Moving Out

I have written about the time I left my father's place and went to live on my own when I was 18 years old. If you read the story, you know it was turbulent, to say the least. But that raises the question: when should a person move out of their parents' house under normal circumstances?

Most people can't agree on a specific age, and some even argue over this matter. But the truth is, there isn't a single age that applies to everyone, because each person is different. It depends on your family, your background, and your plans for the future. However, what we often see today is people who never move out and remain living with their parents until they die of old age. There are two kinds of people who do this: those who don't want to let go of the comfort of having personal servants cleaning and cooking for them for free, and those who are too afraid to face the real world and take risks to achieve their own goals and dreams.

If you're not complacent and not a coward, then you must eventually move out and live your own life. As I said, there isn't a perfect age, but we can make estimates based on your objectives. Below, I'm going to give you some examples, which represent not only my personal opinion, but also what used to be common sense:

1. Going to college: Most people today go to college right after they finish school, and most of the time going to college is neither free nor cheap. So people who choose this path must either be sponsored by their parents or get a job and pay for their own studies.

• 1.1. Paying for it: If you have to pay the college bills, then the best move is to stay in your parents' house until you finish your studies, which should be around 22 or 23 years of age.

• 1.2. Not paying and not working: If you don't have to pay for your studies and intend to focus 100% on them, you should also move out only after completion, at around 22 or 23 years of age.

• 1.3. Not paying, but working: Even if your parents are willing to pay for your degree, you can still get a job. This would be tiring, but it would allow you to move out at around 18 or 19 years of age.

2. Not going to college: If you don't intend to go to college at all, you should move out as soon as you start working, at around 18 to 19 years old.

3. Getting married: Even if you're still in college, if you want to get married to someone, you should leave your parents' house immediately after marriage and go live with your husband or wife.

Either way, there are also some general rules that apply to every situation: moving out after turning 25 is already late, and moving out before reaching legal age (usually 18 years old) is obviously too soon.