Are you ready to leave the nest?
Moving out of your parents’ house, whether to start college or start a solo adventure later in life, is a huge step. Moving out of your childhood home takes planning, preparation, and the strong will to “adult.”
Progressing to a new chapter in life may seem overwhelming, but it can be a seamless transition with the right tips and mindset in place.
Every situation is different and each family goes through different stages in life, but here are our top tips on how to move out of your parents’ house while keeping it a smooth process.
Review Your Finances and Budget
Living with your parents gives you a financial fallback option — so before you make any permanent moves, make sure you review your finances and can afford to live on your own.
Before you break the news to your parents or move out, it’s important to get your finances in order and budget correctly for your independence.
The first step to financial freedom is the most obvious: a steady job. If there is any chance your job is at risk, or you’re between jobs, it probably isn’t the best time to move out of your parents’ house.
When you have a secure job in place, the next step is to review your expenses.
Reviewing your expenses will give you a better idea of what you can afford when you move out. Considerations to factor in when planning your budget are rent, groceries, utilities, gas, phone and internet bill, and additional expenses like weekend fun money.
Living paycheck to paycheck can be tricky, so make sure you budget correctly and don’t live beyond your means. If money is tight, consider getting a roommate to cut costs.
Before you move out of your parent’s home, practice staying within your budget. Doing this before you move out will help you get a feel for what your new life will be like and what is feasible to spend and save.
A best practice is to save up anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 before you move. This will give you an adequate amount to cover movers, move-in fees at your new apartment, or help with a down payment on a house — plus give extra cushion if any problems arise like car issues right after you move out.
Have a Talk With Your Parents
Once you’ve figured out your budget and have an idea of your moving cost, it’s time to talk to your parents.
Regardless of the circumstances, it’s difficult for parents to see their children grow up and leave the nest. They might be excited for you, or they might be dreading the day you leave, but either way, seeing you go is most likely going to be challenging for them. Breaking the news to them will require some finesse.
First, be sure to be considerate of their emotions when telling them about your plans to move out. If you know they will be devastated, break it to them gently, highlight the benefits of the move, and let them know how excited you are. Stand firm if they try to convince you to stay.
On the other hand, if your parents are excited for you to move out on your own, letting them know your plans will be a time of excitement for everyone.
When you do this, try to end the conversation on a positive note.
Start Looking for Places To Live
After determining your budget and telling your parents the news, it’s time to start looking for a new place to live.
Think about the location; do you want to be in the suburbs or in the middle of a city? Do you work remotely or will you need to commute to work? Do you want an apartment or a house?
Once you’ve figured out your requirements and non-negotiables, determine the amount you can afford on your rent. A rule of thumb is that your monthly income should be three times the amount of your rent.
As an example, if you make $2,700/month, you should try to spend around $900/month on rent.
If a place’s rent price seems too good to be true, investigate. Some apartments or homes look fantastic and have low rent but are located in a dangerous neighborhood. If something seems off, ask around and read reviews.
Another best practice is to tour at least five properties before choosing one. After submitting your application and receiving an acceptance, make sure to read your lease carefully.
Create a Moving Plan
Now that you have decided on a place to move, it’s time to make your moving game plan.
To limit the stress levels that come with moving, give yourself at least one month to prepare. If you only need to pack up a room, one month should be plenty of time. If you have multiple rooms to pack, start the packing process earlier than a month out.
The next thing to determine is if you need to hire a moving company or not. Opting to move on your own means you can save money, but the process will take longer. You can also ask friends and family to help you move. On the other hand, a moving company will alleviate the stress of your move since they can handle it all for you.
Whatever option you choose, make sure to budget for packing supplies, rental trucks, or movers.
Next, create a chore list for what you need to complete before your move.
- Sort your belongings into three categories: keep, sell, and donate.
- Get measurements of your new place. This will help you figure out if your current furniture will work in the new place or if you need to order new items.
- Order appliances and silverware (if needed).
- Update your legal documents and driver’s license.
- Apply for renter’s insurance.
- Set up internet and utilities if they don’t come with your apartment.
Getting Started With Your New Life
Moving out of your parent’s house is a significant life change. Transitioning to a new stage of life can be intimidating, but don’t worry — you got this.
Following our tips will help guide you through a seamless, stress-free move out of your parent’s house.
If you get stuck figuring out whether hiring movers or making a DIY move is right for you, consider these factors.
