home ownership

When should you move out of your parent’s house?

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As we get older, graduate from school and start our lives many 20-somethings are asking themselves “When should I move out?”  There is really no correct answer, there’s not a one-size-fits-all solution as to when you should move out of your parent’s house.  It really depends on your personal and financial situation.

I moved out at 18 because I chose to leave home and attend university in a city 800 miles away from my family.  I had to grow up fast, learn to budget and pay bills while studying in my first year at college.  I wouldn’t change the way I did things because it was my choice, however I can say that my life would be very different if I would have stayed at home a bit longer.

Your parents need the space

This is a good reason to move out – because your parents tell you to.  This wasn’t my personal situation, but it did happen to a friend of mine.  When parents get divorced new families are formed and when your mom or dad want to start a life with their new spouse it doesn’t always include having their child living in the home.

Sometimes the perfect time to move out of your parent’s house is when they tell you to.

Until you get married

Traditional families may expect their children to stay at home until they’re ready to start their own family.  If I were a parent I’m not sure I would want my 30 year old child living with me just because they weren’t married.  Since I moved out of my parent’s house at an early age I am a big believer in kids moving out as soon as possible.  Living on your own requires a lot of growing up and there is a lot of freedom that comes with having your own space.

I definitely don’t think I would be the same person I am today if I stayed at my parent’s house.  However I would definitely have a lot more money if I would have lived at home for a few more years, at least until I graduated from college.

You want your own space

Moving out on your own comes with a lot of responsibility, but it’s also very rewarding.  With your own space you can come and go as you please, you never have to answer to anyone and you finally have a place to call your own.

If your parent’s home is getting a little bit too crowded and a little bit too stuffy it may be time to move out on your own.

Before anyone moves out on their own I would give two pieces of advice: learn to cook and learn to manage your money.  These were two big mistakes that I made when I moved out of my parent’s house.  I was emotionally ready to leave but I definitely wasn’t ready financially.  If I would have taken the time to learn how to cook edible food and manage my money it would have saved me a lot of grief in my 20s.

Photo from Pixabay

 

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2 Comments

  • I think when a person is ready, then that’s when they should start looking haha. Of course, being 60 and living at home is probably not ideal though, so hopefully most are ready before then 🙂 I moved out when I was 17/18 and I really believe it shaped me into the person I am today.

    • Oh I completely agree. I would be a very different person today if I didn’t move out at 18 and stayed at home until I was 25. If I had to do it all over again I would still move out at 18. No regrets.

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