Wow, we are actually looking at my son and girlfriend moving out (okay not until May when the lease is up) and I realize I have never lived alone. That is fine, however I am wondering what it will be like, how to prepare, where to live, and seeing how much I prepare. I pretty much have the worst case scenario in my mind all the time, the roommate thing and horrible people who stay up late and don't let me use the kitchen, a neighborhood too far from my children, or just that I feel crappy for renting a room at 51.
Then the idea of renting a studio or one bedroom, I did see some on Craigslist for $1,000 which is my goal. Not a lot in Denver and surrounding areas for that price however. I worry about qualifying (most big places want to see 3 times the rent in income, I can just pull off $1,000 a month) and if my credit is repaired enough, the stupid back and forth on student loans (I pay as much as I can as often as I can and just accept that), and if they want me. I think I am a good potential renter after all, quiet and one cat and work a lot of hours, have a steady income. I have considered asking my sister if I can stay there if I have a gap in a place to live, she is an hour away but my summer camp hours are not as long as school year. That way I don't get into the crunch of taking whatever I can find. The month to month at this complex is insane. I would pay them of course, but so much less and I could build up one months savings instead of depleting my savings for first and last and deposits.
Pros of renting a room are:
Pay on the student loan more and more consistently
Usually more flexible leases
Cons are
can't count on being friends with house mates
uncomfortable with lifestyles, privacy
Pros of renting my own place
My own place, my own stuff,
Cons of renting my own place
higher cost
finding a place
Okay, lots of positives please, I am already really good at thinking of the worst case scenario