I am asking this question because the young adult in question, is me. I am to move out in a few years, and it feels impossible to move far away from my hometown (which I want). I have no idea how to juggle both finances, a job, and the move itself. With the global inflation going on, it feels impossible getting hold of a decent apartment to rent.
What advice would you give someone like me? What should I keep in mind and prepare* myself for? What are your experiences moving out, or moving away from your hometown? How long did the process take for you, and how did you manage keeping a job that paid all your taxes and rent? If you could look back and give younger you some advice, what would you tell them?
(If it provides any context, I am North European.)
I would look at making a budget beforehand. For rent, look at actual listings in the area you want to move to. You’ll probably need roommates.
And keeping a job isn’t that hard as long as you treat it like a strange form of high school where the teacher or principal can fire you.
Lots of advice here already, so I’ll mention one that is overlooked by a lot of people: learn to cook for yourself at home. You will save a lot of money and be more healthy in the process if you prepare your own meals.
When you’re making a budget don’t plan to spend everything you make. You will always be out of money if you do that.
And for heaven’s sake, start an investment retirement account now. Yeah, I know, “but I’m not making enough, but there’s that shiny thing in the (online) store window, but I’m never going to get old.” Just allot one take-out coffee’s worth of spare change per week. You can up the ante later. Let the miracle of compound interest do its thing.
- know where the fire extinguisher is and how to use it
- ensure there are adequate and working smoke detectors. also carbon monoxide detectors if there is a risk from clothes dryers, etc.
- keep at least 2 gallons of bottled water per person stored at all times
- keep candles and matches in a location where you can find them in the dark
- keep a fully stocked first aid kit
- know where the nearest emergency room is and how to get there
be safe and well! :)
Came here to say learn to cook and always check Youtube before you give up.
Once talked to a younger kid who had just moved out, they were complaining that the cost of a BLT sandwich delivered to their house everyday for lunch was a crazy expensive 9ish dollars at the time, roughly their hourly wage. Yea, of course it is. 7-9 dollars will buy all of the ingredients to make that yourself all week (2015 dollars).
Youtube can teach you a lot more about cooking than a recipe and vague instructions alone. This is a fun channel I discovered during Corona Quarantine.
In addition, always check Youtube for tutorials/DIY videos before you call any repair service, even if it’s covered by your rental agreement. Couple winters ago I was able to kick-start our furnace instead of waiting for the landlord to do something. You can practice on someone else’s stuff before you get your own place; or, if you don’t feel confident trying to fix it yourself see what should be done by whoever shows up.
Edit: and also have a box of cash you never touch, one day you will need it
corollary to this is NEVER EVER DO YOUR OWN ELECTRICAL WORK AS AN AMATEUR. replacing an outlet plug is one thing, anything more complicated than that and you’re best served hiring a professional so you don’t die.
otherwise go nuts
