Question of the Week - Independent Living

First, I would browse the Salvation Army or a thrift shop for some decent, respectable furniture if you can't afford a retailer like Raymour & Flanigan.  I bought the bedroom set for my place on Bailey Avenue at Everything Goes, a local thrift shop on the Island.  Gothic Cabinet Craft is a fine retail option and that's where my new dresser and armoire came from.

Second, I would scope out the nearby transportation to see if you have easy access to your doctor, social events or commuting line.

Third, I would look for a safe neighborhood.  I heard that after I moved out of the housing project, it deteriorated so bad there that armed security guards now patrol every floor.  This makes risking having your own place appealing, no?

Fourth, ideally there will be an accessible food market so you aren't tempted to go across the street to the convenience store.

Lastly, for now, I can't stress enough that you should have a telephone with a low-rate plan so you can keep in touch with friends and family on a weekly basis.  In New York City, the LifeLine service costs only a few dollars a month for people with disabilities collecting SSD or SSI.

I'd love to hear from you about the things you do to manage living as you do.  What adivce would you give to others about finding and keeping their own apartment?

After 11 minths and 6 days in the state hospital I was placed in a transitional house. There was 4 of us in the house. There were counselors that taught us money skills, personal hygiene, cooking skills, proper medication taking, and how to care for a house..mowing, cleaning etc.

I lived there for one year and one day. I moved into my first apartment. It was a one room place. I barely could afford it. After rent each week I bought enough food to last. I would buy a jar of spaghetti sauce and 2lbs of pasta. Sometimes I would buy ground beef. I also bought the neccessary items. Laundry soap, etc.

I decided I needed a phone. Back then I had to go to the mall to hook up service. I thought I made enough to cover the bill. I was wrong. My first bill was so high that if I paid it I wouldn't have any money left for food. Mom paid it and said she would never do it again.

That was the only time I ever lived alone. 

I married after a year and we moved up to a one bedroom apartment. We bought furniture at the Salvation Army.

I moved alot throughout the years. I now have lived in this house with Margaret, longer than I lived any where else in my life. It's nice to grow roots and thrive.

Caring for the house takes alot of work. Mowing, snow shoveling, leaky pipes, clogged gutters etc.

I learned that dreams do come true.....I have a nice place to live.

Dave

Hi folks,

One thing I suggest: schedule time during the week to clean the house or apartment you live in.  If you are spotty in the housekeeping department and have the money, hire someone to clean.  I have decided to limit my outings on Sundays to two a month so that on the other days I can sweep and mop the floor and dust the furniture.

I'm not the world's worst housekeeper because I'm an extremely neat person so the house doesn't get messy.  However, I don't want the new place to get out of hand like my old apartment.  It's too beautiful to let get run down.

Here's a suggestion: use the buddy system.  Enlist a friend to help you clean once a month, and return the favor by helping her or him clean.  Just a thought.

I have the option of hiring someone to clean the apartment, however, I don't want to spend the money.  So I'll see how it goes on my own.

When you have SZ, it's vital to go outside and get involved with friends and do social things.  However, I believe that we need to schedule time off to be alone and take care of ourselves, too.   That would include cleaning the apartment or house.

So my suggestion is to take one day a month to clean, you can put on some upbeat music while you do it.

Christina

Hello,

I have been hospitalized, lived in an independent living home, lived on my own; and moved back in with my mother. From my experience I have learned that as you grow in recovery your needs change. Your independence may be a priority and then affordable housing the next. Now, I live with my mother and things are going very well. The rent is affordable and I stay close to family, they support me a lot and it is nice.