Staying in your parent’s home is a great way to save money and get your feet under you after you graduate from school. However, there will come a day when you decide that the time has come to cut the apron strings and head out on your own.
If you are wondering when it’s time to move out of your parent’s house, then these tips will make moving out of your parent’s house a little bit easier for you.
Go Easy on Them
“It’s not you, it’s me” is a fantastic way to start the conversation. They will understand your desire to live on your own and make your own way in this world. They may even help you pack. In fact, they probably had a similar conversation with their parents back in the day and will be proud of you for making the same decision they once made themselves.
Prepare Yourself Financially
It is a good idea to save up some money to make the transition a little bit easier. Remember, when you rent your first place you are going to need to provide the first month and last month’s rent in advance. You may also need to pay for Internet and utility hookup, community fees, etc.
You are also going to want to invest in furniture and decor so that you feel right at home when you move in. Saving three or four months of income will give you a good cushion to build your new life upon.
Prepare Yourself for Independence
Living independently isn’t just about staying up as late as you want or walking around the living room in your boxers all day. It is about learning how to live responsibly. Living alone is about learning how to take care of the things that need to get done, such as cleaning the bathroom, paying the bills, fixing things that fall apart, scheduling maintenance visits and shopping and stocking the fridge.
Don’t worry though, because learning how to cook, clean, and care for yourself is a lot easier than trying to figure out how to tell your parents you’re moving out.
Get Great at Math
Living on your own means that you have to manage the budget and household expenses on your own. Before you move out, you should have a good idea of how to manage your finances and get in the habit of paying your bills on time. Always remember that while your parents might let a payment slide, your creditors and your landlord will not.
Furthermore, you should limit your search to apartments that won’t cost more than 33 percent of your net monthly income in rent. This will help you keep your spending within your budget and will allow you to enjoy the fun and freedom that comes when you live alone.
Plan for the Future
You probably aren’t going to stay in your first place for more than a year or two. Whether you are going to school or taking a job in a new city, chances are you are going to be aiming to move up in the world. Before you move out, you should have a clear idea of what your career goals are and the steps you are going to need to take to achieve them. This will help you narrow down your geographic search to apartments that are best suited for your long-term goals.
Choose Roommates Carefully
Maybe you want to live with a friend, or maybe you are responding to a “roommate wanted” ad. Whatever the case, always choose your roommates carefully. Make sure you choose roommates whom you can get along with and who are responsible with their own finances. This will help protect you against uncomfortable situations, including situations where the other roommate(s) don’t hold up their financial responsibilities under the terms of the lease. If you’re currently renting a place, make sure everybody tells their landlord they’re moving out as soon as possible to avoid any extra fees.
Call Us When You’re Ready
Heers Management won’t tell you when to move out of your parent’s house, but we will help you make that move when you are ready. We invite you to contact us to learn more about the properties we have available in Arizona and Nevada that are perfect for first-time renters.