Brian Harnish

Finally moving out (a.k.a. taking the plunge)

I am seriously getting fed up with living at home (it brings about a serious lack of options when dealing with women and such...I can't exactly bring a date home with me to watch a movie (or play...hehehe... ) with 3 other people in the house all the time). Plus, it would be rather awkward saying "Hi Mom" as we went into my bedroom as that's the only place in this house with a decent home theater.

So, I'm planning on finally moving out come January (that'll give me enough time to pay off my current credit card debt in full). What do I need to consider when moving out? I've counted up my expenses and have considered almost everything (I think). For those that took the plunge and left mommy and daddy (or in my case, mommy and grandparents), what other things should I consider other than the bare essentials?

The bare essentials meaning:

Car Insurance
DSL (or cable)
Food (and for hardcore beer enthusiasts, no this does not include beer as I don't drink very often )
Gym Membership
Recreational Expenses
Utilities (unless the apartment complex already pays for some of them)
Miscellaneous (for those that took the plunge, please tell me anything I may have forgotten above). Keep in mind that I pretty much don't need cable T.V. (I only watch films and listen to music for entertainment -- I find standard cable T.V. much too droll and uninteresting). The few shows I do enjoy don't warrant spending an extra $30-50/mo for cable.

I plan on going a month or two without too much extra cash as I get a small business going. I can't do too much at home right now but as soon as I get out I'll finally have the best possible environment to think and concentrate: Quiet, quiet, and more quiet. Man, I simply can't wait. Also, another benefit for moving out: Girls girls girls, HERE I COME!!

- Brian

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Carl Miller

If you don't already, I strongly recommend having a couple of months rent set aside as a safety net to cover rent in case something unexpected happens...like a big car bill.

Carl

Carl Johnson

Off the top of my head the essentials to moving out are:

• rent
• insurance (both auto and renters)
• transportation (if you're driving a well used vehicle think ahead to what a car payment will do to your budget
• food
• electric
• heat
• water
• phone (either cell or landline, no need to pay for both)
• internet

Mark Romero

I never considered internet to be essential until I got it.

My DVD\'s

My Home Theater

My CD\'s

Yee-Ming

Errrr, furniture? Outfitting a new place is more expensive than you think.

Unless you already have sufficient in your room which you're taking with you?

Philip_G

find a roommate that already has their place outfitted?
The bare essentials add up, you need house wares, cleaning supplies and a vacuum, plates, glasses, silverware, cooking utensils, a microwave, shower curtains, stuff you never think about. it adds up FAST.

Scott Core

Make sure you really like the apartment/house before you sign the lease. Talk to your prospective neighbors and landlord about any problems (parking, trash pickup, pipes, heat or a/c) before you sign and what options you have available if they occur after you move in. A year lease is a long time if you find out you don't have any place to park your car(s) or if your neighbors do things like leave their trash in the common hall overnight before taking it out to the dumpster in the morning or the crazy guy that will jiggle your doorknob at two in the morning (my first apartment, man, let me tell ya...). Also, figure out how, when, and where you'll be able to do your laundry.

I agree on the rent cushion. Two or three months rent in the bank is a pretty good idea should something happen.

Good luck on finding a place.

Brian W. Ralston

Especially in CA, don't forget about the expensive deposit most apartments/landlords require. Sometimes it is only equal to one month's rent....but I have seen it as high as 3 months rent (which in SoCal can be about $3000 up front). Make sure you find out about this when you look for a place and prepare for it in your savings these next few months.

Regards,
Brian W. Ralston

DonnyD

If you chose to live in an apartment, typically they are not Home Theater compatible.....That would be a MAJOR consideration for me.....

Holadem

By far the best advice.

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H