Starting Out On Your Own
It may come at different stages of one's life. Some may start young and live in a dorm while in college. Others, having graduated from the province, choose to try their luck here in Manila and rent their own place. It could also be a time when you're writing your thesis and with your parents' blessing, you decide on living alone and getting used to not depending on anyone for your needs. We may have different reasons. As for me, I started living independently just last week.
For those who are just starting out, here's a list of what you probably would need to plan about:
1. Considering your income and expenses, do you want to get a condo unit, apartment, or share a room? You can view options online. For rooms, 2,500 pesos monthly can get you a decent place and 7,000 for a studio type apartment. Usually, owners require one month rent in advance with one month deposit. Ask for a receipt.
Check provisions such as free water, electricity, and wifi. Note if it is fully furnished, semi-furnished, or bare. Consider how many rides will take you to the office and if the neighborhood is safe. You can do this by contacting the numbers displayed on the ad and requesting an ocular check. It is also practical to live near the supermarket, pharmacy, and the church so you can save on transportation.
2. When a bed and mattress are provided, you probably would need to bring your own pillow and bedsheet. You can get these at good quality for less than a thousand bucks.
3. Schedule doing your laundry. Decide if you will do it yourself or pay for the service. I chose to do it, by hand.
4. Watch your diet and get enough rest. Eat fruits and drink enough water (especially in this very hot weather).
5. Have a list of the household items you need so you wouldn't have to make frequent trips to the supermarket.
It may be daunting at first but we can get used to it. With ample preparation not just of material resources but also psychologically, mentally, and emotionally, spiced up with creativity, it could be a lot of fun! And fun is good if tempered with self-discipline, which is the true sign of maturity.
For those who are just starting out, here's a list of what you probably would need to plan about:
1. Considering your income and expenses, do you want to get a condo unit, apartment, or share a room? You can view options online. For rooms, 2,500 pesos monthly can get you a decent place and 7,000 for a studio type apartment. Usually, owners require one month rent in advance with one month deposit. Ask for a receipt.
Check provisions such as free water, electricity, and wifi. Note if it is fully furnished, semi-furnished, or bare. Consider how many rides will take you to the office and if the neighborhood is safe. You can do this by contacting the numbers displayed on the ad and requesting an ocular check. It is also practical to live near the supermarket, pharmacy, and the church so you can save on transportation.
2. When a bed and mattress are provided, you probably would need to bring your own pillow and bedsheet. You can get these at good quality for less than a thousand bucks.
3. Schedule doing your laundry. Decide if you will do it yourself or pay for the service. I chose to do it, by hand.
4. Watch your diet and get enough rest. Eat fruits and drink enough water (especially in this very hot weather).
5. Have a list of the household items you need so you wouldn't have to make frequent trips to the supermarket.
It may be daunting at first but we can get used to it. With ample preparation not just of material resources but also psychologically, mentally, and emotionally, spiced up with creativity, it could be a lot of fun! And fun is good if tempered with self-discipline, which is the true sign of maturity.
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