Moving Out

If you've moved out, I've got a few questions.

• How far from home did you move? House next door? Place across the country?
• How much did it cost to get moved out?
• How different was that cost from what you thought it would be?
• What problems did you run into?
• Did/do you have roommates? Did you know them well? Not at all?
• How old were/are you?

Add questions to the list, if you'd like. Thank you everyone who answers said questions.

When I moved out two years and two weeks ago, I was headed to Oregon, to live with Robyn, or at least near enough to not have to talk only on IRC. It was 1600 miles from Ridgway, where my parents live and I just returned to. My parents drove me out, so that didn't cost me anything, but I left with $3,000 to carry me through.

That much money is plenty I could have easily done on half of that. However, I didn't get a job soon enough, and so I spent the next two years being broke. Don't use up your savings. Pretend it doesn't exist. That's the biggest piece of advice I can give for living independently: Keep your head above the water, financially.

I had several roommates first Max, who was a dream while he was there paid his portion, was never home and relatively neat of course, owning practically nothing helps that. Next came Nick who was awesome to hang out with, then Nick and Justin at the same time, and let me tell you if you ever are tempted to share a 2-bedroom apartment among three people who don't sleep together, don't. It's not worth it. A bedroom per roommate is essential.

Next I lived with Lorin, and that was awesome he always had his share of the rent and was neater than I was, that's for sure, and we both love to cook, so we ate well. Cooking for yourself is important eating out all the time is way too expensive, and not eating well just makes you run down and makes it hard to work. When it's hard to work, that's really bad if you're renting your place that you live, because when the money runs out, you have no place to live. And when you have no place to live, it's hard to get a job. Really hard.

I wish I had known Nick, and particularly Justin's habits more before living with them. I could have done rather nicely with just Nick, but with three guys sharing an apartment, it was just not meant to be. Everyone was unhappy. I think it's quite possible to get a good roommate without knowing them first, but as always, be careful, I think.

I was 18 and a month when I arrived in Oregon. In some ways, plenty old, and in some ways, I wish that I had "been a teenager" even more. I enjoy helping out around my parents house now, in a way I don't know if I imagined when I moved. I appreciate that food's free as long as I cook it, basically, and if I make enough for others, things are really great. My 2¢,

    Aredridel

I'm moving out. Out of my home, and into my backpack. Yes sirree, the road is my room and the sky is my food. I don't know what my "home" is, the only structure I have is the place I"m living now, and it's not completely mine in that, I can't stay here. I am eighteen. I am not afraid to be alone, as many people wonder. I am not afraid to find my own food and do my own laundry, to make my own money and keep my own friends. I am only anxious because I have no idea where I'm going, where I'll end up. I know I'll be in Australia, that's the ledge, and the farther I go the less clear the line becomes. My home could be a tree, it could a fishing boat, it will be many hostels and hotels and houses to crash at.

Advice? Make lots of friends, and keep your old friends. You never know when you may need them. Offer them an open ear and a helping hand when you can't offer them food or money. Try all kinds of jobs, so at least you can figure out what you don't want to do with your life. If you work at a cafe or restaurant, the food problem is solved right there! :) If you have a home, make it your own. Decorate it, celebrate it... Plant a tree wherever you pass through...