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United States5162 Posts
Well, sorta. I've been an official adult for 6 years now, but being in college and living at home makes me feel like I really haven't started living like one, even if my parents are more like roommates then authority figures.
I graduated college last year and spent the winter serving in a restaurant because I couldn't find engineering work that didn't require moving across the country(I live in S. FL), which I didn't have the money for. I was fortunate enough last spring to get a job working with a contractor that allowed me to get my foot in to door at an engineer firm and start my career.
Since the office is about 80 miles away, I'll be moving on my own, hence the blog. I've got a small place scouted and it looks like I'll be going all-in(horrible pun, but I had to do it) and I was looking for advice from other who've gone through this before. What are some things I should be on the lookout for? Any 'best' way to move all my stuff? It's not a ton, but getting it 80 miles away seems like it's going to require a UHaul or many long trips. Should I be worried about getting screwed over by the apartment complex?
Also, I want to get my old boss a gift for the help he gave me. I was thinking some nice cigars would be good as I know he enjoys those. A bottle of liquor is out of the question as he stopped drinking anything but beer. Are there any other good business gifts for a situation like this? Also, if the cigars are a good idea, anyone have any brand ideas? I'm not a cigar smoker, so if I end up going with those I'll just be going to my local cigar shop looking for advice, which seems like it could be hit or miss.
Any comments would be appreciated. Also, if anyone cares, the turtle from my last blog is doing fine 
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Good luck on your own!
And about the gift part do you know anything about your boss outside of the fact that he smokes?
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Regarding how to move your stuff, my dad moved around like 8 or 9 times when I was a kid, and trust me - it's better to get it all done in one go, and definitely get a friend to help you move big stuff. :|
Otherwise I can't really help you much, don't know a lot about specifics in the US and I don't know how much you've depended on your parents up until know. For example, if you don't know how to cook I suggest you start learning now. 
Gl Hf, living on your own is awesome!
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Did you sign any documents for the apartment?(lease or w/e) Those would be the place to study if you're worried about any legal issues that may come up. I assume you're living alone, so you should be fine from most of the problems I know about. Otherwise get to know the landlord, the relationship will definitely come in handy if you run into problems of any sort.
Oh i forgot, get a water filter! Some towns have disgusting water. Try to cook and bake from fresh ingredients as much as possible. Some of those frozen things can really start to wear your energy down. If you eat well, you'll feel good.
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United States5162 Posts
On August 23 2011 06:22 IntoTheheart wrote:
Good luck on your own!
And about the gift part do you know anything about your boss outside of the fact that he smokes?
He likes fishing and outdoor stuff in general. I probably should have included that. 
On August 23 2011 06:22 Dee-Kej wrote:Regarding how to move your stuff, my dad moved around like 8 or 9 times when I was a kid, and trust me - it's better to get it all done in one go, and definitely get a friend to help you move big stuff. :| Otherwise I can't really help you much, don't know a lot about specifics in the US and I don't know how much you've depended on your parents up until know. For example, if you don't know how to cook I suggest you start learning now. Gl Hf, living on your own is awesome!
I really don't depend on my parents for much. The only thing I think I'll have to get use to is buying my own food and paying more bills then my phone/car/insurance. Cooking is one thing I'm actually not worried about.
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United States5162 Posts
On August 23 2011 06:24 Roe wrote:
Did you sign any documents for the apartment?(lease or w/e) Those would be the place to study if you're worried about any legal issues that may come up. I assume you're living alone, so you should be fine from most of the problems I know about. Otherwise get to know the landlord, the relationship will definitely come in handy if you run into problems of any sort.
Oh i forgot, get a water filter! Some towns have disgusting water. Try to cook and bake from fresh ingredients as much as possible. Some of those frozen things can really start to wear your energy down. If you eat well, you'll feel good.
I haven't put down a deposit or signed anything yet. The apartment manager seems cool, but I doubt he'd come off like an asshole when he's trying to sell me an apartment. And water filter is a great idea!
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United States5162 Posts
I'm heading home from work now, so I'll check back in about an hour and a half. Thanks for the advice and well wishes so far!
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what do you mean by "working with a contractor that allowed me to get my foot in to door at an engineer firm "
did you ask your contractor boss to have a word with the engineer boss and be like "oh heres a good young chap, fresh blood for your engineer firm! why dont you give him a job!"
i dont understand your pun or play on words
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On August 23 2011 06:43 FFGenerations wrote:
what do you mean by "working with a contractor that allowed me to get my foot in to door at an engineer firm "
did you ask your contractor boss to have a word with the engineer boss and be like "oh heres a good young chap, fresh blood for your engineer firm! why dont you give him a job!"
i dont understand your pun or play on words
thats how networking works
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On August 23 2011 06:43 FFGenerations wrote:
what do you mean by "working with a contractor that allowed me to get my foot in to door at an engineer firm "
did you ask your contractor boss to have a word with the engineer boss and be like "oh heres a good young chap, fresh blood for your engineer firm! why dont you give him a job!"
i dont understand your pun or play on words
That's how the job market works. Welcome!
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The only and best advice I can give is ALWAYS BUY TOILET PAPER! Having parents that buy the stuff gets taken for granted sometimes, you'd be surprised how easy it is to forget to buy it. Running out of it is not fun.
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this is something that ive never experienced , especially in my job (care assistant) where there is literally nothing to aspire to in that field
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On August 23 2011 07:08 VTArlock wrote:
The only and best advice I can give is ALWAYS BUY TOILET PAPER! Having parents that buy the stuff gets taken for granted sometimes, you'd be surprised how easy it is to forget to buy it. Running out of it is not fun.
And tissues! NEVER forget the tissues!
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On August 23 2011 07:08 VTArlock wrote:
The only and best advice I can give is ALWAYS BUY TOILET PAPER! Having parents that buy the stuff gets taken for granted sometimes, you'd be surprised how easy it is to forget to buy it. Running out of it is not fun.
i agree. also test the toilet before you go charge in there and stuff it full of your usual amount of paper. you may very well have a toilet that is not as functional as your previous toilet
you should also check to see if the place has internet (or even phone sockets). if you need to set up your own internet then just get on the phone and do it asap - it could take a while until it becomes activated
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Bottle of whiskey or something for the boss, take it as it comes, 80m isnt that far you might be able to get help from friends or family?
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Having been in your situation twice, here are a few things that should help.
-Parking. Luckily you're in Florida so winter parking bans won't affect you like it did for me. However, you may need a residential sticker.
-Make sure you set up your utilities ahead of time (electricity/gas/internet + cable). You'll want lights and a hot shower. This is especially important if there was no one living in the apartment for any length of time before you move in.
-Unless you really want it, skip the landline. Try to do a double package (internet + cable) as you'll save money.
-Buy a few cookbooks. Expand your cooking/diet. Get your favorite recipes from your parents and family. Cooking can be amazing. I was pretty hesitant at first but now I rarely eat out because of the satisfaction I derive from making my own meals. It's cheaper and just really satisfying.
-Find out what your neighborhood is like. Is it quiet? Or do you perhaps live on an ambulance route? Because that seriously sucks. =(
-I suggest signing a lease of at least six months. Make sure to read everything. Surprises suck.
Just a few off the top of my head. Most of it is common sense and just snooping around the apartment. Check everything.
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- If you have more stuff than will fit in a U-Haul, leave the extra stuff at your parents' place or throw/give it away. Grab a friend or two to help move big things and buy some beers to celebrate moving out .
- As far as the apartment goes, look for reviews online. Honestly, you'll never find many apartment complexes with rave reviews, but avoid any complex with overwhelmingly negative reviews or problems with crime, etc. Read the lease before you sign it, take your time, and if anything seems really strange or out of place, it probably is.
- Not sure how familiar you are with money. MAKE A BUDGET. This is so important. It's not hard but will help you out a ton. Understand how credit works. Don't get into tons of debt because it will crush you later. There are plenty of web sites to teach you these things if you don't know how.
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United States5162 Posts
On August 23 2011 06:43 FFGenerations wrote:
what do you mean by "working with a contractor that allowed me to get my foot in to door at an engineer firm "
did you ask your contractor boss to have a word with the engineer boss and be like "oh heres a good young chap, fresh blood for your engineer firm! why dont you give him a job!"
i dont understand your pun or play on words
No pun or play on words. That's pretty much what happened. I went into the job with expectation that he would expose me to the engineers and talk me up a bit, and I would do whatever needs to be done for him. Of course the engineers weren't going to make a spot just for me, but when one opened up I was way higher on the list then when I was just a resume on a desk.
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If you go for cigars, try Cubans, I hear they are all the rage. Goodluck with your new home and yeah rent a Uhaul trailer or borrow someones truck if you can. Nothing worse then driving back and forth the same road for 6 hours or whatever many trips it takes you. What kind of engineer are you?
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United States5162 Posts
I'd like to get Cubans if I do go with the cigars. The only problem is the US embargo thing. I don't know if I'll be able to get around it by going through another country, or how that whole thing works.
And I'm a civil engineer. Right now I'm not doing a ton of engineering design, and since we're mostly a restoration consulting firm, I might not ever. But I think that's a good thing because I have a lot of different stuff I do which keeps it from getting repetitive. It also gives me a more varied skill set that I could use in any project management position rather then just doing designs.
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EPT
