When Renting Your First Apartment

If you are considering renting your first apartment, there are many things to consider, plan for, and budget for. When I rented my first place at the tender age of 18, I had a rude awakening! Let me tell you! First I jumped into a 3 bedroom townhouse. I had no furniture. I used a discarded console television and two mismatch chairs as my dining room ensemble. I had a mattress on an old odd shaped dining room table, minus the legs... It was really very terrible.

Can you afford what you are going to rent is the first question to ask yourself. In most cases you will need one month of rent, an a security deposit of an equal amount. Additionally be prepared to pay deposits on most utilities. This may include gas, electric, water, telephone service just to cover the basics here. In my current situation I pay $655 for rent, $80 for electric, $40 for gas, $135 for cable, phone and internet. I also pay $30 for water, $25 for trash. That is just the basics. That doesn't include food, clothes or recreation, cell phone or satellite radio and personal bills.

I had two room mates at one time. Please be realistic when deciding to live with a friend! It seems perfect, and fun, and practical I know. In my experience it really strains the friendship. I grew less close to my room mates. Notice I call them room mates, not friends... Living with a friend can lead to unrealistic expectations, and a sensation similar to being smothered...

I also want to advise you of all of the things that might not come into your mind when you are carried away by the dreamy notion of independent living, and freedom from your parents.

First it really is not a blast to cook and clean for yourself every single day for the rest of your life. You will not realize just how much Mom and Dad do for you until they are not doing it. Every time I do laundry, dishes, or even vacuum I miss my mother dearly.

Eating is expensive, going to the grocery store will really wake you up. After you spend one hundred dollars and still don't have everything you want, you will miss Mom and Dad even more. If you have a room mate, they will eat the groceries you buy, and it will make you angry. You will intend to share everything, of course. Then it will end up that you are the only one who buys the shared property.

Renting an apartment can be one of the best times of your life. Just consider your situation, and finances before jumping into anything.