This is one of those things you can only really do once, and almost all of us do it: leaving the nest for the first time. It is an essential step in growing into adulthood. A challenge for everybody to overcome as we progress towards a well-rounded person. That step is moving out of parents house and we are here to say that you are not alone. Most of us have been through and fought off challenges inherent to the move, both logistical and emotional. So, be careful to avoid injuries on moving day and here are some tips that will help you deal with them yourself.
Should you be moving out of parents house?
This is a really important question to ask yourself. Are you sure you actually want or need to move? Is college really that far away, a move really that pressing? We are pointing this out just because you might feel peer-pressure to move out of parents home and into adulthood.
Look, it is nothing bad to want to stay a little longer. Staying at your parents’ house is not going to make you any less of a success. This goes especially if you made strides to make yourself as independent as possible in the house anyway.
We are not saying it is a bad idea, far from it. We are just saying it is a big step to take, and shouldn’t be taken lightly. You shouldn’t just go and move on a whim. Do it as a propper, planned procedure.
Money – do you have enough?
At that point in our lives, we all asked ourselves the same question. Do we really make enough money to support ourselves? Well here are some numbers to keep in mind.
Rent usually costs around 1000$, and with insurance, movers and everything else you might as well count another 1000$ upon it. Just from the start, this is a large amount of starting costs that go hard on your wallet. However, living on a tight budget is far for impossible.
You might want to consider the following:
- Price of rent – it is not cheap, especially for the big cities where best colleges are usually to be found in. Moving out of parents house also means paying it.
- Common necessities – some of us didn’t really consider how much food, warm water, heating and everything else we are accustomed to actually cost. You should keep these expenses in mind.
- Emergency funds – something might go wrong. Actually, if Murphy’s law is anything to go about, something will definitely go wrong. Be prepared for the unforeseen by having some maneuvering space in your budget.
And look… we cannot stress this enough – Ask for help. Friends, parents, relatives, doesn’t matter. Ask them for aid. There is nothing bad in admitting you need some help, and we are sure that you will be able to repay it down the road.
In conclusion, expect money you will also need a responsible spending habit and a willingness to ask for help, both of which are hallmarks of a responsible young adult we all strived to be at that age.
Where to?
Where do you wanna go? Two most often found situations consider either students or young couples. Therefore these are the categories we are going to address.
Students
Going to college is a demanding thing, especially considering you are moving out of parents house, leaving your childhood home. So, what are you leaving it for?
If you are moving to student dorms, you have an easier job ahead of you than your peers moving off campus. You will be close to academic activities and will experience communal living, helping each other out to grow as a responsible person.
However, to those going to their own apartments, you also have some perks too. First and foremost, the training-weels are off and you will experience, and therefore learn, much more. And, as for communal living, it is far from unheard for friends to rent the place together none of them could afford by themselves.
As for couples, this will be a true test of your relationship as you will now operate your daily life needs together, helping each other.
To all who are going for the roommate route, no matter what kind of roommate it is, we have some advice:
- Make responsibilities around the house clear – make a deal on who does what and stick by it. Also, try to have it in writing, it is kind of insurance against future arguments.
- Who pays what – pretty much the same as above, but this time in monetary value.
And finally – stay in contact
If you are leaving your parents house, this isn’t a monumental event only for you, but for your parents as well.
Put yourself into their shoes. We are certain that you can see that this will be an ordeal for them as well. You finally moving out means that a large part of their daily rooting for the past 20 years has disappeared, and a person who was within a smaller shouting distance is leaving them. Be kind to them.
Make plans on communicating frequently after you move and stay true to those plans. A short call goes a long way, for you and them both. Also, consider your relatives. Keep lines of communication between them and yourself.
To be clear, we are not proposing that you act like you didn’t move, as that can be unhealthy. All we are suggesting is to keep a connection to your home and to people who care about you dearly.
We wish you all the best in your move!
