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[cubanb]

I will be moving to San Jose in early august for my new job and I need a place to stay. Originally I was going to live with a classmate and find a nice 2 bdrm apartment that would cost me about $650+ utilities.

However, his brother just bought a condo and I recieved a call from him letting me know that he will be living at his brothers rent free instead. I am left scrambling for a place to live.

This has presented me with an interesting decision: Should I look at the rooms for rent on craigslist, with rooms averaging $500-600, sometimes with utilities included. Or should I get a 1bdrm apartment for myself. Anything halfway decent seems to be $850-950 a month without utilites.

The prospect of saving $300 a month has me thinking. As I see it, I could take a gamble and find a place with other working professionals, however, I could end up with somebody really shitty as a roomate. On the other hand, I could spend the extra money on a nice apartment in a good complex, but I wonder if living alone will be , well, too lonely. Also I wonder if it is really worth spending the extra cash for my own living space.

Has anyone made a decision like this? I would value your input. Has anyone blindy rented a room in a house without knowing the housemates? How did it go?
For those of you living alone, was it worth it?

 

[distantmantra]

Have you ever lived on your own? It might be time to give it a try.

I lived on my own the last two years (recently got an apartment with my girlfriend) and I felt that it really helped me become more independent and responsible. I don't think I could have a roommate ever again.

It may cost more a month, but the benefits are worth it.

 

[cubanb]

Have you ever lived on your own? It might be time to give it a try.

I lived on my own the last two years (recently got an apartment with my girlfriend) and I felt that it really helped me become more independent and responsible. I don't think I could have a roommate ever again.

It may cost more a month, but the benefits are worth it.

I lived on my own one year in college, but that was on financial aid and I cared less about the finances of it. I also missed living with my friends from the year before. However living with housemates would be different this time around, because it would be with complete strangers

 

[MC Safety]

Living with roommates is always a dicey proposition. Moving in with a friend is sometimes as dangerous as moving in with someone you've never met.

I think everyone should try to live by himself at least once after college. There's something about being wholly independent that's really good for a person. San Jose seems to be a good place to try living on your own, because the rents aren't as severe there as they are in, say, San Francisco or Los Angeles.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[APF]

Nothing wrong with getting roommates right out of school. You can see it as an opportunity to save money until you are really set in your career path, then strike out fully on your own. IMO it really all comes down to your financial stability.

 

[3kuSaS]

I simply hate living with roomates. I mean, ok just because I live with you doesn't mean we have to be best friends. Do this only as a temporary last resort until you find someone cool enough that you know you can live with without wanting to strangle them everyday. Sharing a 2 bedroom apt is probably your best best.

Luckily for me, I live with my girlfriend now so we just go half on a great apartment.

 

[Tommie Hu$tle]

If you have a desire to see what it would take to drive you to a murderous rage then I would suggest moving in with a friend.

If you want to preserve the friendship then NEVER in life move in with a friend. I say move in by yourself you'll enjoy the piece of mind. It's worth the emotional stress to not see the same dishes stacked up in the kitchen that have been there for 3 months and you don't even go in the kitchen.

If you HAVE to do a roommate then I would suggest a stranger.

 

[3kuSaS]

Yeah, if you can afford it, get your own crib. Its worth it, especially if you're single.

 

[BigGreenMat]

Nothing wrong with getting roommates right out of school. You can see it as an opportunity to save money until you are really set in your career path, then strike out fully on your own. IMO it really all comes down to your financial stability.

Uh you guys are making it sound like you are somehow less grown up if you live in an apartment with another person? If anything it takes a MUCH more mature person to live with other people. I generally find the people who 'strike out on their own' and live alone generally are the less mature people who are unable to compromise and get along with others.

 

[Tommie Hu$tle]

Uh you guys are making it sound like you are somehow less grown up if you live in an apartment with another person? If anything it takes a MUCH more mature person to live with other people. I generally find the people who 'strike out on their own' and live alone generally are the less mature people who are unable to compromise and get along with others.

I'm not saying that. I'm just saying that there are alot of pitfalls in having a roommate that cause unforseen issues. It is up to each renter to be clear and upfront about what they expect and how long they expect to live there.

Treating it like a business makes it easier.

 

[MC Safety]

Uh you guys are making it sound like you are somehow less grown up if you live in an apartment with another person? If anything it takes a MUCH more mature person to live with other people. I generally find the people who 'strike out on their own' and live alone generally are the less mature people who are unable to compromise and get along with others.

I didn't say that at all, and your maturity level has nothing to do with the circumstances under which you live. I would suggest to you that a lot of immature people live with others because they aren't able to hack it on their own.

Living with roommates is fine, provided there is compatibility. Sometimes, there simply isn't any compatibility regardless of how much roommates are able and willing to compromise.

I merely suggested living alone is a good way to learn self-reliance post-college.

 

[MrAngryFace]

unfortunately unless you already have a good bit of money, 'independence' will have to wait until you are ready to afford it.

Be smart, spend the first year splitting living costs with a roommate. Dicey or not, its usually worth the time spent so you dont spend an even longer period of time miserable because ends are barely being met.

Being practical should outweigh any weird philosophical notion of what 'being on your own' is.

 

[APF]

Uh you guys are making it sound like you are somehow less grown up if you live in an apartment with another person? If anything it takes a MUCH more mature person to live with other people. I generally find the people who 'strike out on their own' and live alone generally are the less mature people who are unable to compromise and get along with others.

It has nothing to do with being grown up, they're just different situations. It's also a lot different living with a roommate and living with a boy/girlfriend, spouse, etc. Ideally people should experience it all; I wouldn't want to marry (for example) someone who hadn't lived on their own at some point in their life.

 

[acoustix]

I just started living on my own and so far Im loving it. My finances are more limited but its definatly worth it if you can afford it.

I lived with 2 good friends on seperate occasions and had two vastly different results. Bottom line, I remained best friends with one, and no longer speek to the other.

 

[Bluecondor]

Since you have a new job and will definitely be meeting new people, why not rent a room for two or three months, and then see if a) there is anyone cool who you work with that you could stand living with (to reduce expenses and afford a better place) and b) maybe someone there either needs a roommate or knows someone who does - possibly someone who even has a decent place.

To me, renting an apartment has to be looked at, primarily, as a big fixed cost that is also a really important part of your life. I have never been a big advocate of simply finding a place and throwing down cash for a one year lease.

I did this when I first started grad school and I definitely regretted it. I ended up with an apartment in the worst part of campus, and I ended up with roommates that I didn't like and didn't get along with. I really wish that I would have waited before committing to a one year lease.

And - I know you live in Cali with its ungodly real estate values, but, trust me, the second you can afford your own place (house, condo, whatever), take the plunge (who knows - maybe the market in Cali will start correcting itself). I have had my own house now for four years, and I still absolutely love it. It's such a great feeling knowing that noone can bother you, and that every time you write a check for the mortgage, it is an investment (building equity) and a nice boost on your yearly federal income tax return.

 

[argon]

I just started living in my own apartment last month, and its been good. It's quite a bit pricier than my previous setup living with 3 roommates ($930+utils vs. 375$+utils) but I love the independence and extra space. I also have a new job so there's no problem on the money end of it.

Roommates can be a gamble, so try to get someone you know (but not too close of a friend). I've been extremely lucky with roommates, and only had one "roommate from hell" and he left about a month after I moved in. my subsequent roommates were pretty good.

I'd suggest you move into your own place for awhile and see how you like it. Living on your own isn't very lonely, just get a girlfriend.. or get a pet. I have a pet turtle =)

P.S. i agree with BlueCondor.. renting overall is really a colossal waste of money since you don't build equity, but unless you can afford a house, renting is the best you're gonna get here in california the way the real estate market is currently. houses are outrageously overpriced...

 

[Bluecondor]

+1 to Argon on living alone. I lived with my parents for years, and living alone has been one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me. And - my parents were really cool and everything. It's just that it is so awesome and meaningful to have your own place and be totally responsible for your bills.

 

[xsarien]

If you can live on your own, you should go for that. Too many friendships are ruined going into an apartment situation, and a complete stranger is a roll of the dice. In the end, though, it ultimately rests with what you can afford. Will you need a car on top of that apartment? Gas is a little pricey these days. If you don't have a car at all, you'll need to weigh in the cost of getting one as well.

 

[Mupepe]

Post college? Go on your own. At this point, living with people, especially strangers, really hinders your freedoms and how enjoyable it is. Living on your own is the shit if you can manage your money and whatnot. Besides, living with strangers=99% certainty of a feud at some point.

 

[Aruarian Reflection]

I'm finally living on my own this summer, and it's FANTASTIC! I'm loving it, I can do whatever I want, crank up the music, turn on the TV whenever I want, it's just great. Roommates can be good on occasion, but there's nothing like living on your own.