99 or so, i was 21. Was making around 40k a year. Rented a decent place in bumblefuck with a buddy that was maybe 1500 bucks a month or so if i remember right.

I was in a relationship already so it wasn't like I cared if i was someplace happening. It did suck if you wanted to go to the bar, as this was long before uber, and local cab services sucked and were crazy expensive. Money was still tight (long commute, crappy car stuff was always breaking on, etc) but I was able to make it work and it was a very positive experience.

Was only there for a bit over a year before i changed jobs and moved on to greener pastures, with a brief window of moving back home for a few months between places.