Moving Out for First Time

[BlackTigers]

Here in about three weeks, I'll finally be moving out for the first time, as soon as my new job kicks in and I get settled in there. Moving in with my two buddies, if that's worth anything.

Any tips for living on your own the first time? Don't really wanna walk into this blind but it'll be fun.

 

[Saint Nick]

No advice on here is going to stop you from doing the things you want to do, anyway. Just move and enjoy!

 

[Wyndru]

Pay your rent on time.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Do the opposite of Trident.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Roommates. Ugh.

 

[Saint Nick]

Roommates. Ugh.

Pretty much sums up my situation. I can't wait to get the fuck out of the house I am in and into my own place where I can live alone for a couple of years.

 

[OOBradm]

Just did this about six months ago. Remember to call Mom and Dad, they'll like it.

 

[olds]

You're not living on your own.

 

[thraashman]

When I first moved out I ended up rooming with two guys that it turned out were hard to live with. They were friends who I trusted, but their habits were less than desireable. In the end I moved out from there after about 4 months and got an apartment with a buddy who turned out to be great to live with.

So, main advice. If you don't smoke, don't live with a smoker. Even if he agrees to smoke outside, everything about him will smell like smoke and the smell will drag inside. Do the dishes, take out the trash, clean up after yourself. I'm not saying you should be the only one who does it, but don't be the guy who doesn't do it at all. Common areas are sacred, keep them clean! Roommates girlfriends are OFF LIMITS ... as are sisters and close female friends (unless cleared beforehand). Alarm clocks should always be turned off if you will not be around when they go off. Nothing sucks more than a roommate locking his room door and not turning off his alarm clock, but it's loud enough to wake you too.

 

[kranky]

Clear agreement on how any shared bills will be handled. One person in charge of making the payments on time, due dates clearly stated. And if was my name on the accounts, I'd insist I be the one to get the payments in. I don't want any late payments on my record because some roommate doesn't see the necessity to pay bills on time.

 

[shortylickens]

A year from now you will wish you had gotten a small place just for yourself instead of sharing with friends.
Make a budget, live within your means. Make sure everyone sticks to it. Dont piss away money on shit you think is "cool" Get what you need. A basic bed, desk for computer and school work. Forget about the TV and worse, entertainment system. You dont need it and it will just be a huge hassle later on.
KEEP IT SIMPLE, STUPID!

 

[911paramedic]

They are going to eat your food, you better have a plan for that. Nothing worse than craving a turkey sandwich only to find out one of your "buddies" ate it for you.

"Hey Bob, you owe $22 for cable this month."
"No I don't. I don't watch TV."

"Why is your rent short $50 this month Bob?"
"I was in Hawaii for a week, so I didn't pay for that time. BTW, I also deducted that time from the power, phone, cable, internet, and gas this month."

"Hey [name], you owe [amt] for [service] this month."
"No I don't. I don't [insert excuse] that [service]."


Have fun! :thumbsup:

 

[Saint Nick]

A year from now you will wish you had gotten a small place just for yourself instead of sharing with friends.
Make a budget, live within your means. Make sure everyone sticks to it. Dont piss away money on shit you think is "cool" Get what you need. A basic bed, desk for computer and school work. Forget about the TV and worse, entertainment system. You dont need it and it will just be a huge hassle later on.
KEEP IT SIMPLE, STUPID!

I always wish this. Wow. I say have one or none (room mates).

 

[BurnItDwn]

I always wish this. Wow. I say have one or none (room mates).

no tv and entertainment system?

How about ... find a cheap projection TV that you and your buddies can move, probably will get a 50+ inch set for under $200.

And don't ever buy an "entertainment system", instead, find a decent used reciever, and get a couple of bigass speakers....

 

[Saint Nick]

no tv and entertainment system?

How about ... find a cheap projection TV that you and your buddies can move, probably will get a 50+ inch set for under $200.

And don't ever buy an "entertainment system", instead, find a decent used reciever, and get a couple of bigass speakers....

I was talking about having no room mates...a place for yourself

 

[BurnItDwn]

I was talking about having no room mates...a place for yourself

Sorry meant to quote the line from shortylickens about ignoring the tv and entertainment system.

That said, I agree about having one's own place. It's nice not dealing with roommates... That said, there I let a friend who was going through rough times move into my spare bedroom, since then, my kitchen has been nice and clean.... though having a lodger is a bit different than a roommate..

 

[rcpratt]

How far are you moving from "home"?

 

[olds]

They are going to eat your food, you better have a plan for that. Nothing worse than craving a turkey sandwich only to find out one of your "buddies" ate it for you.

"Hey Bob, you owe $22 for cable this month."
"No I don't. I don't watch TV."

"Why is your rent short $50 this month Bob?"
"I was in Hawaii for a week, so I didn't pay for that time. BTW, I also deducted that time from the power, phone, cable, internet, and gas this month."

"Hey [name], you owe [amt] for [service] this month."
"No I don't. I don't [insert excuse] that [service]."


Have fun! :thumbsup:

Yep.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Pretty much sums up my situation. I can't wait to get the fuck out of the house I am in and into my own place where I can live alone for a couple of years.

I lived with a friend of mine from high school and after 6 months we pretty much hated each other. He hated my girlfriend, I hated his habits and him never cleaning up after himself. Plus, he would eat my food, drink my beer...it was a huge pain in the ass.

After I moved out I lived alone for the next few years until I moved to CA. Then I did the roommate thing again for 6 months which was another huge PITA until my girlfriend and I moved in together.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Live cheap and pay rent on time, even ahead of time if possible.

As a comparison to others here, my roommates and I have always gotten along really well. It hasn't been an issue for some reason... I live a carefree lifestyle though - I use paper plates and so I never have to do dishes, I eat simple food that doesn't take much time to cook, etc. and so I basically spend time on the things I enjoy.

Every few months I do grab every roommate, hand them something like a mop, paper towels + cleaning spray, vacuum, etc. and we clean up the place really well. That's about all though.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

A year from now you will wish you had gotten a small place just for yourself instead of sharing with friends.
Make a budget, live within your means. Make sure everyone sticks to it. Dont piss away money on shit you think is "cool" Get what you need. A basic bed, desk for computer and school work. Forget about the TV and worse, entertainment system. You dont need it and it will just be a huge hassle later on.
KEEP IT SIMPLE, STUPID!

I agree on keeping furniture and large items to a minimum, it'll make your life really easy. There's a satisfaction in being able to pack everything into your car and be able to go anywhere you want.

I normally find places that are furnished and that helps a lot - I don't look for anything fancy though, just a basic bed, dresser, and desk. My place is largely just for sleeping or hanging around with my roommates in the living room, I don't spend too much time there.