If you are concerned about your safety, here are some reminders. 1. Don't show outside your windows 2. Don't mention if certain niche restaurants, parks or landmarks are near you. 3. Don't give any details about what your apartment building set up is. Be safe girl, they have crazies out there.
Agreed. A band I follow (who lives in LA, coincidentally) recently had someone show up to their house. They always mention their favorite restaurants and shit, so that's probably why. Amanda, if you're reading this, please pay attention to the OP 👆🏾 Stay safe! 🖤🖤 1/27/21, 11:02a
Oh and make sure to not have any reflections of your surroundings in your glasses, a Japanese pop star got doxed and assaulted just by the locations in the reflections of her life eyes
Commented mid-watch, when you say someone who's moving in with no furniture doesn't have power at her house, versus her power is out, it leads to confusion.
Another pro tip: Figure out what you can afford for rent, then knock 25% off of that. Especially if you're moving out the first time. There's soooo much stuff you don't even think about until you need to start paying for it yourself. Like toothpaste or lightbulbs or snow shovels. (Well, snow is probably not an issue in LA, but you get the idea.)
So true! The first time I moved out, my roommate already had all the furniture and household necessities so it was super cheap. Then when I moved out of there and into a house with my SO, we ended up needing to furnish the whole place because neither of us has much. It took us two years to get our house looking like a place where adults live and it was so expensive! Also, in a lot of cities if you haven't had utilities accounts open there before, you have to put down a deposit. So between opening utilities accounts, house deposit and first months rent, renting moving trucks, and just getting bare essentials like cleaning supplies and toilet paper, it was nearly $5k. Then the cost of furniture and such on top of that. Go cheaper than you think you can afford, because other expenses come up and they will suck your bank account dry.
Seriously! When you own practically nothing but your clothes and are getting started in a new apartment you cannot imagine how many things you need. Trashcans! Shower curtains and liners! Cleaning supplies! Pots, pans, knives, cutting boards! It adds up real fast, even if you're getting most of it from the Dollar Store and Walmart
It's definitely much easier after the first time. Not only will you have most (or all) of those sorts of odds-and-ends items the second time around, but you'll have a lot more accurate view of your monthly budget, since you're actually spending that money instead of trying to predict what you'll spend. Far fewer "laundry detergent costs WHAT!?" moments.
Honestly, especially with the economy the last few years, more people are staying home longer. Also i mean long as your employed and paying your way i don't see a problem lol. I recently moved back in with my parents cause they're older and needed help with everything going on in the pandemic, but I pay my own bills and run my own life still. We're more like roommates in some ways lol
It's harder to have your own home or rent in the city or urban place (the place where the younger people live) this day. I live alone but my parents still support me because of school. Even my independent married brother gets this housing problem where no one would buy his house and he should be moving soon so he decide to live with my parents.
I'm 32 in June and I still haven't moved out. Ain't no shame in it. Everyone's situation is different. we all gotta do what works best for our situation
I've lived in 5 states, and probably a dozen cities since I first moved out. And I can say for a fact that every laundromat is the absolute worst. Each new one I try out is somehow worse than the one before it
Allen Mitchell I went to a laundromat in Portland during a hiking trip, it was bougie as fuck and the nicest one I’d ever been to. They had pinball machines, coffee, and the washers had a yoga mat setting. 10/10, good laundromats exist but they’re expensive and hipster as fuck.
Technically there's two, NY and LA. Thought NY has more theater jobs there is some film and TV, more then other places...but it's where Broadway is so it's where you can actually get paid more then pennies as a stage actor. LA has more film jobs. Once you are established, really you can move anywhere. People will fly you in once you have clout and plenty of studios don't shoot in LA, but because all the studios are based there, it's where they do most of the casting.
@@cayteer I think if you are working some other film job Atlanta's a great market. People still tend to circle to LA for a lot of film casting. So the actors still primarily come from LA. Studios don't tend to do their own casting and the majority of casting agents/companies are still LA based and then they fly talent out to wherever they are cast. You are more likely to go from LA to somewhere else then come to LA from a casting agency outside LA. It's still the biggest pool for the acting opportunities and building a resume really.
Two things about living alone; first, it is extremely easy to fall into a pattern of "convenience", such as ordering too many take outs or food deliveries. It is much cheaper to buy groceries and prepare your meals, even though sometimes you will feel lazy and that is okay. The second thing is that it can be lonely, let me explain, unless you are friends with someone in the area there will be times you will miss the company (eg. family). It is a good idea to call back home on a regular basis, for example weekly, and that will keep you sane; you have something to look forward to and you feel less lonely by remaining connected to your family.
Best/worst part about living alone is when you want or need something it's up to you to get it done. On days where you don't feel like doing anything is when it sucks.
This might sound weird and potentially disrespectful, but im happy in this story of divorce that there is a decent father, i hear too many stories about shitty dads, so im happy your dad seems cool, good luck Amanda.
I really appreciate that you make videos like this. As a stressed-out senior in high school that just wants to make videos on TH-cam, it's refreshing to see a young adult's perspective into the field I am so invested in. It's already so blurry from the outside so this really helps clear things up. Thank you.
Hope TH-cam works out for you! Also, while I doubt you do this; don’t spam comments on videos that say “My mom said that if I get 1000 likes I can get a new set up.”
Me, a 28yo hearing about the American "credit score", whatever that is: why... is everything so complicated in the US, why do companies know all that stuff about you o.o
@@taylablange7829 australia: the only times i've seen credit scores potentially used is renting. otherwise you just give a lot of info about your wages and spending habits
Tayla Blange they look at income payslips and also bank deposit records. You don’t have to have a credit card at all. I didn’t when I first bought a car and for my current rental I don’t think they looked at mine at all.
I'm in the Uk and we use credit scores. Where is it that you're from? It's a pretty global thing for companies to run credit checks on people? I also just had one to move into a flat I'm renting.
You teaching what schools don't, good on ya. I wish there was a personal finance class in high school. My broke single parent definitely didn't know anything about money and probably couldn't do much even if she did.
Amanda don't lie to us. We all know the real reason you moved is to escape the landscapers who kept running equipment during your filming. You don't want them to find you so they can run equipment when you record videos.
I remember in the late 90's when I moved out. One-bedroom apartment in Southern California was $875 a month. Had one free parking spot but no in-unit washer/dryer.
The worst part of living alone is how expensive it is. When I first moved out I lived with a partner and I was in for a rude awakening when we split. Living alone is the best tho
I feel like the English version of you! I moved to my own flat in London yesterday at 22 as well! And my dad helped me move too :D All the best Amanda x
I've lived in 3 apartments in LA over the last 6+ years, so from that experience, $1615 with parking and an in-unit washer/dryer is a steal. Congrats girl
As a native to LA, welcome and good luck! :D As for building credit early. You are right on that. My husband did not start building his credit until his mid-twenties and it caused a lot of problems. >_>" Edit to add: Dang! An in-unit washer and dryer? That's super rare especially for that price.
Amanda's summary is pretty accurate. I would also consider having a roommate you trust to share space with. It can help with the bills. Definitely read the reviews about the apartment complex before you even think about moving in there but do so with a grain of salt. I also suggest driving around the area if possible to see what is around the apartment. For example, is it near a county jail/sheriffs office.............? Take pictures of any defects you see on your first day of moving in and save it on your computer. Either have the landlord fix these issues or keep the pictures as evidence that it wasn't you that caused the damages. If they want proof of when the pictures were taken, the picture properties will be date stamped so that should be easy to prove. Some things she didn't talk about were pets, if the apartment allows pets they are usually an extra $20 a month added to the rent. Keep a copy of all the stuff you signed in a safe place. One piece of financial advice is to get credit rewards cards and pay your bills with it each month. Might be tough for a 20 something year old to get one, i don't remember, i'm in my 30's now but getting 2% cash back for all your bills is awesome :)
When I first moved out "on my own" it was into roommate situations with pre-existing furniture. So when I got my first apartment where I was legit "alone" and moving into a blank space, I ended up realizing things like "oh yeah, I need to own like a broom". All the small cost that added up in that first month were amusing to look back on. And like that first trip to the supermarket I had none of that basic stuff that's in kitchens like condiments and spices. Not to mention like dishes and living room tables. All this stuff I never thought of because like all I ever had to myself was a bedroom, so I had never decorated outside of it.
Wait, there's an application fee when youre applying for an apartment? And you also need to "build a credit score"? And your deposit isnt simply a month or 2 of rent? America is weird.
The application fee covers the cost of a background check so that people with certain felonies cannot live there. This is something they can mention on the website to make them look better. Background checks usually cost $45-100 so that’s usually what the app fee is. Some apartments outsource their application approval process too. The deposit is something you pay so that if there are any damages to the property they won’t have to track you down to pay the damages. If you move and don’t have any damages they will give it back to you. I think this became popular because it stops people from just completely trashing an apartment without any expectation to pay for it.
Sweet Jesus, renting an apartment in LA/USA sounds so complicated... When I rented my first place all I had to do was meet with the owner and give him the rent for the first month. No credit cards, no deposits, no insurances... That sounds like A LOT
Depends on where you're moving. Some places have them some don't. Usually if you're renting through s private individual you don't have to pay one, but if it's a corporate run rental then you do. They'll nickel and dime you for anything they can
The application fee does two things. First weed out people who are just looking and not actually interested. Second it covers the cost to run the background check plus credit score.
When you said you didn't see the apartment before signing I was about to scream lol but usually in buildings where there's a standard unit layout and everything is updated/professionally managed it is legit enough to trust it. I'd definitely be interested to see a video on how much you spent on furniture and decor when you're done setting up. That's one thing i budgeted a lot for when I moved into my own place (and I'm still working on it 5mo later lol).
Love this, proud of you, excited for you, love this. And a very good PSA about credit. Btw your dad sounds like a wonderful person with a lot of love for you. Oh oh and another EXTREMELY useful thing to know about building credit that no one ever ever told me...if you build it strong (they will come) then this will help immensely with your mortgage payments when you do eventually get a house. Theres is something called PMI which is private(?) mortgage insurance and if your credit is high then it can only be maybe an additional $10 a month on your mortgage payments, but if your credit is low then that number absolutely skyrockets and is just another infuriating payment to deal with on top of everything else that's part of your mortgage. Living in CA where costs can snowball, this can be a huge factor in what you can afford.
I appreciate you talking about this. I want to move out soon for the first time and it’s nice to hear about the breakdowns and struggles lol. Hope you are thriving at your new place!
Congrats on the move! I've lived in a studio before and (especially) if you're /not/ on the ground floor, open up your windows if you're going to cook so that the whole place doesn't start stinking
I was 18 when I signed the papers for my first apartment. I wasn’t able to tour it before since people were living in but unlike you, I barely even had pictures inside. It was a dump but it served its purpose for my first apartment. I was lucky enough to move three more times after that with the accommodations getting better each time lol. Next step is owning a home.
This kind of info is so useful. Much appreciated. I still have never lived on my own at 27 because I'm broke and living with roommates is cheaper. Also even the outer Seattle area (shoreline for me) is very expensive.
Welcome to LA! When I first got here it was a Friday and they couldn't turn my power on for 1 business day, so I went my first weekend without power. You'll do great!
Ya know I can honestly say you have been the most helpful person I've seen on the internet for REAL LIFE situations and bullshit. I know it's not easy sharing everything but thank you
Hey Amanda! Welcome to the solo life. I started at 23 I have been solo for 5 years now, watch out for eating out a lot. Invest in a Sams Club or Costco card and buy in bulk. Choose wisely what you decide to make. Don’t get lazy at cleaning, prep your stuff (clothes, lunch dinner, etc) the night before that way you have more time. Remember, you are in charge now. It has been a pleasure being your internet tour guide to living on your own.
I was 24 the first time I got my own studio apartment, living alone. It took some getting used to at first but I ended up loving the experience. The only thing I didn’t like dealing with when I was living alone is cooking for one. And being lonely. Adopting a cat helped a little.
I also moved out for the first time when I was older (26) I couldn't even imagine the maintenance and finances that go into living alone that I never had to think about!
My husband, two kiddos, and I recently moved to Alaska. I hear you with the “I have no furniture” thing. Stay strong! Also, I’m so glad you have an in-unit washer and dryer. You don’t appreciate having them until they’re gone. Especially with the quarter shortage that was going on for a while.
I barely understand how finance works in my country, let alone the us where they charge you for, basically everything, but i'll watch like and comment anything amanda does
I had a very similar situation when I turned 23. I was living with my parents and working and helping out but the proximity just became too much after a while and I just had to force myself to move. 5 years later and I can say the space has helped our relationship and I'm sure it will help yours as well. Congrats on getting your first place on your own!
I moved from OC to... OC last year and I think after 4 months I'm finally settled. I rent a master bedroom for $700 + utilities and that's a steal! Definitely my least favorite thing about moving out was all of the misc. things I needed. Pro tip: keep a list for when something pops into your head bc you will forget on your next pickup otherwise!
AMANDAAAAAA!! You really inspire me with this. Lol I’ve been wanting to move out for a while but I’m also not... as financially independent as you. So I gotta work on tjat
I moved out at 18, I had a room with a shared living space then moved in with my partner 6 months after because I was pregnant and we needed a full apartment 😂 then got a house 3 months later. Gosh my life moved so fast
I thought 1600+ was a dizzying price until I heard you say washer/dryer included and no, no, that' a blessing. A BLESSING. Doing laundry offsite is so ridiculously expensive and mentally taxing. Also, advice for youths considering the getting-a-credit-card-early route: if you have the means, setting up a card (with YOUR name on it) on a (reliable) parent's account will help you build credit history piggybacking off of theirs! I didn't get my own independent card until 23 and similarly moved out about six months later, but I ended up being okay with my credit. Also, yes, small purchases paid off in full will build you good credit, and fast! Best of luck with living solo!! The pain of deciding what to eat never, ever goes away :')
Thank you so much for posting this. I dont live in that area but it's good to keep in mind what i may need when i do end up moving regardless of where i go. Thank you ❤
I moved out on my own at age 22, August 2020, and the worst part is that my new apartment is so small they only gave me a minifridge and I have no counter space, so cooking is really hard to pull off. Somehow, though, I'm only ordering in ten times the entire month of January, which is a drastic reduction!! The worst part of living alone though is probably how crazy I've gotten with no one to like... talk to or base my behavior around. Sleep schedule nightmarish, I forget to eat until like 5pm some days, and the lack of other people means i have no one to worry about seeing my quarantine/depression mess, so I feel less compelled to clean it up :/
Completely agree. My mom was smart enough, and signed my sister and I up for credit cards under our names, on her account when we were 16. It was just for small purchases, and we had to pay for everything we bought on our credit card. And now I have great credit, and a 14 year credit history.
i moved out at 17 :) the worst part was buying all the small things needed for cooking & cleaning. but you should def splurge on cooking spices and big bags of rice~
Proud of you! I moved out at 19 then again at 22. I hate living with roommates but really dislike being lonely. I'm starting to save up up to move again in the spring. I'm packing up all the stuff I haven't used since the quarantine situation so that'll make it a thousand times easier.
Thanks so much for this video. I’m not moving to la or anything but as a college senior with super limited knowledge of how to move out and what things cost, this is a super helpful reference
Just getting around to watching this but congrats on the move to LA and taking another step toward your life goals! Also really appreciate all the financial breakdowns. It helps normalize talking about this which makes everything less mystifying. I’ve had a student credit card for at least 8 years now but I still only have a $300 credit limit? Which is usually fine for my expenditures (occasional gas/food/and a couple monthly subscriptions/recurring donations) while I’m living at home with my parents, but has only just recently become an issue because my dentist charged more than anticipated by doing an extra thing. Whenever I try to get it raised online I get an error message. And I’ve been too lazy to call. Been debating whether it makes sense to get a second credit card or not. Anyway enough over sharing from me. Congrats again Amanda!
That was actually a motivator for my moving out process! I was working towards moving out my parents home in March but plans got a little weird because of an unexpected surgery and that made me kinda bummed but your video made me believe I could do it again!
Congrats on the move... I moved out alone for the first time after my divorce lol... loving it and yes is always expensive than you think. we will miss the white door
Congrats on the move! My first "official" moveout (not to a college residence but where I now live in the "real adult world") was my third move of any kind in a year, after an unexpected move during college and moving back home after graduation before finding my own place. So by that point, morale for dealing with boxes and unpacking was quite low. I'm sure plenty of stuff got lost in the shuffle at my parents' attic 😅
I'm 30 and in the process of moving out right now, i get the keys tomorrow. But I had a similar situation as you of living full time with 1 parent and things have been getting a little much during the pandemic. I'm also in the last 3 months of my degree and i am struggling to focus at home, so yep it's happening. I have a job still and I've been paying a small amount of "rent" to my mum each month over the past 9 years, but yeah mostly excited about it but my arms are currently aching from hauling furniture around yesterday. Your place looks nice and for LA prices it sounds fairly reasonable given the parking space and laundry.
Girl, I feel you. I went to about ten different elementary schools and my dad wasn't even in the picture. It's bizarre when you finally get out on your own. Very satisfying though.
So with credit cards you are supposed to essentially keep the credit usage at 5-10% of your credit. Keeping it at 8% will build your credit the fastest. Having a long credit history is very important. I learned all of this in my accounting classes while getting my degree. Paying things on time is also very important.
Ohh I also moved out when I was 23, and even though it wasn't to another city, it was soo great. I wasn't alone, I was sharing a 3 bedroom apartment with two guy friends, and it was soooooo much fun.
Every time I hear how much rent is in LA, I feel grateful to live in Phoenix even though I hate it here. My 3 bedroom is only 200 more than your studio, so I am so sorry how much your rent is lol. But congrats on moving, and glad to see you are making investments in your future 😊 it will be worth it in the long run! The best advice i can give is that apartment living can be both amazing and terrible, so during the terrible times just think about how great it is that you're investing in yourself in the long run. 🙂
Amanda you may not see this but I’m very happy for you. I have tuned in to your channel before your Lilly Singh video blew up and have also attended your first few livestreams. I even remember the one where we listened to Jeremy Renner’s album😂😂😂Good times. That being said, I’m very happy for you that you got so far and I’m glad you’re doing okay! It’s just so gratifying to see a ‘normal’ person reach this far and become successful!
Speaking from the point of view of a car salesman, just one card isn’t really enough anyway. Getting people approved is a process, open a card, but also, parents, put your kids on your cards and pay on time, put their name on your lease. Car dealerships are a good place to get financed with light credit, especially as a college student (newly graduated or attending), on new cars, banks will lower interest rates if you are going into a career from school
RIP White Door
F. It will be missed
F in the chat
F. Gonna miss that beautiful door
Honestly, I'd love to see Amanda buy her dad a new door, and bring the old one into this new space. lol
Now we have the open/closed drawer 🥵
Wow... LA changed Amanda... for instance she always used to have fully functioning power. Sad to see.
I hope she talks abt this comment in the next video 😂
It’s like the landscaping sounds never happened. The refrigerator is all she hears.
If you are concerned about your safety, here are some reminders. 1. Don't show outside your windows 2. Don't mention if certain niche restaurants, parks or landmarks are near you. 3. Don't give any details about what your apartment building set up is. Be safe girl, they have crazies out there.
Agreed. A band I follow (who lives in LA, coincidentally) recently had someone show up to their house. They always mention their favorite restaurants and shit, so that's probably why.
Amanda, if you're reading this, please pay attention to the OP 👆🏾 Stay safe! 🖤🖤
1/27/21, 11:02a
Oh and make sure to not have any reflections of your surroundings in your glasses, a Japanese pop star got doxed and assaulted just by the locations in the reflections of her life eyes
@@missm2925 JFC
@@missm2925 thats wild
Meh. What? In like Silver Lake or Echo Park? OOOOoooooo so hard to find. Meh.
Pay respects to Door Knob, we miss you Door Knob :(
f
Well she said she printed a pic of it to but it in the back. But yeah it isnt the same.
@@supergamesundco you know it's not the same 😂
f
I'm hoping for an occasional return of the open/closed drawer 🥺
The fact that Amanda edited this when she literally doesn’t have power at her house. Appreciate her
Huh? How's the refrigerator running?
@@ziggystardog She recorded it before the power went out. She did the editing while there was no power
@@ziggystardog BETTER GO CATCH IT
Commented mid-watch, when you say someone who's moving in with no furniture doesn't have power at her house, versus her power is out, it leads to confusion.
I believe the term for people like her is "bad bitch"
Another pro tip: Figure out what you can afford for rent, then knock 25% off of that. Especially if you're moving out the first time. There's soooo much stuff you don't even think about until you need to start paying for it yourself. Like toothpaste or lightbulbs or snow shovels. (Well, snow is probably not an issue in LA, but you get the idea.)
This is such great advice. I remember moving out and all those little things kept surprising me. Like. Buying a trashcan and a laundry basket/bag.
So true! The first time I moved out, my roommate already had all the furniture and household necessities so it was super cheap. Then when I moved out of there and into a house with my SO, we ended up needing to furnish the whole place because neither of us has much. It took us two years to get our house looking like a place where adults live and it was so expensive!
Also, in a lot of cities if you haven't had utilities accounts open there before, you have to put down a deposit. So between opening utilities accounts, house deposit and first months rent, renting moving trucks, and just getting bare essentials like cleaning supplies and toilet paper, it was nearly $5k. Then the cost of furniture and such on top of that. Go cheaper than you think you can afford, because other expenses come up and they will suck your bank account dry.
Seriously! When you own practically nothing but your clothes and are getting started in a new apartment you cannot imagine how many things you need. Trashcans! Shower curtains and liners! Cleaning supplies! Pots, pans, knives, cutting boards! It adds up real fast, even if you're getting most of it from the Dollar Store and Walmart
It's definitely much easier after the first time. Not only will you have most (or all) of those sorts of odds-and-ends items the second time around, but you'll have a lot more accurate view of your monthly budget, since you're actually spending that money instead of trying to predict what you'll spend. Far fewer "laundry detergent costs WHAT!?" moments.
Rent prices have gone up 43% over the last 10 years and wages have not. Pray tell how we can do that?
Amanda: “I’m 23 and have never moved out”
Me at 26 living at home:👁👄👁
Honestly, especially with the economy the last few years, more people are staying home longer. Also i mean long as your employed and paying your way i don't see a problem lol. I recently moved back in with my parents cause they're older and needed help with everything going on in the pandemic, but I pay my own bills and run my own life still. We're more like roommates in some ways lol
It's harder to have your own home or rent in the city or urban place (the place where the younger people live) this day. I live alone but my parents still support me because of school. Even my independent married brother gets this housing problem where no one would buy his house and he should be moving soon so he decide to live with my parents.
I'm 32 in June and I still haven't moved out. Ain't no shame in it. Everyone's situation is different. we all gotta do what works best for our situation
In-unit washer and dryer are key in LA. Laundromats in LA are the worst. I can only imagine how much worse it is in COVID times.
Would literally hand wash my shit than go to a laundromat rn
I've lived in 5 states, and probably a dozen cities since I first moved out. And I can say for a fact that every laundromat is the absolute worst. Each new one I try out is somehow worse than the one before it
Honestly the Laundromat here in LA didn't change much. They don't care about the virus lol
Some buildings do have in-building laundry
Allen Mitchell I went to a laundromat in Portland during a hiking trip, it was bougie as fuck and the nicest one I’d ever been to. They had pinball machines, coffee, and the washers had a yoga mat setting. 10/10, good laundromats exist but they’re expensive and hipster as fuck.
Refrigerator asmr > landscaping asmr 🥺
me, 19, living at home in Ireland with no intention of moving to the USA, no mind LA:
**sees this video**
interesting **clicks**
me, 22, living in michigan with 0 plan of living in LA: hm, gotta know the cost
Don’t worry kid, you won’t always be 19 living at home in Ireland. Keep at it and one day you’ll be like me, 24 and living at home in Ireland.
Me , 20 , living at home in Ireland with no intention of moving anywhere outside Dublin : *relates to comment* interesting
What does living in Ireland have to do with anything? If you like a TH-camr then you’ll watch the video they post. What a dumb comment
@@AntsMovies bruh
It kinda sucks to move to move to a place like LA to pursue acting. I wish there were more than one place for 95% of the acting industry.
Technically there's two, NY and LA. Thought NY has more theater jobs there is some film and TV, more then other places...but it's where Broadway is so it's where you can actually get paid more then pennies as a stage actor. LA has more film jobs. Once you are established, really you can move anywhere. People will fly you in once you have clout and plenty of studios don't shoot in LA, but because all the studios are based there, it's where they do most of the casting.
Atlanta is getting to be way more important in filming and acting too
@@cayteer I think if you are working some other film job Atlanta's a great market.
People still tend to circle to LA for a lot of film casting. So the actors still primarily come from LA. Studios don't tend to do their own casting and the majority of casting agents/companies are still LA based and then they fly talent out to wherever they are cast. You are more likely to go from LA to somewhere else then come to LA from a casting agency outside LA. It's still the biggest pool for the acting opportunities and building a resume really.
Chicago also has a lot of opportunity for acting, with a pretty even mix of film, theater, and TV. It is also *far* cheaper to live in than NY or LA.
Sadly pretty much every country is like that.
Two things about living alone; first, it is extremely easy to fall into a pattern of "convenience", such as ordering too many take outs or food deliveries. It is much cheaper to buy groceries and prepare your meals, even though sometimes you will feel lazy and that is okay. The second thing is that it can be lonely, let me explain, unless you are friends with someone in the area there will be times you will miss the company (eg. family). It is a good idea to call back home on a regular basis, for example weekly, and that will keep you sane; you have something to look forward to and you feel less lonely by remaining connected to your family.
This is actually so true omg
Best/worst part about living alone is when you want or need something it's up to you to get it done. On days where you don't feel like doing anything is when it sucks.
Out of all the losses we've losses so far, the white door has got to be the worst.
Good call not vlogging the move. Your safety must always come before content. Anyone who expects otherwise should be ignored.
Nah I wanna know where she lives so I can show up with flowers one day
This might sound weird and potentially disrespectful, but im happy in this story of divorce that there is a decent father, i hear too many stories about shitty dads, so im happy your dad seems cool, good luck Amanda.
I really appreciate that you make videos like this. As a stressed-out senior in high school that just wants to make videos on TH-cam, it's refreshing to see a young adult's perspective into the field I am so invested in. It's already so blurry from the outside so this really helps clear things up. Thank you.
Hope TH-cam works out for you! Also, while I doubt you do this; don’t spam comments on videos that say “My mom said that if I get 1000 likes I can get a new set up.”
@@johnadams7145 no i don’t do this, but thank you for your advice John Adams. Tell your brother his beer sucks for me
Me, a 28yo hearing about the American "credit score", whatever that is: why... is everything so complicated in the US, why do companies know all that stuff about you o.o
How do y’all purchase big items (house, car,…anything over $1,000 really 💀) do they just trust you will pay it back? *and what country*
@@taylablange7829 australia: the only times i've seen credit scores potentially used is renting. otherwise you just give a lot of info about your wages and spending habits
Gem I’m curious where you are from because credit and all that drives me nuts here.
Tayla Blange they look at income payslips and also bank deposit records. You don’t have to have a credit card at all. I didn’t when I first bought a car and for my current rental I don’t think they looked at mine at all.
I'm in the Uk and we use credit scores. Where is it that you're from? It's a pretty global thing for companies to run credit checks on people? I also just had one to move into a flat I'm renting.
You teaching what schools don't, good on ya. I wish there was a personal finance class in high school. My broke single parent definitely didn't know anything about money and probably couldn't do much even if she did.
Amanda don't lie to us. We all know the real reason you moved is to escape the landscapers who kept running equipment during your filming. You don't want them to find you so they can run equipment when you record videos.
I live in Norway so none of this information is actually relevant for me, but it’s just so interesting to hear her talk
I remember in the late 90's when I moved out. One-bedroom apartment in Southern California was $875 a month. Had one free parking spot but no in-unit washer/dryer.
The worst part of living alone is how expensive it is. When I first moved out I lived with a partner and I was in for a rude awakening when we split. Living alone is the best tho
The refrigerator is the new landscaping
Honestly $1615 is a good price. It looks modern and the parking/in-unit laundry is MORE than worth it lol.
It is better than Nashville currently. Studio apartments are closer to 2k here. With worse buildings
I feel like the English version of you! I moved to my own flat in London yesterday at 22 as well! And my dad helped me move too :D All the best Amanda x
I've lived in 3 apartments in LA over the last 6+ years, so from that experience, $1615 with parking and an in-unit washer/dryer is a steal. Congrats girl
Sincerely hope you have a wonderful life in LA. Also, Rip door knob, you'll be dearly missed.
The strangled noise of horror I made when you brought up the potential use of your social scared my cat.
As a native to LA, welcome and good luck! :D
As for building credit early. You are right on that. My husband did not start building his credit until his mid-twenties and it caused a lot of problems. >_>"
Edit to add: Dang! An in-unit washer and dryer? That's super rare especially for that price.
It could be because there has been a mass exodus from LA. So there probably is a lot of available apartments. They might be running a deal.
I just realized that I know absolutely nothing about moving out, credit score or life in general... I'm 23... FUCK
Amanda's summary is pretty accurate. I would also consider having a roommate you trust to share space with. It can help with the bills. Definitely read the reviews about the apartment complex before you even think about moving in there but do so with a grain of salt. I also suggest driving around the area if possible to see what is around the apartment. For example, is it near a county jail/sheriffs office.............? Take pictures of any defects you see on your first day of moving in and save it on your computer. Either have the landlord fix these issues or keep the pictures as evidence that it wasn't you that caused the damages. If they want proof of when the pictures were taken, the picture properties will be date stamped so that should be easy to prove. Some things she didn't talk about were pets, if the apartment allows pets they are usually an extra $20 a month added to the rent. Keep a copy of all the stuff you signed in a safe place. One piece of financial advice is to get credit rewards cards and pay your bills with it each month. Might be tough for a 20 something year old to get one, i don't remember, i'm in my 30's now but getting 2% cash back for all your bills is awesome :)
Completely a side note: Your dad sounds wonderful ❤️
When I first moved out "on my own" it was into roommate situations with pre-existing furniture. So when I got my first apartment where I was legit "alone" and moving into a blank space, I ended up realizing things like "oh yeah, I need to own like a broom". All the small cost that added up in that first month were amusing to look back on. And like that first trip to the supermarket I had none of that basic stuff that's in kitchens like condiments and spices. Not to mention like dishes and living room tables. All this stuff I never thought of because like all I ever had to myself was a bedroom, so I had never decorated outside of it.
rip door knob you will be missed 💔
Wait, there's an application fee when youre applying for an apartment?
And you also need to "build a credit score"?
And your deposit isnt simply a month or 2 of rent?
America is weird.
The application fee covers the cost of a background check so that people with certain felonies cannot live there. This is something they can mention on the website to make them look better. Background checks usually cost $45-100 so that’s usually what the app fee is. Some apartments outsource their application approval process too.
The deposit is something you pay so that if there are any damages to the property they won’t have to track you down to pay the damages. If you move and don’t have any damages they will give it back to you. I think this became popular because it stops people from just completely trashing an apartment without any expectation to pay for it.
Congratulations Amanda! "Commit to it like a job" is great advice. Well done. Nice shot of you and your dad. :)
Sweet Jesus, renting an apartment in LA/USA sounds so complicated... When I rented my first place all I had to do was meet with the owner and give him the rent for the first month. No credit cards, no deposits, no insurances... That sounds like A LOT
Wait, there are application fees for flats in America?!
It's America. There are fees for literally everything. 😎
Depends on where you're moving. Some places have them some don't. Usually if you're renting through s private individual you don't have to pay one, but if it's a corporate run rental then you do. They'll nickel and dime you for anything they can
YeeeeP. And they can be up to $100 per person moving in
The application fee does two things. First weed out people who are just looking and not actually interested. Second it covers the cost to run the background check plus credit score.
There's a price for that so-called "freedom" lol
i moved out this past august to tempe az 15 hours away from my family I'm 18. it was scary at first but now I LOVE IT!
Kind of mind-blowing that you paid more for the Uhaul than the rental insurance.
Rental insurance is honestly so cheap generally, it's kind of bonkers
Washer and dryer in unit is so nice! Good choice going that way, I hated going down the hall for laundry.
When you said you didn't see the apartment before signing I was about to scream lol but usually in buildings where there's a standard unit layout and everything is updated/professionally managed it is legit enough to trust it. I'd definitely be interested to see a video on how much you spent on furniture and decor when you're done setting up. That's one thing i budgeted a lot for when I moved into my own place (and I'm still working on it 5mo later lol).
Love this, proud of you, excited for you, love this. And a very good PSA about credit.
Btw your dad sounds like a wonderful person with a lot of love for you.
Oh oh and another EXTREMELY useful thing to know about building credit that no one ever ever told me...if you build it strong (they will come) then this will help immensely with your mortgage payments when you do eventually get a house. Theres is something called PMI which is private(?) mortgage insurance and if your credit is high then it can only be maybe an additional $10 a month on your mortgage payments, but if your credit is low then that number absolutely skyrockets and is just another infuriating payment to deal with on top of everything else that's part of your mortgage. Living in CA where costs can snowball, this can be a huge factor in what you can afford.
I appreciate you talking about this. I want to move out soon for the first time and it’s nice to hear about the breakdowns and struggles lol. Hope you are thriving at your new place!
swell: so we are gonna trisha paytas-it
me: oh no... is she gonna come out *as a chicken nugget???"*
Congrats on the move! I've lived in a studio before and (especially) if you're /not/ on the ground floor, open up your windows if you're going to cook so that the whole place doesn't start stinking
You look so beautifull in this new lighting!!! And your hair is much shinier!!
I was 18 when I signed the papers for my first apartment. I wasn’t able to tour it before since people were living in but unlike you, I barely even had pictures inside. It was a dump but it served its purpose for my first apartment. I was lucky enough to move three more times after that with the accommodations getting better each time lol. Next step is owning a home.
This kind of info is so useful. Much appreciated. I still have never lived on my own at 27 because I'm broke and living with roommates is cheaper. Also even the outer Seattle area (shoreline for me) is very expensive.
Welcome to LA! When I first got here it was a Friday and they couldn't turn my power on for 1 business day, so I went my first weekend without power. You'll do great!
Ya know I can honestly say you have been the most helpful person I've seen on the internet for REAL LIFE situations and bullshit. I know it's not easy sharing everything but thank you
Love how open you are with all of this!
Hey Amanda! Welcome to the solo life. I started at 23 I have been solo for 5 years now, watch out for eating out a lot. Invest in a Sams Club or Costco card and buy in bulk. Choose wisely what you decide to make. Don’t get lazy at cleaning, prep your stuff (clothes, lunch dinner, etc) the night before that way you have more time. Remember, you are in charge now. It has been a pleasure being your internet tour guide to living on your own.
I was 24 the first time I got my own studio apartment, living alone. It took some getting used to at first but I ended up loving the experience.
The only thing I didn’t like dealing with when I was living alone is cooking for one. And being lonely. Adopting a cat helped a little.
I also moved out for the first time when I was older (26) I couldn't even imagine the maintenance and finances that go into living alone that I never had to think about!
i’m 21, still live at home, and have procrastination anxiety! your video is very helpful for the future so thank you 🥺
My husband, two kiddos, and I recently moved to Alaska. I hear you with the “I have no furniture” thing. Stay strong!
Also, I’m so glad you have an in-unit washer and dryer. You don’t appreciate having them until they’re gone. Especially with the quarter shortage that was going on for a while.
A crock pot might be useful. That's what I've heard at least. I buy a lot of frozen food, so I've become a proficient microwave cook.
Instant pot is more versatile in the long run.
I barely understand how finance works in my country, let alone the us where they charge you for, basically everything, but i'll watch like and comment anything amanda does
How I can tell Amanda is a really good story teller is the fact I was on the edge of my seat... over the story on her getting a credit card
I had a very similar situation when I turned 23. I was living with my parents and working and helping out but the proximity just became too much after a while and I just had to force myself to move. 5 years later and I can say the space has helped our relationship and I'm sure it will help yours as well. Congrats on getting your first place on your own!
I moved from OC to... OC last year and I think after 4 months I'm finally settled. I rent a master bedroom for $700 + utilities and that's a steal!
Definitely my least favorite thing about moving out was all of the misc. things I needed. Pro tip: keep a list for when something pops into your head bc you will forget on your next pickup otherwise!
AMANDAAAAAA!! You really inspire me with this. Lol I’ve been wanting to move out for a while but I’m also not... as financially independent as you. So I gotta work on tjat
Congrats with your new home, i hope it will give you joy and a home. Be save out there. 🤗
I moved out at 18, I had a room with a shared living space then moved in with my partner 6 months after because I was pregnant and we needed a full apartment 😂 then got a house 3 months later. Gosh my life moved so fast
Dang girl, that is fast
I thought 1600+ was a dizzying price until I heard you say washer/dryer included and no, no, that' a blessing. A BLESSING. Doing laundry offsite is so ridiculously expensive and mentally taxing.
Also, advice for youths considering the getting-a-credit-card-early route: if you have the means, setting up a card (with YOUR name on it) on a (reliable) parent's account will help you build credit history piggybacking off of theirs! I didn't get my own independent card until 23 and similarly moved out about six months later, but I ended up being okay with my credit. Also, yes, small purchases paid off in full will build you good credit, and fast!
Best of luck with living solo!! The pain of deciding what to eat never, ever goes away :')
Kudos on the move, and i must add, sounds like you got one chill ass dad.
Welcome to LA! I made the move out here when I was 23 as well. It’s been about 7 years and I’m still kicking!
Thank you so much for posting this. I dont live in that area but it's good to keep in mind what i may need when i do end up moving regardless of where i go. Thank you ❤
Happy for you that you managed to move. Wish you the best.
I moved out on my own at age 22, August 2020, and the worst part is that my new apartment is so small they only gave me a minifridge and I have no counter space, so cooking is really hard to pull off. Somehow, though, I'm only ordering in ten times the entire month of January, which is a drastic reduction!! The worst part of living alone though is probably how crazy I've gotten with no one to like... talk to or base my behavior around. Sleep schedule nightmarish, I forget to eat until like 5pm some days, and the lack of other people means i have no one to worry about seeing my quarantine/depression mess, so I feel less compelled to clean it up :/
I 100% agree with the credit card advice. Building credit early helps in so many ways.
Completely agree. My mom was smart enough, and signed my sister and I up for credit cards under our names, on her account when we were 16. It was just for small purchases, and we had to pay for everything we bought on our credit card. And now I have great credit, and a 14 year credit history.
i moved out at 17 :)
the worst part was buying all the small things needed for cooking & cleaning. but you should def splurge on cooking spices and big bags of rice~
Proud of you! I moved out at 19 then again at 22. I hate living with roommates but really dislike being lonely. I'm starting to save up up to move again in the spring. I'm packing up all the stuff I haven't used since the quarantine situation so that'll make it a thousand times easier.
Smiling on the kitchen floor is a mood.
Thanks so much for this video. I’m not moving to la or anything but as a college senior with super limited knowledge of how to move out and what things cost, this is a super helpful reference
Just getting around to watching this but congrats on the move to LA and taking another step toward your life goals! Also really appreciate all the financial breakdowns. It helps normalize talking about this which makes everything less mystifying.
I’ve had a student credit card for at least 8 years now but I still only have a $300 credit limit? Which is usually fine for my expenditures (occasional gas/food/and a couple monthly subscriptions/recurring donations) while I’m living at home with my parents, but has only just recently become an issue because my dentist charged more than anticipated by doing an extra thing. Whenever I try to get it raised online I get an error message. And I’ve been too lazy to call. Been debating whether it makes sense to get a second credit card or not.
Anyway enough over sharing from me. Congrats again Amanda!
That was actually a motivator for my moving out process! I was working towards moving out my parents home in March but plans got a little weird because of an unexpected surgery and that made me kinda bummed but your video made me believe I could do it again!
Oh my God! Congratulations Amanda!
Thank you so much for making this video, as someone who's stressing a lot about moving out, this is priceless info
I appreciate your financial honesty. I wish more people talked about money and that it wasn't so awkward
Awesome, congrats on your new place.
Congrats on the move... I moved out alone for the first time after my divorce lol... loving it and yes is always expensive than you think. we will miss the white door
I'm glad you are being safe Amanda. Loving the new apartment! I wish you the best!
Congrats on the move!
My first "official" moveout (not to a college residence but where I now live in the "real adult world") was my third move of any kind in a year, after an unexpected move during college and moving back home after graduation before finding my own place. So by that point, morale for dealing with boxes and unpacking was quite low. I'm sure plenty of stuff got lost in the shuffle at my parents' attic 😅
Gotta love those fridge sounds. The singy ones. The screechy ones. The quiet and not-so-quiet ones. I have lived with it all.
Thank you so much for reminding me I need to get my electric set up before I move! I am literally moving next week and didn't even think about it.
I'm 30 and in the process of moving out right now, i get the keys tomorrow. But I had a similar situation as you of living full time with 1 parent and things have been getting a little much during the pandemic. I'm also in the last 3 months of my degree and i am struggling to focus at home, so yep it's happening. I have a job still and I've been paying a small amount of "rent" to my mum each month over the past 9 years, but yeah mostly excited about it but my arms are currently aching from hauling furniture around yesterday. Your place looks nice and for LA prices it sounds fairly reasonable given the parking space and laundry.
Congrats on your new spot. Looks really nice from what is visible. And like the temporary shooting area.
Welcome Amanda! I too just moved out here too to be in movies. Small world!
Girl, I feel you. I went to about ten different elementary schools and my dad wasn't even in the picture. It's bizarre when you finally get out on your own. Very satisfying though.
So with credit cards you are supposed to essentially keep the credit usage at 5-10% of your credit. Keeping it at 8% will build your credit the fastest. Having a long credit history is very important. I learned all of this in my accounting classes while getting my degree. Paying things on time is also very important.
Holy heck Amanda I rlly hope nothing bad ever happens to you bc u've rlly been playing with fire
I'm so excited for this next chapter of your life & career!
Ohh I also moved out when I was 23, and even though it wasn't to another city, it was soo great. I wasn't alone, I was sharing a 3 bedroom apartment with two guy friends, and it was soooooo much fun.
Every time I hear how much rent is in LA, I feel grateful to live in Phoenix even though I hate it here. My 3 bedroom is only 200 more than your studio, so I am so sorry how much your rent is lol. But congrats on moving, and glad to see you are making investments in your future 😊 it will be worth it in the long run! The best advice i can give is that apartment living can be both amazing and terrible, so during the terrible times just think about how great it is that you're investing in yourself in the long run. 🙂
Good luck with studio living. I've been living alone in a studio apartment for about a decade. The solitude is nice but it's nice to have a bedroom. 😅
Amanda you may not see this but I’m very happy for you. I have tuned in to your channel before your Lilly Singh video blew up and have also attended your first few livestreams. I even remember the one where we listened to Jeremy Renner’s album😂😂😂Good times.
That being said, I’m very happy for you that you got so far and I’m glad you’re doing okay! It’s just so gratifying to see a ‘normal’ person reach this far and become successful!
Speaking from the point of view of a car salesman, just one card isn’t really enough anyway. Getting people approved is a process, open a card, but also, parents, put your kids on your cards and pay on time, put their name on your lease. Car dealerships are a good place to get financed with light credit, especially as a college student (newly graduated or attending), on new cars, banks will lower interest rates if you are going into a career from school