Let me tell you, moving out is far from glamourous. No, everything won't come together within a week of move in day. No, not everything is going go perfectly when you want it to. Lastly, no, it doesn't take one week to find your first apartment. This summer I moved out on my own with my best friend, and it was the best decision I've made in a very long time.
We started looking around at apartments in March - but it was tough from the beginning. I have a dog, which not all apartments allow. We toured many apartment complexes but they all either did not want dogs or wanted a hefty fee for him - we're talking $1,000. But I knew that I needed my dog to live with us, so the quest continued.
Every day I was looking at apartments on Craigslist, Willow, and Truilia. The process was very long and we hit some bumps along the way, but we knew we were going to find our apartment. One day, I was scrolling through Craigslist and clicked on a link for an apartment downtown, and I knew that was it. We immediately called and scheduled a meeting, and the minute we walked in we knew that we needed to live here. It's spacious, the bedrooms are a great size, and it's an open layout. The landlord was also a great guy, which definitely made the entire process more enjoyable. After we agreed on the terms, we signed the lease. That was a moment I'll never forget. It's a moment that made me cry happy tears, and it solidified the fact that we are moving into our own apartment. My roommate and I signed the lease together and moved in at the end of May.
Move in day was a breeze and we were living in the apartment in no time. It's not completely done, we still need to decorate, but this is our home now. I can't express it enough - moving out is amazing. Yes, it's daunting and scary, but it's awesome being independent. I know that many people say that they're going to miss their family, but they're still there, don't worry! I see my mom and siblings every single week, it's like I never left. My apartment really feels like home now, not just an apartment.
I know a lot of people don't want to pay their own bills, because it's a pain and a hassle, but that's a part of life. One day, whether you like it or not, you will have to pay at least one bill, so might as well start now! If you're thinking about moving into an apartment, or the thought has even crossed your mind, do it. You won't regret it - being independent is a great feeling and it's one step closer to adulthood. I know I love being able to come home to my own apartment and being able to do (almost) whatever I want. So, move out of your parents house when you're ready. I promise you that you won't regret your decision and you will be so happy you did it!
