I made sure my job would cover the bills. My employer gave me 2000 for moving which was not enough but I naively accepted. I sold all my college furniture and kept tv, kitchen stuff, bedding etc. I packed my shit into the back of my dad's truck (which I bought him a custom truck cap with some of the money) and they drove me to Connecticut from New Brunswick, Canada. I had no savings. I borrowed the down payment for a lease on a Jeep Cherokee from my parents. I moved into a cheap furnished one bedroom basement apartment which I stayed for about 3 years while paying down my student loan. I found this place thru a realtor who used to work where I was going. It was her aunt's house. I paid my folks back too.
Then I moved into a one bedroom and financed bedroom, living room furniture, tv/home theater over 3 years. I did not like living ia basement apartment but it was a means to an end. My rent went from $475/month utilities included to $950 plus utilities but it was worth it.
Never had a roommate except for the last 2 years of university. That wasn't real life as I had a student loan and my parents were giving me $500/month. I did not have to work part time during my Master's only undergrad. Real life starts when you are paying for EVERYTHING. I realized that GROSS salary is nowhere near what you take home.