The expenses keep piling up when you’re trying to make ends meet, especially when you are just starting out on your own. One of the most important things you need to do in order to live on your own is find an affordable place to live. It might not be very easy but there are many cost-effective ways to live on your own. However, it’s important to know what you’re doing, and that’s what you will learn in this article.
1. Look Into Coliving
Coliving is more affordable and you won’t be isolating yourself by living alone. You will get to meet new people and it will make the change of moving out of your parent’s house much easier. Whether you are looking into coliving in NYC or coliving in Los Angeles, communal living can be a great way to keep rent down while making new friends
2. Negotiate The Deal
Before you move into a new place, you must find a good house or apartment. There are many factors that go into finding your new home, including the rent, location, and the amount of space you have. When you live alone, your rent should be at least 30% of your monthly income.
Before you sign a lease for a new home, you want to negotiate with your landlord about the rent. Negotiate with landlords to let you get rid of the rent deposit, provided you pay for any damage you cause during your stay. You can even negotiate to get the deposit back.
3. Use Online Groups
Rather than looking at a single listing, you can try searching Facebook groups or Craigslist for available roommates. You can even do a search for listings with the keyword “roommate wanted.” You’ll be able to find current roommates who are looking for someone to fill the space, or you can post a listing to find a new place to live.
It’s not hard to find groups in your city or state on Facebook. The best part is that most people in these groups are looking for a roommate, and they are usually more affordable than a new apartment.
4. Search In Affordable Neighborhoods
If you want to live on your own, you will probably have to do it in a different neighborhood than where you live now. Many people don’t realize this and simply look for an affordable apartment in their current neighborhood. However, this could end up costing you more than you think.
For example, in the minimum wage areas, you might be able to find an affordable apartment in your neighborhood, but it might take all of your monthly paychecks.
However, there are plenty of areas around the city that have very similar rents to your current neighborhood that you might like better. Check out neighborhoods in your city that have a similar vibe to your current neighborhood but are more affordable. Look for an apartment there instead.
Some cities have neighborhoods that are cheaper than others, but they are still relatively close to the rest of the city. These neighborhoods are usually near public transportation, so you won’t need a car.
5. Live In Hostels
If you’re tired of living at your parents’ place and can’t afford an apartment on your own, why not live in a hostel? It’s cheap and fun, and the social aspect is a definite plus. You can meet so many new people and make great friends. Hostels are also a great way to travel and save money while you’re doing it.
6. Look For House Sitting Jobs
Housesitting is a unique way to travel, and it can be very affordable. There are thousands of house sitting opportunities on the internet. Housesitting is a way for homeowners to get free or discounted pet care or house maintenance in exchange for watching their home for a few days or weeks. This is a great way to experience another culture, learn about a new city, and be immersed in a new way of life.
7. Live-In Property Manager
If you’ve ever dreamt of living in your own home but can’t afford to do so, you might find some property owners willing to give you a rent-free home in exchange for a little help. If you’re up to the task of managing the property or even just keeping an eye on it while the owner is away, you might be able to get a place to live without paying a dime.
The job could range from basic lawn maintenance to more than full-time management of the property. This could be a good fit for you if you’re looking to live in a specific area or neighborhood or if you’re trying to save money while still having your own place.
