Everybody is out there trying to find the best ways to survive without accruing a massive financial burden. One Florida woman believes she’s cracked the code: instead of paying a landlord for an apartment, she lives in a Florida motel.
TikTok user Mandybowers123123, Mandy, gives insight on her way of life in a now viral video, wherein she lives in motels and hotels as opposed to apartments or paying on a mortgage. She tells her audience, “Yes, I spend $1,600 a month to live in a motel or hotel.” It appears many of her viewers have always wondered why. After the experience Mandy has had, it’s easy to see why.
First off, Mandy brings up the problem of a massive security deposit you need moving into an apartment, if you even get it, which she says can reach “3 to 5 thousand dollars.” Now, she does admit she did have to pay a security deposit after all, but it was only a measly $100. So, if you need to get into a place quickly, it seems like a reasonable option.
Secondly, didn’t have to prove to a landlord she makes enough to move into motels/hotels. To add to that, Mandy reveals a bit of personal history that was important to her. Since there weren’t any background checks or security checks, Mandy says, “These people could care less that I did 16 years in prison.” According to her, they don’t care about prior evictions or credit score, either.
Although Mandy admits it’s “not as luxurious as going out and having your own apartment or your own home.” However, she says it “does work” for those who don’t have much money upfront. According to Apartments, you could be looking at anywhere from $1,600 to $2,500 just for rent—you’ll likely have utilities to consider, too. Mandy gets a room, power, internet, and free parking covered with the $1,600 a month. That’s a lot more than many renters in Florida can say.
Mandy’s viewers react to her motel lifehack
Surprisingly, people were very receptive to Mandy’s way of life, even though it added to the ever-growing expenses of renting apartments and the special amenities that come with living at a motel or hotel. “All I see is someone being resourceful,” one viewer argued.
“Not to mention some offer free breakfast, pool, gym, spa,” wrote one commenter, which garnered thousands of Likes on TikTok, including one from Mandy.
Another viewer, who shared they lived in hotels for “a long time,” brought up the point that hotels and motels “clean for you,” bring clean towels and “you never have to buy toilet paper.”
Several commenters shared they were doing the same, sharing their range of expenses, one of whom was paying the same amount as Mandy while another shared they only paid $1,200 a month. It’s an interesting hack, but also a mark against the poor state of housing in the U.S. But as one commenter put it, “It’s better than being on the streets…”
