How to Move Out of Home Into Your First Apartment Colorado

Steps

1. Decide whether or not you will be sharing your living area with others. Having roommates is good because if you choose them right they will split the cost of living with you, help around the house and will provide useful items for moving. Be warned, doing so is also risky. The person could stop paying their share of rent, whether by choice or because of financial instability. They could also not assist in purchasing necessities, such as groceries. They could also not help around the house. You should choose a very close friend if at all possible, someone who you know would have similar living habits.
2. You should begin looking for places months before you actually move. Make appointments to view the places. Before your appointment, drive around, see what the area is like. Look for places you're going to need to go. Try to choose a place central to all these locations.Do not pick a place to live because its convenient to your "friends" and their needs, this will be your home and must have everything you need for a long time to come. Many teens move out and find a place because their "friends" like it and they think its cool, your "friends" now may not be your "friends" when you pay your first months rent for the place they liked.
3. When looking at a place, keep in mind that you're probably not going to get a palace. Compare the rate to the quality of the place and also to other rates. Do you want a cheaper, crappier place or would you rather pay more for a nicer place. If at all possible, bring a friend and a parent, both will provide you with different views of the place to help in your decision.
4. Make an inventory of the state of the house together with the landlord. Draft a letting contract (or buy one at a stationer's), read through, making sure it covers things like deposit (typically a month's rent)and responsibility for bills; and sign it. (The landlord will likely already have a contract established.)
5. Draw up a budget plan. Take into account costs such as utilities, insurance, groceries, clothing, the occasional night out or movie rental. Will your wage/salary support this? If you are living with other people, figure out the total income per month and discuss how costs will be divided.
6. Move in. Parents are excellent sources of unwanted (for them) linens, crockery, pots and pans, bookshelves etc. Also try looking in thrift stores. Although these places may not appeal to some, you can purchase some cheaper stuff for the time being and replace it later. Try to buy as much as possible before you move in, that way you are not stuck without it.
7. Discuss your old room with your parents - you may want to overhaul your old stuff, getting rid of junk, taking your favorite and most used stuff to your new place. Anything that you don't need could be used by a roommate so ask. Also, you could try selling the stuff you don't want online or at a garage sale to make some extra money. It isn't nice to leave all your old junk with your parents, so if you're not going to use or sell it, unless they are ok with you leaving it behind, do them a favor and take it to the junkyard.
8. Set up utility (bills) accounts for water, gas and electricity. You can often pick up the previous tenants' accounts in a new name - ask the landlord. (Again this has likely already been done.) Deposits are generally required to set up the account.
9. Last and not least make sure you can afford all your bills once you move, make sure your employment is secure and you will have enough money to live comfortably and not struggle to pay rent, utilities, food, gas for car and insurance. Most of you think its easy, living paycheck to paycheck just to have your own place isn't easy nor fun, your monthly salary should be at least $1000.00 (more like a few hundred... maybe. Start saving money for emergencies early. Who knows when that clunker car of yours is gonna go muffler up in the gutter!) more than all your bills combined so you can be secure financially, your parents may have made it look easy to provide for you... but it isn't and more often than not 65% of kids that move out unprepared end up back home or homeless in 3 months or less. Make sure you are ready to make the move in case your parents don't let you move back in. Do not leave your home on a bad note if at all possible, talk to your parents and work out any problems before you leave.

Tips

• Discussing and planning house things together will make you and your housemates value the house more. If you have a sense of 'house community' people are happier to contribute and keep the place in order. Dinner together is a good idea on occasion.
• You may want contents insurance for your stuff - there are often excellent deals for students.
• ALWAYS, no matter who you are rooming with, have a legal, signed contract for the bills, rent, any damages, long distance calls, etc. Even if the person is a close friend at the time, friends end up in court every day and lose money because they failed to get a legal document.

Warnings

• Unscrupulous landlords can have illegal cameras in your apartment. Check for them in areas such as the bathroom (in corners and under sinks, near toilets) as well as bedrooms.
• Be sure to visit the apartment prior to moving in and bring an elder acquaintance, like a parent. Being independent does not mean you have to be stupid. Have this person be your back-up, checking the sinks, toilet, water pressure, etc. Typically, older adults will have had experience with horrible apartments and can spot an unworthy place. You do want the best place for your money, right?
• Psycho housemates. If you live with friends, think about whether they have roughly the same standards of cleanliness as you do, and whether they will be able to pay the rent and bills.
• Make sure you know the person who you're living with.
• Discuss RULES beforehand. Can people stay over, or does it have to be agreed by both of you? Parties or none? Music until what time at night? The last thing you want is to get up for work and have seven people passed-out on your living room floor, and come home to a still-messy house!

Sources and Citations

• http://www.roommates.com
• http://www.apartments.com

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