At what age did you move out of your parents' home?

  • 78 results
  • 1
  • 2
Avatar image for erhard
erhard

493

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

1

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Poll At what age did you move out of your parents' home? (360 votes)

<16 2%
17 6%
18 18%
19 9%
20 8%
21 8%
22 11%
23 7%
24 6%
>25 16%
9%

I'm kind of at a crossroads and I'd like to know when you people moved out to get some discussion going. If you haven't moved out yet, ignore the poll.

 • 
Avatar image for nodima
Nodima

3878

Forum Posts

24

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 13

User Lists: 0

#1  Edited By Nodima

23, but it wasn't by choice and I had a real struggle for the first 6 months made worse by my dad asking if he could move in with me (parents had been divorced for about five years already) due to his own struggles. I've been in the same apartment for two years now, though, and having gotten on my feet with a job I like in a neighborhood that's one of the best in the city and evicting my father I'm finally grateful my mom got fed up with my alcohol and marijuana consumption and threw me out into the world ass first. Being out on your own can be frustrating having to pay rent bills, energy bills, internet bills all on your own when you just want to spend your money on the more enjoyable things in life, but sometimes you have to grow up.

If you're not a guy that fucked off his college education like me and you have a clear goal or two without any romantic prospects, I wouldn't get too worked up about living at home, though. Parents housing their children while they accrue skills and talents is never something to be ashamed of, and your wallet will thank you for it. Unless you're annoyed by your parent(s) or struggling to coexist with them as an adult rather than a child, I would be grateful for the opportunity.

Avatar image for video_game_king
Video_Game_King

36563

Forum Posts

59080

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 54

User Lists: 14

Depends on your definition of "move out".

Avatar image for mosespippy
mosespippy

4751

Forum Posts

2163

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 8

My parents moved out to the middle of nowhere when I was still in High School. I got to stay at their old house to finish off grade 12, then the day after the last day of school I moved into the city. I was 17 and that was probably earlier than I should have been out. I went through some rough times (3 meals a week at times) and moved back in with them when I was 23. I'll probably be on my feet again within 6 months if everything goes according to plan. I'm 25 now.

Avatar image for joshwent
joshwent

2897

Forum Posts

2987

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 4

#4  Edited By joshwent

18 and so happy about it (I'm 29 BTW). It was made easier by the fact that the weird art university I went to didn't have many dorms so I had to get an apartment anyway and many friends had houses that I could stay at temporarily. I basically wanted to establish my adult life as soon as possible, since I'd seen many older friends go through college limbo, where they're separated from the home they grew up in at school for most of the year, but then have to leave that established life and go back. So for 4 or more years they just had no real ground of their own to stand on.

Of course, for me that lead to tons of shitty jobs and kind of rough times, but it really helped reinforce my sense of independence which I value greatly.

I'd also say though, OP, that the transition of 'moving out' is and should be different for everybody, so you just gotta do what feels right for you. I have many friends who lived at home much longer than I did, and now have houses of their own (because of money saved up from all the rent/utilities/etc. that they didn't have to pay) and are financially much better off than I am now. So really, there's no right answer.

Avatar image for raindog505
RainDog505

161

Forum Posts

58

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 8

User Lists: 0

#5  Edited By RainDog505

I "moved out" when I started to attend university five hours from my parent's home in Dallas. Mom and Dad were footing the tuition and room/board bill---i'll admit---but they had zero sympathy of any non-education charge coming across their credit statement from me. So I worked a part-time for "fun" money, which I self-taxed back to my parents as a gesture of gratitude for what they did.

I became completely financially independent at 21...after graduating and starting my career in the healthcare field.

Avatar image for gnorbooth
Gnorbooth

301

Forum Posts

10

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

It's been an off and on thing ever since I was 21. Like any good "responsible" adult I've had my share of struggles over the years in regards to living situations. Thankfully, it's all righted itself and currently have my own place, and even more thankfully, can afford it.

Avatar image for jams
Jams

3043

Forum Posts

131

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

I think I moved out around 21(Just before because I remember living in an apartment and turning 21). But it never felt like I moved out since I work at my parent's small business. I probably see them more now than I ever did as a kid. Working for your parents can have its own set of problems. At least for me. You always feel like you're just being given everything. Even if you are actually working and doing something that nobody else at work could do. I constantly have to remind myself that because sometimes that thought can really wear on you and you start feeling like you're not really doing anything in life. On top of all that everyone always thinks your rich and can do anything you want (leave at any time) when you work for your parents. Fuck those people.

Avatar image for hailinel
Hailinel

25785

Forum Posts

219681

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 10

User Lists: 28

I haven't lived with my parents since the summer after my sophomore year of college. Though I didn't have a permanent residence of my own until after I graduated.

Avatar image for wuddel
Wuddel

2436

Forum Posts

1448

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 4

25, since I went to university in my home town (continental Europe), and we/I could not afford to study somewhere else. But then I moved to a (somewhat) different country.

Avatar image for scrawnto
Scrawnto

2558

Forum Posts

83

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

#10  Edited By Scrawnto

I only ever lived with my dad during summers and for six months after graduating college, but I started paying my own rent and bills at 22, so that's what I chose.

edit: I lived with my mom prior to college. I moved out of her home at 18 and listed my dad's home as my "permanent residence" after that so I could get residential tuition in California.

Avatar image for sathingtonwaltz
SathingtonWaltz

2167

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 2

I was 19 when I moved out. I know in some countries it's perfectly normal for adults to live with their parents, but in the US I think most people start to look down on you if you're 25+ years of age and still living with your parents. Go out on your own and make something of yourself... that kind of thing.

Avatar image for aetheldod
Aetheldod

3914

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

Never ... but in Mexico is ok , you usually leave the parents household untill you are married anyway , altho I for instance because of life fuck ups and destiny playing bad shit on me I havent been able to do so , add that my father passed away and my mom getting sick and more stuff , oh boy. Im 31 by the way :/

Avatar image for artelinarose
artelinarose

1999

Forum Posts

470

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

18. Went to visit a friend in California a month after I turned 18 and was told that I couldn't come back. I think the exact words were "There is no place for you in this house."

Avatar image for sjosz
sjosz

489

Forum Posts

3

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

19, moved out for my first job, which was also in a different country. Pretty intense.

Avatar image for oscar__explosion
Oscar__Explosion

3003

Forum Posts

5651

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 6

I moved out when I was 22, but had to move back in last month (I'm 24 now) and I don't make enough to live out on my own. I'm telling myself that this is a good opportunity for me to get some savings and hopefully within the next year or so get back out there and have my own place again.

Avatar image for oscar__explosion
Oscar__Explosion

3003

Forum Posts

5651

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 6

18. Went to visit a friend in California a month after I turned 18 and was told that I couldn't come back. I think the exact words were "There is no place for you in this house."

Woah man that fucking sucks. Holy shit.

Avatar image for fuzzypumpkin
fuzzypumpkin

433

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

#17  Edited By fuzzypumpkin

I just turned 24 a month ago and I'm still at my parents house. I'm working 2 jobs and trying to save up some money. I've had my share of fuck ups, not least of which is the DUI that I got a couple of months ago. That one makes it a bit hard on you, but I'm learning a lot about myself in the process and taking full responsiblity for a dumb decision. Anyways, don't think of still being with your parents at 23 as a bad thing. Try to see the good in it. I see plenty of people in their late 20s and early 30s that have had to move back in with their parents. No shame in that. Everyone needs help. Sorry my post was so damn long also haha.

Avatar image for werupenstein
Kidavenger

4417

Forum Posts

1553

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 90

User Lists: 33

#18  Edited By Kidavenger

24, graduated university, started a good job, a month later my parents went on a vacation for a week, on their way out my dad goes; "make sure you aren't here when we get back" nothing like looking for a shitty apartment on a week's notice, it all worked out though. My brother graduated 3 years ago and he's still living at home with his girlfriend moved in. My parents have gone soft in their old age.

If you can stay home for a year or two and save money for a mortgage downpayment, I'd recommend it, very hard to do otherwise.

Avatar image for jimmyfenix
jimmyfenix

3941

Forum Posts

20

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#19  Edited By jimmyfenix

I am only 19 and i have no intentions of moving out yet. Maybe in a few years when i finish University.

Avatar image for mideonnviscera
MideonNViscera

2269

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#20  Edited By MideonNViscera

I was only 19 but I never went to school so I kinda had it coming haha Also, it was the right decision at the time.

Avatar image for justin258
Justin258

16684

Forum Posts

26

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 11

User Lists: 8

#21  Edited By Justin258

@artelinarose said:

18. Went to visit a friend in California a month after I turned 18 and was told that I couldn't come back. I think the exact words were "There is no place for you in this house."

Woah man that fucking sucks. Holy shit.

Yeah, I can't imagine any "move-out" story in this thread being any rougher. I hope you got on your feet, or at least found a stable roof and food, quickly enough.

On topic, I just turned 22 and I'm still in my parent's house. I won't be moving out until I can ensure that I'm on decent financial footing and that I'll never have to come back again. Not that I hate my parents or anything nutty like that, but once I'm out from under their roof I want to stay out.

Avatar image for falserelic
falserelic

5767

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

I'm currently living with my mom and her boyfriend. At the moment I'm trying to get my life together, and trying to resolve a stupid decision I made when I was a teen. At times I feel like I don't know what to do with my life, and I have my share of regrets. I get stressed alot and I usually workout to relieve it, but I also went back to smoking again to clear my mind.

At this point I don't care if I live or die. There's nothing in my life I feel proud about.

Avatar image for crusader8463
crusader8463

14850

Forum Posts

4290

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 7

User Lists: 5

Left for college at 17, came back two years later at 18 and have not left since. Spent several years unemployed with no where to go and now my 95 year old grandfather lives with us and they need someone to help look after him.

Avatar image for jadegl
jadegl

1415

Forum Posts

26

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 4

Lived at home through most of college during the summer break, but at school otherwise. I estimate about 20 I was officially out of my parents home and in my own place and not in school.

Avatar image for deactivated-58ca104190dca
deactivated-58ca104190dca

324

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@falserelic: Hang in there, everyone goes through rough times, at least everything is temporary.

Moved out when I traveled overseas at 25, before that I was at university, then worked for a couple of years to save up so I could travel.

Avatar image for artelinarose
artelinarose

1999

Forum Posts

470

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

@believer258: l stayed with that friend and her parents for a year and a half before I managed to get back to Washington. It was one of the worst periods of my life. I hated every single day I was there. Her parents are horrible people and I had to deal with them verbally abusing her and taking advantage of her every single day because I had nowhere to go. She lives up here with me now.

Avatar image for nightriff
nightriff

7248

Forum Posts

1467

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 7

Well it was on and off again because of school. 18 when I went to school but I quit that and moved back in for a few years. 21 when I went BACK to school and only lived with them a few months before I got married and don't/won't live with them ever again...maybe because you never know.

Avatar image for emprpngn
emprpngn

841

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 4

#28  Edited By emprpngn

Moved out when I was 23. I got married, and having seen the Cosby Show, I wanted none of that nonsense.

Avatar image for rick_fingers
Rick_Fingers

525

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#29  Edited By Rick_Fingers

27...sort of.

I was actually living half at home and half with my girlfriend at the time (who lived with and cared for her dad when she wasn't also at my parents place), so it was a weird limbo while I got my career back on track and we saved money.

Eventually my girlfriend and I lived with my parents for a year fulltime, at which stage I proposed and we got a place. We saved a tonne of money over those years and were able to fund the wedding, an awesome honeymoon, and furnish our house, so can't complain.

Moving out was never a big issue for me or my parents. We get along well and they were supportive of me as I went through some shit in my late teens and early 20s and proceeded to get back on track.

Also in Australia the average age a kid leaves home is 27 due to a combination of the cost of attending uni, cost of living, and the insane house prices.

Avatar image for tireyo
Tireyo

6710

Forum Posts

11286

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 27

User Lists: 17

#30  Edited By Tireyo

I haven't moved out, and probably won't since I do take care of my mom.

Avatar image for zeforgotten
zeforgotten

10368

Forum Posts

9

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

27...sort of.

I was actually living half at home and half with my girlfriend at the time (who lived with and cared for her dad when she wasn't also at my parents place), so it was a weird limbo while I got my career back on track and we saved money.

Eventually my girlfriend and I lived with my parents for a year fulltime, at which stage I proposed and we got a place. We saved a tonne of money over those years and were able to fund the wedding, an awesome honeymoon, and furnish our house, so can't complain.

Moving out was never a big issue for me or my parents. We get along well and they were supportive of me as I went through some shit in my late teens and early 20s and proceeded to get back on track.

Also in Australia the average age a kid leaves home is 27 due to a combination of the cost of attending uni, cost of living, and the insane house prices.

I never understood the big "OH NO! YOU LIVE WITH YOUR PARENTS?!" thing, especially not when I see stuff like this.
If you get along with your parents, and you do yours to help around the house/pay for living under their roof and you live in the real world where money don't grow on trees so you can't just drop money on a new house every month then I see no issue with anyone living at home with their parents.
Heck, live at home with them untill you turn 90 for all I care, what does it matter?

Avatar image for themanwithnoplan
TheManWithNoPlan

7843

Forum Posts

103

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 14

#32  Edited By TheManWithNoPlan

I'm 19 and still live with my parents. With the way things are financially for us, it just makes sense for me to go to school, save up when I can and help out my parents. They took care of me up till now and I can at least pay back the favor by contributing to a comfortable lifestyle. Honestly, I don't exactly when I'll move out. It all really depends on several factors, some of which I have no control over.

Avatar image for boboblaw
boboblaw

499

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Was out for 3 (wasted) years in University but for the last two years I've lived at home and just worked a boring job. Probably about time to look for a better job but hey shits comfortable.

I'm 23 and have a decent amount saved. Don't drink or smoke so I barely spend money and I kinda enjoy being at home just for how easy it is.

Avatar image for cornbredx
cornbredx

7484

Forum Posts

2699

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 15

#34  Edited By cornbredx

I joined the army as soon as I got out of highschool.

I bought a house not to long ago and now my mom lives with me.

I guess what I'm saying, kids, is that tables turn sometimes.

Avatar image for tycobb
TyCobb

2036

Forum Posts

90

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

#35  Edited By TyCobb

Moved out at 24. There was no reason to move out earlier since I was putting away $40K/year worth of wages in the bank.

I bought a house not to long ago and now my mom lives with me.

I guess what I'm saying, kids, is that tables turn sometimes.

Same except with my father.

Avatar image for mightyduck
MightyDuck

2280

Forum Posts

6751

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: -2

I finished college at 22, got a job and saved as much as I could for two years. At 24, my fiance and I bought a house and I then moved out.

I'm 26 now.

Avatar image for andorski
Andorski

5482

Forum Posts

2310

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 3

#37  Edited By Andorski

Left for college at 18. Went back home for a year after graduating and moved out due to a job at 23.

Avatar image for chop
Chop

2013

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Moved out briefly at 18, realized I had no goddamn life plan at all and ran back crying.

Five years later, my situation hasn't changed even a little bit. I'm lazy and scared of change, so yeah, I'm still here working a job where I don't make enough to support myself anyways =/

Avatar image for herbiebug
HerbieBug

4228

Forum Posts

43

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#39  Edited By HerbieBug

I was living with my older siblings at 16 and living on my own at 17. I did not have the luxury of deciding on a preference before everything fell apart.

Avatar image for chaser324
chaser324

9415

Forum Posts

14945

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 15

#40 chaser324  Moderator

It's hard to put an exact date on it. Left for college at 18, but I guess I technically still considered my home to be at my parents' address. When I was 20, my parents got divorced, and after that I'd say I was totally moved out but my dad was still helping me out on housing. Started paying 100% of my own rent at 22 through grad school and then into a real job.

Avatar image for justin258
Justin258

16684

Forum Posts

26

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 11

User Lists: 8

@believer258: l stayed with that friend and her parents for a year and a half before I managed to get back to Washington. It was one of the worst periods of my life. I hated every single day I was there. Her parents are horrible people and I had to deal with them verbally abusing her and taking advantage of her every single day because I had nowhere to go. She lives up here with me now.

Sounds like things are going better for both of you. Maybe not great, but better.

I'm currently living with my mom and her boyfriend. At the moment I'm trying to get my life together, and trying to resolve a stupid decision I made when I was a teen. At times I feel like I don't know what to do with my life, and I have my share of regrets. I get stressed alot and I usually workout to relieve it, but I also went back to smoking again to clear my mind.

At this point I don't care if I live or die. There's nothing in my life I feel proud about.

I definitely understand this feeling. I look back and I'm like "OK, what have I done that's noteworthy"? And the answer is "pretty much nothing." And it sometimes depresses me so much, especially considering that it isn't only me but my family's once-constant praise that I'm failing to live up to.

You've gotta care about seeing tomorrow, though. There's gotta be someone, somewhere who wants to see you make it through, and that's what makes getting through every day worth it. Pride doesn't really have anything to do with it.

Avatar image for tireyo
Tireyo

6710

Forum Posts

11286

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 27

User Lists: 17

@artelinarose said:

@believer258: l stayed with that friend and her parents for a year and a half before I managed to get back to Washington. It was one of the worst periods of my life. I hated every single day I was there. Her parents are horrible people and I had to deal with them verbally abusing her and taking advantage of her every single day because I had nowhere to go. She lives up here with me now.

Sounds like things are going better for both of you. Maybe not great, but better.

@falserelic said:

I'm currently living with my mom and her boyfriend. At the moment I'm trying to get my life together, and trying to resolve a stupid decision I made when I was a teen. At times I feel like I don't know what to do with my life, and I have my share of regrets. I get stressed alot and I usually workout to relieve it, but I also went back to smoking again to clear my mind.

At this point I don't care if I live or die. There's nothing in my life I feel proud about.

I definitely understand this feeling. I look back and I'm like "OK, what have I done that's noteworthy"? And the answer is "pretty much nothing." And it sometimes depresses me so much, especially considering that it isn't only me but my family's once-constant praise that I'm failing to live up to.

You've gotta care about seeing tomorrow, though. There's gotta be someone, somewhere who wants to see you make it through, and that's what makes getting through every day worth it. Pride doesn't really have anything to do with it.

You don't have to live up to nothing, so therefore you aren't failing. Don't ever think you're obligated. What matters is how you think of yourself rather than what others think of you, whether it be family or friends. Once you can tell the difference, then perhaps you won't be as depressed sometimes.

Avatar image for justin258
Justin258

16684

Forum Posts

26

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 11

User Lists: 8

@tireyo: Yeah, but I have some expectations for myself too that sometimes feel out of my reach.

Avatar image for tunaburn
tunaburn

2093

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

moved out at 16. had a bad household.

Avatar image for cynicalbuzzard
CynicalBuzzard

254

Forum Posts

865

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I moved out at 22 when I got married.

Avatar image for elwoodan
Elwoodan

1098

Forum Posts

1008

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 2

I moved out at 19, then when I realized independence and 'pride' wasn't nearly as awesome as not dying by working 2 jobs and going to school full time to barely scrape by, I moved back in and now, at 22, I'm in my final semester of school I'm looking into moving out and into a career or at least a sustainable job. I was incredibly lucky to have grown up in a college town and have 2 awesome parents to support me, but I can understand how difficult it is to feel good about yourself when society seems to be pushing you out of the nest with no parachute in sight, and your unwilling to jump.

It can be easy to judge yourself based on what others your age have done. I was embarrassed to tell my friends I was moving back in with my parents at 20 years old, when so many of them seemed to already be out on their own, but I realized at some point that you have to take advantage of every opportunity given to you, and if my parents were willing to give me food and shelter so I could cut back work hours and concentrate on school there is no good, intelligent reason I should say no.

So long as you have some goal or are following some path, there is no reason to ignore the help you are offered.

Avatar image for andrewbeardsley
AndrewBeardsley

387

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

I moved out when I was 21. Finished my undergrad and went to grad school on a different continent. So I don't know if that meets your definition.

Avatar image for dizzmotron
dizzmotron

38

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

When I turned 18 my dad moved out of my place and in with his girlfriend, does that count for me moving out?

Avatar image for starfoxa
StarFoxA

5262

Forum Posts

260822

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 12

User Lists: 12

I moved out 2 days ago. I'm 19. Moved in with a good friend.

Avatar image for tdot
TDot

480

Forum Posts

39

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 2

Moved out three days after I turned 18, left the country too.