Our Most Popular Advice for First Time Apartment Hunters

April 11, 2013 | By MFA Editors AuthorMy First Apartment

As the spring apartment hunting season kicks into high gear, here are some of our most popular post for first time renters. How much do you need to save before you can afford to rent an apartment? The short answer is about 10% of your annual salary, but check out these two posts here and here for how…

How Much Should You Budget for Utilities?

March 30, 2010 | By Alissa AuthorMy First Apartment

Today, we have a question from our MyFirstApartment mail bag. “How much should you budget for utilities? Thanks! Lacey” The short answer is — anywhere from $75 – $200+ per month. What’s the long answer? In terms of possible utilities, here’s a comprehensible checklist: electric, water, heat, trash pickup, gas(**HEAT), cable, internet, and telephone. Off…

How Much of Your Paycheck Should Go Towards Rent?

November 30, 2009 | By Alissa AuthorMy First Apartment

My sister is moving into her first apartment next month in Chicago and was planning her budget over the long Thanksgiving weekend while I sat next to her reading the paper. “So, Ms. First Apartment Expert,” she smirked at me, “how much should I be spending on rent?” “A quarter,” I said without looking up…

Is your apartment ready for summer? Get on it before it’s too hot to move!

May 27, 2009 | By Alissa AuthorMy First Apartment

With the passing of Memorial Day, no matter what the solar calendar says – summer is here. Hello, half-day Fridays, white shoes, and HEAT. GLORIOUS HEAT! Well, at least if you’re ready for it. How to summer-fy your apartment/life? First, think about your air conditioner situation. Do you have one? Does it work? Is it…

Settling in.

April 5, 2007 | By jen t. AuthorMy First Apartment

Hey all, it’s Jason. It’s been a little over a month since we moved in, and things are going well. Still have a few boxes hanging around the living room, but a majority of our stuff is in its new home. I’ve been doing the commute to Palo Alto for a while now, and I’ve…

The Final 3: Change of Address, Cable/Internet/Phone, and keeping the lights on

January 25, 2007 | By Alissa AuthorMy First Apartment

On the eve of moving, it’s easy to remember the obvious things: the boxes, the bed, that bowl you made in pottery class when you were seven. . . What’s a bit less obvious, though just as important, are all the ways your apartment connects you to the outside world. I’m talking about mail service,…

Why, oh why, oh wireless?

August 12, 2006 | By Kate AuthorMy First Apartment

Living in sunny SoCal, my monthly utility payments are satisfyingly low. The largest is by far my cable internet bill- approximately $40 a month, split with my roommate. I was reluctant, at first, to part with this extra dough for our own wireless- I have a laptop, and it’s easy enough to link to someone…

What To Do Before You Move into a New Apartment

November 23, 2005 | By MFA Editors AuthorMy First Apartment

Moving In: Taking Care of Details What To Do Before You Move into a New Apartment Set up your utilities: electricity, cable, and telephone Before you begin carting all your belongings to your new apartment, make arrangements to have the utilities turned on — otherwise you’ll be in the dark, literally. You may decide to…