i lived on my own, independently, once before, and let me just say, it was truly amazing. you don't have to worry about anyone getting into your shit, bothering you (except those DAMN Jehova's Witnesses!) and being able to frolick naked and use a vibrator and ... oh god! lol just kidding. or am i?

anyway, it was a great experience. my failing was i am horrible horrible horrible with finances and i had issues with spending money on expensive groceries and *had* to have digital cable and cable modem, which was equal to half of my rent basically, and it just got to be too much. i am sure you will do fine however, i really screwed myself, but then again, i was 19 so i was prolly too young. now i know i would be alot better. good luck man!