At what age did you first move out?

At 19 with my BF it was expensive though, moved back with my parents after I got into nursing school. I have 6 months left I plan to leave as soon as I get my license. My moms cooking Is the reason Im on here Get some roomates if you can afford it why not

So when did you first move out?
What were your feelings regarding it? Freedom? Guilt?
If you could go back and tell yourself something upon first moving out, what would it be? Tips and tricks for example.
Was it easy? Was it hard?
What do you think of the culture around 'leaving the nest' vs 'communal living' (IE some families traditionally living together for generations) Is this a largely western phenomenon?
Etcetc.

18 years old.
FREEDOM! Was sick of being constantly told while I was under my parent's roof I would live by their rules.
It was fairly easy, I had a job and had moved into a 6 bedroom place with 5 random people I met in a bar a fortnight before. It was the usual disgusting studenty type flat share situation with all the stupid situations of people in their teens/20s living out of home for the first time (all night partying on wednesdays, why not? Sick of all the dishes being dirty - lets hide them! etc).

I would suggest DON'T SCREW THE CREW but I did and 10 years, two countries and about 8 flats later, I ended up marrying the guy. I told my younger sister about 4 years later to stay at home as long as possible while she was studying because it was the best she'd have it (free food, clean house and laundry!).

Main tip would be draw up a budget and stick to it.

Communal living - I can see there are pros & cons, especially when it comes to caring for the very young or the elderly. But for my family it would need to be a pretty big place. Two dwellings on the same street would work better.

20

I was 17 when I moved, out. I couldn't afford to go to school and work, so I had to drop out and get a GED. It was really hard. If you can stay at home do it, definitely save up before you move out! It hasn't gotten any easier even after I had gotten married, do I love doing whatever I want whenever I want? Yes, and that's the only reason why I have stuck with it, I'm 22 now, almost 23, but I'm telling you if you have the option to save up do it!!!

So when did you first move out?
What were your feelings regarding it? Freedom? Guilt?
If you could go back and tell yourself something upon first moving out, what would it be? Tips and tricks for example.
Was it easy? Was it hard?
What do you think of the culture around 'leaving the nest' vs 'communal living' (IE some families traditionally living together for generations) Is this a largely western phenomenon?
Etcetc.

I moved out a few months after I turned 18. I got access to my money from a car accident that was in a trust and bought a house. It was in my hometown and I loved it. It was close to downtown, so it was a major party place. It gave me a great sense of freedom and I absolutely loved it. My dad and I rented it after I moved out when I was 20 and went to college, and then sold it (and thankfully broke even) when I moved in with my husband (boyfriend at the time) in Chicago. We're still renting while he's in the Navy, but we hope to settle down soon in the next few years.

I do think that the leaving the nest is a western (particularly American) thing because there's a lot more space vs people. In places where the market is much more competitive and there's more of a sense of community as necessity rather than option, it's easier to just have generations live together. Smarter too! I think that it is starting to change now. More and more families are living together. I think that it's a great way to live. But I also like my own space. I think there's a trade. My husband and I are loners who like our own space. But we're willing (and prefer) to have a smaller apartment instead of a big house. I think that if we wanted a bigger house we'd have to have a bunch of kids or some other couples to make it worth it to us.

lol. buying the latest issue of car and driver and a tub of ben and jerry's is not a necessity. its money that you will NEED later and won't have it then.

So when did you first move out? 20 years old
What were your feelings regarding it? Freedom? Guilt? FREEDOM!!!! I was happy to move out. I got along with my parents so much better after moving out. My dad paid first month's rent and my mom helped me find some roommates on Craigslist. I found a great place and some people with good steady jobs in their late 20s, eartly 30s.
If you could go back and tell yourself something upon first moving out, what would it be? Tips and tricks for example.
Was it easy? Was it hard? It was hard in a way as its all new and you always start out with a crappy job and barely enough money. Eventually you find a decent job and hopefully have a game plan. Just keep on trucking and figure out your goals and start them as soon as possible. Also save!
What do you think of the culture around 'leaving the nest' vs 'communal living' (IE some families traditionally living together for generations) Is this a largely western phenomenon? I think if you are in school and you live near by you should live with your parents unless you can truly afford dorms without loans. Otherwise get a trade skill or try and find a decent place to work with health insurance and a 401k then move out. 18 is a great age to try it out either way.... I don't support adults who stay with their parents by choice and just live like a kid their whole life.

I also recommend not to rush into any relationships and play it smart when it comes to dating... Partying is good for you but don't make it your life. Stay away from drugs and pay the bills on time. Save a little.

I started out at 20 years old with nothing... a 10 - 15 hour a week job at a retail store and was rooming with 3 people in a nice house. I eventually found the ever common full time call center job which I knew was a means to an end and worked there for a year before going back to school. I was lucky in that I met my husband in that job and was able to not work with his support. I got my associates degree and transferred back to the university I had at one time got kicked out of. I almost have an accounting degree done with a good GPA and also landed a very nice job. We live a great life now and built it all up from the ground up. It's a great feeling making something out of yourself without your parents or anything there to tell you what to do. I also feel like it calmed my wild spirit, gave me meaning and a purpose, and also something to look back on with pride.

I went to college at 18, but I didn't technically live on my own until after I graduated from college at 22. That's when I got my own place and paid my own living expenses.

wow seeing all these answers.. I was pretty late, 27 when I first moved out but I couldn't really afford it before and I was so much nicer living at home, didnt have to cook/wash/clean up

Turned 18 on July 31, 1972. Enterred the Marine Corps 4 days later. August 4.

I was 17 and off to college.

I moved into a college dorm when I was 18. After graduation, I moved back in with my parents. I bought a house when I was 26.

I was 18 and moved in with my boyfriend.

I was 18 and joined the military...if I could go back in time I would tell myself not to grow up so fast and follow my dreams.

I was 15 when I moved out, stayed on a lot of friends couches until I was old enough to get a job.