From 95 to 2005 I lived in a rent controlled apartment 5 minutes outside DC. I lived next door to a Metro station so commuting anywhere was easy. I could even walk to the local Safeway and then call a cab to get me and my haul back.

When I moved in it was $545 a month, all utilities included. 10 years later is was $845 + water. It wasn't modern but it wasn't a dump either. Not every building had a laundry room so it meant scleping across the parking lot to the building that did. I was too lazy to work out so TAADAA. I got my workout in.

I worked for the feds at the time so one paycheck paid for all the bills. All. The second paycheck of each month was mine to do with whatever I wanted. It was a pretty sweet set up especially for someone single.