Are you unmarried and still living at home? Are you waiting for the day until Prince Charming takes you away to his castle so you can finally manage your own household? Well, if you’re struggling to get hitched and looking for more independence over your living space, maybe you should consider moving out. Whether you’re moving in with friends, roommates, or you save up enough for a studio apartment in the city, moving into a place of one’s own is a game changer. You get to paint the walls, manage the kitchen counters, leave dishes in the sink, and invite friends over for late night baking parties. Although you’re bound to have a fantastic time, living on your own comes with its own challenges. Here are a few things to be aware of when it comes to living on your own.

1. The Silence is Deafening

Maybe you’re coming from a loud and boisterous home and having a quiet place of your own will be peaceful. But if you’re not used to the silence it could be startling. Living alone, without family– people who are in some way obligated to spend time with you– comes with its own difficulty. You might find yourself putting on the television or podcasts more often to fill the home with background noise. You also might find yourself eating alone more times than you want. It’s okay to be alone. You just need time to adjust and make arrangements for more moments of planned social outings.

2. DIY Work Isn’t Always Easy

Are you obsessed with the cute DIY apartment makeover videos on social media? If you think it’s easy to add peel and stick wallpaper or tiles, or add floating shelves, think again! DIY isn’t always as easy as the influencers make it look. You not only need a flexible landlord, but you need a little bit of skill to get some of those more difficult DIY tasks completed. Learn how to navigate handyman apps like Task Rabbit or Thumb Tack. Those people will be your best lifeline!

3. Rental Market is Crazy

If you live in a big city like L.A, New York, or San Francisco, you must know that the rental market is crazy. Your dream apartment might not be the one within walking distance to the metro or one that has a dishwasher. Heck, you might not even get your dream apartment! It could be that you get a “starter” apartment first and then a few years later, when you understand how to find the good deals, you upgrade to a better option. Search hard and negotiate well, but don’t be too picky!

4. You Can Do More with Less

Moving may entail moving into a smaller space than you’re used to. You should learn to live as a minimalist. Purchase space saving furniture pieces and be honest with yourself about what items you bring into your home. Do you really need a toaster oven, rice cooker and an Instapot? Sure, having more bedrooms is helpful, but can you make do with a studio or one bedroom to save money? Remember the good thing about renting is that you’re not tied to a space forever. You can pick up and move again soon!