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Eviction Notice
Somehow over the past few years, you've grown accustomed to a foreign bed, bland provisions cooked for the masses and zero privacy. You've discovered which shower stalls retain hot water privileges, which elevators jam with the least frequency and which hidden nooks of campus are best to take in an icy shot of air-conditioning. It's not just familiarity. College has become your home. So get ready because you're about to be evicted.
What will your living arrangements be when you leave the comforts of the chapter house or your apartment?
Let's examine some of the most common living options for life after graduation:
| 1. |
Movin' back with Mom & Dad. There's a term for folks in your situation: boomerangs, and you're growing in number by leaps and bounds. Returning to the parents definitely has its pros, the first and foremost being drastically reduced living expenses. Chances are, if you're unpacking half-read English lit novels that the bookstore wouldn't buy back into your childhood bedroom, mom and dad will take some pity on you. Important note: Pity tends to manifest itself as rent-free living (with chores to make up the difference) or, in the worst case scenario, a nominal rent. You'll be bypassing utility bills, cable and Internet charges and the need to buy incidentals like toilet paper and dish soap. (Just you wait, those costs can add up!) Another advantage is the ability to quickly settle into a comfortable routine with people you know and (hopefully) enjoy. When you come home after a long day at work and start complaining about how much the "real world" sucks compared to college, familiar faces will be around to commiserate and/or to lovingly say "I told you so." |
| 2. |
The Roommate Route. This is what I decided to do. A month or so before graduation, a pledge brother and I took an atlas to BW's. With 3 dozen wings, smothered in medium sauce and the fingers to match,
he pointed to Indianapolis, Indiana, and I agreed. It was as good a plan as any. We learned our way around the city together. We divided our rent and bills in half. I reminded him to return DVDs to the video store and he made certain I cleaned the bathroom on occasion. We each had a built-in friend to help ease the transition. Personally, I advocate the roommate route wholeheartedly. It's a comfort to be able to share the next step with close friends or relatives who are going through similar situations. Be warned, however, about living with strangers. Especially if you're moving to a new city or state, be sure to seek out roommates from reputable sources. Check out a local newspaper's classified section or type "find a roommate" in the browser of your favorite search engine. Stable and sane individuals are out there - if you do your homework. |
| 3. |
Livin' Single. Ah, the bachelor pad! You are the master of your own domain. You set the thermostat, you control the TV and you decide how long milk stays in the refrigerator after its expiration date. The freedom of living alone is fantastic. Of course, with freedom comes responsibility. If living single is what you choose, be sure you can handle the financial obligations. Create a manageable budget and stick to it. And don't worry about getting too lonely - all your pledge brothers and friends who chose living options #1 and #2 will be over to use your digs as a welcome retreat! |
So where should you fix up your futon next? Alas, there is no web address to give you the answer. But whatever you decide, make your next home your own. The quirky places and peculiar people you choose to surround yourself with fresh out of college are surely among the richest and most colorful you'll enjoy in life. |
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