I recently moved out on my own......well over a year atleast, and i learned quite a few things while living in a cheap place in a depressing neighborhood with nasty trees (sweet-gum ect), in ...Ohio

It's an experience....like community bathrooms

So here is an instructable on how to survive living like this

Step 1: The People

Neighbors & Roomates keep the place interesting

Your roomate: Lay down the law, sometimes you have to impose conflict just the way life goes, dont be afraid to say hey pick up your 4 fast food bags in the living room, they've been there for 2 days (my roomate eats fast food daily...highly unrecomended his girlfriend has put on substantial weight eating with him)

The criminal neighbor: This guy has multiple felonies for....well idk i was too afraid to ask, usually you dont find out about this until it's too late though, so keep an eye out until you know him, he may turn out to be cool and give you free smashburger!

The crazy lady: that snoopy neighbor always staring at you and creepily standing in the street in the middle of the night.... keep an eye out for this one she'll rat you out to your landlord in a heartbeat.

The neighbor that probably is doing something illegal: This is a house better left ignored. They leave the trashcan on the curb 24/7 and random cars come and go from the place. Always avoid these people, but feel free to nock the trash can over every once in a while when you're "backing" up.

Step 2: The Landlord

Avoid the landlord AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE 99% of the time they are psycotic and have been dealing with tenants too long. All you have to do is be nice to your building mates and mail the rent on time...otherwise you have to put up with the source of evil taking your rent....the landlord.
Never believe anything your landlord says they are not your friend
p.s. (US only) starting in 2012 mailing the rent the day before the due date wont work because of USPS cuts :'(

Step 3: The Crib

In an old un-renovated apartment, you MUST weatherproof in the winter. Check under your sink and other cabinets too, they may have huge holes in the back that cause massive heatlosses 10$ can save you $100+ on your heating bill. Just buy a plastic window cover kit that comes with the door sealer as well.

Lots of rugs make the place look better if the carpet is nasty and looks like a body was drug across the floor.

Poor lighting is also a concern, dont use the lightbulbs already in because they are probably Incandesent, go get some CFL's and get your rebate from the power company.

If your living room is missing an overhead light, put a lamp in each corner.
A well lit room makes it more inviting for friends actually WANT to come visit your place.

The outside of your building: Face it your landlords not going to pay extra for the landscaper to clean it up the leaves composting on the porch/driveway, neither are you...unless you have a snow shovel otherwise i'd advise doing something about it

Step 4: And Life Goes On

Hopefully you dont have to live like this for extended periods of time and you can eventually leave.

Your neighborhood experience makes for some great stories about that time you lived in a crappy apartment.

This instructable was made while i was at work
It is Just as a spoof on all the wilderness survival guides, Nothing is to be taken for anything other than the laughs i got writing it

Someone like me has a 1% chance of being stranded in the middle of the amazon or some other terestrial senario so i figured why not write a survival guide

....surviving this can be harder