How to Prep for Moving Out for the First Time

Usually as you get to the back end of your teenage years, your yearning for independence is through the roof. Maybe university is calling, maybe you’ve been working and want to go it alone. Whatever your reasons, the prospect of going to bed at 5am, eating whatever you want, whenever you want and doing whatever else you darn well please in your own place can initially be a very exciting one, but you need to think if you’re actually ready to make the move..

There are a million and one things to cover off when you’re flying the nest first time, but the four core principles below cover the big questions you need to ask yourself before doing it.

Can you afford to do it?

It’s difficult to truly assess how much living on your own is going to cost until you’ve actually done it, but you can come up with a reasonable estimate of your monthly living costs, including your proposed rent, utilities costs, food spend and other regular outgoings. Once you have that figure, you can see how it stacks up to your current income; and if you need financial help to kick start your move, remember to pay back all instalments in full to avoid any extra charges.

If your estimate is bigger than your current income, it might be worthwhile holding off until you have a little more money coming in. The first key to good money management is not spending more than you earn, which is often a challenge to young people who aren’t on big salaries. If you can wait until you know you can achieve this, it’ll make your first experience of living alone a lot more comfortable.

Have you understood your responsibilities?

If you’re heading off to university, there’s a good chance you’ll have enjoyed 18 years of prepared meals, washed clothes and generally many of life’s mundane tasks being done for you by a loving mother or father. While that’s certainly not true in all cases, moving out will offer some degree of culture shock, no matter how involved you are in the daily chores.

You need to make sure you understand the responsibilities that come with living independently. The autonomy that comes with living away from home comes with obligations as well the perks, so it’s probably best to make sure you’ve got more than beans on toast in your cooking repertoire beforehand.

Have you got what you need?

You don’t realise how many basics you need around the house until you move into a new place. This list from Updater gives you an idea of just how much you actually need and use in home living. While you might not need absolutely everything named on there, you’ll need a lot of it.

If you’re moving into a furnished place, as most do, the biggest items will be covered. If not, you’ve got some serious shopping or scrounging to do. Have a look through this list to ensure you’ve got the true essentials ticked off before your move.

Are you emotionally prepared?

Last, but certainly not least, flying the nest for the first time will be a highly emotionally charged situation for both you and your parents. Despite clamouring for independence for a while, you’ll still find it hard to be away from what you’ve known and loved all your life, while your parents will be asking where the time has gone to see their little one grow up so quickly.

Other than bracing yourself for an emotional goodbye, the aforementioned culture shock of living alone might initially have an effect on you as well. A new place means a new way of living, new sights and new sounds – all of which could initially make you feel a tad uneasy. Make a plan for the first few weeks to stick to and put a date in the diary to see your parents next so you’re not missing each other too much.

There’s plenty to think about logistically, practically, financially and emotionally when moving for the first time, so good preparations will be key in ensuring your big move away lives up to expectation.