How to Move Out on Your Own

Is it time to move out?

Whether you’re escaping your parents, an ex, or a bummer roommate, moving out on your own requires some thought. If you can’t care for yourself, you’ll be back at home or looking for a roommate before you know it.

Here are the basic things that any person braving the domestic world alone should expect:

The Budget

Moving out may liberate your spirits, but it will constrain your wallet.  Living with others saves you money, sometimes well over $500 a month.

Make sure you can afford moving out by making a moving budget. This requires calculating the cost of your move and the costs you will have after you move.

Personal Needs

Sure, you can move out on your own, but can you take care of yourself? When alone, you’ll have to do everything yourself.

• Cooking – Mom won’t be around to serve you breakfast anymore.  So, I ask you, do you know how to fry an egg?
• Household chores – If you don’t want to end up living in a disaster zone, you need to know how to clean and take care of a place… and be willing to do it.
• Medical needs – If you need significant help caring for yourself, such as if you recently broke your leg or if you have a history of seizures, moving alone might be a bad idea.
• Being alone – This might seem silly, but some people don’t like being alone.  If you’re one of those people, living alone could end up being a miserable, depressing, and even scary experience.

If you’re okay with the demands (or lack thereof) of living alone, learn how to find an apartment to move out into.