Fist time moving out! HELP?

My cousin and I have decided to move out for our fist time to go to college. We are currently looking for an apartment. We do have jobs and have planned out how we were going to get around. Is there any advice that you can give us when getting an apartment! What should we say,when we visit the apartments? What should we expect? Also I know a lot of people say it sucks to have roommates but is there anyway that we could not have big problems!any ideas or tricks? PLEASE HELP!!

I moved out closed to my 18th birthday back to New York by myself, my mom lives in south america and ma dad in florida i been on my own for 5 months. The only help with money I got was $100 Thats it i had money saved up and im working .. all i can say is your going to love it, lol. Trust me save money, be greedy with it because if you get too wild and crazy even if you see yourself with some money u never know when you going to need it. also be greedy with electricity, water, etc. buy only what you need. unless you make like 1000 a week. you know have fun tho.. DON'T FORGET... EDUCATION FIRST. get wild but don't forget your school. good luck

At apartments, find out what utilities are included in rent. Some include more than others. It may be worth it to pay a little more if the utilities are all included, etc.

As for tricks to getting along with a room mate: put anything regarding finances in writing. Sign it and you each get a copy. like who pays what bills or whatever. Also, set up some basic rules in advance. How do you both feel about overnight guests (male or female)? Pets? Who will be responsible for what housework. Get that all set so there can't be arguments later.

Sit down and watch a few hours of those day time court tv shows (like The People's Court) you will learn a lot about what not to do when renting with a room mate.

Make a list of who will pay for what. How will you share cooking, shopping for groceries and cleaning up? If one of you is neat and the other one is a slob, you will have problem. Also guests and partying can be a big problem. How do you feel about overnight guests? You can be evicted if you have loud parties that disturb the other tenants so you will have to behave yourselves.
Make sure you both sign the lease and all agreements. If you are minors, your parents may have to sign the lease for you which will make them responsible.
When you look at apts, ask what is included in the rent such as utilities. When do they turn the heat and AC on or can you control it yourself. How much of a deposit do you have to pay? Is there a caretaker on the premises? Will they make any necessary repairs before you move in?

Just know that if your roommate checks out early, you will be responsible legally. I would draw up a document stating who will pay what and when, both of you get a copy, and be sure it's dated. If something goes wrong, at least you have a document that proves what you both agreed to and may give you some help should you have to go to court or later if things just happen. . .and they do. Don't forget mentioning how often boyfriends can be over or friends and that no one else may stay there on a regular basis without paying a portion of the rent and bills and with each others permission.
My best advice is read your lease-every word. Understand what you are agreeing to and what will be done to you should you decide you need to move sooner. Sometimes a shorter lease is better than a longer one. You can always renew it but you aren't obligated quite so long.
I've never had a roommate that I didn't get tired of and want to get rid of way before the lease was up. It will be a learning experience and be sure you have enough private space for yourself and your things. Your own bathroom is good too. Lots of luck. It is nice to have someone you really like to share with. . .and very important. Get a camera and take pictures of the apartment-especially anything wrong so that you have proof when you move out just what the apartment looked like when you moved in and then take more pictures when you move out. Always do that. Important talks with apartment managers-especially reporting repairs-write a letter, return receipt, if you start to have problems and keep a file so that you have proof of everything.

Don't allow your potential landlord/landlady to rush your visit.
Inspect the apartment thoroughly ... evaluate the layout, look for any damage.
Don't give away the farm by saying things like, "When we move in ..." or "I just LOVE this carpeting ...".
Remember that your damage deposit cannot exceed one month's rent.
Don't sign a long-term lease unless you're comfortable with doing so. A lease is a legal committment ... it may cost you big-time to break it (if the apartment cannot be re-rented, you and your cousin are still on the hook to make rental payments to the end of your lease). While you will get rent increase protection with a long-term lease, consider a shorter-term lease or renting on a month-to-month basis.
Consider the location - is your college nearby? How far is it to work? Is public transit available? Is there a grocery store, drugstore, bank and convenience store close to the building?
Read your lease carefully before signing it.
Learn what you can about your potential neighbours.
Explore the building entirely ... this includes any on-site laundry facilities, storage space and/or parking areas.
If you're looking at a highrise apartment, ask when the elevator was last serviced.
Take written notes or tape record comments at each visit. Bring a camera and photograph the suite (if allowed). Compare your findings away from the apartment buildings.
Look for the garbage bin ... is there a chute at the end of the hall or a bin halfway down the back alley?
Look for building security ... an intercom at the front entrance is a bare minimum. If you don't want your name(s) to appear on the resident directory, you aren't obligated to do so (just list the suite as "Occupied" instead).
Ask your potential landlord/landlady about the other tenants ... how long have tenants lived there?
If you're visiting apartments in the wintertime, note if the front sidewalk has been recently shovelled. If in the summertime, note if the lawn has been recently mowed.
If you can, talk to other tenants ... they are the best source of information about rent increases, building management attention and so on.