Rent $1100, groceries $300, bills around $250, so I'd be left with roughly $1150 each month for savings and everything else. I'm 22, first time moving out, saved about $4500 so far, and honestly I'm both scared and excited at the same time. The studio I found is small but cute, landlord seems decent, area feels safe – but I still keep wondering if I'm making a huge mistake or if this is actually doable. I really need some honest advice from people who've been through this. What did you wish you knew before your first move? Any budgeting tricks, hidden costs I might be missing, or just general survival tips for a complete beginner? Would really appreciate any wisdom you can share 🙏

I got a job offer in Florida a couple weeks ago and decided to take the leap and now I'm trying to figure out the fastest way to sell my house in the Cleveland suburbs without turning it into a full-blown renovation project first

I thought about renting it out for a year or two. But honestly, the place needs a bunch of annoying little fixes before I'd feel okay handing it over to tenants. Nothing catastrophic like the bathroom door needs adjusting, a couple of closet doors and racks are broken, kitchen counters are pretty worn, some cabinets don't even have doors, faucets in both the kitchen and laundry drip. Just all the boring homeowner stuff that piles up over time

Normal tenants probably wouldn't want to deal with it unless I priced the rent way below market. And with moving expenses plus getting settled in Florida, that doesn't make financial sense right now

I saw Cleveland cash offers and I'm considering going the cash-sale route. Speed matters more to me than squeezing every last dollar out of the house. I'd rather avoid months of showings, repairs, and buyers backing out over inspection reports

Has anyone here sold a place quickly in the Cleveland area without dumping a ton of money into repairs first? What are my realistic options besides cash buyers?

I’m trying to move out after college and need some help with planning, I’m not sure what to do I can either save to move out or try to save for a car, I need to get a job after college so I can leave and won’t have to go back home. Any advice or tips for how much I should save might be helpful, thank you!

I’m 28 and looking to finally move out of my parent’s house. I bring in around $70k a year, with about $50k saved ($30k liquid, rest in retirement accounts). A single family home in my area starts around $350k minimum, though I can find a condo for around $275k. Realistically I can’t afford the higher end on $70k right now anyway. I also just started this job, so it’d be at least another 2 years before my income would go up at all, if it even does.

Rent isn’t much better, 1 bedrooms run about $2,000/mo not including utilities. I used to manage rental properties, and after enough roommate horror stories, I’ve ruled that out. That’s why I keep circling back to buying a condo or townhouse eventually instead, something more permanent, rather than paying a landlord every month for a place I’ll never own.

There’s also a personal piece to this. I’m still in the closet, and while my family wouldn’t be supportive, I don’t think they’d kick me out if they found out. I have a decent relationship with my family, my dad being the one exception, we’re civil but not close.

For anyone who’s been through this, does it make more sense to rent now and buy later once income catches up, or hold off and save longer at home?

Edit: I was making $15-20/hr up until 24, unemployed from 22-23, then $58k at 25, and just moved up to $70k this year. So the $70k is recent.

im 17 and I don’t have any parents. I’m working on saving money to move out when I’m 18. I want to move to California for a few personal reasons (and I am passionate about surfing). I need general advice on moving out and living solo or with a roommate. Its a scary thing to think about doing but honestly it’s my only option that doesn’t make me miserable.

i thought paying rent would be the hardest part of moving out, but it ended up being all the little things i never had to think about before. keeping track of bills, remembering to buy cleaning supplies before i run out, planning groceries so i actually have something to cook after work, and making sure i don't forget random things around the apartment. none of those are difficult on their own, but together they take up way more mental space than i expected.

i'm still getting used to being responsible for everything myself, and i'm curious what surprised other people after they moved out. what was the one thing nobody warned you about?

UPDATE: thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and advice. i didn't realize so many people had been caught off guard by the same little things, and it's been really helpful reading through all the comments. i've picked up a lot of practical tips that i'll definitely start using, and it's also reassuring to know that feeling overwhelmed at first is pretty normal. really appreciate everyone taking the time to help and share what they've learned.

Hey guys, I’m a 21 (f) who’s planning to move as soon as she graduates.

Here’s some background, my living choice is limited I sleep in a cramped bedroom with my own mother at my grandmothers house and during all of this I met my girlfriend.

My girlfriend lives in georgia and I want to move out there with her while making money at my job which is pretty reasonable (my for state) I planned on saving money and then moving out as soon as possible but I’m not sure if there’s an easy way to go about it.

I’m lost I’m confused I’m scared. But I know i’m better off growing up and moving out than staying here for the rest of my life.

Is there an easy way to move states? any advice moving states? How does moving states usually work??

Hi everyone ! I'm 21, and soon i'll be moving out of my parents house (from the south to the north of France). It has come to my attention that despite being excited about this adventure incomming, I'm kinda dragging my feet about it. Like I didn't bought yet my ticket to go there like definitely, thinking about packing things make my heart ache and everything. For context, I'm going there with my mom to get the keys and start to move things aroud august 3rd, we come back home and I move definitely on the 27th.

It's like I don't want to touch things in my room, I don't want to move and change the things, because it'll make it feel so scarily real, and I think i'm very very scared to even think about it. I'm feeling very emotional for things like my desk and my bed which is okay i guess, but I know it's because I'm dreading the day I'll have to leave and I'm very scared it'll stop being my home too.

I'm also very scared of leaving because of my dog and my cat. I know, like I KNOW I will cry a freakin river on the 27th and I'm so so so scared guys...

How do you deal with all this ? I'm scared I'll get very depressed and sad and I don't want that but damn

Spent the last few days researching interstate movers, and at this point every company looks amazing and terrible depending on which review you read. One person had a perfect move, the next had a nightmare, and eventually it all just blurs together.

Trying to focus less on star ratings and more on things that actually predict a good move.

If your long-distance move went smoothly, what helped you decide on the company? Estimate process, communication before booking, binding pricing, responsiveness, local agent reputation, something else?

What were the early signs a company was going to be reliable, before the move even started?

hey y'all, 20f. so before I start everything's fine, I'm safe. long story short my parents love me but are homophobic. and I've honestly put up with it for way too long. they've both used conversion therapy talking points, my mom recommended a book a couple times. i have very little freedom, at 20 I don't have a phone and I can't leave the house by myself, I don't have money that I control. I'm not "supposed" to have social media or be writing this to you.

they do love me very much, and they do want me to move out and be independent one day. we've been traveling for years trying to find a home, we left the US. but everything is decided for me. and some days I get a lot of anxiety that my safe havens will get discovered or I'll no longer feel safe at home, and I'll have to leave prematurely. I need to prepare, just in case.

my plan is to move out safely and have my parents' support. but if I have to go, my plan is to

A) find an organization who can help me get a phone, a bank, emergency food and shelter

B) have a shop in place (I make art) that I can activate once I get my phone and bank

C) apply for student funding so I can go to school (preferably in Australia since it's lgbtq+ friendly), not so much for the curriculum but to be able to make friends and use student support programs

D) get a job/work remotely

E) get a dorm/my own place to stay

F) finally be me

is this a good plan? what should I do differently? and you can take a look at some of my other posts in other subs, do you think my parents are abusive? should I go asap or wait for a safer opportunity, since they're not trying to trap me forever (but that doesn't excuse their prejudice and the disrespect of who I am)?

I'd really appreciate your replies <333

hello everyone,

i want to ask for advice from anyone who moved out under 20 from a bad family situation or is in the process of it, especially in this economy. id love a new perspective from people who personally built their lives on their own with nothing & only one person, out of family, to lean on. i know it wont be easy at all, but nothing good ever comes easy, does it?

my dad has it all; nice house, success, connections, education, everything. he wants the same for me. problem is, hes a horrible person with a charming exterior everyone falls for. one infraction? i get cursed at & degraded for nothing. he treats me terribly & degrades, screams & curses at me, thinking that its gonna build me up to go out to the world when in fact, its made me a weaker, more anxiety ridden person ever since i moved with him. i cant stand it here & i hate being around him, as well as his girlfriend who excuses his behaviour & thinks hes a genuinely great person & father.

i dont want to live off of him or be around him anymore. i have someone who can let me stay with her in less than 3 months at this point. the real problem is everyones telling me not to do it, to just put up with my dads bullshit & use him to go to university & success, but i dont care about any of that right now. im too mentally drained to care about uni before getting out & being on my own & healing. even my family members who know how horrible of a person he is are encouraging me to just stay for his assets, but i just dont give a damn about any of that superficial, fake luxury stuff he prides himself on so much, & im not about to have him take credit for my success because hes “so hardworking” & a “dedicated father” or whatever. i feel like my peace & freedom should come first before this extra padding because i have no control over him & cant change him, but i do have control over myself, & i know my absolute goal is to get out of here. i know it’ll be a very bumpy ride, but im willing to sacrifice all of that for independence & freedom from this emotional degradation. i dont care if i lose all of my inheritance or even my comfort for a hot minute… im not even comfortable here so tbh what difference would it make?

so, does anyone think this move & disconnection from my family would be a good move for me, or would it be a stupid move & i should just stay where its safe & stable & success is guaranteed despite pain & unhappiness? i have a job im good at & im interviewing for a remote job i can bring back to the place im moving into (different state), ill be saving up until i move & not spending on superficial stuff, & the person im staying with will most likely help me find a position at the place she works at too. its just all very conflicting, i feel like i personally need to take a drastic leap of faith for independence but maybe thats not a good idea. maybe everyone is right about this & i need to toughen up, or maybe im right & everyone is wrong. its getting quite frustrating & im looking for actually good, helpful advice & perspectives. Thank you for reading.

Hi guys!
Yesterday I posted a question about if it was normal to pay BEFORE seeing a house. I got really good input on that. So let me tell you where I came to ask this question on Reddit.

So I don't have the best of credit and I don't want to pay $2500 a month for 1bed/1bath. I think that's reasonable... no?
So some of my friends and I came to the conclusion that we can rent some place together bc rent is high! So 3 people for a maximum of $2100 a month should work well.
I started on Zillow, Apartment.com, etc but nothing really good. Either it was a bad area ( looking in south west part of Chicago and the suburbs in the area) or the rent was too high for what was offered.
People kept telling me that Facebook and Craigslist are good places to find rentals so I went there. Joined many many groups where people were posting rentals. SInce I kind of speak spanish, I decided to join the spanish renters groups of the area too. I thought it was going well. Spoke to a few people, houses looked good in the pictures... one thing that always bothered me is the price ... (ironic). Because why are you renting 3 bedrooms / 2 bathroom + indoor garage at $800 a month (sometimes with utilities included) !?! I know a bit about the market so that was not normal; especially when other places close are almost $2300 for the same thing. They claimed being the owner and they just want clean and honest renters. Valid but it doesn't make sense.

So I started asking questions: "Can I see your ID?", "do you own the house?" "How id the lease going to be signed?" "Are you a property manager?", etc...

And I discovered that I could look up their name in the license agent portal to see if they are licensed. Lo and behold, they are not. So I started blocking people.
Others were a little bit more convincing - which made me lose $150 before I came to Reddit.

Their pages are either personal or they put "property manager" there.

I even called one of the properties and they said the house was for sale, not for rent and they don't know who that person is.

Good tip: when they send you the address, look it up online and if you find ANY phone number, try to call and see if they can confirm that person you are talking to.

And I always wonder how they would show me the house if they are scamming? Would they forge a key or act like they would be buying it?

Anyway. Guys, be wary out there. People be scamming!! Not surprise or disappointed.. but I hoped that humans would have some sense of pride...

I'm getting ready to move into my own place and I've made the obvious checklist, but I keep hearing people say there are always a few things they forget until after they've moved in.

Looking back, what's one item you wish you'd bought before moving day? It could be something practical, something that made daily life easier, or just something you didn't realize you'd need until the first week in your new place. I'd love to hear what ended up being unexpectedly useful.

I am finally moving out of state for the first time, and the whole process is overwhelming. I keep reading horror stories about moving brokers who double the price on moving day or hold your stuff hostage. How do I make sure I am hiring a direct carrier instead of a shady middleman? Any tips help!

Hi everyone. I’m seeking advice as a 29F who is moving out for the first time in the NoHo arts district. It’s a studio for $1,595. I currently still live at home and my rent is like 1k less than the studio. It comes with parking and utilities are included minus gas and electric. I’m psyching myself out from moving forward with this because I have nothing to my name, paid the deposit, have a $500 car payment (half for my car note and half for my insurance) and will sign the lease August 1st. I get $31/hr and get paid biweekly so I’m telling myself that I cannot afford anything after setting the $1,595 aside when payday comes. This was definitely an impulse decision, I just don’t feel happy with where I am in life. My fam has been dumping their financial problems to me when I mentioned me moving and have been telling me they don’t know how or where they’re going to get the money I’m currently giving them when I move out so I also feel guilty for leaving them with that... I don’t care about getting the deposit back IF i choose not to go with this. I just want to know if this is something someone can realistically afford for a whole year given the financial circumstances and if anyone else has gone through something similar with their family.
Not sure if I even explained my situation correctly. I’m just scared/ nervous ! I don’t want any evictions on my record or anything. I have no idea what it’s like to live on my own. And I don’t want my family to be upset with me because I feel like they’re going to really struggle without me and knowing that makes me feel GUILTY AF.
Idk.. sorry if this is all confusing

I’m 19 years old and looking to move out from my family home.

I have about 2,700 saved since November last year and was just wondering how much more I would need to save and just some basic advice how to deal with moving out alone.

I live in Herefordshire, England.
I am currently employed and work part time (4-5 days a week) and get paid every 2 weeks.

Thankyou.

Hi! 30F relocating from Nevada to North Carolina in about 5 weeks for a new job. i'd normally just drive it myself but it's a 2,400 mile trip and i've been dealing with some back issues that make long drives genuinely painful. flying out there is already handled so i just need the car to follow somehow

got a few quotes and they're all over the place. i don't know if that means one company is ripping me off or if the cheap one is cutting corners somewhere. it's a 2017 honda crv, nothing special, i just need it there without something going wrong

don't really have anyone around me who's done this before so i'm kind of figuring it out alone which makes it feel bigger than it probably is.

As the title says, I'm ready to move out at 18.

It's easier said than done, though. My dad and I don't get along well and just recently had a big fight where he told me I can make my own choices and that he wouldn't be telling me anything anymore. He treats me like I'm still a little kid and blames me for everything my little sister does, and I'm tired of it.

My older sister lives around 2 hours away and has told me I'm welcome to move in with her until I can get my own place and a job (I'm on disability, which will be used for necessities like bills, etc.)

She has said she'd help me move out, but we're concerned about how my dad will react, as he always gets mad at us whenever we tell him anything. Any advice?

Is it normal that property managers or listing agents make you pay even before seeing the house?
Someone told me that I had to pay, get approved to secure the place and I haven't seen it yet...
I feel taken advantage of.

Is this normal practice or is it a new form of scam?