I moved out in 2003 right after college with a platonic male roommate who was a friend from college (I’m female). I was making 25k, he made slightly more. We got an apartment in Hoboken for $1400 per month. My parents did help me out with rent.

About a month into living together, that platonic male roommate and I started dating. Happy to say 20 years later we are still together, happily married, and have a 10yo. We now own a home in Bergen County.

After our crappy 2br in Hoboken, we upgraded to a nicer 1br in Hoboken. Then moved to Edgewater. Then a townhouse, and finally purchased our own home. I obviously make considerably more than 25k now haha.