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Beginner Planner
 
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FH and I can't afford a house right now but being that we're going on 27 we would like to move out of our parents' houses before we get married in May 2009. So we were planning on moving into an apartment come August of this year.
Well on the weekend I was on the web getting an idea of prices on apartments. I found this 2 bedroom basement apartment that is only $925 a month! And it includes water and hydro. On top of that it's closer to both FH's work and my work, so it won't take me as long to get to and from work and it will save on gas for FH. Also, we'd share the washer and dryer with the people upstairs so we wouldn't have to pay to use washing machines and dryers (which are so expensive in buildings).
The other good thing is it's in a house so I'd finally be rid of living in an apartment building (been in the same building my whole life).
So we went to see the place yesterday and we really liked it. It's
very cozy. The kitchen is huge, which I like. The living room area
is a bit small for my liking (but then again I'm so use to my apartment I've lived in my whole life) but it's cozy and would work for the two of us. The master bedroom is a bit small too...once the bed is in there it
doens't leave a ton of walking space but again I know it would work
with what we have. The second room would be perfect as a space for my crafting supplies and my doll collection stuff as well as our computer and books. We also have a storage space in the apartment as well. It all seems really good. We might have to store some of my stuff I'm saving for when we have kids at my dad's house but he has no problem with that since he has a ton of space not being used. He lives alone in a big house!
FH likes it and thinks we should take it. He's dying to move out since in a month his mom's husband comes to Canada from Cuba. FH and his sister have never met the guy so it's like a stranger moving into their home and they aren't impressed. (long story)
We worked out our budget again tonight and we will have about $600 left to save every month.
My mom thinks we should wait and move out closer to the wedding so we can save up money for the wedding faster plus she keeps saying we still need to buy a lot of stuff for our place and we need to buy furniture.. Yes we'd save more staying at home but we figure we don't want the stress of moving into a new place and trying to set all that up and running around for last minute wedding details so close together. Plus really the only furniture we will need to buy is a new bed and mattress, a dresser, some lamps, a wall unit for the TV and video games, etc. Everything else is small stuff. Bedding, household items for cleaning and stuff.
We will have about $10,000 saved up by the time we move out in June (the place is available June 1st) so I'm sure even after buying what we do need and paying for rent, etc. we will still have money left over in savings, collecting interest. Plus what we put in there every month thereafter. His dad is helping to pay for part of the reception at our wedding, my mom is helping to pay for a few things (not sure what though yet) and I'm sure my dad will help out a bit.
I'm just not sure if I love the living room and I'm just nervous in general of moving out since this is the only home I've ever known. I also feel bad leaving my mom all alone. She is a single parent and I'm her only child and she is unemployed. Also for both of us we have been spoiled with our moms doing laundry and cooking for us so we've never had to do it. I only recently started to learn how to do these things.
Just not sure what would be the right route to go.
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Planning Addict
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| If you think you can do it and pay for the wedding then go for it. I will say that it does cost a lot though, so make sure you factor in all those things, don't forget about things like apartment insurance. Another note is relax and don't kill each other! Things change when you move in together (even if your sleeping over every night). Its very different being on your own and it takes a couple weeks to figure stuff out. So if you can balance all that and the wedding then go for it. We've been living together almost 2 years now and I can't imagaine it any other way. Plus its much easier to do certian things lol
~This is the day I will marry my best friend, The one I laugh with, live for and love~ May 31, 2008
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Beginner Planner
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| Just make sure that there is enough natural light in it, as it is a basement. I know that when FH and I were looking for a place there was a really nice basement unit but no natural light, I personally could not live like that. If it has everything you want and you can afford it and still save, then don't be nervous. Its great being out on your own! I've been in my own place since I was 18 and moved away to go to University. As much as I love my parents and going home for a weekend, I can't imagine going back and living there now! haha You guys should totally do what you think is right for you, and if moving out is that, then go for it!
I' m no angel, but I've spread my wings a bit
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Master Planner
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| From everything you've written about it, it really sounds like this might be a good move for you. Living together and not living at home anymore are both big adjustments, and if it were me, I'd definitely not want to combine that with the stress of a wedding that's only a couple of months away. Your mom has a point, but I wonder how much of her arguement is mostly an excuse to keep her baby at home a little longer? In the end, you have to do what's right for the two of you. Just remember that there are always extra costs that come with living on your own (ie. not at home) - things that both of you might have taken for granted and not thought about until now. I lived on my own for a while before I met DH, and I certainly found that - even things like buying all your own groceries, toilet paper, etc, and paying for things like contents insurance. Good luck!
Married my love on October 20, 2007... and baby makes 3 on October 15ish, 2008!
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Loving Planning!
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DH and I lived in a basement apartment when we first moved in together over 5 years ago. We had only been dating for a little over a year at the time and were anxious to move in together. We looked at one, yes, one apartment and took it right away. It was a one bedroom basement apartment. I do NOT want to scare you, and your apt could be TOTALLY different, but I would never live in one again. No light, poor breathing conditions... and the floor underneath collected water to the point when you would walk in the kitchen after it rained, it felt like a water bed!
Just be careful... maybe look around a bit more, don't rush into it. Especially if you have to sign a lease! The only thing that saved us when we had to literaly flee in the middle of the night because of earwings invading, was we were living there month to month.
Good luck.... I am sure not all basement apt's are bad.
"To love and be loved, is to feel the sun from both sides"
 July 15th, 2006...I married my soul mate!
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Beginner Planner
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RobsGirl (5/2/2008)
DH and I lived in a basement apartment when we first moved in together over 5 years ago. We had only been dating for a little over a year at the time and were anxious to move in together. We looked at one, yes, one apartment and took it right away. It was a one bedroom basement apartment. I do NOT want to scare you, and your apt could be TOTALLY different, but I would never live in one again. No light, poor breathing conditions... and the floor underneath collected water to the point when you would walk in the kitchen after it rained, it felt like a water bed!
Just be careful... maybe look around a bit more, don't rush into it. Especially if you have to sign a lease! The only thing that saved us when we had to literaly flee in the middle of the night because of earwings invading, was we were living there month to month.
Good luck.... I am sure not all basement apt's are bad.
Thanks for the warning. The place looked really nice though. All painted nice and nice floors as well. We really looked at the walls for mold or water damage and saw nothing. There is a couple with a young child living there right now and they are moving out by May 15th I think we were told. After they leave the apartment will be fixed up even more (new door and a new fridge, etc.). Right now their son's room looks freshly painted as does theirs. The kitchen has huge long wrap around counters and cupboards! As for natural light, that was my concern too. However we don't actually go down stairs to get to the basement. You just walk in the door and you're in it. So the screen door itself gives off some natural light but then you walk down a small hall and there is the living room and kitchen. No windows in the living room or kitchen though. There is a window in each bedroom. Not sure how much natural those 3 sources will give us though. Another thing is there is no A/C but FH said we could buy a portable A/C...however my understanding is that those still need to go to a window with tubing and not sure how we'd be able to do that.
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New CB Member
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I'd say go for it! FH and I just moved into our first home this weekend after living with my mom for a year (and living together for 8.5 years on our own). It such an awesome feeling having your own place, and yes as PP said, there are a lot of adjustments to make especially if you've never lived together as a couple.
Setting up an easy system for finances is a big help, decide who will pay for what - get yourself a great big wall calendar and write down when payments are due, when paydays are etc. I can't live without mine 
I think moving sooner rather than later is a good idea, we are getting married in August and the adjustment to a new place + unpacking & organizing is a lot to deal with on top of the wedding.
Good luck and let us know what you decide!
Ed & Trina
One day at a time since 1999 *~August 2nd, 2008~*
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