Currently, my roommates are my parents. I’m trying to remedy that situation as quickly as possible for a bunch of reasons — probably the one you’re thinking of and a few you might not. Luckily, it’s a little bit more socially acceptable to say, “I live with my parents” when you’re a girl (and I’m saving a small fortune in rent). It’s definitely odd waking-up in the same room I grew up in; my junior high school trophies from volleyball and cheerleading still line my upper shelves, but I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel! If all goes well, I’ll be relocated in new digs with an awesome roomie to boot in a month!

As on I’m on the hunt for a future fabulous apartment on a shoestring budget, I’m trying to stay away from places that might be:

• cockroach infested – more likely in NYC, but very possible in any city with warm climates and close quarters
• pimps as neighbors – all that banging would prevent me from sleep
• near meth labs – because they have a tendency to blow up randomly
• locations police are called to frequently – you know…the dots that appear in the neighborhood watch. Or when the policemen say “I’m doing the rounds” and it means that neighborhood.
• on a faultline – the Bay Area is due for another earthquake…soon
• above restaurants that make curry – think of the dry cleaning bill

I’m optimistic that I’ll find something decent that won’t have me living off bread and beans until my next raise / bonus / lottery winnings. But the real estate game in the Bay Area is no pretty picnic, and then I hear of all the couples who’s relationships have been speed up because they wanted to save $$$! Crazy kids.