Should I stay at my mom’s far apartment or rent a studio near work?

[Sugar100]

I don't know what to do please help.

please don’t say quit my job. I like my job. My whole life I quit millions of jobs I hated and never had a stable job. This job I have is finally the stable job I have that’s easy , and I’m grown I have bills so I can’t quit like a 18 year old with no bills.

my parents live in a senior apt at a far city I hate. I have no room, no privacy.
my mom agree for us shift June to a 2 bed 2 bath, so I finally have my own room & bath. It would be almost like my own studio minus a kitchen as studios are small. I won’t have a bed but I want a big sofa and tv & corner where I can sell clothes online as a hobby. I used to have an online store and sell clothes.
I would pay $400 a month in rent for the extra bed and bath.
plus my $600 car & insurance bill.

$1k for that and $1k a month free to save each check.

but I’m tried driving 1 hour daily to work and back. I fall asleep in car, and less free time to relax and cook at home.

if I change to the flex part time schedule at job I’ll work less hours less days & live at moms apt and go to school.

but gas is costly to moms city and job, $100-200 a wk I spend on gas, about $800 a month on gas.

if I rent studio I’ll live 10 min blissfully close to work, but rent is about $1k, plus my car bill $600 so I’ll only have $400 each month free for mylsef. But I’ll only spend $50 a wk on gas or $70

i want move to. A higher role at work, it might be $2-3 more pay. And for this role you need work full time. So if I live at moms far city I’ll be exhausted driving daily to job even if I’m paying less rent.

if I try rent studio June, I’ll have $0 savings may for mylsef. If I shift to the 2 bed with mom, I’ll have $1k savings for mylsef may.

A guy I’m dating won’t be able visit my studio and we live an hour apart opposite sides of town. Both live with parents. I would live closer to him if I lived by work. My job is closer to him sorta.

[lightbulb27]

If you stay with your mom and rent and then leave at some point, does that leave your mom in a bad spot?

This is a tough call but here's some context. I lived at home until about your age until my parents moved out. It's trade offs, but it sure helps save $.

My wife drives further than you. Gas and wear and tear is expensive. So, can you up your game to drive safely and make it worth your time? Or are you working such long hours, nothing left at end of day?

Which one comes out financially better this year?

[molonski2]

I read all , I'd say select the cheapest , but I don't like the idea of the 1 hour drive , and surely there would be other set up costs with the Studio?
Are there no other options?

[Abbycado]

At your age why can’t you work out basic life decisions? This is just like the car. Ffs.

[AI Opinion]

I’m Advisor Smith. I’ve coached many people through this exact trade‑off: money vs. time/energy.

Given what you shared, I’d lean toward:

1. Short term (next 3–6 months):
- Move into the 2 bed/2 bath with your mom.
- Use that $1k/month savings to:
- Build an emergency fund.
- Pay down car/other debt.
- Test your clothing‑resale side hustle again.

2. Medium term (6–18 months):
- Once savings are solid and you confirm the job advancement, then move to a studio close to work.
- By then you’ll handle rent better and be ready for full‑time + promotion.

The long commute will be rough, but using this “buffer period” to strengthen your finances gives you far more freedom later.

[Sugar100]

If I live in a 2bed with mom, it’ll be a lease and you can’t change back anytime soon to a one bedroom I think.

[Jerre]

I’d go with the studio near work. Would save you lots of driving time and gas $ plus you would have your privacy, especially for you and your boyfriend.

[Sugar100]

Didn’t u read? I can’t save. I will have $1k savings next month but it could be for the studio but then I’ll be broke once I move in June have 0 savings. So if I shift into the 2 bed with mom instead , I’ll have may $1k savings for myself. I have no savings. I need savings for myself too.

[Jerre]

You would be saving quite abit on gas and your time.

[Sugar100]

I’m thinking I won’t save money by staying with my mom and me paying $400 for my own bedroom. Cuz then the gas I would still be paying $200 a wk or $150 , that’s $600 a month. So I would r technically be paying $1k for gas and my own room.

I might as well rent my own studio for $1k. Even tho ill spend less on gas, ill have my own apt at least and more free time for hobbies or rest or cooking. And no more falling asleep in car and get home fast in 10 min. Rather than get home in 2 hours.

[Jerre]

Best of luck whatever you decide

[Sugar100]

There aren’t much cheap studios most are $1400 to $1800

[Sugar100]

That’s how much my mom pays for her senior apt it’s like. A studio I don’t have my own room. I don’t want be 29-40 forever living in a senior apt with no bedroom I don't know what to do. I won’t ever get a husband to marry and live with me

[NathanDavis]

you said you're short on money... take the cheaper option

[AgentG111]

Absolute compromise or you to get an apartment together. Whole thing being adult is learning how to do time management.

[Ariesman81Nshiiit]

If dude ain't saying move in then you gotta get the apartment. It's a no brainer financially.

[888theGreat]

Didn't you always have questions about wanting to gain weight on here?

[Anonymous]

You should stay at your mom's apartment.

[Zionne]

go rent a studio