Where should I live after graduating college?

Parent Cafe
1

<p>I’ll be graduating from college in June and I am trying to decide where to live afterwards. I’m currently living in the school dorms, paid for by a mix of financial aid and a scholarship. I’m 21/F.</p>

<p>Some info: both my parents are dead. This kind of complicates things because I have no place where I am always welcome & accepted, etc. Also, I must buy my own insurance policies and things like that – I don’t get to stay on my parent’s policy til 26 like some people.</p>

<p>Another thing, I will get to keep my college job throughout the summer, for about four months (start of June through the end of September) but after that I don’t have a job lined up. I do have about 1,000 in emergency savings right now, and I’m hoping to increase that to about 4,000 after summer is over (from a mix of income and graduation presents). This amount would allow me to pay my bills for about two months after that if I can’t find a job right away.</p>

<p>During school breaks I generally stay with my sister. I could move back there – but then it would be a three-hour commute (each way) for my job. This is what I did last summer – I got up at 5am and left for work and didn’t get home til 8pm. It’s exhausting and I just don’t think I would have much energy to be submitting job applications, etc.</p>

<p>So, the pros and cons of living with my sister:</p>

<p>Pros:
*No rent or utilities. (however I still buy my own food, and need the same insurance policies, etc.)
*More flexibility – no need to sign a 12month lease</p>

<p>Cons:
*Huge commute to my summer job (three hours each way).
*It can get a bit tense at times because she is a fundamentalist Christian and I am an atheist.</p>

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<p>My monthly income after taxes (I will get this til the end of September): $1957 (1757 from job and 200 from plasma donation)</p>

<p>Proposed Expenses if I get a studio apt near my job:
Rent: $650
Water/Sewer/Trash: $100
Electric: roughly $30 per month
Cell phone: $40
Internet: $40
Food: $300/month
Gas: $75/month
Public Transportation: $30
Hobby: $60 per month
Clothing: $60 per month
Personal Care/Household misc: $30 per month
Grand Total: $1415</p>

<p>Proposed Expenses living with my sister:
Cell phone: $40
Food: $500 (I know I will eat out a ton if I am gone every day from 5am til 8pm)
Gas: $75
Public Transportation: $220 (commute from my sister’s house involves bus, car, and boat)
Hobby: $60 per month
Clothing: $60 per month
Personal Care/Household misc: $30 per month
Grand Total: $985</p>

<p>Expenses I don’t have quite yet but will start soon:
Car insurance: $100 per month (starting in Oct 2012)
Health insurance: $137 per month (starting in Sept 2012)
Student Loans: $200 per month (starting in Dec 2012)</p>

<p>So, the overall difference between the two options is $430 per month.</p>

<p>I guess my question is what is the best thing to do in this situation? I’m fairly confident in my capability to find employment but then again I’ve heard a lot of horror stories. What do you think – Would it be totally idiotic to sign a 12month lease when I am only sure I have a job for the first four months?</p>

2

<p>Have you looked for a summer sub-let?</p>

3

<p>Was also going to suggest a summer sublet- even less expensive if there are other roommates.</p>

4

<p>I was also going to suggest a sublet or even an apt shared to lower your near campus expenses. The 3 hour commute seems grueling and crazy expensive with gas. </p>

<p>I also want to say that you should pat yourself on the back for thinking this out so thoroughly. Use that time you save from that commute to concentrate on finding a full time job - what is your area of study?</p>

5

<p>Do you mind telling us (1) where you go to college? (2) where your sister lives? (3) what you studied in school and what type of long-term job you are looking for?</p>

<p>Whether it makes sense for you to try to stay in your college community – or perhaps move to your sister’s community, where at least you have some family – may depend on whether either of these places is a good place for you to launch a job search.</p>

6

<p>Have you been exploring opportunities through the Career Center and been looking for the post-graduate job? I say go heavy for the job and allow yourself permission to travel wherever the work is.</p>

7

<p>I will have to look into a sublet. However I’m pretty sure that any more permanent job I get after I finish up with my summer job will be in the same area, so I’d have to move twice – from the dorms to the sublet to an apartment rather than simply the dorms to the apartment. I’ll look into it though and check prices.</p>

8

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<p>Sure:

  1. University of Washington in Seattle
  2. My sister lives on the Kitsap Peninsula, in Seabeck. To get to my job from there, it is a 45 minute drive to the ferry, a one hour ferry ride, a 45 minute bus ride to the area of my job, and a 30 minute walk from the bus to my job.
  3. I studied public health.</p>
9

<p>Wouldn’t it be a lot less expensive time & money wise to find shared housing closer to yor work?</p>

<p>Hood canal would be a great place to spend the summer ( I’ve done it myself), but I doubt there are many jobs there.</p>

<p>I would also look for house sitting opportunities. Being that summer is coming, you may be able to find enough to get you through the next 4 months.</p>

10

<p>Here is my suggestion…get a summer sublet in Seattle. This will give you less of a commute, and also allow you the time to continue to look for jobs in that area. If you land a job…you can look for a permanent place. If not, then at the end of the summer job, go to your sister’s and continue your job search.</p>

11

<p>Could you live with a person from your job? My daughter found a super cheap sublease via Facebook. Low-ball the sublease. You’re doing them a favor. Also try Craigslist or post an ad on Craigslist (though I HIGHLY recommend you have someone with you when checking out places). Could you stand up in class and mention your needs? Could you hand out or post flyers? You only need one person to act in your behalf. </p>

<p>And here’s a crazy one; I also had a friend with very similar circumstances who lived in a tent in a secure campground for an entire summer. Speaking of camping; Is there an Occupy group in your area? It could provide a more secure camping experience. I know some of these ideas are “out there”, but your needs are bigger because of the lack of parents. Are there any other relatives who could help? Either with some funds or housing? Could you qualify for food stamps and other aid? I fully support your needs with my tax dollars in these circumstances. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

12

<p>I really believe that those six hours per day would be better spent on sleep and applying for jobs for the fall, even if your expenses are higher this summer. And what if you developed car problems? If you were living close by, you could still figure out a way to get to work. I’m glad you have your sister, though, as some kind of back-up. Losing both parents so young is hard.</p>

13

<p>I fully support the Occupy movement, but this is no place to find housing. My son was arrested in NYC for doing nothing wrong. As a political movement, YES, but as a source of stable housing NO. Their possessions were seized and destroyed and thrown away. Laptops destroyed and into the trash.</p>

<p>OP–Absolutely, I support my tax dollars going to food stamps for you! You might not accept it, but I wish you would.</p>

14

<p>A relative of mine is involved in Occupy on Capitol Hill in Seattle. It is a hot issue of contention right now, and I doubt the OP needs involvement of this sort. </p>

<p>Moving twice would be time better spent than 6 hours per day commuting. Might save you money in the long run to sublet, and would not tie you to anything for now. And help build networks off campus in Seattle for the longer term. One major car problem could make the financial point moot. Keep that car in good shape for the long term! </p>

<p>Sympathies for your situation, the loss of your parents, and lack of family that understands your values. It has got to be rough, seeing classmates returning home, and knowing you’re figuring this out very much on your own. Be proud of how strong and organized you are!</p>

15

<p>Okay, so I’ve checked out subletting a room, and I’ve found that it is the same price as renting a studio apartment. The reason is because I was looking at cheaper ‘outskirt’ areas of Seattle for an apartment, but all the subletting rooms I can find are very near the University of Washington (more expensive to live in that neighborhood).</p>

<p>I can keep checking back of course, but it doesn’t seem like subletting is going to save me much money as compared to renting an apartment.</p>

<p>Subletting does have the ‘pro’ of flexibility, though.</p>

<p>So what do you think – should I still look into subletting even though it’s the same price?</p>

16

<p>Do you have a permanent job secured after the summer? If not, you will be on the hook for a year’s lease if you sign one. And do you have finances/savings/etc to qualify to sign a lease? Some landlords will require this.</p>

17

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<p>Thank you!</p>

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<p>Yes, I do have relatives who could help. Not really in the sense of a monthly allowance or anything like that, but I am expecting a fairly large sum of money (a couple thousand) as a graduation present from my relatives (combined) & if I do get an apartment my aunt would probably take me shopping to furnish it. So I have support along those lines – No one in my family regularly supports me financially, but they would not let me go homeless or hungry.</p>

<p>Regarding food stamps – I suppose I should look into that but I don’t think I would qualify. I make $12 per hour at my job which is a couple dollars more than minimum wage.</p>

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<p>No, I do not have a permanent job yet. However if I am unable to find a job in my field, I think I could get a job (as a cashier, waitress etc) quite quickly – and I have enough money saved in reserves for two months of living expenses. I know the economy is bad but I have a good employment history and good references and I can’t imagine not being able to secure at least SOME type of job within two months.</p>

<p>I do not know my exact credit score and my history is lacking because I have never had a credit card, but I think my score is pretty good, because when I got a car insurance quote it said that my credit score in the 90th percentile.</p>

<p>Also, I am pretty sure my aunt (with excellent credit) would co-sign a lease for me.</p>

<p>I guess I won’t know til I apply but it seems as though my friends in a similar situation with presumably similar lack of much credit history are able to sign leases.</p>

18

<p>I have no answer for you until you find a job. For the summer, can you stay in the Dorm? If so, would it be chaper than stay outside?</p>

<p>For car insurance, ask if you can join your aunt’s or your sister’s, it might be cheaper if you are part of their insurance. Of course it will become a liability to them if you get into an accident.</p>

19

<p>I think you could get some help for food stamps.
Check online:</p>

<p>[Food</a> Stamps - Application Help Online](<a href=“snap-help.com”>snap-help.com)</p>

<p>Also, you could perhaps get some additional help here:</p>

<p>Seattle Human Services Department. Seattle Municipal Tower. 700 5th Ave Suite 5800. PO Box 34215
Source(s):
Family & Social Service
(206) 267-0604 - 825 Yesler Way, Seattle, WA</p>

<p>Downtown Emergency Service Center
(206) 464-0103 - 517 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA</p>

<p>The sublease sounds more appealing because there wouldn’t be a 12 month commitment. </p>

<p>I know my camping/occupy thought was a crazy idea…but I did have a friend that was forced into this because of similar circumstances. She’s now a successful teacher.</p>

<p>Also, with the subletting, live lean (like you’re camping) and that way you don’t have to move much stuff when you do have to move.</p>

20

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<p>No, I cannot stay in the dorms because I am graduating, so no longer officially a student. It’s quite expensive anyway.</p>

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<p>Wouldn’t I have to be living in the same household or something? Thanks for the tip, I’ll look into it.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the link – I filled in my information and I would qualify for…a whopping $15 per month in food stamps. I’ll remember this option if I am unemployed for a lengthy period of time, though.</p>