Renting: Know your limit and live within it

Q: I’m getting ready to leave the comfort of my parent’s basement and live on my own for the first time. I would have left earlier but I just couldn’t afford to do so. I’m making a reasonable salary now and starting to move forward in my career (finally). I want to get this right the first time and not move out and then moved back in again with my parents like some of my friends have done. Can you give me some advice on what to do/what not to do and how much of my paycheq