Our Bloggers

Alex

Alex has rented in Minneapolis, Queens, Brooklyn, and now Chicago. He can kill rodents and roaches when required, and loves picture-hanging projects. If you're ever in town, give him a shout.

Alexandra

Alexandra is a self-confessed homemaker with light OCD tendencies - always likes to have her home ready for that next unexpected guest. From fresh blooming flowers to perfectly positioned throw cushions, Alexandra finds joy in creating a divine space for endless entertaining and memories. But what Alexandra has found in her quest for stunning apartments and perfect, respectful housemates to go with them is that we each have very differing opinions of clean and beautiful. That's all part of the process though, she says - from dealing with precious yet pushy brokers, to bills, housemate's boyfriend who never seems to leave, and whose turn it is to buy toilet roll!

Alissa

I've lived in apartments in 6 cities (including 2 foreign countries). Does that make me an expert? As of now, my ceiling isn't leaking and I don't have rodents (knock on wood) -- so I'm going to say yes . . . but ask me again tomorrow:) These days, I'm enjoying life Chicago style, but my years in Brooklyn are never far from my mind. P.S. By day I work at Cars.com, but these opinions are totally, 100% my own.

Alvin

Alex Alfonso is a Jersey- born, New York- raised ball of Filipino awesomeness. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Graphic Design and is a freelance blog/lifestyle photographer with a passion for writing and design. He is currently in the process of building a website that will focus on health and fitness.

Amanda

Writer/Student/Intern/Nanny, Home Products/Organization/Interior Design Addict

Amanda S

Amanda Szymanski is a 2015 graduate from High Point University in North Carolina, from where she earned a BS in psychology. She loves all things related to scientific research, art, and mindfulness. Currently, she is employed as a research assistant working on a study investigating Alzheimer's Disease. When Amanda is not working on research, she enjoys painting with watercolors, hiking, and reading.

Anna R.

Anna R. is currently a research assistant in a biology lab in the Bay Area and is interested in pursuing a Ph.D in Genetics. When she’s not daydreaming about food and browsing recipes on Pinterest, she likes to spend her free time dancing, paddle boarding and swimming. She’s been through a number of different housing situations and is eager to share her experiences with other MFA readers!

Ariana

Writer, Graduate Student, Rebel without a cause.

Armando

Armando Robles is currently studying political science and getting ready to attend California State University Fullerton. He is also a Member of the United States Marine Corps Reserves, and in his free time, he participates in as many theater productions as he can get involved with. He keeps busy, but never turns down a spontaneous adventure.

Audra

Audra is a recent college graduate and an aspiring writer based in her home state of Georgia. She’s a lover of the sweetest Southern tea, warm weather, and decorating with lots of color, DIY projects, and shabby chic pieces. Her apartment living journey is still young, so she’s busy navigating the ups and downs and learning along the way. For more from Audra, follow her on Pinterest or check out her website shepenspretty.com.

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Ben

Benjamin Hawes is a recent college graduate from San Francisco that just made his life long dream of moving to New York come true in the beginning of 2015. While in college, Ben served as a resident assistant for three years, and has a lot to say about how to get along with roommates! He recently found an apartment in Bushwick, Brookyn. He is having fun making his way through New York as he starts to decorate his apartment and pay his bills!

Caitlin

Caitlin is a writer and social media coordinator navigating through her early twenties and moving into her first apartment just outside New York City. Her favorite things in the world are books and her 3.5-pound Yorkie, Augustus Tiberius. Visit her blog at streamofcaitlinness.com, where she writes about taking on the world single-handedly.

Caitlin C

Caitlin recently graduated with her Bachelor's in Fashion Marketing, and has accepted a corporate position outside of Milwaukee, WI. She is quite anxious to begin this journey since it involves many new experiences such as living with her boyfriend, starting her first post-college job, and attempting to remain healthy in a city known best for its beer, brunch, and cheese. She plans to keep herself busy by blogging, reading, and learning about wine.

Chloe

Chloë Elise is a writer and artist living (and renting) around the world. She is usually the roomie to catch bugs and put them outside, or to fill the house with little plants around every window. She spends most of her time writing, painting, tattooing, studying science, learning languages, building websites, making music, and searching for fossils. Find more info at Sima Tattoo, Yakbrother, or her personal portfolio.

Christa

I am a first time renter who was born, raised, and still lives in New York. I had a few stints with campus apartment living in college so I know a thing or two about roommates, decorating, and $2 meals. I've learned a lot thanks to my past experiences and my healthy obsession with HGTV but I'm still learning as I go along. Come learn with me!

Christina

I am the type of person who likes to get involved in everything I can, which keeps me endlessly busy! I moved into my very own apartment in Manhattan after graduating college, and every day has been more exciting than the last. Furnishing my apartment is just one of the many ways I satisfy my shopaholic tendencies; I especially enjoy finding cute one-of-a-kind items that fit my style. Most recently, I created MinnieinManhattan.com, a New York-centric blog dedicated to the best addition to my home: my little puppy named Minnie!

Contributors

MyFirstApartment.com contributors bring their own special expertise to help our readers navigate their first apartment experience.

Dana

Dana Kearney was born and raised in Oakland, Ca. and graduated from UC Davis. After moving away from home, Dana has lived in dorms, in a co-op, in apartments and more apartments. She spends her free time writing, reading, and designing clothes.

Dedreanna

Dedreanna is a Canadian lifestyle blogger at www.adventuresathome.ca. She moved to her first apartment in a new city 6 years ago and has moved twice since. During her time in her first apartment, she wrote for www.myfirstapartment,com, and is now coming back with more experience than ever. She loves DIYs, home decor, trips to the beach, and having adventures with her husband and son.

doug

Doug Mack is a writer based in Minneapolis and the author of the travel memoir Europe on 5 Wrong Turns a Day: One Man, Eight Countries, One Vintage Travel Guide (Perigee Books/Penguin). He has lived in apartments large and small, historic and modern, in Minneapolis and Chicago. Visit his web site at www.douglasmack.net or find him on Twitter @douglasmack.

Dréa

Greetings, fellow apartment hunters! My name is Dréa. I am currently serving in the U.S. Air Force and am also a court reporter, astronomy enthusiast, and amateur knitter. Preparing for deployment in August, my hunt for my dream home won't stop there. I've saved, my credit score is outstanding, and my wish list is made... what've I got to lose? Journey with me as I set out to seek my first apartment!

Elise Moser

Elise is a kindergarten teacher in St. Louis, Mo. and a recent graduate of the University of Missouri in Columbia. This summer, she moved out of her parents' home and into her first apartment. When she's not at school, Elise spends her free time cooking, running, reading, and watching Cardinals' baseball.

Eliza

A recent college graduate, Eliza Kenney is an avid dog-lover, amateur artist, and dancer. She currently works long hours in direct care services and spends her off days bumming on the couch in her awesome new apartment, although she has recently been trying to be more productive. She has big dreams of starting her own adaptive dance company, and loves random, spontaneous adventures.

Elyse

Elyse Albright is living in her first apartment with her boyfriend and her best friend. She is going full time to a community college while also working part time at a coffee shop. She is an animal lover who is trying to find a balance between work, school, boyfriend and roommate.

Grace

Grace Pfingston is currently pursuing her MBA/MS degrees and when she isn't working or studying she loves to travel the world exploring unique restaurants, cafés, and other hidden gems. Grace has lived in apartments, condos, houses and dorms with a variety of unique roommates. She is looking forward to sharing her experiences and advice for roommate living with MFA readers!

J Simpson

J. Simpson is a prolific freelance writer, blogger, and musician, based out of Portland, Or. He is fascinated with every aspect of modern living, and how to make the best of it, frequently writing about business, technology, and spirituality, as well as every aspect of culture - music, art, literature, cinema, TV, and comics. For more from J., follow him on Twitter at @for3stpunk.

Jackie

Jackie Thomas graduated Rutgers in 2014 and currently works at an internship, turned big girl job (yes, that really happens!) at the Wall Street Journal. The Springsteen loving Jersey girl loves to run, write and find new DIY projects for her apartment!

Jennie

Jennie is a recent business school graduate living in NYC. She lives with a roommate in a quaint 2 BR brownstone apartment. Jennie is currently working as a start-up/digital marketing consultant while looking for a full time job. She loves bargains and her guilty pleasure is reading the DailyMail.com.

Jennifer Lopez

Jessie

Jessie Hoyng is currently renting her first apartment in Denver after spending most of her life in Iowa, and is loving it! She has a passion for pretty much anything and everything related to the outdoors, particularly hiking/camping, climbing and kayaking. She also adores folk and bluegrass music and plays guitar, mandolin and violin in her spare time.

Jordan

Jordan Hancock is an 18 year old college freshman who is looking for her very first apartment! She is an English major with a passion for writing. Jordan had to recently move out of her home due to a falling out with her mother, but she is making the best of a bleak situation!

Kalee

Kalee Cowan is a graduate of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Rural Studies: Writing and Communication. She is a writer, a baker, and a customer service representative for an insurance agency in her South Georgia hometown. When she is not working, she is attending concerts, reading an always growing list of books, and spending time with her family. You can find her on Instagram and Pinterest.

Katherine

Katherine currently resides in sunny LA where she is trying to reconcile the constant onslaught of those warm golden rays with the pale-as-the-grave complexion she inherited from the Scotts. She and her roommate are mimicking married life by hosting dinner parties in their new apartment and spending Saturday nights watching the entire 3rd season of "The Shield" while learning what it means to have the Martha Stewart of landlords. Also, the not-so-secret pleasure she gets from a Home Depot visit terrifies her.

Kelly

Kiara

Kiara Rodriguez is about to graduate from the University of North Texas. She lived in dorms at her college for a little while, but is getting ready to move into her first ever apartment. Her life-long dream is to travel and she hates staying in one place for more than a couple months. She loves to try new things and is always busy with her latest adventures. Keep up with Kiara as she learns all about apartments and takes on the world.

Kristen

Kristen Valera is a working girl in the CT area who enjoys finding new places to eat, and has officially made the big move to her first apartment. She hopes her experiences will help others to find their space.

Marisa

Marisa Rinchiuso is a Design+Production major at Carnegie Mellon with a passion for DIY, budgeting and event management. She's always on the search for a great deal and new projects. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, crafts and travel.

Mary

Mary Adams has been a small town girl her whole life, but now she is taking her engineering degree to Washington, D.C. She enjoys craft beer and running. Her real dream is to own her own brewery called Tastefully Offensive.

Melissa W

After graduating from college Melissa spent a year working at a non-profit while living at home. This fall she is returning to school to pursue a master's degree, while still attempting to work full time. In order to pursue these goals simultaneously she's moving closer to work in an effort to cut down on the 3-4 hours spent crying through Chicago's rush hour each day.

Mr Blackbird

Naomi

Naomi Finkelstein is an educator and an artist of many sorts who has lived in Madrid, New York, Chicago, and now the Bay Area. She's had as many as four roomies and as few as none. A yoga and vegetable enthusiast in a totally non-annoying way, she loves people, places, things and ideas.

Nat

Digital marketing specialist from Milwaukee, WI. I semi-hibernate through Wisconsin winters and eventually make it to spring. My hobbies include reading, piano, the gym (gains?), and spoiling my puppy. I've never met a hobby I didn't like. Follow along on my journey of apartment triumphs and defeats, served with a hearty side of sarcasm.

Olivia

Olivia* is a law student living in the big (non-fruit) city experiencing her first time living on her own. While a long-time renter, this is her first foray into renting on her own. Olivia enjoys unlimited mimosa brunches in the rare free time she has between work and school. *Due to her law school's and employer's privacy recommendations Olivia be blogging using a pen name.

Olivia Merrick-Haight

Rebekah

I'm a young programmer from Iowa getting ready to move out on my own. I hold aspirations of starting my own tech startup in Boston or San Francisco, but will settle for getting into a nice college if that doesn't pan out.

Sabrina

Sabrina is a self-proclaimed roommate expert of Southern California. In the last seven years, she lived in multiple residences within San Diego County and Los Angeles County. During her shared-living journey, she has learned to cook Spanish rice, to sword-fight Kendo style, and to never EVER pay for a mainstream movie. (Free movies are everywhere in the world's film capitol.) As she translates her experiences into fun articles, she hopes to keep her mind open to the wonderful possibilities in this game called life.

Sam

Sam is originally from Boston, MA. He studied ecology and Spanish language during his undergraduate degree at Hampshire College (Amherst, MA). He then went on to train as a chef at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America (Hyde Park, NY) and earn an introductory certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers in San Francisco in 2013. He currently lives in Barcelona, Spain and works as a culinary tour operator, wine educator, and food/travel writer for several outlets including My First Apartment. You can check out his blog at Zucker and Spice Travel.

Sammie

I'm just your average college student, living out her first real apartment experience in New Haven, CT! When I'm not busy in school, slaving away at work, or crying over Anthropologie prices, I can be found outside enjoying the day! My hobbies include volunteering, biking, hiking, kayaking, and drawing.

Sarah

Sarah is a dog lover and advocate for conversation & laughing at your own jokes. Since finishing her college career in communications, she began working (and living) in Atlanta. After living in a few different apartments over the last few years, she's ready to share experiences. Stay tuned for adventures, tips and advice!

Shea

Shea Simmons is an Atlanta-based freelance writer always on the hunt for the perfect throw pillow and a sensible way to store her ever growing collection of books.

Shelby

Outdoors/adventure writer. Living proof that you can take the girl out of the Midwest, but you can't take the Midwest out of the girl.

Sponsors

Stella

Stella Postnikoff is a Jack-of-All-Trades, from her early days as amateur school yard marble master, to her brief career as an Elf for a mall Santa Booth, she has lived through it all. She's currently renting her first place, a room in a house with four very eccentric other teenagers, one very nice cat, and a very large book collection. Stella is working on becoming a freelance writer to fund her many adventures, or she might just be binge-watching Netflix.

Stella M

Tanner

Tanner Weber is a writer, talker, teacher, and coffee drinker who currently lives in Washington, DC. Hobbies include organizing and reorganizing the tiny bedroom, eating chips and salsa, and browsing the websites of local dog rescues (even though the lease says No Pets). Find her on Twitter @literalunderdog.

Taylor

Taylor LaSon is a recent Hamilton College graduate who is currently living in Memphis while seeking her Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology. She and her cat prefer a quiet, introverted lifestyle full of Netflix binges and arts and crafts, but when she does go out, she enjoys rock climbing and making silly faces at small children.

wpengine

This is the "wpengine" admin user that our staff uses to gain access to your admin area to provide support and troubleshooting. It can only be accessed by a button in our secure log that auto generates a password and dumps that password after the staff member has logged in. We have taken extreme measures to ensure that our own user is not going to be misused to harm any of our clients sites.

Zainab

Zainab moved to Austin, Texas, after getting married in June 2012. She is now doing her graduate studies in Urban Planning at the University of Texas in Austin (go Longhorns!). While Zainab has lived in almost ten different apartments with her parents, and subleased once for a semester with roommates. She is now living in her second apartment, after fire destroyed her first one. She enjoys volunteering, drawing, and writing in her free time.