There's no magic answer or fine line. In hindsight, it would have been a nice financial head start if I could have moved back home for my first year of 'real world' employment. I lived like a poor college student on purpose that first year so I could pay off my student loans ASAP.
I moved out when I turned 18 and went a few thousands miles away to go to school in California. Recently my mom has been wanting to move in with her and has been looking for a place in San Diego. I figure I will probably spend some time there but doubt I will move in full time with her unless something happens to her that she needs help taking care of herself.
When you can. That's the answer. Not when you should or when you need to or when someone tells you (other than your parents), but serial, you need to move the f out and find a bar that plays classic rock where the drunk chicks head to after the downtown club scene at around 11 to 12 o'clock at night. You probably don't need to move out your parents house to do this but it helps.
If you're Hispanic: Spoiler when you get your girlfriend pregnant (in high school) If you're black: Spoiler when you come back from jail If you're asian: Spoiler when you get your own washateria If you're African: Spoiler when you start driving your own cab If you're Indian: Spoiler when you get your own convenience store If you're white: Spoiler when you go away to college. Spoiler What did you expect?
I'd say once you are out of college and have a career. Though if you can live at your parents house and also work then it wouldn't be too bad to live at home for 2 years or so and save some $$$
LOL! Great post, R2K. I'm totally in agreement about the living room floor. I moved out when I was 18, within a few months of getting out of high school. Got my own garage apartment. I've mentioned it here before. My rent was $65 a month, bills paid, and the pad was 2 blocks from Hermann Park. My significant other moved into the duplex in front of me a few years after I'd been living there, and I guess I still owe a debt to that owl I had, but I won't repeat that story!
Moved out upon HS graduation. Moved back in upon college graduation for a few months until I found a job. Moved back out a month later. It's different for everyone I guess. Me personally, I wanted to get out ASAP. Not because I didn't love my parents, but because I'm a very independent kind of guy - sometimes to a fault. Oh, and because I wanted to actually get laid every once in a while.
Moved out after graduating from high school when I was 18 and left for UT. That was 12 years ago, and have never moved back. I value my freedom and self sufficiency.
I seriously wonder how kids move out after graduating high school or during college and be able to juggle bills, work and studying.
I moved out when I was 21, after completing 2 years of undergrad at the local community college. Now I'm 26. Flat broke, jobless and single. Why did I leave home again? :grin:
My parents live in Austin. I go to school in San Antonio in an apt which my parents are covering. I live with my family on weekends/summer/holidays. I probably won't move out till after grad school and I'm married.
I technically moved out about 9 months after I graduated college... though I wasn't there much when I was in college either... only about a month during the summer. Rented for about 5 years.. then bought my first house at 28 But.. as with moes... I'm Flat Broke, Jobless and Single... so I have no idea why I moved out either! My brother stayed at home until he bought his first house and got married at 28.
I moved out while in college, but moved back in...then moved out again right before I graduated...got married, etc...once I got divorced, it's like reliving the good old days...if my kids were with me, I'd like them gone after college, as I would want them to be self sufficient and be able to visit when then want to...
Left home a couple of weeks after high school graduation and lived from my car and friends until the dorms opened for fall semester at SFA. You kids getting parental help through all this better appreciate it.
