When Did You First Move Out On Your Own?

[elicoleman]

I guess this question is only for the college aged kids and older.

Lately, as my 22nd birthday approaches this coming summer, I realize that it's nearing when I start seriously thinking about moving out on my own, whether it be alone or with a roommate. My stepbrother, who will be 23 in March, is leaving here and moving to Minneapolis MN with his girlfriend in January so it kinda got me thinking about getting out.

Currently, my best guy friend JD is rooming with a girl and they are starting to hate each other ALOT. He can't wait for her to move out in May. He's already stated that I'm his first choice, because we're both huge sports fans so it would be a pretty sweet place to live. He also graduates in May, and will be getting paid salary, so money won't be much of a problem. He's even been as kind as possibly having me only pay 40% of the rent. It'd be hard to pass up.

At what age did you finally leave home? I'm not talking about moving into a dorm or anything. Simply moving into a house/apartment either by yourself or with a buddy or two.

Did you move out by yourself or pick up a roomie? How much were your monthly expenses? How much had you saved up before you moved out? Did you end up hating your roommate by the time you moved out after a year?

I'd be interested in hearing all of you guys stories.

[kodiak]

Re: When Did You First Move Out On Your Own?

If we are not counting college then I was 23, moved in with 2 friends still in school but we were all coaching the same high school basketball team in Kansas. We all contrubuted equally on everything but phone which we split the regular service and divied up the long distance based on who made what since we had itemized billing. The first place that was truly my own was in New Mexico which I had a 2 bedroom apartment for several months until my best friend decided it was time for him to move out of his parent's house.

That was a good arrangement with me footing everything but his half of the rent since I had a much better job. He had his degree but had a hard time finding any journalism work so he was forced into selling cars before finally getting on as the layout designer of the local paper.

From there, I had been dating my then fiance(now wifey) for a good while and he had started dating someone so his woman and he moved into her place while mine moved in with me. So I guess I only lived by myself for 6 months but have been supporting myself since age 23.

Tyler I say do it if you are seriously thinking about it, just make sure you have a decent job so you can at least have some spending money after all the monthy bills are paid. If you are still struggling financially and don't mind being at home until you can get some funds saved then stay a little longer. Just try to move out before you hit 30.

[elicoleman]

Re: When Did You First Move Out On Your Own?

Yeah, I know I'm struggling financially but hopefully won't be by May. And a good thing is, my mom put away $1200 at graduation for me when I did move out. Plus, she gave me a bunch of furnishings, so I'd be set in that regard.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: When Did You First Move Out On Your Own?

I moved out when I just turned 24. Live at home for free as long as you can!!! I got my own apartment, I'm way to anal to live with any other guy, they would drive me nuts since I'm a neat freak. The wife on the other hand is very easy to live with

[nyisles16]

Re: When Did You First Move Out On Your Own?

i was rather "old" when i first moved out... i was 29 when i moved in with a former co-worker's buddy (we were all friends at that point).. unfortunately it ended when I tried to transfer to Baltimore with my current company (long story short - the basically told me i was hired, but then a few weeks later told no).. since then i moved into another apartment, "solo" while paying more $$ in rent...

[Shaver]

Re: When Did You First Move Out On Your Own?

I, basically, moved out the summer before my Senior year of High School. I stayed at home a week here and there during Senior Year, but I was out paying bills on a place, so I call that moving out.

Take my advice...stay as long as you can. I racked up a ton of debt in my late teens and college years because I didn't have that rent-free livin'. Debt it took me till I was almost 30 to get out of.

[jrivera34]

Re: When Did You First Move Out On Your Own?

I, basically, moved out the summer before my Senior year of High School. I stayed at home a week here and there during Senior Year, but I was out paying bills on a place, so I call that moving out.

Take my advice...stay as long as you can. I racked up a ton of debt in my late teens and college years because I didn't have that rent-free livin'. Debt it took me till I was almost 30 to get out of.

Similar situation for me. I was on my own at 18 and bills and debt can pile up really quickly. Save as much cash as you can at home and then try to buy a small piece of real estate when you decide to leave.

[MassNole]

Re: When Did You First Move Out On Your Own?

I was 20 when I moved out.

[UMass03]

Re: When Did You First Move Out On Your Own?

Does the day the recruiter came to pick me up for boot camp count? If not then when I got out of the Marines and went to school.

I tried to live at home for awhile but only lasted a week.

[Stu]

Re: When Did You First Move Out On Your Own?

I moved out when I left for college at 18. I'm with others in saying to stay at home as long as you can. Rent adds up quickly, especially if you want to live in a city. I didn't really have a choice going to school 3 hours away from home but if you can stay at home it can really help you financially when you're ready to move out.

Note: staying at home doesn't mean being a bum. Get a job and start saving so you can take advantage of the opportunity your parents are giving you by letting you stay. My aunt just had to kick my 25 year old cousin out of the house because he thought living at home meant he could work two days a week and drink five days a week with his degenerate friends. It's an ugly situation that none of you want to go through.

[Chief Illinimac]

Re: When Did You First Move Out On Your Own?

Excluding the past 4 years of college, I'll probably move out when I'm 24ish for the simple reason that I want to pay off my student loans as quickly as possible. Hopefully I'll have a job at a Big 4 accounting firm and can commute to Chicago and save on all those monthly expenses and put my salary toward loan payments. That's the plan anyway.

[mjb2124]

Re: When Did You First Move Out On Your Own?

24-25 (although I was out during the 4 years of college as college wasn't close to home).

I agree with EG. Stay as home as long as you can and save as much money as you can during that time. You'll be glad you did down the road.

[Pete1210]

Re: When Did You First Move Out On Your Own?

I was 25. Living home I was able to save up for a small co-op I bought right before my first marraige. My mistake was not living with my first wife before we got married.

[BGarrett7]

Re: When Did You First Move Out On Your Own?

I was 21 when I moved out of my parents' house and into my girlfriend's apartment.

[aukevin]

Re: When Did You First Move Out On Your Own?

My first year at Auburn I lived in a trailer with a buddy from HS, then the year after I moved in an apartment by myself for the rest of my years at Auburn. Can't say that I was on my own though because my parents were paying my tuition and part of my rent while I was at Auburn. For a couple years during Auburn I co-oped with a company in Pensacola, where my parents live, so I was able to live there a for the 4 semesters that I co-oped. Worked out real well because I could save pretty much all the money I made by living at home and that made it possible for me to have plenty of money when I graduated.

I wasn't fully independent of my folks until my Auburn graduation when I moved straight out of my Auburn apartment to a Huntsville apartment at the age of 22. I was able to line up the same job I'm at now before graduation. My wife and I stayed in an apartment for one year before we bought a house.