Good tips on successfully living alone?

Question

So I am moving out of my apartment with roommates in a couple of weeks and getting my very own place. I am REALLY excited, but also a little worried because of horror stories I hear about young girls being raped and killed in their apartments. The area I am moving in is safe and clean, but I am just wondering if anyone speaking from personal experience can offer any advice to ease my and my family's nerves?

Answer 1

I would say do not order pizza delivery unless there is a group of people there. Always leave the porch light on or some lighting at night. Many times people will go out at noon and forget to flip the porch light on only to return home and find a dark hallway. Do not tell people that you live alone or speak loudly at the supermarket telling the customer service person your address or phone number. Have a thing where nobody comes over before they call first, this way, you won't be answering the door unknowingly. Although you might think it is neat to have your window shades or curtains open when the lights are on at night, always draw the blinds when u are inside at night.  

Answer 2

Make sure you keep your doors locked

Put an alarm on your house or apartment.

take a self-defense class.

Have a nearby friend or relative on speed dial - but don't call them until after you've called 911 if there's an emergency.

Keep your curtains or blinds shut after dark

If you feel uneasy, get a dog.  Even a friendly dog will discourage a stranger from entering your house.

Answer 3

Get a god. Get familiar with your neighbors to be in tune with the neighborhood environment, this way you'll have a feel if there's anything suspicious going on.

Answer 4

-First and foremost, make sure that you can afford the place you will be living in.

-Always have a backup job before quitting your current one (I learned this the hard way)

-Keep up with your bills

-Only buy in bulk things that you eat often, or things like toiletries that won't go bad or expire.

-Lock your door at night

-Lock your car doors

-Be careful of who you let into your home (i.e. don't have a party and let friends invite their friends who invite their friends etc.)

Those are all the tips I can think of right now as far as being successful on your own. Those things you see on TV are VERY rare and not something you should spend too much time thinking about. As long as you take the usual precautions such as locking doors and stuff you will be fine.  Good luck and enjoy being on your own!

Answer 5

I am a female & live by myself in a rural area on 2 1/2 acres & it is pitch dark at night I have a motion light on my front porch so if theirs any movement it will go on & when its off you can't even tell theirs a house here from the street. Also as soon as it starts to get dark I shut & lock all my windows & blinds & do not go out after dark I make sure when I go to town I get home before its dark because it's pretty spooky outside at night. But the best thing I have is 3 real big dogs & nobody can even step foot on my property without me knowing, they have a different bark when somebodys on the property than when their walking down the street. I also fenced their dog run around the back & side of the house where my room is so if it's warm I don't have to worry about leaving my window open. I understand worrying about being raped & killed I watch alot of forensic file shows but I think if those women would of owned a dog it wouldn't of happened. I have lived by myself for 4 years now & I love it when I wake up my house is exactly how I left it not somebody making a mess & you end up cleaning up after them.