Sharing your Dallas apartment with a roommate may have been a great arrangement for a while. Splitting the rent. Having someone to hang with. Lately, though, it’s kind of, well…sucked. He left dirty dishes in the sink…again. She “borrowed” your favorite sweater and spilled red wine on it. Those late-night, mid-week parties are getting super old. And that loud chewing? It’s making you downright homicidal.
Whatever the reason, you may find yourself daydreaming about what life would be like if you had your own Dallas apartment all to yourself. Of course, wanting your own place and actually being ready to venture out on your own are two entirely different things. If you’re still on the fence, here are a few telltale signs that you’re ready to go solo.
You’re financially secure.
Maybe not “nest egg in the bank,” huge 401(k) balance “secure,” but you’ll want to at least be certain that you can comfortably afford rent and living expenses on your own. Sit down and calculate how much you bring home every month versus how much you estimate your expenses will be. This will give you a clearer picture of what you can and cannot afford. Remember – evictions suck, so be as thorough with your budget as possible to avoid any costly (and embarrassing) surprises down the road.
You’ve got the goods (or can replenish them).
Whether you’re thinking of giving your roomie the boot or moving out into a new Dallas apartment on your own, take an inventory of what belongs to whom. For instance, if your roommate bought or supplied the furniture, you’ll need to start planning to replace it. Can you afford that? Likewise, if you split the cost, you’ll probably end up having to either buy him or her out, or divvy up what’s there evenly. Be prepared for this added hassle and potential extra expense.
You’re capable of saving money.
You don’t have to pinch every penny, but life happens, and when you’re living on your own, you won’t necessarily have anyone to fall back on. For instance, let’s say your car breaks down or you get temporarily laid off from work. Your landlord probably isn’t going to let you skate on the rent, and the electric company definitely won’t. That’s why it’s important to have at least a little bit of cash stashed away in an emergency fund (enough to cover at least 1 or 2 months). If you’re the type who spends money before it even hits your bank account, you might not be ready for solo living.
You know how to adult.
Unless you plan on hiring a chef, maid or butler, nobody is going to handle the everyday tasks that come with keeping your apartment (and your life) running smoothly. Can you cook? Clean up after yourself? Do your own laundry? Pay bills and balance your checkbook? Make your own doctor’s appointments? Get up on time for work every day? If so, congrats! You’ve got a long life of endless responsibilities in your future! (Yay!) If you’re not quite capable of managing life on your own, either stay put or start budgeting for some hired help.
You can handle surprises.
Life comes at you fast, and living on your own doesn’t come without its fair share of surprises. Unfortunately, they’re not all good ones, either. If you’re the type who has to be talked off a ledge every time something goes wrong, then getting your own Dallas apartment may not be the best fit for you (especially if it’s on an upper floor). In all seriousness, though, if you want to be successful at solo-living, you have to be able to roll with the punches.
Meet all the above criteria? Ready to explore your options? Fill out the web form or give us a call at (214) 999-1161. One of our experienced locators will help you find the perfect Dallas apartment to call your own!
Comments are closed here.