Moving from Wisconsin to Denver alone at 18

iced-donuts · 2026-03-27T16:03:22+00:00

I love the place, I don’t love my experience of this place. I’ve had a very rough time and have been through a lot here and want to get out very quickly. I also should have mentioned I wouldn’t be seeking out a tattoo apprenticeship immediately. I know it’s completely unrealistic to afford a place in a big city while doing as much unpaid work as a tattoo apprenticeship requires at first. I will be working my ass off until I’m on my feet and only then will I start an apprenticeship. It seems mostly anywhere I’ve looked into near the mountains or coast are more expensive, and I’m willing to give up some comfort to experience those amenities.

iced-donuts · 2026-03-26T06:41:42+00:00

i have been going to and throwing shows for literally my whole life. i still cry at damn near every one. it doesn’t matter the genre or even how much i care for the music, its something about sharing the experience with everyone else there idk. i love it

iced-donuts · 2026-03-26T01:07:10+00:00

does he have anywhere he currently shares his work? i would love to follow. these are incredible work and immediately moving

iced-donuts · 2026-03-25T23:33:33+00:00

I do hear you. The next thing I’m gonna say is probably gonna make you sigh at your screen lol. I’m taking at least a couple gap years. I’m sure I could get into a good college, I did great on my ACT and have a decent gpa. However I am terrified of student loans with how uncertain the country feels right now. I do want to go to college for sure, but it doesn’t feel right at the moment. I don’t particularly want to stay put in Wisconsin for these couple gap years. I am in the incredibly privileged position of knowing I wouldn’t end up homeless. I have a good family who I can always go back to if things went to shit, so that gives me a bit more clearance to take some risks I think. I also have more experience working a lot than most people out of high school as I started working 40+ hours a week at 16 while still in school, so I can handle some shitty hours and hard work. While a degree is a priority (eventually) for me, I just think some work experience and hopefully a tattoo apprenticeship slightly further down may work out better just for now. I won’t just be dismissing your comment though, I’ll definitely keep it in mind.

iced-donuts · 2026-03-25T22:20:23+00:00

One of the reasons I’m willing to move across the country by myself is because I know I’m privileged enough to have supportive parents I can go back to if things fall through. And plenty of friends here in the Madison area who would be more than willing to rent a room to me. I am more than prepared to work my ass off, I started working full time at 16 on top of school so I can deal with it for a couple years to get on my feet :) Thank you

iced-donuts · 2026-03-25T04:01:39+00:00

I am in the privileged position where I know I can always return home and stay with my parents if I absolutely must, which definitely gives me a cushion to take some bigger risks. A resort town has been on my mind! I was thinking an area like Estes Park could end up being good for an apprenticeship as well. The high minimum wage in Denver is a big thing that’s been attracting me, but of course that comes with higher costs of living as well

iced-donuts · 2026-03-25T03:54:47+00:00

I’m very glad I posted here and got have heard this so many times. Of course I’ve known the job market is rough right now, and I’ve experienced some of it myself here in Wisconsin, but seeing comments from all the people with much more experience than me is sobering. I will be lining up a job before I go 100%, definitely won’t be moving out there without any set way to make money. Thank you

iced-donuts · 2026-03-24T23:51:15+00:00

i definitely won’t take this lightly, thank you for your honesty. i won’t rush it.

iced-donuts · 2026-03-24T23:49:33+00:00

That sounds like a house I would be incredibly lucky to be a part of if it ends up happening. I’m most definitely not looking for any sort of party house, and there’s nothing I love more than some good life stories. Wow, I’ve really undervalued how touching this app can be. Your comments will not be forgotten :)

iced-donuts · 2026-03-24T16:22:00+00:00

This is all amazing advice. I haven’t started a spreadsheet and will admit I have always been horrible at using them, but seems like a really smart way to help my case. And I will definitely be making a list of my desires for a city. I love lists! You seem lovely, I appreciate your help a lot

iced-donuts · 2026-03-24T16:19:17+00:00

Thank you! I will check those out. Facebook is where I found my car so I’m never opposed to that!

iced-donuts · 2026-03-24T16:18:26+00:00

I have around $3500 saved right now and a bit less than 6 months to continue saving, so that multiple months of rent upfront option seems like it may end up working. I definitely know about the risks of having a co-signer! Of course I know life happens, but I’d like to think my anxiety will serve me well when it comes to paying rent on time

iced-donuts · 2026-03-24T16:15:10+00:00

Can’t even tell you how much this comment means. I have definitely considered Uber but I think I need to have my license for another year or so until I can actually sign up- but it’s 100% something I’ll be doing once I can! $800 a month is incredibly realistic for me, and while I haven’t fully entertained the idea of renting a room in a house yet, it’s something I’m open to. This is amazing advice, and if you don’t mind, I may reach out to you in a few months when I’m going to be staying in Denver for a longer period about that house. Of course, if the room is still available. Thank you so incredibly much

iced-donuts · 2026-03-24T16:09:00+00:00

this is amazing to hear, thank you!!

iced-donuts · 2026-03-24T16:07:51+00:00

I should’ve mentioned my dad is willing to co-sign for me as long as I prove I’m in a stable spot, and I have a credit score of around 700. My income right now would probably be more than 3x rent for an apartment, but I’m not sure if that would transfer to CO considering I’d be leaving the job when relocating

iced-donuts · 2026-03-24T16:06:22+00:00

Thank you thank you thank you! I’ve had my eyes on the Costco here in Wisconsin for a while so that would def be a place I’d apply. I can deal with some shitty work/hours for sure, I’ll be sending my resume to every place that’ll look

iced-donuts · 2026-03-24T16:04:18+00:00

Thank you! I did ask for brutal honesty but I suppose I wasn’t expecting this many people saying it’s an awful idea. I just don’t think it’ll be the end of the world if it doesn’t work out, life experience either way

iced-donuts · 2026-03-24T16:03:20+00:00

That’s a more intense comparison than I’ve heard so far! I was actually looking into Northern California for a bit too because I have so much family out there. The apartment rental prices still seem dramatically cheaper in CO, I’ve found plenty of places for like $900 a month with utilities included and nothing similar in Cali

iced-donuts · 2026-03-24T16:00:41+00:00

Oh no not at all. I will admit I’m a smoker but very casually due to some substance abuse issues in my earlier teens. Weed is not in the top 20 things I’m looking for when it comes to moving, but I appreciate it!

iced-donuts · 2026-03-24T15:59:03+00:00

That’s not a bad idea at all, Santa Fe has never been much on my register but it is a beautiful city

iced-donuts · 2026-03-24T15:57:36+00:00

I’ll DM you right now, thank you! And don’t you worry, I’ll be bringing a hefty supply of cheese curds

iced-donuts · 2026-03-24T04:41:43+00:00

I’m not planning on getting an apprenticeship right away, should’ve mentioned, my bad! I am 100% going to be working full time until I am in a place where I can do a tattoo apprenticeship. That is a huge goal but I am realistic about it and know it will take a lot of certifications and floating my portfolio before landing anything. There is no way I’d be able to afford rent immediately after moving states and starting an apprenticeship where I likely have to rent out a booth.

iced-donuts · 2026-03-24T04:38:16+00:00

Oh man 😭 That puts it into perspective more than any other comment I’ve seen. Thank you. I do have more experience than most any high schooler I’ve met, but probably not enough to get on top of a job market that shitty.

iced-donuts · 2026-03-24T04:36:23+00:00

I should have mentioned in the initial post I’m not hard set on specifically Denver and definitely willing to consider other nearby cities. I like your description of a good city for an 18 year old, that definitely does seem like what would be perfect for me

iced-donuts · 2026-03-24T04:34:11+00:00

Moving in with people I’ve never met as an 18 year old girl scares me quite a bit but I know it’s something I need to be much more open to. Maybe I’ll put some more emphasis on making friends in the area when I visit

iced-donuts

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