Ok. So it's come time to take the leap and move into a place of my own. Any advice that I should take into consideration from people doing it or have done it?:-)
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We talking about moving out from the parents, or a girlfriend / wife? Two totally different ballgames.
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My advice is stay with mom and dad as long as you can. :-)
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If you can swing it, try to buy instead of rent. House purchases are still very low and you can get into a starter home for the same as or less than rent on many apartments. Many states have massive tax incentives, rebates, etc for first-time home buyers that make buying even more attractive. You will start building equity and improving your credit score right away as a homeowner.


MCS
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Good advice, but really....

a serious post from MCS? What's next? A Pelosi lap dance for Boehner? :-)
My brain is spinning.......:-)
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If you don't have the credit and down payment, which a lot of Americans don't have nowadays, you can't buy.
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I'm with MCS. If the income and credit are good - coupled with firsttime buyers programs, now is the time. If you have to rent.

1. Consider a renting a house with an option to buy at some point if you can't buy.
2. If an aptment or condo renting. READ the WHOLE lease agreement. Several times. Take it home and study it with a cigar before signing. It is your friend or worst nightmare.
3. I found corner apartments usually better than having people on both sides.
4. Look at where you will park vrs where your door is.
5. I'd rather live in Newport News City campground in a pop up camper than ever share a wall with another renter.
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my advice is to never burn the bridge back when moving out, or leaving a job for that matter.

oh heck, never burn bridges at all.

Once you decide you are ready to move, make sure you buy a nice suit, good power drill, shopvac, and George Foreman grill and you should be all set. all the other stuff is minor details.
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Remember that you need extra money to furnish the place, buy food, buy cleaning supplies (optional in my opinion but the wife says we "need them"), and also pay utilities if they are not included in your rent.
So basically, find out what your top budget is, and try not to go that high!!!
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Very, very wise advice...
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I've burned a few bridges. Then I grew up.

MCS
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Never rent an apartment that is next to an elevator shaft or a trash chute. Being next to the back stairs can be noisy as well.
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Me too, I never can go back to Madison County...
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Love this!! Nothing beats having your own place!!

Best of luck in your search. Like Mike said, read that lease/contract before signing. Look at it a few times, once in the evening and once in daylight hours. High traffic area? Airport or train tracks near? Decent neighborhood? Nothing like moving in to find out your neighbor is Bobo the crack dealer.
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You act like you know an area like that:-)
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I have the same problem with the River Kwai.

Also with the overzealous Pleasure Police in full force these days, I would have a look at the lease for any smoke free clauses and the pool for an abundance of hot chicks if you live in the warmer climates like Miami with extra points for latin ones in bikinis.
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A lot of good advice!!! If leaving your parents place only leave if you saved enough to buy. If you haven't saved enough for a down payment remember rent, Elec, water, trash, cable....... All adds up quick! I wish you the best! Good-luck!!!!
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Thanks guys. It's actually a combo deal.. out from parents and in with gf xD
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I hear when you move in with a girl, you don't get to take any of your stuff with you. In case you do, my best advice is to unpack everything as fast as you can (or else you never will), and be prepared to rearrange stuff as you try to figure out what works best in your new place and what your new routines are.
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I don't have much stuff to begin with and most of my stuff is the furniture that we'll be using. I'm excited to make the move but it's quite overwhelming being that I've never had to worry about making a rent payment before.

I think I'm drastically over thinking things. I'll have to roll it around tonight while smoking a SigII
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