First Appartment

[T_montana]

Hey All.

Was just after a bit of advise from the wise owls of the forum.

i am currently saving to move out of my mom and dads house (only 23)

i am going to be renting but i want to know what you think are the main things i need to know for having my own place on my own.

basically my parents are cool to talk to but they are kinda giving me the cold shoulder because i want to move out and have my "own space"

hope you guys can help me a little and make me feel like im doing the right thing

cheers guy

T

[NathanJD]

It's a funny time mate, everybody does it... Well almost everybody . As long as you can afford it then why not go for it. Rent something under a 6 month contract to begin with, see how it suits you, look maybe for something furnished and even if you end up deciding to go home after that time then nothing's lost

[lestabantam]

My only advice is budget, make sure your income will cover everything; rent, council tax, bills, food, social life, etc. If you're confident of that then find something you like and enjoy it!

[bigbarneyhotdog]

Still bring your washing back for your mum to do, they love it! It's like you moved out but can't do without her. Take it round every Sunday, and stay for a roast dinner

[T_montana]

Still bring your washing back for your mum to do, they love it! It's like you moved out but can't do without her. Take it round every Sunday, and stay for a roast dinner

never thought about this one barney!!

[Simon Bolivar]

A little Saturday shaggy dog story . I had arranged to join the RN Jan '79, & hoped to tour Europe for 6-8wks on a Student Euro Pass after leaving colleage 1st July '78. However Mother Dearest had different ideas & by June told me I had 6/52's to find a job & a flat. I guess she had a horror of having me still stuck at home at 30yo. With no local jobs that I could have applied for, paying enough to afford rent & the expenses of living alone, I contacted the RN & agreed to join earlier; thinking Sept would be good so I could still go travelling. The RN came back with a joining date of 11th July so the European trip went out the window. I took a wks hol on the River at Fordingbridge, said goodbye to my GF & my family drove me to the the station to catch the train to start my basic training, aged 18.

Glad to say it all turned out for the best, I joined a class of all medics at HMS Raliegh & I am still in touch with three lads I joined with that day. Shortly after my parents moved house (before you laugh too hard, they did send me the address). But this just served to shred my ties with home even more as I couldn't see my old school friends.

Of course it wasn't as hard as having to budget for rent & food but at 23yo, I would say it's a good time to start up on your own. Be happy to take second hand goods, use charity shops or auctions for the basics & do keep in touch with your family. BigBarney hit on a practical solution (personnally I never brought laundry home & hate that my daughter does! So I'd check how they feel about that first) As long as you can avoid debt, your confidence will grow & no doubt your love life will bloom as well as no girl is going to be impressed with a 23yo still living at home, even if they let you have GF's stay over (another crazy modern trend).

Let us know how you get on, last thought check the tennacy agreement about smoking, most these days won't allow it. If you have to take one of these, then stick by it as they are sure to find out. If you get lucky then stick to smoking in just one room so the whole flat doesn't stink of stale cigar tobacco. Good Luck!

[M1F2R3]

Still bring your washing back for your mum to do, they love it! It's like you moved out but can't do without her. Take it round every Sunday, and stay for a roast dinner

That's professional! Why didn't I think of this *hmmm*?

[Stevieboy]

Still bring your washing back for your mum to do, they love it! It's like you moved out but can't do without her. Take it round every Sunday, and stay for a roast dinner

Lol. Good one Barney....everyone's a winner with that situation

[LongPhi]

Go for it T. I come to the Uk since I was 16, alone; and still doing just fine up to now. Budgeting your expenses to pay for bills is a pain but when you get use to it soon enough. Eventually a bird will leave its nest soon or later, I think your parents will be fine with it after seeing you can handle your life on your own. Plus your parents are staying pretty near ( not like mine 10000 miles away) so it will not be so tough knowing that you have somewhere to return to if (touch wood) something do go wrong.

[Eddie]

Everyone has covered most bits, but the one piece of advice I can offer is: When you get your form to sign off the flat, make a note of every single mark and dent carpet burn etc, as you will be charged for the damage if you can;t prove it was there before, If there are a few marks then use generic terms such as multiple burns, many dents... that way you get a little insurance against you being clumsy, just don't take the piss.

[shooting-glasses]

put away any valuables when you invite any prostitutes round
dont let your mates use it as a party venue after the pub on a friday
go to every takeaway in the area for a menu saves cooking
and keep it clean and tidy for when you invite young ladys around

[patrickspark]

everything above plus; get a good location, check out the neighbours and the neighbourhood.

[Eddie]

I'm not too sure how this works in all areas, but when my sis' friend went to uni she compiled a shortlist of flats and went to the local police station for advice on which ones to avoid. They were very helpful. IE. said "don't live there you will probably be raped if you leave the house after dark".