College Move with a Partner and a Dog: Seeking Advice
Hi Reddit,
I’m a 24-year-old who has recently been accepted to Colorado State and Arizona State universities after applying to transfer from community college. I currently live in California, but I anticipate that my UC applications will be rejected due to an oversight in my essay responses.
Fortunately, my parents are kindly offering to assist with some living expenses, as they believe I may struggle to balance a full-time school load with a job.
Here’s where things get complicated: I have a long-term partner of six years and we share a dog. I want to move in together and secure a one-bedroom apartment. My partner has an impressive credit score of 750, and I’ve just applied for a credit card. We’ve lived in an apartment together before during my time at community college; however, we were quite young and not very responsible at the time, leading to some financial challenges. Rent then was $1,175 a month, and we often dined out. Still, we managed to live independently for two years without any help from my parents.
My parents think I’m being unrealistic about the costs of living and estimate that our expenses could total around $4,000 a month if we move in together. They’re suggesting I go alone and stay in student housing with multiple roommates.
This brings me to my primary question: Is it truly unrealistic to move in with my partner, considering that many students manage to juggle school and work without parental support? Would it be better for me to move first and acclimate to the academic environment before she joins me after the first semester?
Here’s a financial breakdown of our situation:
– If she works minimum wage in Colorado ($14/hr), she could potentially take home about $2,200 a month before taxes.
– She also intends to earn extra income through Instacart and DoorDash, as she’s been quite successful with those in California, though we’re unsure how it will pan out in Colorado.
– When my brother attended college, my dad contributed $1,000/month for living expenses, and I assured him I wouldn’t expect more than that.
– My mom has agreed to cover my car insurance and registration, and I don’t have any car payments.
– I have a college account with $60,000, enough to cover roughly two years of tuition (out-of-state costs around $33,000/year, but I received an award reducing it to $23,000/year for three years).
– I plan to take a part-time job to supplement our expenses.
– The rent for the apartments we’re considering is between $1,400 and $1,600, not including utilities.
– We currently have $5,000 in savings, with a goal of reaching $10,000 before we move.
Thanks for any insights or advice you can share!
Hi there! It sounds like you’re at a big crossroads in your life, and it’s great that you’re considering all the options carefully. It’s definitely possible for couples to make it work while going to school and managing living expenses—they just have to be strategic about it.
Here are some thoughts on your situation:
Budgeting: First, it’s crucial to create a detailed budget outlining all your expected expenses, including rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, and any other necessary costs. Given that you mentioned rent ranges from $1400-$1600, make sure to account for utilities, internet, food, and other living expenses. It could be a good idea to have an emergency fund beyond your monthly expenses, especially since both of you will be working in a new location.
Living Arrangement: Living together can be rewarding but comes with its challenges, especially with school and work. If you feel like living in student housing for the first semester helps ease the transition into university life, that might be a wise choice. It will give you time to adjust before taking on the added challenge of managing an apartment together. Plus, it could offer a stronger social network and support from fellow students.
Income from Your SO: The income streams you’ve outlined are promising. If your partner can get a job and even do some gig work like Instacart or DoorDash, it could certainly help with living expenses. It’s good to compare average incomes in Colorado versus California, as some gigs may be less lucrative.
Parental Support: It’s fantastic that your parents are supportive and willing to help with living expenses. However, it’s also valid to want to be independent. You might want to consider having a frank discussion with them about your financial projections and why you believe you can make it work. Showing them a thorough plan might help them feel more confident in your decision.
Academic Pressure: Transitioning from community college to a university setting can be a significant change. If you believe that living separately for the first semester could help you focus on your studies and establish a strong academic foundation, it might be worth considering—even if it’s just temporary.
Ultimately, countless students manage to work, study, and live together successfully. It requires good communication, strong budgeting skills, and a bit of flexibility. Good luck as you navigate this exciting time!