After four years of RAs, roommates and communal bathrooms, having a place all your own sounds pretty appealing. Still, starting out in a new city, living alone and relying on only yourself can seem daunting. Have no fear, it can be done if you just keep a few simple things in mind!
1. Budget.
The first thing that becomes apparent when you strike out on your own — without the protective cushion of a meal plan or Phoenix cash — is that everything costs more than you realized. Without a budget, an unexpected expense or careless spending can put you in a sticky situation. Make a realistic budget for all your required bills, but don’t forget to allot money for fun and a cushion for unplanned expenses. I used Mint.com because it allows you to budget, set goals and track your spending habits. Whatever method you choose, just do it!
2. Do your homework.
Determining the ideal area or neighborhood in an unfamiliar city presents some serious challenges. You have to do your homework on the area to which you are moving. Talk to friends living in your new city or ask the Office for Alumni Engagement for help contacting local Elon alumni. If you’re moving to a city with a graduate or professional school, many maintain websites listing available housing in the area. This is a great way to learn where other young professionals are living. Even the city’s website can give helpful information about the culture and amenities of different areas of the city. Once you’ve narrowed your search, try to find a location that is centrally located near restaurants, stores, recreation areas or other places where you will spend time — perhaps your new job? This is not only ecofriendly and convenient, but also a great way to meet more people.
3. Get involved.
One of the most intimidating things about moving to a new place is meeting new people. But living on your own does not sentence you to a life of solitude as long as you’re 
proactive! Since social opportunities aren’t planned for you like they are at Elon, take initiative to meet people who share your interests and passions. Join a running club, take a class at the local community center, volunteer or check out a “Meetup” group. Getting involved in your local community not only helps you develop meaningful social relationships, but also helps you learn more about and become more invested in the new town you’ll call home. Wherever you go, make sure to look for your local Elon Alumni Chapter, which can get you connected with people, organizations and resources in your new city.
If you keep these 3 simple rules in mind, you can not only survive, but also thrive outside “The Bubble.” Good luck wherever the future takes you, know that you will indeed leave Elon someday, but Elon will certainly never leave you.
Lauren Emery graduated from Elon in 2008 and Duke Divinity School in 2011. She is currently working on a JD/MA in Bioethics at Wake Forest University.