1st Time Renter/ Need Advice. (Minneapolis, Franklin: apartments, car insurance, credit)

[justjean]

My boyfriend has decided to move to Minneapolis with me where I have plan to go to art school (Minneapolis College of Art and Design.) We're two mature and responsible young adults and we know that taking this path is going to be very hard. He's decided that he wants to take a break from school before going to college and I've always had a passion for art. I'm very worried about expenses and if we'll be able to provide for ourselves. He would be working a full-time job perhaps an internship and I've estimated an hourly wage of 10 dollars. He has computer skills and is going to get certified in Cisco since he's currently taking this networking class. Since we have never rented an apartment before or lived on our own it's very hard to estimate all the associated costs. We are planning on moving into an apartment within 10 minutes or less from MCAD so that I will be able to walk there for my classes. I've looked into apartments around there and I've estimated that it will cost approximately $650 a month. But I know that there are other costs besides this such as a security deposit and utilities. I know that we will have the basic set-up: a couple lights, a microwave, and maybe a fan in the summer. We will also have a desktop and I will be using a Macbook for school. We're very heavy computer and internet users. Any information on how much all this will cost would be very helpful. Also, is it possible to rent without credit and how soon can we move in once we pay for first and last months rent and the deposit? I don't think we'll even be able to afford to stay in a hotel or motel if we have to wait to move into the apartment. We live in Alaska and taking 2 trips to Minnesota would cost a lot. I hope that everything will work out for us because we're taking a huge and stressful step towards living our own lives. I'm really worried that we'll starve to death or become homeless. We have until the middle of August to work and save up money to move, but getting employed here is so difficult that I'm worried that getting employed down there will be just as hard for my boyfriend (His name is Zac by the way.) It would be so perfect if he magically had a job before we even moved there. But that's not very practical so any advice towards us moving down there and budgeting safely would be greatly appreciated.

[golfgal]

Are you both going to be working full time? You are not going to be able to afford a $650/month apartment on $10/hour especially once you factor in important things like FOOD. Your take home pay is going to be about $1000/month. If you figure $50/utilities-very conservative figure, car insurance will be roughly $100/minimum in Minneapolis, gas at a conservative $50/month you have $150/month left. How are you paying for school, books, oh I forgot your internet, that is $50/month, more if you get cable with that too.

I think you need to rethink this some. Finding a less expensive apartment isn't going to happen unless you have more room mates, is that an option? Hopefully he can find a better paying job then that but it depends on what he is looking for.

[bighusker]

Originally Posted by justjean

I'm really worried that we'll starve to death or become homeless.

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but if that is actually a real concern for you then maybe you need to reconsider.

[Haver]

If they are both working, one full time and one at least part time, then you're looking at around $1500/month take home. That is doable. I pay just slightly less rent and drive 20 miles a day (both ways) for work and can live a reasonably comfortable life on $1700, although I'm careful not to rack up debt. Opportunities for work are probably better in Minneapolis than Alaska, or at least more steady. Make sure each job is a stepping stone to the next job - always pick up new skills. Another poster mentioned they had gone that route through staffing agencies. A year or two at a vo-tech will also get you onto a career track that would at least lift you into low middle class, and is faster and cheaper than college. The transit system is reasonably good here so for a while at least you can live without a car expense, although I wouldn't ditch it until things have settled in for you. You might need to plan around access to food shelves, essential services, and churches offering free meals for a while. Try to get plugged in to the service community (churches, united way, etc) just to get a feel for what help you can get to get started.

If its just the one person bringing in money at $10/hour ... I don't know how doable that is. The twin cities are an expensive place to live. Its not San Diego/New York territory by any means, but its not Texas either.

[Haver]

Just a quick add: with the headwind of a recession & stress from the move and change in life and money issues, you have to consider what a breakup would do to you if you're left hanging with student loans and no degree because you had to drop out because of money issues. You might want to consider deferring MCAD and work for a couple years instead -- giving yourself enough of an emotional and economic cushion while your boyfriend establishes himself in his career. CISCO certification and good breaks will pay off in the long run but you're at a choke point right now.

If you can get yourself set with a couple years of work history where you're showing steady gains in whatever work you end up with it will be a lot easier for you regardless of what happens, and it will also give you enough time to build up a circle of friends you can rely on for later on. Just make sure you land in a field where you can advance and avoid the McJob's if at all possible.

[nick is rulz]

the IT market here is very competitive. Even if he has a decent background, it will take a while to find a job.

[K-Luv]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Are you both going to be working full time? You are not going to be able to afford a $650/month apartment on $10/hour especially once you factor in important things like FOOD. Your take home pay is going to be about $1000/month. If you figure $50/utilities-very conservative figure, car insurance will be roughly $100/minimum in Minneapolis, gas at a conservative $50/month you have $150/month left. How are you paying for school, books, oh I forgot your internet, that is $50/month, more if you get cable with that too.

I think you need to rethink this some. Finding a less expensive apartment isn't going to happen unless you have more room mates, is that an option? Hopefully he can find a better paying job then that but it depends on what he is looking for.

The GF and I lived on 35th and Emerson. We both made just under $11 an hour and had plenty money left over each month. Our Rent was $900 a month. The biggest help for us was probably that heat and gas were paid for by the landlord.

Now, to the OP. MCAD, huh? I lived next to MCAD for 7 years, the GF went there, and I know tons more who did as well. First off, MCAD is expensive. You probably already know that. Second, I only know of one person who actually graduated from MCAD as MCAD has a very high dropout rate. I would suggest going to MCTC first, then to transfer to MCAD if you want your paper from there. And, depending on what kind of art you want to do, you might be well served by going just going to the UofM instead as you will learn exactly the same thing and save $30,000 a year. Take it from me, I have dated art students in the past (one of which actually went on to receive an MS in art ) and I was an art student myself for a little while; the only advantage to a school like MCAD is the alumni. By alumni I mean connections. And connections are only valuable in certain fields like Industrial Design or Architecture. Unless your particular interest can only be found at MCAD, then go there, but I would strongly advise going anywhere else if you could.

I don't mean to burst your bubble with all of that.

Ten minutes from MCAD would put you in the Whittier Neighborhood. It would be cheaper to live on the other side of 35W, but it will also be sketchier and since this is your first time doing something like this you probably do not want that stress. Personally, I would say to live somewhere within Stevens, 28th St, Hennipen, and Franklin. Most MCAD students live within these parameters.

You can find an apartment for $650, but I think that $700-$900 is more typical for a one bedroom in the neighborhood.

IT jobs pay pretty good around the Twin Cities, so if your boyfriend can land one chances are that his salary alone could carry the two of you through the year.

I am probably forgetting something here.....

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by K-Luv

The GF and I lived on 35th and Emerson. We both made just under $11 an hour and had plenty money left over each month. Our Rent was $900 a month. The biggest help for us was probably that heat and gas were paid for by the landlord.

Now, to the OP. MCAD, huh? I lived next to MCAD for 7 years, the GF went there, and I know tons more who did as well. First off, MCAD is expensive. You probably already know that. Second, I only know of one person who actually graduated from MCAD as MCAD has a very high dropout rate. I would suggest going to MCTC first, then to transfer to MCAD if you want your paper from there. And, depending on what kind of art you want to do, you might be well served by going just going to the UofM instead as you will learn exactly the same thing and save $30,000 a year. Take it from me, I have dated art students in the past (one of which actually went on to receive an MS in art ) and I was an art student myself for a little while; the only advantage to a school like MCAD is the alumni. By alumni I mean connections. And connections are only valuable in certain fields like Industrial Design or Architecture. Unless your particular interest can only be found at MCAD, then go there, but I would strongly advise going anywhere else if you could.

I don't mean to burst your bubble with all of that.

Ten minutes from MCAD would put you in the Whittier Neighborhood. It would be cheaper to live on the other side of 35W, but it will also be sketchier and since this is your first time doing something like this you probably do not want that stress. Personally, I would say to live somewhere within Stevens, 28th St, Hennipen, and Franklin. Most MCAD students live within these parameters.

You can find an apartment for $650, but I think that $700-$900 is more typical for a one bedroom in the neighborhood.

IT jobs pay pretty good around the Twin Cities, so if your boyfriend can land one chances are that his salary alone could carry the two of you through the year.

I am probably forgetting something here.....

If they are BOTH working they should do fine but she didn't indicate that she would be working, just the BF and she would be going to school. If they are both working and making $10/hour that is roughly $40,000/year, very doable, but $20,000/year isn't so easy.

[JohnMH"Santa"]

Minneapolis College of Art and Design can help you - Contact them to help you with your needs. They also have programs where they will pay for your schooling. But my advice to you is for you to move first and get started in school and working on your art. This is an excellent school for Art - My sister went there. I am worried that if you have your boyfriend there with you that you will be distracted a lot and will not do justice to your art and will not be able to continue your schooling. Also, have him go to Monster.com and put his resume there. If he does not have a high School Diploma? If so some companies here will help him if they want him as an employee. If he is a drop out from High School, then he will probably have a problem. He needs to finish his schooling, if he hasn't already.

Farther out in the Suburbs of Minneapolis, sometimes you can find a house to share with others without rent in exchange for doing work, like cleaning taking care of pets and etc. John

[K-Luv]

Originally Posted by golfgal

If they are BOTH working they should do fine but she didn't indicate that she would be working, just the BF and she would be going to school. If they are both working and making $10/hour that is roughly $40,000/year, very doable, but $20,000/year isn't so easy.

Oh, for some reason I read the OP to say that the boyfriend was looking for IT work and that she was estimating that SHE would be making ten an hour.

Eh, it was early.