Everyone needs to leave their nests at some point, but what is a good age to move out of your parents’ house? The cost of living is high, and people often finish school with student loans, and they take some time to save some money and get established in their jobs.
Although it is a little different for everyone, many people say that it is best to move out of your parents’ house around 25 or 26 years old. This is more of a guideline because some people move at 18, and others may stay longer. Your personal circumstances will often dictate when the timing is right.
Many factors come into play, including where you live, what kind of job you have, and how much debt or savings you have. Continue reading to learn what a good age is to move out of your parents’ home.
Financial Stability -A Key Determining Factor
People often stay at home because it helps them save money so that they can get their own place. Some people finish school with student loan debt, and they want to work for a few years before going out on their own. Regardless of other circumstances, how healthy you are financially, and whether you know how to track it, it is critical to decide when to move out of your parents’ house.
Keep a Budget
Rather than asking how old you should be when you move out, it is better to consider your finances and how well you can support yourself. As soon as you start working, you want to keep a budget. It will show you your gross income, expenses, and your bottom line –income after expenses, and taxes.
Most people have a clear picture of their take-home income because they get it in a check or directly deposited in their bank account.
The homework is to figure out the expenses. How much will cost you to have your own place? When you make your budget, you need to look at rent, utilities, your car, food, medical, and any other expenses you have, including eating out or spending time with friends.
Look at places in the area where you want to live so that you can find out what your expenses will be. You need to factor in your moving costs and any security deposits you might need to pay. Some people look for others to share a house or apartment with so that they have lower expenses.
You need to educate yourself about basic finances. For example, it is easy to use credit cards to cover expenses, so you need to know the real cost. If you carry a balance, you will pay interest each month. You also need to pay them on time or your credit will suffer.
It is very important to know your credit score, and learn what factors are contributing to it. You will need a good credit score to rent an apartment or buy a home. In addition, learn how a lease works. They are legally binding contracts, so you don’t have the option of moving out whenever you want.
How Do I Make A Budget And Stick To It?
In this video, Dave Ramsey goes over how to make a budget that you can live with by understanding why you do the budget in the first place. He recommends his EveryDollar budgeting tool to track your budget, but you can also use Mint from Intuit for free.
Other Factors That Influence When People Move Out
Besides understanding your finances and making sure that you can afford to support yourself, there are other signs that it might be time to move out. Take a look at some signs that you should consider.
1. You Have a Long Commute
When you live at home, you aren’t necessarily going to be near your office. Your friends from work might all live closer to the office, and you may have a long drive home at the end of the day. It can make it harder to socialize after work, and you might want to learn from your colleagues what they do to afford to live on their own. This may not be the case, of course, if you work at home.
2. You Are in a Serious Relationship
If you have met someone special and are in a serious relationship, it can be awkward to live at home. Your parents will know when you stay over at their house, and your significant other might feel uncomfortable staying in your house with your parents. If you are in a relationship that has progressed to this level, you might want to move out.
3. Your Parents Treat You Like You Are in High School
If you find that your parents are treating you like you are back in high school again, you might consider moving. It will help to improve your relationship with them. Parents always worry about their children, no matter how old they are. If they stay up at night and wait for you or want to know your every move, you might want to move out.
4. You Find Yourself Dependent on Your Parents for Everything
If you are letting your mom do your laundry and cook for you every day or if they are cleaning your room for you, this is a sign that you should move out. Although it is nice to be pampered, you will have trouble surviving on your own if you let it happen for too long.
Things I Wish I Knew Before I Moved Out
In this video, Caira Button goes over “all of the things no one told me and I wish I had known before I moved out for the first time.“
Final Words
Young adults sometimes wonder what the best age is to move out of their parents’ house, and it is generally around 25 or 26 years old. However, there are other factors that are more important to consider, especially your finances. You need to make sure that you can afford to support yourself so that you are not forced to go back.
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