Moving out can be an exciting experience. I mean we basically live on our own for 4 years and going back to live with mom and dad after college can seem a bit confining. On the other hand, moving out can be a very big expense and big hassle. Here are a few tips to know before leaving the nest.
Know Your Budget
Just because you want to move out doesn't mean you have the funds or resources to do so. Take time to figure out if your income will support you living on your own. Rent should account for about 1/3 of your income. Also factor in things like utilities, groceries, car expenses, savings and other things that you will have to cover while living alone. Don't neglect the one time costs of moving such as application fees, deposits, furniture, and administrative fees. During this time, you should also make a list of things you may need like furniture and just common household items that you would need to live by yourself. Account for these things in your budget.
SAVE
After knowing your budget and what you can do financially, saving is an obvious step. This concept seems to be an important one in your early twenties! You're not only saving to make sure you have everything before you move out, but also in case of emergencies. Life happens and saving will give you a cushion to keep yourself afloat if there happens to be such things.
Start Looking
After the first two tips have been followed through with, you can move on to the actual searching process. During this time it is important to know what your needs and wants are and to be realistic. Coming from HPU has made me very spoiled but knowing the difference between what my income can afford and what I want are two separate things. Your needs should be things that can't be debated such as a good neighborhood, updated (not necessarily stainless, lol) appliances, good plumbing, a good landlord, things of that nature. And then there are things that aren't necessary to live on your own but are things that you want such as in-suite washer and dryer, a gym and pool, a balcony and things like that. After listing these things, you should actually go visit the apartments. Know the distance from work, see the type of neighbors you may potentially be having and just check out the actual suite that you may be living in.
Following these simple steps will make your moving out process a lot more easier and even fun. Moving out is an exciting experience and can be done correctly if these ideas are kept in mind!
Great advice, Tesia! After living on my own for four years at HPU, I know it will be an adjustment settling back in at home after graduation. Because of the big expense that comes along with living on your own immediately after graduation, I plan to move back home for at least a year or so, until I am financially stable to live on my own. While living at home, I plan to help my parents with my bills, taking it one step at a time! My dad has prepared me well with understanding what expenses are to be expected and I believe it’s a no-brainer to live at home until I am financially ready to be independent. My dad has also drilled into my brain that saving is KEY! Even if I’m only able to put a small amount of my paycheck aside each month, a little bit is better than nothing at all! It is so crucial to be prepared for any circumstances that may arise. Thanks for the advice on moving out, and when the time comes, I will keep these tips in mind! I look forward to reading your future blog posts!
ReplyDeleteThank you Whitney! Staying at home after graduation is a priority of mine until I can get my footing in the world. Saving is very key to start preparing yourself for moving out, even if it you plan on doing it a year or more down the line. Make sure you take your time and wait until you and your finances are ready to move to the next step!
ReplyDeleteThis was very helpful! We are so used to having a dorm given to us at HPU and now that we are soon going to be on our own, we will have to find our own places to live (kind of scary). It's going to be hard to find a place like HPU that we can actually afford because our standards have been risen so much (due to being so spoiled).
ReplyDeleteVery true Miranda! But that's why it's helpful to plan in advance and know your needs and wants.
DeleteGreat advice about moving out! We are all coming to the point where we will be graduating and leaving the home nest, so finding something that will be affordable and safe is important! Expenses are going to be a lot to get used to, but it was going to become a part of our lives at one point or another. Coming from the north everything is so much more expensive, so moving down here has been great in realizing what is affordable and what isn't. Moving out is a big step in life, but an exciting one without a doubt!
ReplyDeleteI agree Scott and it can be done! Saving and planning are the keys to making the experience and easy and fun one.
DeleteThis is a great article Tesia! I know that these are all things that I'll have to keep in mind when I go into my senior year of college, and that I'll have to start thinking about saving up to move when I graduate. We're so used to having the flat housing rate that we pay twice a year at High Point, that it will be an interesting adjustment to start thinking about other costs, such as utility costs.
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