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[navii]

Cos I want to, but can't convince myself.

I have moved out for about 4 years before, but it was with my girlfriend so bills were split and I could see the logic of moving out to live your life with your significant other.

The main reason why I don't want to do it is:
Paying rent/bills etc... its just money down the drain as far as I see it.

The only positive I can see from moving out is I can have loud/noisy sex.

What are more good reasons to move out of home? (preferably not covering the 1 I already mentioned )

I would move out if:
1) My GF would move in with me
2) I had enough money to be paying off my own place

 

[FunkyMunkey]

Well how old are you and what level of college education do you have?

Is finding a job and income any trouble?

 

[thetrin]

If you are over 25, and you live with your parents (for some reason other than taking care of them or because you JUST moved into town and have no apartment yet), you are sad and pathetic. Hope that convinced you.

 

[PARANO1A]

If you are over 25, and you live with your parents (for some reason other than taking care of them or because you JUST moved into town and have no apartment yet), you are sad and pathetic. Hope that convinced you.

QFT. Get some dignity and stand on your own two feet.

 

[ItAintEasyBeinCheesy]

Eh i got my own place on the cheap, just a unit. Bills arent to bad, i get some money from my parents cause my dad went 50/50 with me for the unit, but i just use that money to buy games and pay some cash on my credit card..... so yur for me its kinda cool.

Broken down

190 for repayments each week
44 for rates a week
100 for food a week
30 for phone bills a month
69 for ADSL a month
bout 170-200 every 3 months for power
220 every 6 months for body corporate
chuck what ever on the credit card.

I make bout 550-600 a week.

But yeah, id say you might be worse of with another person living with you.... i mean most of the bills would be a lot higher..... especially with a chick i would imagine, so paying even half would mean your paying more than you usually would.

 

[Jasup]

when going to toilet you can leave the door open

 

[ItAintEasyBeinCheesy]

when going to toilet you can leave the door open

I can watch my TV from the toilet, see it in the mirror but have to lean up a bit.

I got bottle caps strewn all around the unit though :lol

 

[akachan ningen]

If you are over 25, and you live with your parents (for some reason other than taking care of them or because you JUST moved into town and have no apartment yet), you are sad and pathetic. Hope that convinced you.

Just out of curiosity, how did you reach that conclusion? Why not 24 or 26?

 

[Companion Cube]

If you are over 25, and you live with your parents (for some reason other than taking care of them or because you JUST moved into town and have no apartment yet), you are sad and pathetic. Hope that convinced you.

What if you're a girl?

 

[zoku88]

What if you're a girl?

Why is an adult girl living with her parents any different than an adult man.

 

[navii]

I'm a junior graphic designer. Just finished study last year, moved back home as I could not afford to study and pay rent alone, job is going alright.

I want to move out, but rationalizing the money that will be going on rent and other expenses just really turns me off moving. My relatives prefer I stay at home as long as possible to save money.

I had moved out before so I know what to expect and leaving out / in home is not that much different (except having less money / better sex).

I did some silly things (credit cards, wasting money, bad career choices) in my early adulthood which has set me back financially and career wise a good few years. So I am at an age where I should be out of home, but renting will burn more money when I should be paying off my own home(which I cant afford yet)... I don't want to rent for the rest of my life, but I do know that living at home is looked down on in society. So I am thinking that I will use the time at home to save money for a deposit for my own home/apartment.

But at the same time something inside me tells me to get the fuck out.

 

[akachan ningen]

Why is an adult girl living with her parents any different than an adult man.

Because that's kind of hot.

 

[HylianTom]

Do you want what's probably more fiscally prudent for yourself in the long term, or are you willing to financially sandbag yourself in order to exorcise that vague "get the fuck out" feeling?

If tough financial times came

Spoiler

(and they will)

, which decision would you feel more comfortable with?

 

[Mallika]

Navii, living on your own is always pretty scary, especially when you've had financial problems before and wish not to have any chance of having them again. But the upside to all this is the freedom and independence you'd enjoy. If your girlfriend doesn't feel like moving in with you, maybe you could consider getting a roommate so that at least the living expenses are shared? (Of course this comes with its own problems, but well...)

Plus, living on your own and making your own way can probably give you this great feeling of accomplishment. Like, you look around and at the back of your mind you're all, 'Man, I earned this, I pay for this, this space is MINE.' Even in a rental, you'll feel like it's yours in a way.

Edit: And yeah, take HylianTom's post into consideration and see your thoughts on it.

If you are over 25, and you live with your parents (for some reason other than taking care of them or because you JUST moved into town and have no apartment yet), you are sad and pathetic. Hope that convinced you.

That depends on what culture you're living in, I have to say. In Thailand, for example, it's the norm for people to live with their parents/extended family until they get married, when the woman then moves in with the guy's family or into a home of their own. Nobody thinks anything of it, it's just the way things work in that particular culture. It's recently that more and more unmarried people are going off on their own and living independently (in some cases Daddy still foots the bill ), and you run into more 'I live on my own / with a roommate' situations. But that isn't as usual as it is in Western countries.

In any case, I do agree that in most Western cultures it isn't very ideal to still be living with your parents over a certain age, or it's judged quite harshly. I once knew an American guy who was still living with his parents at the age of 33. I have to admit I looked at the whole situation in a rather unfavorable light, when I wouldn't have blinked an eye if the dude was Thai. Last I heard he was still there, at the age of 36.

 

[Mii]

Because that's kind of hot.

Because dating women who can't financially support themselves is a hot thing to do.

 

[Chairman Yang]

I'm going to argue against moving out. The whole concept of moving out before you're married is a basically just a Western cultural thing that doesn't make a lot of economic sense. If you want to make noise/party or whatever, sure, move out. But don't do it because of silly social pressure.

Before anyone asks, I don't live with my parents, but I would if I was in the same city as them.

 

[Chairman Yang]

Because dating women who can't financially support themselves is a hot thing to do.

Living at home means you can't financially support yourself?

 

[Pop On Arrival]

In the country I live in, it's perfectly normal to live with your parents until you're married. I don't think I'm ever moving out unless I do get married. Hell, my brother lived here with his wife for 3 years before moving out, and my mother was actually against him moving out.

I've tried living alone, and it really is just a hassle. Besides, the house is under my name anyway. If anyone should move out, it should be my mother.

 

[Para]

A frirend of mine (29) still lives with his folks and it drives me mad. He just cant seem to function like a normal person. They go away on holiday, he constantly misses work because his mother doesn't bring his cup of tea in to wake him up, or he gets hungry because he cant feed himself at night!

We cant hang at his because they are there, I like them, I just don't want to sit in his bedroom, seems a bit weird if I am not trying to sleep with the person!

 

[Pop On Arrival]

A frirend of mine (29) still lives with his folks and it drives me mad. He just cant seem to function like a normal person. They go away on holiday, he constantly misses work because his mother doesn't bring his cup of tea in to wake him up, or he gets hungry because he cant feed himself at night!

We cant hang at his because they are there, I like them, I just don't want to sit in his bedroom, seems a bit weird if I am not trying to sleep with the person!

Why are you weirded out? I let my bestfriend sleep on my bed right next to during the weekends because his place sucks, and it's not weird at all. Sometimes I wake up and I've got my leg over his torso or something.

The not being able to wake up without the help of his mom is BALLS though.

 

[Ghost]

I'm 24, been living (renting) on my own for about 9 months now, love it. Hope I never have to move back home. It is like throwing money down the drain and I hope I can actually get somewhere mortgaged as soon as possible, but I still don't regret it one bit.

I don't really do anything I didn't do at my parents house (other than the odd day where I don't bother getting dressed), but having the freedom to do it all under my own steam, learn new things, stretch myself basically, is surprisingly empowering, I feel like I know a lot more about myself now than I did 9 months ago.

 

[CharlieDigital]

Realistically, moving out on your own means that you're perpetually in debt. Not only that, whenever you move into a place, you inevitably end up paying for more shit (furniture, your own utilities, all of your groceries, etc), ending up in more debt.

Think about that.

Don't do it until you're ready.

 

[Para]

Why are you weirded out? I let my bestfriend sleep on my bed right next to during the weekends because his place sucks, and it's not weird at all. Sometimes I wake up and I've got my leg over his torso or something.

The not being able to wake up without the help of his mom is BALLS though.

It's just seems odd compared to being at every other persons house that I know, who doesn't live at home. I can't explain it very well!

I moved out as soon as possible as I always wanted that sense of independence and being self made. But that's quite common from where I come from and could not be from where you are!

 

[Jasup]

There are few to none rational reasons to move out. But once you do get your own place you don't want to go back home.

 

[Ghost]

Realistically, moving out on your own means that you're perpetually in debt. Not only that, whenever you move into a place, you inevitably end up paying for more shit (furniture, your own utilities, all of your groceries, etc), ending up in more debt.

You must have a pretty shitty mortgage if you're never going to pay it back.

 

[sky]

How do your parents feel about it?
I think it's your responsibility to ease the burden on them, when you can.
Think about how much money and effort they have already spent on you.

 

[CharlieDigital]

You must have a pretty shitty mortgage if you're never going to pay it back.

It's reasonable. My wife and I make over $150K/year and the house is in the low $400's and around $50K in savings and retirement funds. But the reality is that:

1) If you're renting, you really are perpetually in debt.
2) If you get a 30 year mortgage at age 25, you'll be 55 when all's said and done. Fifty-fucking-five. Think about that. Even a 15 year mortgage: you'll be 40 when you finally pay it off. Considering that I've been alive for a shorter amount of time than it will take to pay off my mortgage on the payment schedule, forgive me for thinking that it's almost like perpetuity.
3) Getting your own place accrues many peripheral costs beyond the cost of housing. Your own utilities, your own furniture, your own food, etc. I'm just saying, it's expensive.

The thing I regret the most about moving out is the weight of the responsibility; you have to make that mortgage or rent payment every month. It just kills your freedom in terms of say traveling or spending. If there are things in life you want to do or places you want to see, do it before you buy a house or rent a place.

BTW, I'm 26.

 

[Gantz]

I say if you're not ready then don't. Start saving up for a day when you can. If your parents drive you crazy and watch over your shoulder all the time then move out.

 

[gprime]

I come from a home where my mom did a home daycare, and I had annoying sisters, so I had to get out of there ASAP. In my cases the benefits were:

- No one will eat my food
- When I come home after a long day of work, there are no surprises. Still clean. Still no random strangers I have to make conversation with.
- I can get up at 3am when I can't sleep and watch TV / listen to music without disturbing anyone.
- It's always a good time to invite someone/people to my place
- I can always find everything
- I can sleep in without being disturbed
- It's always my turn for the bathroom
- No one will say "Are you STILL on that computer? Why don't you get some fresh air?"

Of course, if you are not sure if you financially support this yet then I probably wouldn't. Some people have pretty awesome families and I don't understand why they rush to move out.

 

[Ghost]

It's reasonable. My wife and I make over $150K/year and the house is in the low $400's and around $50K in savings and retirement funds. But the reality is that:

1) If you're renting, you really are perpetually in debt.
2) If you get a 30 year mortgage at age 25, you'll be 55 when all's said and done. Fifty-fucking-five. Think about that. Even a 15 year mortgage: you'll be 40 when you finally pay it off. Considering that I've been alive for a shorter amount of time than it will take to pay off my mortgage on the payment schedule, forgive me for thinking that it's almost like perpetuity.
3) Getting your own place accrues many peripheral costs beyond the cost of housing. Your own utilities, your own furniture, your own food, etc. I'm just saying, it's expensive.

The thing I regret the most about moving out is the weight of the responsibility. It just kills your freedom in terms of say traveling or spending. If there are things in life you want to do or places you want to see, do it before you buy a house or rent a place.

BTW, I'm 26.

I see it differently, 55 is nothing these days, our generation will be 70 before we get state pensions (at least), even with the cost of kids etc over the years you are set up pretty nicely for a sweet life.

 

[Skiptastic]

Living at home means you can't financially support yourself?

Things are different in each country, but in America, if you're living at home after you're out of college and there aren't some extenuating circumstances (mentioned before, parents need assistance, you just moved back to hometown and haven't found an apartment, etc.) you are either socially inept or your cannot financially support yourself. Living in your own apartment is a sign of financial and emotional independence.

That being said, I did study abroad in Japan and both of my host brothers were older than I am (26 and 29 at the time), but they still lived with their parents. I assumed that was cultural and financially based (I wouldn't dream of how much an apartment in Tokyo would cost). That shit wouldn't fly in America.

 

[CharlieDigital]

I see it differently, 55 is nothing these days, our generation will be 70 before we get state pensions (at least), even with the cost of kids etc over the years you are set up pretty nicely for a sweet life.

Look dude, I'm not saying that the medical advances and technology won't increase human lifespan. I'm saying, put it into perspective. If you're 25 and you take a 30 year mortgage, you're talking about a span of time longer than you've actually been alive. Fuck, I'm 26 and I have no clue where I'll be or what I'll be doing at 28 (I'm almost 27). I could have a new job. I could have no job. I could have my first child. I could still be living in NJ. I could be living somewhere else. 30 years is a long time to be in debt when I've only been alive for 26.

Aside from this is the financial aspect, okay? Depending on how much your downpayment is, over time, you may end up paying more than double or possibly even triple the purchase price of the house in interest (and even more when you factor in taxes). It is to your benefit to pay as much principal as you can up front since it will significantly reduce the amount of money you pay down the road. The best way to save that money, for the average 22 y/o, is to live at home.

This whole "You need to move out after you're x" is a ridiculous concept. It doesn't exist in European society or Asian society (okay, I'm exaggerating, but x is not nearly as low in European or Asian societies). It's like a fabricated image of independence since in reality, committing to rent or a mortgage is the absolute opposite of independence, it is a shackle upon your freedom to do the things you want to do.

 

[joelseph]

You need to grow up.

 

[Skiptastic]

Look dude, I'm not saying that the medical advances and technology won't increase human lifespan. I'm saying, put it into perspective. If you're 25 and you take a 30 year mortgage, you're talking about a span of time longer than you've actually been alive. Fuck, I'm 26 and I have no clue where I'll be or what I'll be doing at 28 (I'm almost 27). I could have a new job. I could have no job. I could have my first child. I could still be living in NJ. I could be living somewhere else. 30 years is a long time to be in debt when I've only been alive for 26.

So, never buy a house because you're not sure what you're going to do with your life? *rolleyes*

 

[CharlieDigital]

So, never buy a house because you're not sure what you're going to do with your life? *rolleyes*

No. Don't buy a house because you feel like you have to. Buy it because you need to, when you have the money and you've done some of the things that you want to do in life that are hard to do once you are shackled by a mortgage. 30 years is a long financial commitment to make; make sure you're ready and have no regrets. Take that 2 week vacation to Europe. Stay in Greece. Travel to China. Take a vacation in Hawaii. Don't rush into a mortgage or rent until you're absolutely ready or you'll regret it.

 

[Bluecondor]

The moving out of your parents' house decision is tough because it is inherently non-rational. There is obviously a huge psychological component to the decision (i.e. the perceived desirability of living on your own and the perception that this makes you more attractive to women and will improve your sex life). When I say psychological component, I am not knocking these points. The older you get (in the U.S. anyway), you feel stronger expectations from friends and colleagues (and even yourself) that you live on your own.

The important point to remember is that these psychological pressures are non-financial preferences that are a powerful influence in something that often is a largely economic decision. The bottom line in this decision comes down to a simple set of factors:

- What is your income (annual/monthly)?

- What is the housing/rental market in the places where you want to live?

- How much will it cost monthly for you to sustain a place on your own? (groceries + utilities + other sources of expenses like clothes, entertainment, dating, vacations, etc.)?

In other words, this is a decision that is best made "on paper." To bring it to life, think of two people you know who live on their own - one in a good situation and one in a bad situation. Maybe you know someone like my ex-gf. She found a great apartment in one of the best neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, and her rent is only $500 a month. She makes about $52 k a year, and the cost of living around here is pretty reasonable. She has cable, high speed internet, a gym membership down the street, and can afford to buy the clothes she wants, and still has money left over to travel. This is an example of a good situation.

Maybe you know someone like my buddy. He only makes $45 k a year, but he really wanted a house in a particular neighborhood. You can't get a house in this particular neighborhood for less than $150,000, so he ended up in a house that needs work with a monthly mortage payment of $1,500. He is really inhibited by the fact that such a large portion of his monthly income goes straight to his mortgage. As such, he often has to put utility bills on his credit card and/or ask his parents to pay them. He is also really limited in terms of doing other things like buying a new car (or even taking on a major car repair), because he just doesn't have the disposable income to cover it.

So - when making this decision - start with the assumption that moving out has a strong psychological pull. But - force yourself to write all of the numbers on paper and get a strong sense of what your monthly expenses would be for the rental/buying options that are most attractive to you in your local rental/housing market. You don't want to get into a situation in which your monthly income barely meets your monthly expenses, especially given the fact that you could live at home and save money.

But - if you do decide to continue living at home, hopefully you are saving money so that you can move out one day when the opportunity/need presents itself.

 

[Az]

I am 22, bought my house when I was 20.

Sometimes when I see all the bills I regret it, but most of the time I am really happy to be this young and to have a nice home.

 

[Chairman Yang]

Things are different in each country, but in America, if you're living at home after you're out of college and there aren't some extenuating circumstances (mentioned before, parents need assistance, you just moved back to hometown and haven't found an apartment, etc.) you are either socially inept or your cannot financially support yourself. Living in your own apartment is a sign of financial and emotional independence.

It's a pretense of financial and emotional independence, like CharlieDigital mentioned. Moving out, by itself, doesn't actually make you financially or emotionally independent. You have to achieve those things separately. And living with your parents doesn't mean you're financially or emotionally dependent, either.

I mean, I understand the American cultural trend you've brought up. I just don't agree with it. I think it's silly.

 

[Skiptastic]

No. Don't buy a house because you feel like you have to. Buy it because you need to, when you have the money and you've done some of the things that you want to do in life that are hard to do once you are shackled by a mortgage. 30 years is a long financial commitment to make; make sure you're ready and have no regrets. Take that 2 week vacation to Europe. Stay in Greece. Travel to China. Take a vacation in Hawaii. Don't rush into a mortgage or rent until you're absolutely ready or you'll regret it.

Does moving into an apartment mean you're "perpetually in debt" as well? Or does that not apply in this case? I wouldn't tell someone "buy a house and leave your parents alone", but I sure as hell would tell that person to "get an apartment and grow up!"

Because hell, I have an apartment and I'm not in debt.

 

[Zeke]

If you are over 25, and you live with your parents (for some reason other than taking care of them or because you JUST moved into town and have no apartment yet), you are sad and pathetic. Hope that convinced you.

meh I'm 24 and still live at home. Moving out right now or even moving out while I'm still in school would be counter productive at the moment. Easier to bite the bullet save some money and have one less thing to worry about

 

[CharlieDigital]

Does moving into an apartment mean you're "perpetually in debt" as well? Or does that not apply in this case? I wouldn't tell someone "buy a house and leave your parents alone", but I sure as hell would tell that person to "get an apartment and grow up!"

Because hell, I have an apartment and I'm not in debt.

You are in debt every month you live there. You pay your debt at the beginning or end of every month. Why don't you try not paying your rent or utilities for a month and see what happens?

I just don't think people understand this. A rent or mortgage payment is a commitment that you have to pay every month. What if you want to take some time off of work and take a long vacation? What if the economy sours and you're out of work for a while and (for a triple whammy) the housing market collapses? The commitment is not for everyone and you shouldn't do it just to feel all grown'd up; you do it because you're ready and because you want to or need to.

 

[Para]

You are in debt every month you live there. You pay your debt at the beginning or end of every month. Why don't you try not paying your rent or utilities for a month and see what happens?

I just don't think people understand this. A rent or mortgage payment is a commitment that you have to pay every month. What if you want to take some time off of work and take a long vacation? What if the economy sours and you're out of work for a while and (for a triple whammy) the housing market collapses? The commitment is not for everyone and you shouldn't do it just to feel all grown'd up; you do it because you're ready and because you want to or need to.

This is true to a point but I do have a mortgage and although the market may crash, I have a safe job and would rather pay into my own mortgage than for someone else. Plus owning it means I can rent it out if I want to go traveling or if something else crops up. I also plan to get a mortgage shrinker acocunt, meaning I can pay it off a lot faster and cheaper than a normal 25-35 year plan.

But the main thing right about it needing to be right for you. You need to want to do it for yourself and not for any other reason!

 

[Skiptastic]

You are in debt every month you live there. Why don't you try not paying your rent or utilities for a month and see what happens?

It could just be our different ways of looking at debt, but I don't consider something I pay for as I use it as debt. That's like saying you're constantly in debt because you have to pay for food to survive. Debt to me is having things I could not pay for with the funds I have right now, and having to pay off those things incrementally with interest.

If I wanted to, I could pay off my entire lease for the rest of my agreement (through March or April, I forget). So, in my eyes, I'm not in debt. If I bought a house, which I couldn't pay off with the money I have right now, I would be in debt. If I bought a car and couldn't afford to pay it with cash, I would be in debt. Debt is not simply paying for necessities in life.

Anyways, here's an easy way to work your way from living with the parents to living on your own: pay them rent. They're taking on debt to own a home (unless they've paid it off already, in which case they DID take on debt) and you can slowly work your way into setting up a budget and getting used to paying a normal rent/mortgage cost each month. Plus, you could make their lives easier to help them pay the mortgage and maybe you'll realize that if you're paying rent, you may as well do it for your own place and it'll convince you to get out there on your own.

 

[perryfarrell]

How old is the OP??

If you're past 25, move the heck out.

(In Italy people live with their parents into their 30s on average; and nobody wants to be like the italians, so...)

 

[joelseph]

How old is the OP??

If you're past 25, move the heck out.

(In Italy people live with their parents into their 30s on average; and nobody wants to be like the italians, so...)

He dodged the question so I am assuming over 25.

 

[CharlieDigital]

Look, the point is, you are making a commitment that you will always pay $### every month. It's not quite like food because you can pay as much or as little as you want. And food is a relatively small commitment to make. Rent or a mortgage is a much bigger commitment to make.

If it's not something you're ready for, don't do it because of peer pressure or because you feel like you have to. As jealous as you are of your friends who have their own places, they're probably jealous that you can take off anytime you want and go anywhere you want or switch jobs any time you want.

Like I said, it's a commitment. You sign a mortgage or you sign a lease, you commit to it mentally and financially. Your life changes, in some aspects, it changes for the better, in other aspects, it changes for the worse.

I view the American image of housing kind of like the modern image associated with a diamond engagement ring or the whole "must have huge wedding in a white dress" phenomenon or Christmas or Easter. It's this image that's been fabricated to forward the agenda of those that profit from it. Mortgage dealers, real estate companies, banks, credit card companies...everyone is out to profit from you renting your own place or getting a mortgage when there is nothing inherently good about it aside from a few perks like being able to run around naked if you want to or playing your music as loud as you want to (and even that has limits). All of these entities want you to rent your own place or get a mortgage because that's how they make money.

It's a fabricated image of independence because in reality, it creates a huge commitment chain the moment you sign on the line. You commit to having a stable job. You commit to living in one place (at least until you can sell your house or if you can get out of your lease). You commit to taking care of your place (cleaning, yard work, improvements, etc). It's a long commitment chain that no one should make without giving it proper thought and consideration.

Don't do it because society says you have to do it or or you have this image of independence branded into your psyche or whatever; do it because you want to do it and do it because you're ready to do it. It's just like marriage; there's nothing that says you need to be married at 22 or 25 or 30 or even 35. You do it when you're ready to make the commitment and you're ready to accept the responsibilities and duties of marriage.

 

[Stahsky]

I turned 20 last April, and I live with my mother and brother. Mother is legally blind, so I'm the family transportation 'till the brother gets old enough to drive. Sometimes I wonder if I should start looking around, but I suppose I can wait it out a few more years (3 years and my little bro can drive.)



Edit: Don't exactly have any goals, though. I've been trying to find something to do with my life, so I've decided to take a semester off in hopes of finding something. If that doesn't work, i'll just go back to my back-up "plan" and be bored or something.

 

[Fisticuffs]

I'm over 25 and share a house with my sister and brother-in-law. I pay rent. I make decent money, but im also still finishing up my classes and I live in California which is basically impossible to live on your own. I could get roommates but, i'd rather live with people I know I can rely on. I don't care if someone calls me a loser for that. Let's see where they are 10 years from now compared to me and we'll see who's laughing.

 

[Ceres]

Two of my brother's have lived above my parent's garage for a year or more at some point after the age of 25.

My sister-in-law's parents wouldn't let her get an apartment AND she had to pay them rent until she and my brother got married (ultra conservative/religious born-again family).

I went from living at parent's to owning a home. Saved up money for 2 years after college by living at home and put that towards a brand new car. It sucked going from living out of state for college with complete "independence" to having to let my mom always know where I was going and who I was meeting. I think you are far better off sucking it up and staying at home for a year or so to set up a bit of a cushion before venturing out on your own. Also, think about a roommate or two so you can split rent/bills. You can generally get a nicer place splitting the costs between two people over paying it all yourself. Just make sure it's someone you can trust to have their side of the rent every month.

I'm over 25 and share a house with my sister and brother-in-law. I pay rent. I make decent money, but im also still finishing up my classes and I live in California which is basically impossible to live on your own. I could get roommates but, i'd rather live with people I know I can rely on. I don't care if someone calls me a loser for that. Let's see where they are 10 years from now compared to me and we'll see who's laughing.

That's what a duplex is for. Though I don't know how common they are outside of the northeast. A brother of mine owned one for a few years as his first house and rented out the downstairs.

 

[Xisiqomelir]

CharlieDigital is correct. A monthly obligation is financially identical to perpetual debt.

FWIW, I live by myself (on a different continent!) because I can't stand my parents for more than a month at a time.