Entering adulthood... Should you move out?

[CyraXZero]

lived alone since i was 16 (i.e a year ago now) so....heh...

[Fabala]

I lived under my mother's roof until shortly before I turned 22. It was more about convenience than anything else. I was able to commute back and forth to college, and get to my job in town. I didn't pay for rent, but I was treated like an adult in that I paid for school without help, covered my own expenses, and helped out in the household when asked or necessary. I moved out, naturally, when I moved to Australia to live with my husband.

There really isn't any "best" age to leave the home. It's going to be different for everyone. Had I followed my original plan and gone to school in Florida I would have left when I was 18, as my brother did. My little sister attended the same college I went to for a time, and now, at nearly 20, she'll be leaving sometime in the next few months to join the army.

I think it's important for people to learn to be independent, and not to rely on their parents for everything. Can a person do so even while living with their parents? Absolutely. But generally both sides have to learn not to cater to and depend on one another.

[Atara Inferno]

My parents don't give me enough room to breathe and I can't stand the fact that I can't get privacy and all. How am I meant to concentrate on my revision for exams? Seriously.
I wouldn't miss them in a year's time when I move out with my best friend.

[poison.ivy]

None of the answers in this poll suits me cuz about the time I'll be 18, my mum will move out! XD When I finish high school and go to college, she and her boyfriend [he'll probably be husband then] are gonna move to the seaside and grow snails ^^ So I'll be on my own in my beautiful apartment. And I'm very glad about it, cuz I've a lot of stuff and I don't feel like moving out ;]

[kagome_windy]

I'm 15 right now,but I cannot imagine my life without my parents.....

[Eris]

I think the appropriate time to move out is when you

• Can support yourself.
• Are mentally ready for it.
• Have a reason to do it.

I know several people (my sister included) who moved out prematurely because of the romantic notion of living alone. Moving out for the sake of moving out alone is a bad thing. My sister has lived with boyfriends, or with second or third hand apartment leases since high school. This is a tremendous psychological stress factor. Not knowing if the owner of the apartment will kick you out, not knowing if you will be able to pay the bills, not really having a home to call your own. All this without really needing it. Most people who do this end up moving back home with their parents again, realizing they weren't ready for it.

There is no need to force the issue on becoming an adult. Things will come together on their own in their due time.

[blueangel06661]

I plan on making my move as soon as I get out of collage, so I can go to a production school further down the state ^-^

But my mother is talking about following me down there saying "i'm not going to let my daughter move down there alone"

So yeah i'm like.. NUU!!! -__-

[suzumisaya]

Well I'm 19. And I'd love to live in my own house or apartment, but I don't have enough money to get it and if I did I wouldn't be able 'cause here in argentina, you're an adult when u get 21, so before that u can't get properties and I know my parents wouldn't take a property for me even though I promised them I'll pay all the bills.

[PigFarts]

Well, I'm heading out to College come this September, and I'm still deciding on being local (30 min. from home) or further from home (2 1/2 hours); basically, which school shoud I go to? Which school would better prepare me for "adult life" and it's obvious that being further from home would suit me better in that department. But yes, at 18, I believe that everyone should, not necessarily "move out," but get away from home, begin your life to prepare you what's going to happen later in life. But maturity levels play a big part in this. A 20 year old whose maturity level is at that of a middle-school-prepubesent-boy would be better suited staying home, with some boundaries presented by mom and dad - like living in the house, but treating your parents like landlords; buy your own groceries, do your own laundry, pay for your own things.

[Sagat]

I moved out when I was 19, and when I turn 26 this Nov, I may actually end up moving back with my parents for a while.

It is a good way to save money, a very good way. Me and my parents are somehow, probably being posted to CFB Edmonton - and it is insanely expensive out there. I asked if I could live with them to save money and pay off my large bills so I can save up either for a house or to return to uni. if I leave the military.

So, despite what some younger people think, moving out at an early age isn't always the best option. Even later on, moving back in for awhile is a good choice. They are happy about it too, as a Warrant and a Lieutenant even they are apprehensive about the mortgage on a house, so my living with them for a while helps ease it for them as well.

Put it this way, the money I would save per month from living with them is around .. 650 dollars, assuming I pay 200 month in rent. 650 is a lot when you are paying off loans.

[Lola Granola]

I moved out of the house when I was 19. It was difficult to do, but I wanted it more than anything and growing up as an only child/daughter/Chinese-Vietnamese made me feel caged. It was hard because the location was extremely expensive, being Seattle and next to a university and all. But I made it with my tax return and savings. After living by myself the first year my parents offered to help pay rent because they wanted me to work less so I could concentrate on the more important thing, college. I have my principles and refused the offer, so I paid for my own living expensives the first year I was gone. The second year was different. The studio I am currently in was intended for two. Things didn't work out, so I ended up having to pay a rent that was $200 more than my rent last year because I had already signed the lease. This time my parents are helping me out when I can't fully cover the rent by myself. I was surprised at how supportive they were after I left. It is extremely convienant to live on my own in the location I'm in. I walk to work and school and have easy access to bus lines.

[Khanxay]

I turned 18 a few days ago. Answer: Nope.

I'm planning to move out with some friends within a year from the end of this school year. That'll be after we all have decent paying jobs though.

[███]

Your poll doesn't cover being over 18 and looking to move out in the far future.

I will tell you from experience, there really isn't a time when you have to decide to move out or not, it just happens. You will know when the time is right.

If you are trying to make a tough decision, or even worried about what your parents will think, that usually means you aren't ready.

[Guerrera]

Americans seem to receive an excessive amount of pressure when it comes to moving out. And there are lots of wonderful and loving parents out there who wanna kick out their own kids the minute they turn 18.

Where I'm from, people like to economize. We cram 8 people in 2 bedrooms and that's how it stays. In my case, I was too p- uh, "monetarily challenged" to move out and I have to support my entire family with one job until something better comes along.

[Perpetual Specter]

I may or may not move out at 18. I agree with Eris on this. You shouldn't be too pressured to move out, but just move out when you know you're ready. Personally, I'd like to be moved out by the time I'm 20 or something though. I'll stay a bit longer though if it's really needed.

[Zainox]

I have it planned already. xD
Im moving out of my house beggining of next year. My mate turns 18 in January and soon after we are gonna move out into a rented home. We are gonna go halves with everything but that means we will be working most they day to have the money to support us both. We are both gonna help clean and both shop, just basicly make everything fair and share responsablilty. I really cant wait, it will be great, finally getting out of home and starting my own life.

We are thinking of inviting another mate and that will just make money so much easier.

[serasvct]

I was extremely happy to move out of home as soon as possible, and never looked back.

I think that it's a personal choice, and depends a great deal on the environment in the home. If a person feels comfortable and welcome in their environment, why should they move out early?

[Amray]

^^^^Yeah, what she said.^^^^

It really comes down to your life style and way of living, the kind of people you prefer to be around, and the people that you are currently living with.

[aishiteru333]

lived alone since i was 16 (i.e a year ago now) so....heh...

Did you by any chance get emancipated? That must've been hard for you!

[Daenerys]

I didnt for a few years, but when I did end up moving out, my mom needed me back home to help her with my crazy siblings. That and well, she's dying, and wants her children near.

[Wio]

It really depends on what my future wife wants. Optimally I'd live near my parents (though not necessarily with them) because that'd be free daycare.

[pyrothunder336]

I'd say moving out alone would be pretty rough to do when you hit 18. Bills could pile up and if something went wrong you would probably have to go back to your parents. If you were to move out with someone else maybe it would be a little bit easier. This isn't going to happen to everyone of course, but it seems to happen to most people I know. I for one plan on moving out with 2 other people to make life smooth for a bit ^^

[Amarhyllis]

I moved out when I was 19. I got homesick, and always was whenever I went away from home for long periods of time. It was horrible, crying myself to sleep sometimes and when I went for visits it was hard knowing that I had to leave them again. I've gotten use to it now, but I still wish I could be with them always. I loved living at my Momma and Poppa's...sometimes I wish I could go back. I've already got a good job and met lots of so many new people to go back and forget anything ever happened. ^^
But I digress

[Baka]

I think the parents should move out. LOL But seriously, it depends on the person. Some 18 year olds are not ready to live on their own.

[Ein Einsamer Soldat]

As of right now I plan on staying at home for a year after my graduation, the main reason to decide if what I'm doing is what I really want. I plan on enlisting with either the US Army or the USMC(been chatting with recruiters for almost a year now). But either way I plan on moving out a year after graduating.