moving into an apartment advice?? expenses? total costs?

Question

I should be moving out within the next few months. I am stressing out! I dont know how much this should REALLY cost. Im moving out of my house and into an apartment with my boyfriend.. We will spilt expenses 50/50. We are looking at about spending $600 a month on rent... But what alother expenses can I expect. Deposit? Gas? Electric? Water? It will be 2 bedroom and about 900 sq feet (max). How much can I expect to pay for all of those? Will I see any unexpected expenses? How can I prepare myself for these...Besides making sure I have plently of extra money saved up?

Answer 1

Depending on your actual lease, you can expect to come up with first and last months rent as your deposit. Some places will require an additional months worth as security against damages, and even more if you have pets.

All of the utilities will want a deposit. Depending on the location it can be 2 and a half times the average monthly bill for that unit. Most apartments the water is included in the rent, but ask just to be sure. Ask if there are any gas appliances. If there are that is another deposit. There will be an electric deposit. The phone company charges a flat fee to hook up, an will usually include this in your first bill.

As far as unexpected expenses, do you have furniture & dishes & towels & trash cans & all of the other stuff you will need? If not, try frrecycle.org Many times you can get things for free. If not you will have to buy them.

Good luck! Your first place is always exciting, and a little scary, too.

Answer 2

Don't sign a 1-year lease if you can avoid it. Ask the owner wether water/sewer, gas, garbage, electric is included. Many apartments say W/S/G paid or something like that. Usually you have to pay electrical and phone. It depends on where you live what these will cost. Heating/cooling bills can vary depending on local weather and all of the above vary according to where you live. You might ask the previous tenant or the manager to tell you what the average cost of the above bills might be. If your monthly income doesn't cover it, you cannot afford it. Don't stretch your budget too far. Your rent should not be more than 1/3 of your income.

I would suggest, from personal experience, not to move in with your boyfriend if you ever intend on marrying him. Guys get comfortable in the cohabitation situation and make sure you understand your committment level going in. You might also consider signing a co-renters agreement between you in case you break up. Of course, it's like a pre-nup, if you might need one, you shouldn't get married. But a written agreement can protect you financially so you don't end up with all of the bills in case he loses his job or something.

Answer 3

this is recommended to keep in mind the region you %. could make a super distinction on your transportation expenses. some people do get renters coverage, yet maximum do no longer. don't have self assurance the utility company approximately average charges (they comprise a great variety of billings that are no longer entire families); yet ask people in the place of residing residing house or ones equivalent to what you're finding at. do no longer assume to get extra suitable than a million/2 your deposit lower back; do no longer use the deposit as your final month's lease. do no longer think of that one landlord does not hear from yet another. do no longer enter right into a roomate contract of equivalent shares; some one ought to be the conventional to blame individual.