Is It Time for You to Move Out?

October 21, 2017 | By Sarah AuthorMy First Apartment

The thought of moving into your first apartment can be pretty daunting. You’ll need to understand rent, deposits, insurance, grocery shopping, cleaning… it’s a lot of responsibility to take on. However, there are definitely signs that it is time to move out and into your own first apartment. Ask yourself these questions… if you’re answering…

3 Tricks for Dealing with a Nosy Roommate

July 5, 2017 | By Sarah AuthorMy First Apartment

There are few things more irritating than a person who can’t help putting their nose where it doesn’t belong! However, a roommate that does so may be near the top of the list. Although they likely mean you well, you need to find ways to let your roommate know how you feel…without losing your cool!…

Preparing for Your First Roommate: How to Manage 4 Common Conflict Zones

June 18, 2017 | By Sarah AuthorMy First Apartment

For some, the word “roommate” is synonymous with “best friend.” For others, it’s “worst nightmare!” Surely you’ve heard tons of stories from both sides of this fence: great roommates and roommate horror stories! But don’t fear…it’s not hard to be a good roommate and to find a roommate that’ll be good to you. However, it…

5-Step Guide to Choosing A Roommate

August 23, 2016 | By Contributors AuthorMy First Apartment

Roommates can be a great way to save money, and possibly develop new friendships. If your dream apartment comes with a not-so-ideal price point for one, look no further for some great advice on how to make it through the process of choosing a great roommate. 1. Know Thyself Chances are, you will have a…

Avoiding Over-Staying Houseguests

May 28, 2016 | By Sarah AuthorMy First Apartment

One of the most fun things about having your own apartment is being able to invite friends and family to stay for the weekend to spend time together. However, it’s important to have a solid plan (and mutual understanding!) for how long guests are welcome to stay with you. Opening your apartment to a friend who…

A Short Guide To Apartment Hunting Groups On Facebook

March 2, 2016 | By J Simpson AuthorMy First Apartment

It’s not as simple to find an apartment on the Internet as it might seem. Following Craigslist or other apartment rental sites can be like trying to get a cool, refreshing drink from a waterfall – more of a drowning deluge than a refreshing trickle. Before you know it, you’re inundated in updates, which you…

10 Lessons Learned When Looking for My First Apartment

January 20, 2016 | By Contributors AuthorMy First Apartment

By Caitlin Carpenter I began apartment hunting long before I officially received my job offer. Hours were spent online browsing the web and daydreaming about my very first place. I was anxious about the additional responsibility, and I wanted to start planning for it right away. I’m happy to announce that the hard work has…

The 3 Secrets to Creating (and Sticking to) a New Apartment Budget

October 19, 2015 | By Jackie AuthorMy First Apartment

Unlike riding a bicycle, going to the mall alone, or receiving your first college acceptance, no one informs you when you’re ready to move out. Wouldn’t that be so much easier though? A major decider (besides your parent’s not so subtle hints) is when you’re are able to afford paying your own rent, utilities, groceries…

How To Pay For Off-Campus Housing With a Student Loan

August 24, 2015 | By J Simpson AuthorMy First Apartment

One of our readers recently messaged with the question, “Can I pay for off-campus housing with student loans.” What an excellent question! The short answer is: yes! Just remember, living off-campus can get expensive, as this New York Times article explains. In the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)’s Statement of Educational Purpose, it…

How to Find The Perfect Roommate Share

May 14, 2015 | By J Simpson AuthorMy First Apartment

Roommate shares are increasingly common, whether you’re moving out on your own for the first time, or just trying to get into a more ideal space. But what happens if you don’t have a wide network of friends, to build your own household? Or maybe you’re moving to a new city, or even a new…