Many people eventually leave the home they grew up in and find a home of their own. When you begin to plan to leave home, it is a good idea to think through the consequences, as well as your needs. Here are some things to think about when deciding to leave home.
Finding a place to live. If you are 18 or older and have a stable income, you can probably either move into shared housing with friends or look into renting your own place. If you are younger than 18, you might find that it is difficult to rent a house or sign a lease because of your age. In that case, you may have to an adult (parent, relative, other friends) who would cosign a lease with you. This means they share with you the ultimate responsibility for seeing that the property is taken care of and that you are paying your rent on time.
Leaving home because of conflict. If you are leaving home because of family conflict or abuse, you might be able to stay at a shelter. Check out the Resources page for more information.
Do I have enough money to support myself? Work out a budget to see how much money you need each month to pay the rent and buy what you need—including food and utilities like electricity, gas, and water. It is also good to think about saving some extra money for emergencies.
Who would support me in making the move? Leaving home is often easier if your family will assist and support you in making the move. If your immediate family will not support you, you might have friends or relatives who will.
Acknowledgement: This fact sheet was originally developed by youth and staff at ReachOut.com, a website that helps teens get through tough times.
