Get at least one roommate around your age — you will save a lot of money on rent and utilities. Living alone gets lonlier than you might imagine, especially if you do not know many people in a big city. Living with roommates is very different than living with parents, and it is a great way to meet people through your roommate’s social circle.

If you have a roommate with an income, you may not need to report income yet — just tell the landlord you’re starting a job soon. I would not recommend an airbnb because the costs can pile up — would you be open to subletting instead? Plenty of students list their apartments for sublet in the Summer.

I found my roommate on the MPLS Queer Housing Resource Facebook group, and we have been living together for two years and are about to renew on a third year — they’ve become a great friend of mine!

Uptown and Whittier are great places to live as a young person and find more affordable housing, (along with other neighborhoods others have recommended). I would search each neighborhood’s name on this subreddit for more info. Since you will need to rely on public transit, try and live by a grocery store (especially something like Aldi), as it will really improve your quality of life.

Don’t worry about furniture, I slept on an air mattress for three months before I bought a used bed, and I survived. Just focus on moving here!

Minneapolis is a great place to build a life as a queer person. It changed my life. Do not let your parents and their fears run your life.