At what age should you fly the nest?

17 1/2 go on an adventure around the world. That will create some "character". ( I did this)

I left at 18 (when I went to uni).

I think it's a personal matter to decide on a case by case basis. My brother shared a home with my mom until he was about 32. He didn't stay because he's some loser slacker, he stayed because she couldn't afford the place on her own. I think it's unfair to judge any situation based only on age. There can be a lot of factors. Multi-generational homes are not at all uncommon these days.

I moved out permanently at 24 when I was finally able to find a job that paid enough that I could afford to survive on my own. I paid rent (1/4 of mortgage and utilities) from the day I graduated high school when I was 19.

I think a child should wait until they finish school & have a stable job that can support them financially unless there are major personality conflicts at home. I moved out when I was 21 & moved directly in with my husband. It was the first time I'd lived away from my family. I have never lived alone. I have 4 children & definitely want them to stay until they are financially stable. They could live here forever--I have a big house :happy: . I could never push them out of the house at 18. My daughter just turned 15 & although she's super smart & independent, I would never want to see her out on her own struggling to live & eat instead of concentrating on her education. She needs to have a good career so when I'm old & feeble she has a nice place for me to come & live with her :laugh: .

I left home at 18 when I moved away to university and never moved back. I expect the same of my kids. Only exception is if they genuinely want to attend a university that is within commuting distance of our house, in which case I'll happily save the rent money and have them living at home. But they'll be doing their own damn laundry and cleaning.

I'm 29 and live at home, I also work full time and go to school, and could give zero f*cks.

there is no one age.
My fiance and his friends they all stayed at home until they got married/engaged.
Which I thought was odd, but they're all happy so no judging.

Some people it's better to get out early.

Just have a plan and don't take advantage?

Not until they are ready, which will look different for each child.
My children will be "mature" long before they actually leave, I expect, because at our house we train them to work, to have good character, how to handle money, how to conduct themselves and stay out off the "wrong path."
Their leaving home will just be a matter of timing some opportunity with their readiness.

I am 27, I have my degrees, I have a full time with benefits job and I live at home. Culturally that is normal for my family. It really depends on your situation. Moving out ASAP before you can financially support yourself is not necessarily the best thing.

bump

I moved out when I was 21, had a full time job, and got married.

I moved out at 15, couch surfed for a couple years, finally was able to get my own apartment, etc. Never went back home and never got any help.

I think there is a LOT to be said for letting life hit you right in the face at an early age...it teaches you, very quickly, who YOU are as a person.

That which does not kill you....

I moved out 3 months before my 18th birthday to attend college and have been living on my own ever since. I think it all depends on the person, some may need a little more time at home. I've always been extremely independent and so it just seemed like the natural progression. Now that I have kids of my own I can say I wouldn't mind them living at home until they get married but that's probably not realistic haha!

I think it's more about circumstances and culture than it is about age. There are many variables.

Depends on the person and the situation.

I moved out when I turned 20, meaning that's when I stopped going home for the summer. I was in college at the time. I'd already been paying all of my own bills for awhile and I knew how to balance a checkbook and budget my money. I had a job and I was on scholarship. I managed to save money, stay out of debt, and graduate with honors. I wouldn't have had it any other way.

My brother on the other hand, was not at all ready to move out at 19. He was still living at home on and off when he was 25. Different people are ready at different times. I do think that it ought to be about what's good for the young person AND what's good for the parents. Ideally both parties would come to a mutual agreement and have a plan to implement it.