Gradvice: Apartment Hunting 101

apartment-for-rent

The only thing more stressful than graduating from college is finding that first apartment after graduation. I remember my first apartment hunt like it was yesterday. There was a lot of running, a lot of crying and a sh*t ton of begging my parents for money so I could afford to live in something that had closets and wasn’t a closet. After an emotionally draining 2 weeks of hunting, I finally found something.

And had to pay some dude $2,000 for it because he happened to unlock it for me when I went to see it.

My apartment was great… on the surface. In fact, it wasn’t until I moved in that I realized all the questions I neglected to ask. (Namely, “Does the family downstairs cook with road kill daily?”) Questions that were vital to truly finding the right apartment for my life. So, here are a few pointers for you, recent grads. The rules aren’t the same in every city, but I guarantee you will benefit from what I have to share. Read More »

Real World Lesson 4526: Finding an Apartment

girl packing carOh, graduates.

Moving back in with the parents after graduation is normal. You are deeply depressed, broke and not quite ready to face the harsh realities that come after 4 glorious college years. At least this is what I told myself.

Your boxes are still packed and piled not-so-neatly in your parents’ garage. Your bedroom floor is covered in pictures (that you cry over every night before bed), drafts of your resume and, of course, already-read issues of US Weekly and (recently deceased) Jane Magazine.

Unfortunately, it is now officially the middle of the summer and it is time to get that ass in gear. No more devoting your days to tanning poolside. No more evenings spent on the phone with friends who are also living at home and avoiding the real world.

It is time to get up and move on. Read More »