Moving out during your senior year?

[introducing]

I hate living at home. It's not from any abuse or anything, but I've been mentally 20 since I was 13, so now I feel like a 25 year old living at home.

Because of this, I hate my mom. My mom is a wonderful person. But I can't stand living under her roof.

I wanna move out when I'm 18; however, that'll be my senior year of school. My plan is to start working now, saving up money so I'll have enough to pay the bills with limited assistance. I'm not worried about the money situation, I've got that planned.

I'm not doing this so I can go crazy and get drunk and smoke weed and rebel. I'm doing it so I can manage my life my own way. I'll go to school every day. I'll do my homework.

Honestly, it's because I hate my mom and I wanna save my love for her by staying the hell away from her for a while.

I'll be 18 in July, so I'll have plenty of time to move out before the year starts.

Would I be able to do this?

[Carpe Diem]

I don't know about how stressed your relationship with your mom is but I highly recommend you wait this out, even if you truly hate her. There's been numerous stories about teens moving out, only for them to come back weeks later broke/unhappy. Please wait this out, at least until you finish high school. You'll be able to focus entirely on your senior year, and even save up more. You can think about moving out after, but I highly advise you think this through and make sure you're ready for life's challenges!

[TakeTheLeap]

It's incredibly hard to maintain a full-time job AND go to school. Even if you save up now, there are a lot of unexpected expenses you HAVE to expect before they happen - car trouble (I'm not sure if you can drive, but it's something to consider), groceries, fire, medical expenses, etc. You need to be able to have money as a backup plan for any of these things.

As a new apartment resident, these are the things you'll have to think about (I've just moved into my own apartment, so I had to think about a LOT of these things):
1. Furnishings - (I was lucky. My grandmother sold her house and moved in with us, so I got a LOT of her old furniture at no cost)
2. Rent payment - (I pay $583/month)
3. Renter's Insurance - Not all places require it, but it's always a good thing to have just in case.
4. Cable and internet - (Internet is a necessity because I'm taking Master's classes online)
5. Utilities - what's included, what's not, how much the average tenant pays per month for unilities
6. BUDGETING - How much do all of your general montly expenses cost you (an approximation), and allowing yourself a little extra for wiggleroom just in case. How much does your budget require you to work each week? What do you need, what do you want, and what are the extra things you can get rid of?
7. Car expenses - GAS, unexpected repairs, maintenance costs
8. Health insurance - You're not under your parents' roof, which means you may have to purchase your own health insurance. If you don't want to do that, you have to decide how you're going to pay for unexpected medical bills in case you get sick or hurt.
9. Are your parents willing to help you? Luckily, mine are... I'm still under my dad's health insurance plan, and he's paying for my cell phone bill and car insurance. If I do run into financial strain, my parents will be able to help me out. Can yours do the same?
10. Groceries - How much am I willing to spend on groceries each week or each month? What do I need that's necessary and what do I simply WANT?
11. Credit rating - You're young. You will need to establish some form of credit before trying to get into an apartment. If you don't, you'll need a cosigner. You will also have credit checks done on you for cable and internet as well as your utility bills when setting them up.
12. Location - Do you want to look at the convenience of the location, look for somewhere quiet and secluded, the amount of safety you will have? I encourage you to contact your local police station and ask for the crime record of whatever apartments you're looking into.
13. Population - Are most of the tenants college kids (these apartments will be very noisy and may interfere with your sleeping hours), elderly people, or is it family-oriented? Which population would best suit what you want and need?
14. Back-up plan - What happens if you lose your job or the hours get cut? Is your job consistant and provide enough security for you?
LASTLY...
15. STRESS MANAGEMENT - I know this seems like something strange to include, but I want you to think about this seriously... Although you are planning on saving money, you will need to continue to work through your senior year in order to maintain the apartment. Can you work a full-time job as well as maintaining good grades at school? Do you want to be a part of any extra curricular activities? What are your plans for college and how is working going to affect future plans? Can you handle all of the unexpected expenses and deal with thinking about money constantly?


It is a TON to think about and I know my list isn't complete (although it's definitely a good start). Take this little list I've given you and I want you to seriously start thinking about some of these things. Write answers down for them. Talk with your parents about each of the questions and if there are other things they think you should consider.
For budgeting, do some research. Call local apartments and find out how much their rent is, how much utilities generally cost their tenants (and what utilities are included), decide if you need cable and internet and find out how much it will be... Ask your parents what furniture they'll allow you to take and what furniture you will need/want to buy (and where you can find it - Craigslist is my best friend xD )...

I think you can do it if you're determined, but I also think that it's more stress than you need right now. Senior year of high school is stressful enough with doing classwork, thinking about the future, dealing with senioritis, extra curriculars if you're involved, and so on. Can you handle all of that stress? If you get ultra stressed, who can you talk to?

The biggest question is... Do YOU think you can do it after thinking about all you have to consider?

[thatundergrad]

To pay the rent you may very well have to work full time, which on top of your class load would not be easy to manage. I know, I was a manager at a pizza place in high school working close to 40 hours and going to school all day. It sounds like a great idea, and on paper is seems ok, but once you're living it you will regret it greatly. I know living at home is tough, but you only have on more year. Just try to tough it out.

[wonderbread]

I don't think any one has mentioned this but if you live in the United States you can not move out into an apartment on your own if you are still in high school. Even if you are 18 and considered a legal adult your are still considered a minor and under your parents gaurdianship until you graduate high school. And having your mothers permission will not help when you are trying to sign a lease to rent an apartment. So you are stuck at home until you graduate unless you are legally empancipated and that is a whole other issue.