When did you start living separately from your parents?

18
Every year after that would have been a waste of everybody’s time.

When I left for college at 18. There were a few stretches of a few months after that. My staying around would have done nothing but cause conflict.

When I was away at school, my dad was transferred and they moved overseas.

When I was sixteen, I hitchhiked from Florida to California to live with friends on a sheep ranch and apple orchard.

18 when I left for college.
I tried to return for a bit after that, soon to be followed by a permanent break. About 35 years ago.

I don’t think it was possible for me to live with my parents any longer, and trying would have probably just hastened the split.

Conversely, I encourage people who have a cordial relationship with their parents (or even non-adversarial) to hang on for a while if it’s mutually agreeable and doesn’t hamper the child’s long-range plans. A couple of year head start, financially, can make all the difference today.

Once I hit 18 I spent a lot of time staying with my boyfriend, but I still technically lived with my parents. At 19 I moved out for college, which was out of state. After graduating I lived at home for a few months and then moved out for good to another state.

I think almost all people should move out by 20-ish. Counting college as moving out, even if still financially dependent. It’s not about the money, it’s about becoming your own separate individual from your parents. Eventually, the money and responsibilities are important too.

I was 20 when I escaped.

Mummy & daddy were divorced when I was 6 leaving her to bring up 3 brothers largely on her own.
Mummy then moved out leaving myself as sole owner of the estate, or Lord of the Manor if you like.
“It’s a hard knock life…”

18.

I left for college at 18, but I only made it through 7 weeks of college before I needed to go back home. I was sick and needed surgery. 15 months later I finally left at 19 and things went a lot better. I haven’t lived at home since.

It was funny, during those first 7 weeks at college when I was so sick, I just wanted my mom and dad so badly. But once I went home for surgery, I felt like I wasn’t where I belonged anymore. Going back to college after it all was thrilling and felt just right.

At 17. I really could not have stayed longer.

18 when I went away to college and then with them for 2 months at 22 yrs old while I waited to close on my first house. If I lived with them any longer I doubt I’d be where I am today.

17. Of course things would have been different.

18. If I’d stayed I’d have had the privilege of seeing the worst of the implosion of their marriage. I feel kind of guilty that I was off to college, 200 miles away, and my younger sisters had to stay there.

At 20 I went to a 4 year college after 2 years of community college. I lived away at school, but it was only 45 minutes away so I was home a lot. So, I don’t really count that as moving away from home. No, the real move was when I got married the first time at age 23. It would have made my life a lot different had I stayed living with my mom after getting married :p

18. Left for college and was quite excited about it.

It depends upon what is meant about living separately from parents. Leaving home part-time, such as for college? Being financially independent and living elsewhere? There is a big difference.

Well, my husband left from Chicago to Dallas for four years of college so that was living elsewhere full time. I’m sure he flew back for Christmas.

I was 18 when I left my parents’ home and went to UC Berkeley. I dropped out 4 months later, when I was 19 and moved back home.

I was 21 when I joined the US Navy, and was forced to live on a ship for 4 years.

I moved back home when I was 25. Rather than move out and pay rent, I lived with them until I was 27 and had enough money saved to buy a house.