I'm not sure if anyone remembered my thread about leaving my house when I was like.. 16 or something.. I don't know - it was when I joined Beyond and was still in newbie stage =).
Either way.. heres the situation. I'm currently living in Australia, I graduate out of school in 2 weeks ("college" here..) And I'm from thunder bay, Ontario.
I have 4 choices, it seems.. I can..
A. live with my mom, who.. well just isn't easy to live with.
B. live with my sister (The one who made me want to move out the first thread)
C. move out in Australia by myself, and end up on the street cus rent is 1200 a month...
or D. Move back to Thunder Bay, go to actual college in September, and live on my own in a little apartment or something.
Now, the last time I got mildly flamed cus I was looking at it pretty unrealistically.. But this time I think I have it somewhat sorted.
I've been looking at places, for a bachelor apartment on the north side (the nice, safe, not getting stabbed at night side) rent is about 300-400 a month. In some cases, 500 with utilities paid.
Just from what I've been told (I've never had to pay utilities myself.. ) Utilities (heat/water/power etc.) should run about 100-150 a month, in a little place such as mine would be.
If I get a car, or rather, fix my old car, gas and such should run about 150 a month.. Little Accord and I wouldn't be driving much more then 30km a day.
Food, well I was living on my own here in Aus for 2 months and it only cost me like .. 150 a month, but thats because I didn't shop the best.. I'm sure I can get it to 100 a month if I want to live off rice and Kraft Dinner (mmm KD..)
Doing laundry at a laundy mat should only really cost me like 10-15 bucks a month.. so I'm not really factoring that in.
I figure, about 100-150 a month for random stuff like going out here and there..buying lunch when I don't make it.. that sort've thing.
Now.. I figured it out to about.. 900-1200 a month, depending on certain things etc. if I don't get a car till I start making better money and such, and if I don't get broadband internet etc. etc.. I can really do it all for like 800 - but the nice things in life (such as wheels and quick internet =D) can wait till I start making more money..
I don't really want to hear "Just live with your mom, even if it sucks." etc. etc. - I want to move back to Thunder Bay and be with my girlfriend again, and also go back to college, and all that sort've thing. I've got a few places lined up - like working at a dealership doing services, working at a rental place detailing, or in worst cases.. I can work for Verizon doing customer support, till I find a better place.
I'm not looking to get help from my parents, I don't think they'd help me anyways.. And if need be I might have to get a 2 bedroom place and get a room mate..
What I'm just trying to wrap my head around is.. What are some things I should expect.. some things I can do to keep my cost of living down.. and what should I look for in terms of apartments ? What other living arrangement options should I consider?
Anything, really, advice wise would be fantastic... When I'm in college the agreement with my folks is I get first year tuition, and they'll pay the basics (rent/util/food) and I pay the rest of stuff, so part time job is a must.. but I'm lookin' at a full time job right now so I can live without worrying too much on being evicted.. or something.
So..
thanks =)