Moving out voluntarily as a teenager is probably a tad too early, unless Uni beckons. I moved out when I was 25, by which time I'd equipped myself with the necessary life skills, financial acumen and of course, Mrs Mutton.
The longer you live with your parent[s], the more like them you become. So take a long, hard look at them every once in a while - you'll know when the time is right.
Quote: Aaron @ October 11 2009, 11:25 AM BSTIt's the more typical "manly" things that I have no clue about, despite often having an interest in them. I just can't rememebr any of the detail or anything. I have such an awful memory.
I can't cook anything really. 
I have no clue when it comes to "manly" things either.
Remember* 
I think if you waited until you were 100% ready to move out, you'd never do it. Like with most big steps in life.
(That is if your parents are nice and you get on, that is. Not if you hate them.)
I stayed with my folks for way too long. I was raising my oldest alone and they convinced me I wouldn't be able to do it by myself. However, in time I saw that my son was becoming less of a grandson to them and more of a brother to me. So I got out. Best choice I ever made.
Quote: zooo @ October 11 2009, 12:37 PM BST(That is if your parents are nice and you get on, that is. Not if you hate them.)
I think it was J.K. Rowling who said there's an expiration date on blaming one's parents. Basically, as soon as you leave home, they're no longer to blame for your problems. I wish I'd known that when I left home.
Quote: Kenneth @ October 11 2009, 1:26 PM BSTI think it was J.K. Rowling who said there's an expiration date on blaming one's parents. Basically, as soon as you leave home, they're no longer to blame for your problems.
Yeah, in the world of wizards and magic, maybe.
Quote: AndreaLynne @ October 11 2009, 1:24 PM BSTI stayed with my folks for way too long. I was raising my oldest alone and they convinced me I wouldn't be able to do it by myself. However, in time I saw that my son was becoming less of a grandson to them and more of a brother to me. So I got out. Best choice I ever made.
My parents would love us to all move back and live with them now.
Sort of moved out when I was eighteen, to go to Uni. Only ventured back to the parents for summer and a few days over Christmas. Not like some of those Uni lightweights, who went home almost every bloody weekend! After Uni had to live at home again for a year in an attempt to save some money up; moved out for good aged twenty two.
My mom has begged us to move in with her and dad. I know it's just because I'm a great cook and she can't even make coffee properly.
I got my GF pregnant when we were both 18. I moved in with her and thus started a life of Hell until I was 24 when we eventually split. We didn't get on at all and only stayed together for our son, which in hindsight was a mistake.
He's 19 now and the only good thing to come out of that relationship.
Anyway, suffice to say my memories of leaving home aren't pleasant ones.
I have a detached granny annexe, so you could say things have gone full circle.
I sometimes go days without seeing my relatives but it's comforting to know they're nearby should we need each other.
[And the 'peppercorn' £5/wk rent buys me a couple of pints at the local]
I moved out when I was 22. Only been 2 years, not much to reflect on though, ask me in 10 years.
I have an Irish mother, who did absolutely everything for us as children, so moving out in my mid-20s was a bit of a strain.
Luckily my first flatmate was a clean freak and I picked up some good habits, I also learned I wasn't bad at the old cooking either. My biggest fear was getting myself up for work in the mornings without an Irish woman yelling at me, but it's amazing how disciplined you can become after a few days.
If your first foray into living away from the parents is to move in with a female partner, this can be bad. You will turn her into Mummy and expect her to do all the housework. Even worse, when she does the housework badly, you will compare her to Mummy. It's a freaky, never grow up, incestuous, co-dependency, kettle of rotting fish which can go horribly, horribly wrong.
You never properly reach adulthood until you're made to stand on your own two feet and play 'grown ups'. It sucks but it's also brilliant.
Otherwise, you become one of those bizarre mootants who you see in small town shopping centres - middle aged men following their elderly mothers around - it's too freakish to contemplate.
Quote: Renegade Carpark @ October 11 2009, 3:36 PM BSTIf your first foray into living away from the parents is to move in with a female partner, this can be bad. You will turn her into Mummy and expect her to do all the housework. Even worse, when she does the housework badly, you will compare her to Mummy. It's a freaky, never grow up, incestuous, co-dependency, kettle of rotting fish which can go horribly, horribly wrong.
That can also happen the other way round of course.
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ October 11 2009, 3:41 PM BSTThat can also happen the other way round of course.
Totally agree, especially if the male half is taking care of all the bills, the admin (council tax, parking permits) and household chores such as plumbing, decorating, electrics, etc.
I find that women and the pre-paid electricity key are not a good combination. Probably explains why chicks always have loads of candles. 
Quote: Renegade Carpark @ October 11 2009, 3:36 PM BSTMy biggest fear was getting myself up for work in the mornings without an Irish woman yelling at me
Quote: Renegade Carpark @ October 11 2009, 4:36 PM BSTTotally agree, especially if the male half is taking care of all the bills, the admin (council tax, parking permits) and household chores such as plumbing, decorating, electrics, etc.
Erk!