. In half, just about. I am still toying with this idea, but I’m leaning towards no.
And that security deposit (usually a month of rent) isn't the only "hidden expense" of living on your own. You'll usually have to pay to have the utilities turned on. Gas and electricity are seperate fees. It's not hard to do on your own, but if you don't want to set up your internet on your own once you purchase a plan, set up costs money as well (I recommend doing it on your own, just because you can call tech support, they will talk you through the whole process, and that's free).
Expenses aren’t the only difference between living at home and not.
Are you responsible enough to make it on your own?
These things don’t really seem important, but if you’re ready to move out, you should be ready to take responsibility for yourself. These are just little things you don’t realize you never learned until 6 days after you’re moved in, looking at half-unpacked boxes, and thinking, "oh shit."
If you’re showing up at your parent(s)’ home every week for food and laundry and maybe just a couple hundred dollars that you swear you’ll pay back, perhaps you weren’t actually ready to move out?
Find out about the place you’re thinking about moving into. What’s the crime rate in the neighborhood? Are you willing to sacrifice your car windshield (perhaps more than once) for a $217 a month difference on your rent bill?
Looking for a place in Tempe, AZ? Avoid renting from Rentals Tempe. They are slum lords who have a history of not fixing any problems at all during the duration of your lease, and then manage to find ways of suing for damages (in addition to not returning security deposits) on a great many of the people renting from them—including damages documented by previous tenants—as in, the person being sued did not cause them. There are ways to find out about your potential landlord(s) before renting from them. The internet is a great resource, especially for reviews. Use it.
Know your State’s laws regarding rental agreements. I’ve had to bring them up in the past, like when my water heater started leaking and my landlord claimed it wasn’t something that needed to be fixed right away. Flooding of any degree in Arizona means immediate intercession. That, and I’ve heard that leaky water heaters have a tendency to explode. I also remember having a little difficulty getting someone to come out when the pilot light on my oven went out and caused a gas leak.
Know what the penalty is for breaking your lease, and know if there are ways to break your lease without having to incur those penalties (military is moving you, etc.).
What are your lease options? Six months, a year, 2 years? What is the fine/consequence for paying your rent a few days late? Can you have pets? Is there a pet rent and/or additional security deposit for them? Ask questions!!
This is all I can think of right now. If anyone else can add, please feel free to hit the "comment" button.
And please rate highly if you liked my post! :-)
first off...love the song in the title...one of my favorite bands
as for the blog...I like the fact that you bring up all these things b/c even though I won't be on my own next year...hello dorm life...there are still a lot of things I hadn't thought about...I think way too many people don't know what they're getting into...and they jump in head first...and before they know it they're drowning in bills and rent they can't pay...and then they end up back home with mommy and daddy...and just think...if people would only look into these things first it would not only save them the humiliation of having to go back home...but all that money they spent on rent and bills before it got too hard...so good ideas
haha do you ever feel the urge to say, "I liked the Postal Service before Grey's Anatomy and UPS made them popular!"
or "The Shins were changing my life long before Natalie Portman said they would."
Thanks for the comment! Some of those things (like it costs money to turn on my utilities!) are things I wish I would have known and planned for... but now I know, and other people should too. :-)
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/sawaboof
"...There is a crushing guilt that comes with being a Catholic. Whether things are good or bad or you're simply... eating tacos in the park, there is always the crushing guilt."
-30 Rock-
haha yes!...I hate when really amazing bands sell out b/c of things like that...but I still love the postal service
and you're welcome...it really made me think about how much I'm not taking into account....scary thoughts...but necessary ones
Great tips!
Something to add:
Beware of heat and AC costs!! Espeically if you're renting somewhere that has extreme heat or cold, costs of heating and air conditioning can be shocking. If these costs are not covered by your rent, ask your landlord BEFORE you sign a lease what the average heating/AC costs are for a unit like what you're thinking of renting. Most landlords have no problem sharing that information.
Depending on what kind of unit you're renting, this is very important to consider. Especially houses and duplexes (anything more exposed to the outside) will have much higher heating costs. With the rate in which energy costs are rising these days, don't be surprised if heating bills, especially, end up costing you hundreds each month if you live somewhere cold (like Milwaukee). A few apartments have heating costs included... those are nice!!! As a Wisconsin native myself, yesss... I have spent my fair share on heating bills!!
the girl currently living in the condo I'll be renting tells me the average monthly bill for electricity and gas combined is $116. But the way that's set up is I pay that much each month, regardless of how much I use because that billing option averages out the previous year's usage and divides it by 12. So, whether I use $40 worth of utilities in May, or $212 in December, I pay $116 each month. At the end of 12 months, I either owe, or get credited back an amount, depending on my own usage.
I know I can't keep the temp. too low in the winter, or my pipes will freeze, but the cold doesn't bother me too much, so I can't imagine having to owe money.
In AZ, my AC was electricity-run. In the summer, even though I had it set to 83, so my bill wouldn't skyrocket too much, I was paying at least $200 a month, and feeling sorry for those poor fools who set their own thermostat at 70.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/sawaboof
"...There is a crushing guilt that comes with being a Catholic. Whether things are good or bad or you're simply... eating tacos in the park, there is always the crushing guilt."
-30 Rock-
I feel like you are saying that because my parents pay for me to live in an apartment that I am not learning to be responsible. My parents do pay my rent and cable, and they pay for my groceries, but they leave it up to me to pay the bills and manage my allowance. I feel like I am learning to be responisble and independent even though my parents are helping me. They saved since I was born so that when this time came they could ease me into the process of being on my own. Eventually I will be on my own, and I will be able to do so with ease because my parents helped me learn responisbility. I don't know for sure if that is what you were saying, but that was the feeling I got.
Après la pluie le beau temps. ♥
That wasn't the message I was trying to put across; I apologize if I worded anything awkwardly or misleading.
I think it's great that you are learning that independence and responsibility now. It's especially great that your parents are helping to prep you for being completely independent. You're in a transition period right now, and taking advantage of it for when you really are out on your own.
There are those who are not as lucky, and go out into the real world not knowing that they don't know everything--that it's more than just paying rent.
Sometimes transition periods aren't that beneficial. Arizona State University recently started a laundry and room cleaning service for students (who could pay for it) in the dorms because so many parents called to complain that their kids had to clean their own bathrooms (dorms with community bathrooms, that are cleaned daily, are available). I think that defeats the purpose of using dorms as a transition to real life because, usually, real life doesn't work like that. And I hardly think these parents are actively teaching their kids about responsibility.
This whole blog was just meant to be pieces of advice to someone breaking away completely for the first time, to know what to expect so they can prepare for it. Even if, like you, it's going to be a transition where parents are helping out, kids should be involved in the decision making that goes along with getting the apartment, just for the experience.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/sawaboof
"...There is a crushing guilt that comes with being a Catholic. Whether things are good or bad or you're simply... eating tacos in the park, there is always the crushing guilt."
-30 Rock-
Okay, thanks for the clarification. I cannot believe that parents would allow their child to have a maid in the dorms, that is ridiculous.
Après la pluie le beau temps. ♥
A maid. Pathetic. That's how we get people like Paris Hilton, if you ask me.
And...you spelled ridiculous correctly! *angel choir sings* It's been so long since someone on this site has spelled it correctly! Whoohoo!
Wow. I am a sad individual.
~ *~
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Yes, I actually know how to spell! I can spell retarded too, a lot of people put retarted. I always found that to be ironic. :]
Après la pluie le beau temps. ♥
I agree with you. It is ridiculous how many people spell it "rediculous." Drives me nuts. Definitely is another one. The red lines mean something, people! Just right click on the red line and it shows you the correct spelling! Sheesh. (Except that's redlined, too. There's no other way to spell sheesh, though).
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Haha so true. Actually though, I don't get redlines when I misspell things! I have a mac so maybe that is it? I am not sure, but I am my own spell check. Good thing I know how to spell.
Après la pluie le beau temps. ♥
....And the dorks in school always seemed to think spelling wasn't important.
Knowing how to spell should not be underrated. Long live the self spell-checkers!
Hey, maybe I overdid my exclamation earlier, but it really is a rarity to see certain words like "ridiculous" and "retarded" and so forth.
~ *~
Visit my blog! I'll even provide a link for ya:
Comments are always appreciated! :)
No such thing as too much exclamation when it comes to the issue of spelling! I remember that is what the book worms at my high school thought too, like they are too smart to spell correctly?! I don't think so!
Après la pluie le beau temps. ♥
ASU calls it a concierge service.
It includes laundry, room/bathroom-cleaning services, and water.
You can opt to do one or 2 or all, or none. The water one is the only one I wish I had had the option of in the dorms. It's one of those 10 gallon water coolers and, for I think $18 a month, you get as many refills of it as you need; you just call when you're out and someone will deliver you a replacement.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/sawaboof
"...There is a crushing guilt that comes with being a Catholic. Whether things are good or bad or you're simply... eating tacos in the park, there is always the crushing guilt."
-30 Rock-
Hey now that is a good idea! It doesn't affect the learning process, it just keeps you hydrated. I don't drink San Diego tap water, so one of those things sounds like a good darn idea, plus I would save money on having to buy bottled water. I have a Brita water filter, but it isn't all that great. So I would go for the water cooler too, but the maid.cleaning service... my mom would laugh in my face if I asked for that!
Après la pluie le beau temps. ♥
My school has faculty to clean the public bathrooms (that's what we've got in the dorms) and the halls, but that's it. I'd rather be the one to clean up inside the room, personally. I don't think college students need to be any lazier than they already are.
~ *~
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Comments are always appreciated! :)
The dorms at ASU have either community-style bathrooms, or private (well, some are actually private, and some are 2 bedrooms connected by a shared bathroom) bathrooms. The community ones are cleaned out everyday by faculty. The parents complaining were the ones that had students who opted for the dorms with private bathrooms.
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Life is a moderately good play with a badly written 3rd act.~Truman Capote
(Ugh, my Internet went wonky when I tried to post my comment, so now I have to retype it!)
This was a well-written and informational piece about apartment living that's sure to help someone in the long run. The idea of living in an apartment freaks me out. I can't even get used to living close to other people in a dorm after almost two semesters.
Great blog entry!
~ *~
Visit my blog! I'll even provide a link for ya:
Comments are always appreciated! :)
Thanks!
I understand about dorms. I lived in the dorms for 4 years and, by the last year, I was willing to shell out the extra cash for a single pereson room. Still had to share a bathroom with the suitemate though... Somehow, we managed to keep it clean without a maid. Thank God we were able to manage, because the maid service (called "concierge service" by ASU) didn't exist until 2 years later.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/sawaboof
"...There is a crushing guilt that comes with being a Catholic. Whether things are good or bad or you're simply... eating tacos in the park, there is always the crushing guilt."
-30 Rock-
Theres one thing you might want to mention.
Visit the neighborhood first. I know, I know it should go without saying. Most people would be well aware of what kind of area theyre going to... Then there's me.
So when I was in Dallas, a friend and I decided to get an apartment together, closer to where we worked. That and the fact that he was living with his grandmother, and I discovered that sleeping on a couch thoroughly sucks. (also I would like to note that a couch"bed" is somewhat detrimental to your lovelife).
So we perused online listings. Found this apartment complex that was filled with pretty pictures; children playing in thier mini-park, gorgeous trees and various other flora, and pictures of the available two bedroom apartments, in all thier eggshell colored glory, Intricate mouldings, wooden floors, etc etc. We paid the deposit online, and the first months rent, as well. Oh the joys of not actually having to get up from the computer desk.
We got a U-Haul, packed up our meager belongings, and hit the road.... destiny and a six-by-nine kitchen awaited. On the road there we were singing to the radio, inundated by all the happiness a new journey could provide.
Then.... we got there. We had to carefully steer the U-Haul away from the fistfight that was raging in the front parking lot. (Mustn't upset the neighbor's donchaknow). Pulled up to the apartment, and hopped out of the cab. We opened the door in the back of the truck and prepared to move our stuff into the new domicile. Instead of the singing of birds and the hellos of friendly tenets, our ears first greeting was,
"Yo, youz gonna sell sum o' dat chit, vato?"
Yeah.... moved out less than a month later....
~~~><~~~
"One of the things that draws writers to writing, is that they can get things right that they got wrong in real life, by writing about them"
~ Tobias Wolffe
That is some good extra advice. :-) I have to trust the pictures and description I have right now for my future condo, because I am currently in Nevada and I can't afford to go check out the neighborhood before I move in. :-/
I have been to Milwaukee before though, and loved it so much I'm moving there. ;-) I know there are areas I wouldn't really want to live in, but I have been assured I am not going to be in one of them.
The neighborhood of my first apartment... my friend's car got broken into. Twice in one month. My bike managed to get itself stolen with 3 locks around it. Good locks, not the crap $4 ones. My lease was only 6 months though so it wasn't a huge deal. Then I moved into a 4-bedroom house with some friends. I should have mentioned that in my blog as well. Splitting a house 4 ways is super cheap. My rent was $320 a month there, as opposed to $517 a month for my dinky, one-bedroom apartment.
**edit** I swear to a deity I hit the reply button, SaintAntioch. Oh well. *shrug*
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Life is a moderately good play with a badly written 3rd act.~Truman Capote
You have a lot of great advice for looking for a place! I wish I would have read this 10 years ago when I signed my first lease. I was in such a hurry to get a place I didn't even shop around, just grabbed the first one I found that was in my price range.
Don't get me wrong, I don't have any regrets. I am now a homeowner, which is, while worthwhile, much more work than renting.
My monthly payments now go for something that is completely mine, so it's a good investment, but I am learning how little I know about plumbing, electricity, and all of the other things that I've needed to have fixed in the past couple of years.
plumbing problems, I'm pretty good at figuring out on my own. But things that are electrical tend to scare me. Even something simple, like changing a light bulb, there's a little voice in my head saying "what if I didn't get the right kind and it explodes when I turn the light on!?!"
Home ownership is something very far off in my future... but if I end up falling in love with my condo, I may see if the landlord is interested in a rent to own lease. :-)
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Life is a moderately good play with a badly written 3rd act.~Truman Capote
the title caught my attention, i love that song.....DC sleeps right?....yupp...me gusta....lol
yes very good blog....thanks for that,. some people really do beleive they can do it all untill they reach that point of severe need of maturity in which they are severely lacking.
i havent quite reached it yet, about a year to go!!!..yay me...i am still nervous at the idea but you list of need to knows i pretty much got down pat.....especially the chemicals one, i take ap chem and that is the main topic to joke about some days, what can you mix to do this or that....
some people should seriously take into considerations the full mass effect they will have on them selves and their life as they get out on there own and not many of the people i know that are younger than me have anywhere near an even accurate description of how there life will be
I don't think it's really a lack of maturity, just things parents always used to do that people take for granted. I don't want the thought, "oh no, I just realized I've never actually done laundry/cleaned a bathroom before. And comet isn't doing well on its own in the toilet... maybe I'll add some bleach," running through anyone's head. ;-)
I have some very fond memories of AP chemistry. One day we all spun around in circles in the lab yelling out "I'm centrifuging!! Wheeeeeeee!"
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Life is a moderately good play with a badly written 3rd act.~Truman Capote
I live on campus. I don't have to worry about all that. :D Yay!
It's never too early to learn not to mix cleaning products! ;-)
These are just helpful tips for when you're thinking of not living on campus anymore. :-)
read my blogs!
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Life is a moderately good play with a badly written 3rd act.~Truman Capote