[SportyandMisty]

Milos,

What can you afford to pay for rent - and what size unit do you want? Does your mom have physical disabilities? Can she do stairs? Does your mom need someone to watch out for her while you are away at school? Do you have any relatives or friends in this area? Does she collect any disability income?

Why Las Vegas???

Without a car, I suspect you will find it quite difficult. If it were me, I'd try to get buy a used car for $2K to $3K -- it won't be pretty, but one that would work OK (say, a 10 year old toyota with 175 k miles on it).

[logline]

Don't even bother moving to Vegas unless you get a car first. This place is spread out and public transpo can be difficult. Sporty is right. Get a cheap junker to get from A to B. Your living options (and price options) will grow exponentially after that.

[mardukism]

I see, I see. I Do have a car currently, but I was wanting to trade it, but you obviously are correct. Sporty, she is ratherly in good physical shape, but her problems are geared more towards her psychological well-being. She isn't need of supervision, but I was worried about the time she would spend outside: in the gym, Adult ESL School, the super market or just if she decides to take an aimless walk. She doesn't collect money from any social programs and I'm almost positive that she will refuse it I ask her to.


As far as what I can afford, I'd say my cut off line is 800 dollars including utilities. The bigger that apartment the better, of course. I will have a job in line but I will be working retail which means the pay will be lousy. Also, I was given a scholarship and Financial Aid will cover school and then some.

[Caltovegas]

If you are going to be your mothers sole support (person to help her) it would be a good idea for you to also speak to someone who can advise you on issues with the elderly such as powers of attorney be it for health care and/or financial decisions if it ever comes to a point where she can't make decisions on her own. It's best to take care of those such things on the front end rather than having to deal with them in a crisis management situation.

[All-natural]

I say stay in the DMV area and maybe move to a area in northern va, or somewhere in maryland, or another state close by. Look into the area schools in dc and apply for jobs there(look for something entry level) George Washington University has lots of openings. A lot of universities offers free tuition if you work for them. With your mother mental health issues, maybe you should take her to Saint Elizabeths Hospital and have her sign for services. If she signs up for services,then she can get a check and housing based on her income( which you can stay since you are helping to take care of her).

[mardukism]

Social Services are just off limits, unfortunately. Maybe with time, but now it's just impossible. The family just recently dissolved and shes in denial of everything, I'm the only one left here. Anyway, the reason why I'm moving to Vegas is because school is actually affordable (scholarship + FA) and so is housing. I also have a job that I can transfer. So, someone earlier recommended a few zip codes and that was very useful. I read on another thread that 'Rebel Place' is a great choice for students, so I called and was told that i'f I'd rent a 2 bedroom in their community is being rented for 1200.... :-(

I'm thinking I can live comfortably with rent being up to 750 or 800 including utilities, but of course I'd like to find something cheaper.

[logline]

If you keep your car, you should be able to find a 2BR in a decent neighborhood in your price range. My biggest concerns would then be:

1) You'll be working a retail job which pays very little to support yourself and your ailing mother. Do you have better options? If not, are you willing to "upgrade" your job search once you get established here?

2) Your (or more accurately, your mother's) refusal to accept public assistance despite her age/declining mental health. Having some personal experience with this, I can say that your success in Vegas may depend on getting the proper assistance she is entitled to and will need. Medicare? Medicaid? Disability? As the disease progresses, nursing home options should be looked at. They are not necessarily the worst thing in the world. Some are surprisingly decent. (My wife works in about 9 of them) Talk to a qualified social worker.

[mardukism]

Of course I'm actively looking for another line of work and will not hesitate to change jobs if offered something good. But in DC it's almost impossible to have a decent job if you don't have college education, which I'm currently working on. As far as the mother is concerned, shes is in a very fragile times now and I can't put any more pressure on her. I asked her a lot of times to do the both of a us a favor and try to seek medical help that is provided by the government, and my requested were always denied.

I have some money saved that would be enough for 6 to 9 months, under the calculations that rent would be 800, 200 for transportation, 300 for gorceries and 500 hundred for unexpected expenses. Also, I have some left over money from this semesters FA. I was hoping to start fresh and graduate college which can be done in three semester and I all college expenses are covered by a scholarship and financial aid.

[logline]

Tell her the truth: her refusals for help are purposely and directly affecting YOU. Show her the numbers if she is still stubborn. Perhaps if she sees that her sense of vanity or pride affect you and your life negatively, she'll get a better perspective. She obviously can't survive without you, so show her how important it is to do the right thing. You are the "adult" now and have to be a little dictatorial (for lack of a better word). Eventually, it's not going to be her decision anyway. You're better off if you tackle these decisions early with a cohesive, unified plan... especially before her condition worsens. I know it's a difficult situation but believe me, from experience, don't hurt yourself to enable her denial because it'll take you down a path of ever-increasing misery, resentment and frustration.

A social worker should be able to help you with getting power of attorney, or at least point you in the right direction. I sincerely wish you the best of luck.

[ScoopLV]

Originally Posted by mardukism

Of course I'm actively looking for another line of work and will not hesitate to change jobs if offered something good. But in DC it's almost impossible to have a decent job if you don't have college education, which I'm currently working on.

As much as I believe in a college education, that doesn't apply here. I know many people in casinos who are making a very good living -- some of them didn't finish high school.

Education isn't as big a deal here as elsewhere. But worth ethic counts double here compared to the rest of the country.

That being said, finish school. Get a degree. But why do it the expensive way? Get your core courses out of the way at a community college and take the more advanced courses (which are a lot more fun, anyway) at a better school.

I did it the expensive way, and I wish I hadn't. (I graduated debt-free, because I worked my butt off. I could have saved a LOT doing the first two years at a community college. English 101 is English 101 no matter where you take it.)