[Mars]

This is purely in a planning mode, I don't even have a job ATM, but I find myself with an excess of free hours, so far. So I've got to thinking. It looks just renting an apartment would be really difficult on the kind of wage I'd be making, is there a better first step?

[Al Tarket]

it depends on your circumstances, if you dont have the money for rental, try a friend of family for rental services, one you get a job worth your skills that has good pay an hour ($10 an hour is not good pay) however anything above maybe $16 is worth your attention presuming you can find nearby flats or apartments that do cheap enough prices.

if i was in your shoes i would stay with the family or friends at least until i built up a small fortune for all the stuff you need along with the first few months rent, bills and other stuff like clothing food and other taxes like bus fair or car fuel along with mot's and so on. it might take a few months but it can be done at least this way you get the head start on any further problems on your path.

of course this is what i would do, so its up to you however i strongly suggest you plan everything out including the ones you might not be aware of right now that could come up later on. thats if your planning to move, good luck to you

[Rian]

If you can’t afford the cost of an apartment by yourself, why not try finding a roommate? Or a few of them? Maybe you have a friend who wants to move out around the same time you do, and you could split the costs.

If you’re sharing responsibility for the bills, it gives you more flexibility if one of you is short some month. And living alone can be lonely, anyway, so it might be nice to live with a friend for that reason as well. It’s still more independence than you’d have living at home, and more responsibility. But it might be easier as a first step.

[FUBAR-BDHR]

Find a rich girlfriend?

[Nuke]

well im planning a move. but im going to leave with around $5000 bucks in my bank account, and 4 or 5 boxes of stuff. of course i will have to live on that money while i find a new job and will probably spend a third of it on travel/shipping/rent/deposits/etc. also im helping someone remodel their house for a couple months before i leave. he is paying me 10 bucks an hour but im working 10 or so hours a day on the project. so im making a hundred bucks a day. you can see how its adding up. rent in phoenix was really cheap last time i was there so il have plenty of time to not screw up.

[Bob-san]

You may be surprised when you see how much it costs to get started--and then how the expenses add up. After 72 hours of college life, I'm already poor and still haven't bought books. Yeahhh---not a good situation, since I'm unemployed after moving over a thousand miles.

[Al Tarket]

exactly as i said, keep some money in the bank in case of some things that you are currently not aware of, surprises almost always happens when you move.