What age did you leave home?

United States
October 7, 2008 11:35pm CST
My partner and I have been discussing moving out of college dorms and finally moving into our own apartment. The thing is, we both still have some college left to go. She has more college time to go than I do and moving into an apartment in our college town would benefit us both. Both of us would be able to find better jobs that pay better than living at home and both of us would finally gain some independence. We're still not sure about it all yet. We have a few months to really decide on what we want to do but we have discussed it numerous times. We are just tired of living in the dorms. We're ready to move into our own place and get away from the childish-ness of those around us. We're 21 and 22 years old. I know that some people left home a lot earlier than us and I know some left home a lot later than us. So, how old where you when you left home? Was it by your own choice or were you thrust out of your home?
10 people like this
41 responses
@bwaybaby (903)
• United States
8 Oct 08
I'm 20 and I haven't really left home yet. Right now, I'm thinking that I'm going to move out right after graduation. I think I'll end up living with my little sister until she graduates from school in an apartment. That way I only have to split my rent with my parents, since they will pay for her half. I don't think my parents would kick me out if I wanted to stay home after I graduate. At least, not for a few months.
3 people like this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
8 Oct 08
I left home when I was almost 17. I married a month before my 17th birthday. I bet you would enjoy the peace and quiet and not being woke up or being froze out of your apartment. It would be nice to wake up and not have to worry if someone ate your food while you were asleep or gone. And the only friends dropping by would be your own, not someone you don't know. Moving to your own apartment has alot going for it. But peace and quiet is possibly top of list second is not having to share a bathroom with roomies..or them using all the hot water.
2 people like this
@samijo719 (1052)
• United States
8 Oct 08
I moved out of my parents at 18 but I wasn't techincally on my own. I moved into my boyfriends house, his dad lived there but traveled constantly for business. It was definatly like being on our own though. No rules, no curfew. I didn't leave home by force and techincally I didn't plan it either. I just started staying there more and more and before I knew it, I was living there! I'm 21 and we now have our own apartment and it's nice. I enjoy it very much.
2 people like this
@Kmarie923 (875)
• United States
8 Oct 08
I moved out when I was 18. I am 19 now and live with my boyfriend who was 21 then and still is. It was by our own choice. We moved so that we could be closer to where he works. I was basically living with him and his family anyway. I would go to their house after work and stay the night so that me and him would get to see each other. Then I would go to my house to see my family and repeat it over and over again. I love his family, but I'm glad that we finally moved together.
2 people like this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
8 Oct 08
My culture is very family-oriented. If not for not getting along with my mom's husband, sister and I would probably still want to live with our mom. I was 22 when sister and I moved out of our mom's house and into our own apartment. Then my mom got a new house and we moved back into the old house with my Boyfriend. So now, it's me, my sister and my boyfriend at home. It gets stressful sometimes. There are days that I wish I could take off on my own. Just experience life by myself.
@katrhina23 (1282)
• United States
25 Jan 09
I left home when I was 20 and lived with my partner. it was nice and i gained independence and learned to live and face life my own..
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63495)
• United States
9 Oct 08
22, a year after actually graduating from college - I'm not counting living in the dorm apartment that last semester of college.
1 person likes this
• Australia
30 Dec 08
I was almost 17 when I left home. It was a mutual decision between me and my parents, and one that I don't regret at all. I have been able to find who i am without having to seek approval from them before hand, which has given me the confidence to try new things. You say you have a few months to decide on what you want to do, so do some research on what's available in your local area and the cost. Keep in mind, if you live together, you have to put up with each others bad habits.
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Oct 08
23, I got married after I found a good job. My parents divorced when I was 18 so I felt like I had to stay until it was time to leave, should have left sooner.
1 person likes this
@Chevee (5905)
• United States
9 Oct 08
I was raised by my grandmother and a guardian (my aunt), I moved out as soon as I got able to make it on my own which was around the age of 18, things at home was not very good. My grandmother did the best she could, my aunt was another story. And I have been on my own every since.
• United States
9 Oct 08
I voluntarily moved out the day after my 18th birthday. I knew I didnt want to abide by my moms rules anymore and it was time I could take care of myself. I finished high school, worked a part time job and lived with my boyfriend who worked as well. Then I went to college. I think most people should be out of the house by at least 25 unless there are special circumstances....CMON PEOPLE your parents want to walk around naked...GET OUT
1 person likes this
@lizard211 (240)
• United States
9 Oct 08
I moved out of my parent's house when I was 20 years old. It worked out great - I was in my junior year in college and just decided it was time to get my own place. I never lived in a dorm - I think it would have driven me crazy. I do like my own space and whenever I visited my friends in the dorm, I just thought they were very cramped and no privacy.
@lynnemg (4529)
• United States
9 Oct 08
I moved out on my own two weeks before I turned eighteen. My family had just moved and we were staying with my grandparents. My aunt and her two kids were also staying there. There were nine of us in a three bedroom house. Way too crowded. I wanted to get away and out on my own, and because of the situation, my parents agreed. I did move back home with my parents a few times since then due to different circumsstances in my life. If I had it all to do over again, I would not change my choice because it helped make me who I am today. However, I would recommend not getting a place of your own until you are positive that you are able to make it financially by yourself. You need to make sure that no matter what happens in your relationship, you can stand on your own two feet.
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Oct 08
I moved out when i was sixteen and i am nineteen now. It was the best thing i ever did because it really makes you see who you are when noone else is there to hold your hand. I have recently just moved 900 miles so im in for an exciting journey.
1 person likes this
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
8 Oct 08
I left home when I got married. I was 22, almost 23 when I got married. We bought a condominium for our first place and moved in there 2 weeks after we got married. I was 22 and my husband was 24. Then we had our first child when I was 24 and he was 25. I think that was probably the perfect age to set out on our own. Have a great day and happy myLotting!!!
@bbsr13 (4196)
• India
8 Oct 08
Hello,Angel! I left home on my own interest soon after my graduation and joined in a government organisation with good remuneration at the age of twenty three and since then I have not returned home.After my marriage I constructed a small house in the city where I worked and residing there till date.I have no intention to repatriate to my home town as there is no medical or higher education facilities.thanx.
@ladym33 (10979)
• United States
7 Dec 09
I left home when I got married I was 24 my husband had just turned 23. My husband had just graduated from college and I was still going part time while working full time. We both commuted so we lived with our parents still. We both moved out of our parents houses the day after we got married. My parents didn't mind me living there and I paid them like $100 dollars a month so there was no reason to leave before we got married, I was able to save money and pay for my wedding dress by staying at home, and my parents did not want me live with my husband before we got married so it worked out for everyone.
@Barb42 (4214)
• United States
8 Oct 08
I got married at the age of 21 1/2 and moved out that day. I never really wanted to leave home until I married. I liked being around my parents and we got along. I still had a younger brother at home. HE was 5 years younger. But he ended up getting married 1 1/2 years after me at age 18. My older brother had joined the Navy and got married at age 18, too.
1 person likes this
5 Mar 10
Not left home yet,I seem to be one of the youngest members on here :/
@sweet_pea (3322)
• Philippines
19 May 11
I was 21 when I left home to take on a first job at a different city. I was away from home for about 6 months until I decided to quit taking on a job just near where my mom was living. So I moved again with her. I permanently moved out from home when I was 24 when I relocated again because of work. I had ever since lived on my own up to the time I got married and raised a family of my own.