First apartment, need help/ advice!!!?

Basically, me and my boyfriend are consdiering getting our first apartment and I just wanted to know on average,


how much do utilites bills normally come to?


like: Bge (gas and electric), water, comcast cable bundle (cable, internet, phone)


We have more than 10k saved up to move out. Any advice for our first place would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.First apartment, need help/ advice!!!?
It's great that you've saved up so much cash for this move. Good job! As far as utilities, it depends. Some places include some or all utilities in the rent. And apartments can vary greatly in how much gas and/or electricity is used (especially considering how the place is heated, whether the water heater and stove/oven is gas or electric, etc).





If you already have a place in mind, see if the landlord or property manager can give you some info (or, better yet, see if they can get you in contact with a former resident). If you don't have a place picked out yet, ask questions regarding the utilities when you call or go see the place (what's included and if they know the average cost). Usually, when you move in, you can call the utility companies to find out how much each has cost in the past for that apartment.





When it comes to cable, you'd probably have to call the local Comcast number on that one. It may vary from state-to-state, city-to-city (I've never had cable so I don't know).





Other advice would be to read the lease in its entirety before signing. Ask to take it with you to look over it. If the landlord doesn't want to let you do this (or wants you to pay a deposit first), be skeptical. Mark anything on the lease that you need the landlord to explain or that you would like to have changed then talk to the landlord about it. Never just trust a landlord because he or she ';seems honest'; -- you just never know what (voice of experience here).





Also, before moving in, take pictures of the entire apartment with a film camera that puts a date/time stamp on the picture. Also, go through the apartment and make a list of any problems that are already there. Have the landlord go through with you if you like but make sure he or she signs the list. After you move out, take pictures again that have a date/time stamp.





I'm sure I'm leaving plenty out but I'm sure someone else will fill in. Basically, be respectful of your neighbors, try to handle conflicts peaceably and directly, pay your rent on time and follow the terms of the lease -- you signed it, you agreed to it.





And don't let yourself be taken advantage of. If an issue comes up with the landlord, read the lease and hold him or her to what he agreed to when you both signed it -- the landlord signed it, the landlord agreed to it.





And if you've been a good tenant, paid on time, stuck to the terms of the lease, and left the apartment clean and undamaged, you should get any amount of the deposit back that the lease states you have a right to. Ask for it in writing and if you don't get it within 30 days of moving (or giving the landlord your forwarding address), look into going to small claims court if it's worth the hassle.





Overall, if things get rocky, stay smart, stand firm and defend your rights. (But hopefully you'll never have to!)





Good luck out there!First apartment, need help/ advice!!!?
For some apartments they pay gas. I have never paid gas or water.





However you do pay for electricity and that runs $20-30 a month.





comcast/cable http://www.connectmycable.com/comcast/


check here to see what you want


Rent in Los Angeles for a 1 bedroom is 900-1500 in a decent area.