Moving out on your own in the US

[animalia]

Dear Diary, 1/05/2007

I think maybe after 30 years of age it should be considered strange and looked down upon. I am 18, was at a 4 year school 2 hours away, hated it, and now I am going to a CC right across the bridge. I will be 22 by the time I have an associates degree in paramedicine and am a Nationally registered emt paramedic. After that, I want to move to NYC as being an EMT in NYC is much more exciting than in a small city like portland, maine. I hope to save money being a paramedic and then maybe go to med school depending on how much I burnout being an emt.

 

[Whisper]

The "moving out" age in the US actually seems to be increasing, from what I can tell. In the previous generation, it might've been looked down upon to still be living at home well into your mid-20's; however, nowadays, it's quite common to see people living with parents until they're 24, 25, or 26.

 

[letdown427]

From a less American perspective, it's normal in Italy to stay at home. I don't know what the average age for leaving is there, but I'm fairly confident a 25year old isn't looked down upon for it.

In the UK, a lot of people leave home after University, so about 21-23, i.e when they get into employment I suppose. I'm not aware of it being looked down on here, but of course I only really know the area that I live in at the moment, it may be different in London etc.

Those that don't go to Uni, I think quite a few leave home earlier, 18 maybe, I don't know tbh.

<rant>
Oh and of course there're all the council estate chavs that start to pop out kids from 14 through to 18, mooch with their already mooching parents, carry knives, steal cars, wear reebok/addidas tracksuits, hoods + baseball caps, staple drain pipes and acres of plastic onto their crappy little cars, nail 17,000W of sub into the 'trunk' and smoke like their lives depend on it.

I don't think they ever really leave home, they just sort of breed across the entire area, everyone living/sleeping with everyone, every alley lined with vomit and cider bottles from the night before, every sign graffiti'd, and dented from yet another attempted handbrake turn.
</rant>

OK that's probably a bit over the top.

House prices over here (UK) are a big reason a lot of people stay at home. Last year they went up 10.5%, they're expected to go up as much as 15% this year. This is being pointed out over and over again, and at least some of the UK's younger population(excluding chavs ) are aware that they are going to have a hard time getting on the property ladder.

I'm 20, and live with my parents. I get on with them really well, and I can save for a decent place later. I actually have an apartment that I have a tenant in, and his rent covers the cost of the mortgage, so it pays for itself at the moment.
All these rising house prices are good news to me then, as when I sell the place, it should mean I can pay back the rest of the mortgage (it's an interest only mortgage) and make a reasonable profit.

My reasons for staying at home are to save money, I have considered moving out to be nearer where I work, but it's expensive...

Plus my parents go on holiday a lot, so I get to have an empty house reasonably often to try and cram in the casual sex.

Being able to bring people back to an apartment would be a major reason for me moving out though, no doubt about it (now that I'm single again).

 

[Jawo]

It seems like the US is the exception. I know that in many European countries families live together until (if) the children get married. I think it has lots to do with the self sufficiency that the US was founded on. I'm living at home after college.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: ArchCenturion
I got flamed last week for still living at home with my parents and complaining that they kicked me out for slapping my little brother.

It just makes a lot more financial sense to stay at home if your parents allow it. I lucked out that i can just go live with my friends mom and help her out, but if i had to live on my own and pay rent then i would probably end up digging myself into a financial hole until i finished my education and had to start my career.

Whats the point of moving out...
You might think its so that you can go do whatever you want, but that also costs money, and with rent and other expenses, all those wonderful things you imagined yourself doing when you were on your own, are now too expensive and not worth it.

I think that if you are single, and still in school, there really is no point to moving out, and trying to make it "on your own", unless you really hate your parents, or visa versa which is sort of my case.

I don't care that so and so moved out at 18, and were all independent.

At least he in SoCal, they were proabably living in a sh1tty apt, and had to eat ramen and ketchup. They also had to deal with dirty room mates that wouldnt shut the fvck up after 12pm, or left wierd ass smelly food in the refrigerator.

Where as at home, i would have several tv's, my dog, food always on hand, my own room with my brother, no rent payments, and everyone would be asleep by 11pm.

You didn't get flamed for just living at home. You got flamed for being a jackass.

 

[daveymark]

Originally posted by: pontifex
wow, several hours later and there is still barely any bashing of people who live at home. did the people in the last thread get warned by the mods or something?

there's nothing wrong with staying at home to save mopney, there's something wrong with staying at home when you have the means to live on your own, and you complain about your parents, how they don't give you enough space. Or if you stay at home because you would rather play video games all day and let your parents py for the roof over your head.

If you're working towards a goal, it's fine.

 

[Lola]

Originally posted by: shuttleboi
There is a high correlation between wanting to get a place of one's own and wanting to have ad hoc casual sex. In the US, 20-somethings are in the mood for casual sex, so the need for a separate place is clear. Those who don't have as much sex can occasionally snooker at their partners' place and are more able to live at home with their parents.

what a stupid comment. :roll: i don't even want to say anything else but what a stupid comment.

 

[PorscheMaD911]

I wish I could be at home ... had to move halfway across the country for work. So much more expensive!

 

[Danman]

IMO, I think it makes one realize how things are when living on their own. You have to manage all of your finances, the place you live in, etc. I believe this matures young adults quickly and sets them in the right direction.

For me, I moved out when I was 17 to go to college. I think this was the best thing for me, but some people may beg to differ.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: daveymark

Originally posted by: pontifex
wow, several hours later and there is still barely any bashing of people who live at home. did the people in the last thread get warned by the mods or something?

there's nothing wrong with staying at home to save mopney, there's something wrong with staying at home when you have the means to live on your own, and you complain about your parents, how they don't give you enough space. Or if you stay at home because you would rather play video games all day and let your parents py for the roof over your head.

If you're working towards a goal, it's fine.

i'm 26 and live with my parents. the only thing they provide for me is my room and an occasional meal. most of the time I eat food I buy myself. everything else I do or buy myself.

i was just remarking at how the attitudes regarding this subject on this forum have changed. in the past (i tried searching for those threads but its near impossible) 95% of the people in the thread were bashing people who lived at home past 18 or after the graduated college.

 

[SonnyDaze]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
I just turned 20 and live at home, I go to a community college and since my parents aren't paying tuition of books, they are allowing me to live at home.

I am perfectly fine with that and i don't feel like I am looked down upon either. I am saving a butt load of money!

This is the case with my sons(s). Oldest just turned 21 and is going to CC and works. He will hopefully transfer in the Fall to another school (Appalachian State). Youngest just turned 18, is in his Sr. year of HS and not sure if he's staying and going to CC or going to big school right away. He wants to go to ECU right away but not sure if he's ready (maturity wise). But they pay/will pay their tuition, books, etc. We house and feed them. Helped them both with their first vehicles (they both own/pay for there own cars and insurance).

 

[dirtylimey]

I think culture makes very little difference in how early or late one moves out from their parents home. The trend varies in every country in the world. It all depends on the local economy and the ability and drive of the person that is or is not moving out. I moved from England to the US when I was 18 after I got married. My sister continued to live at home until she was 23 or so.

Here in the US I know a 29 year old that lives with his parents aswell as other mid twenty somethings that do, alongside people that moved out at a younger age. Has nothing to do with the US, Its different all over.

And yes, I laugh at those people.