Vim: Edit a file in the directory of the current file

:e %:p:h/filename
See also Set_working_directory_to_the_current_file.

Bullet lists autoformatting for text files in vim

In ~/.vim/after/ftplugin create a file text.vim containing

" Vim filetype plugin file
" Language: text
" Maintainer: Alexander Lobov 
" Last Change: 2014 Mar 27

" Only do this when not done yet for this buffer

if exists("b:did_ftplugin")
  finish
endif

" Don't load another plugin for this buffer
let b:did_ftplugin = 1

setlocal autoindent
setlocal formatoptions=tcroqln

The main strings are

setlocal autoindent
setlocal formatoptions=tcroqln

You .vimrc file should have

  filetype plugin indent on

line.