Moving Out on Your Own: Getting Ready



For young people, graduating high school or college and moving out of their parent’s house for the first time can be an exciting time. Once they are considered as adults, they can now enjoy the freedom of being on their own. Of course, with freedom comes responsibilities, so you have to make sure you’re ready to take on these responsibilities before you call your local movers.

Get Your Finances in Order:
First and foremost, can you afford to move out? Do you have a job where you make enough money to pay rent, the bills, buy food and maybe even a few splurges here and there? This is the most important consideration, and remember it’s not just about having a job. You’ll also need to have enough money saved up for your security deposit, not to mention the costs of moving in and furnishing your apartment with the even the basics.

Also, many landlords will probably check on your credit or employment history. If neither are sufficient, then perhaps you can get your parents or friends to help co-sign or guarantee the apartment for you. The truth is, if you can’t afford it, then you’re better off staying with mom and dad for a few more months. Let them know when you plan to move out and ask them if they’d like you to pay a reduced rent or some of the utilities while you’re there and saving up for your own place.

Picking Your Neighborhood:
Now that you know how much you can afford to pay for rent, then you should choose the right neighborhood for you. Obviously some areas will be more expensive than others, so this is your first consideration. Transportation is the next consideration – how far will you be from work and how much will commuting cost you? If gas and tolls or transport fares are too expensive, then even a cheap apartment in a faraway neighborhood will cost you a pretty penny. Next, consider how far you are from amenities. You’ll want the basics near you – supermarket and restaurants, and then other things which may be important to you like being near a major airport or parks and recreational activities.

Finding an Apartment or Roommates:
Next is actually finding the actual place. You should start looking way in advanced, even months before you plan to move, as there are many places that are quite competitive. You may have a harder time than you think you would. Perhaps you’ve considered roommates, which can help off-set expenses or if rent is cheap enough, you can do it on your own. Today, you can find roommates and apartments on the Internet, but don’t forget to check your local classifieds or even trying an agent.

Get Set-Up:
Since this is your first apartment, there are some things you’ve never done to set-up an apartment, like setting up the utilities, getting cable TV and Internet or even figuring out how the heating or A/C works. Most of these can be set-up in advanced with the landlord, but he or she may also assume that you’ve taken care of these things. Don’t wait ‘till the last minute or you’ll (unintentionally) be having dinner by candlelight on the first night you move into your own place.