Financially speaking, it's a better idea to stay at home.

Experience-wise, it's a whole different game living on your own. A shit ton of freedom you never had is available. You can do anything you want (with obvious legal restrictions, haha) whenever you want. I say it's alot more fun living on your own, especially as a student.

But damn do the bills pile up. You might have random issues with your room mates (for example, my room mates owe me about $400 in energy bills that have been due for almost 2 months), but it's all part of the game.

For a first place, $300/mo, all inclusive is a deal. I don't know the cost of living where you are at, but here in Milwaukee, it's usually $400/mo (per person) not including anything. So you have $400/mo for rent, usually $75-$100/mo for utilities (in the winter months), $15/mo for cable/internet, etc. blah blah blah. It's alot of shit to deal with.

 

I understand where all of you are coming from, but I am playing devil's advocate and telling him how he should plan if he decides to move out. The 10% reserve is not for "if shit happens" but as a way to account for monthly expenses that may be under estimated.

 

+1 for moving out if you develop a reasonable budget and can afford it. It is way more expensive, but the experience and fun to be had is totally worth it. You do have to be a self-starter. If you are the type who is easily distracted, it could be really hard to do all the school work you need to.

Even though I've always gotten along with my parents, I couldn't wait to get out on my own. The independence is just glorious. The place is YOURS. YOU can do whatever you want to without worrying about pissing off the 'rents. I was out when I went to college at 18 and - aside from summer between freshman & sophomore years - never went back.

 

i wholly agree that moving out is an experience that cannot be duplicated and/or learned elsewhere.... but i think its only good for those that can afford it or forced to do it. not just for the sake of moving out when there is no need and/or financial stability to do so.

 

On a serious note, I live by myself in highschool, and my grades suffered h: I made a little less than you and was working over time to make ends meet and have a little left over. It sucked h:

 

Well, come to think of it, you are working 40 hours a week, plus school, so I'm assuming you don't have much free time. I don't know if you would be able to enjoy the benefits of living on your own with that much shit to take care of.

Would you want to pile on all the things you need to do when you have your own place?

For us, the worst is cleaning. It just seems like we never stop cleaning. And it takes so fucking long.