<p>Okay, I cant live with my parents for a tirade of reasons. Im going to be going to De anza college in a year and I dont know where im going to stay. For those of you that moved out to attend, im sure there have to be some here, what did you do? Im quite naive to this so I was going to put an add in the paper for apartment mates and get an apartment. Is this a bad idea?</p>
<p>My only advice at the moment is to avoid putting your name on the lease if you can. If you get saddled with destructive roommates who skimp on payments/move out early, you’ll be stuck paying for it. Also get a room that has a door lock (simple lock on the inside, key on the outside).</p>
<p>Good luck! (It’s really not that bad, it’s just better to be safe than sorry!)</p>
<p>Splitting rent with roommates is a good way to go. I think it’s personal preference where you want to do this (i.e. Cupertino, Santa Clara, SJ). Some areas are cheaper than others. The more the better because that’s rent split up more ways, but then it’s more people you’ll have to “live” with.</p>
<p>I’m not sure how you can get out of having your name on the lease, since almost all places require everyone who is over 18 that is living there to be on the lease (few exceptions for dependents etc), so few require only 1 name, and if so then that person will have to provide enough proof of financial security to be able to pay the lease all by themselves if they had to. Subleasing is illegal in CA, though I’m sure it still happens with landlords who look the other way as long as they get their rent.</p>
<p>Take a look on DA’s campus now too because I’ve been seeing rental ads on the corkboards near some of the classrooms (like near the L-40s).</p>
<p>Personally, IMO, if you’re single with not a lot of stuff, cheaper is better even if it means a bit smaller. In some areas you can get your own studio for cheap, though probably not as cheap as sharing a 3-4 bedroom house, but it can come close depending on location.</p>