Beginner in Real Estate Investment while Paying Own Rent

[Sean Ramuchak]

My name is Sean and I've been interested in real estate investment for a few years now. I am just over a year out of college and began researching real estate and how the investment process works a couple of weeks ago (the goal is to buy my first property next year -- 2021). 

Currently, I am renting an apartment in the Buckhead area of Atlanta, GA and I really enjoy this location and the amenities/community of the building. It seems like the only way I'll be able to afford my first investment property is if I took my monthly rent and put it towards a "house hacking" property where I would basically be living with a random person (which also makes me nervous). 

I'm wondering if this is pretty much my only option if I want to move forward with real estate investing or if anyone has some tips about how to have the best of both worlds? Has anyone gotten into real estate investment WHILE paying their own rent somewhere else; does this sound like a dumb idea; all suggestions are welcome?