Renting your first apartment is a five part comprehensive series. Where we discuss everything people have too much pride to talk about, let alone admit to.
My first apartment renting experience was a disaster. My parents totally rushed me into doing it. I had the choice of either living in the dorms or getting my first place. If you’ve got the choice between dorms and an apartment stick with the dorms. Why? Because let’s face it, you realistically you can’t afford to juggle both paying for rent and going to school. Especially when you’re talking 9.6% national unemployment rates.
If 9.6% of Americans can’t find a job odds are you’re going to have a heck of time find a single job that fits your schedule let alone a second part-time to job to make ends meat. Low-income housing? Sorry folks, in this economy those apartments get eaten up lightning fast! It’s craziness, so unless you’ve graduated college or are completing your paid apprenticeship you’re out of luck. Unfortunately, with the economy like this there is virtually no-way an early adult, even with roommates, can make it on their own without a little help from somewhere. Parents, the government, or sketchy business opportunities — whatever it is you’re going to need it.
You’ve got a friend whose living on their own, and they’re claiming that no-one is helping them? Call them on their bullshit. Because even when times were good college-aged young people were getting help from somewhere. You just can’t do it in a fiscally responsible way without a steady, dedicate income. There are ways of getting there, but you’ve got to hustle every single month.
With that reality check in mind try to come up with some odd jobs you can do. Because without money coming from somewhere that isn’t an employer you’re not going to make it for very long. A lot of people you’re renting an apartment for their first time don’t seem to understand that. Perhaps it’s our culture of independence, or more likely, it’s the fact that everyone lies to your face about being completely independent from their parents.
In part two of this series we’ll go over things you should look out for!