You want a comfortable place, but you don't want to break the bank. So how much is too much? One rule of thumb is to spend no more than 25% of your monthly gross income on rent. For example, if you earn $30,000 per year, or $2,500 per month, you shouldn't spend more than $625 per month on rent. Remember, the more you spend for rent, the less you'll have for other living expenses, including entertainment and savings.

Location, Location, Location
Sometimes it isn't easy to find the perfect place for the perfect price. Don't despair -- you probably can get close enough to suit your purposes. Here's a short checklist of factors you'll want to consider when checking out a neighborhood. Add questions that address your individual needs: