How to Move Out of Your Parents House

how to move out

If you’ve ever said to yourself, “I want to move out of my parents’ house,” or asked yourself, “When should I move out of my parent’s house?”, then you may have to consider the following things:

• Move out when you’re ready
• Create a first time moving out checklist
• Save enough money before leaving
• Plan how to move your belongings

Now, let’s take a closer look at each point.

should i move out of my parents house

You might be wondering at what age you can move out. In other words, how old do you have to be to move out of your parents’ house?
According to the Texas Department of Health and Family Services , you can only leave your parents’ home if you’re eighteen years or older. However, understand that moving away from home involves more than just figuring out what age you can move out.
Below are some other vital questions you can ask yourself to determine if you’re ready for this big step.

Am I Emotionally Ready?

Ever since you were born, you’ve probably lived with your parents. You’ve relied on their guidance and provision as you’ve matured. Deciding to move out of your parent’s house can be emotionally draining because you’ll be on your own.
Even if you plan to have a roommate, you’ll be responsible for your life, and you should be ready to deal with the effect of every decision you make.
So, you don’t have to make this decision in a rush. Instead, take some time and think about it. Assess yourself and see if you’re emotionally ready to stay on your own.

Can I Maintain a Home?

Packing your clothes into your new home is just the first step. You still have to maintain the house. You don’t have to know everything about maintaining a home, but you should be equipped with basic skills like cleaning.
You should remember that your mother won’t be around to clean up after you. Knowing how to maintain your home is even more crucial if you’ll have a roommate. You should know how to play your part to make sure your roommate is comfortable; no one likes coming home to a messy house.

Am I Financially Responsible?

As quickly as money comes, it can go away. Making up your mind to move out means you’ve decided to take care of yourself, which requires money.
Knowing how to handle your finances will prevent you from wasting all your money on unnecessary stuff instead of what matters. You should keep in mind that you’ll need money for utility bills, food, and other expenses.
So, if you’re ready to stay on your own, you should also be prepared to take care of the costs involved.

moving out of parents house checklist

You’re not expected to have every single thing you’ll need for your new home. However, you’ll need a moving out for the first-time checklist. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Essentials

Of course, when you’re moving out of your parent’s house, you’ll go along with your clothes, but is that enough? Moving out is like starting all over, so there are things you need when moving out. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Bedding

If you’re not moving to an already furnished house or a dorm, one of the most important things you’ll need is a comfortable bed.
Your bed can double as a chair or even a table. While you gradually transition to staying on your own, having furniture that serves multiple purposes can save you some money.
You’ll likely spend more time on your bed than anywhere else, so it should be as comfortable as possible. However, buy a bed you can afford as you’ll have to settle other expenses as well.

Kitchen Supplies

Unless you plan to eat take-out throughout your stay in your new home, you’ll need some kitchen supplies. These are a few things you should add to your list of things to get.

• Pots
• Knives
• Frying pan
• Napkins
• Glasses
• Bowls
• Plates
• Mugs
• Sponge
• Trash bags

Add to the list as you deem fit, but with these few items, you’re set to start the moving-out journey. Plus, try asking your parents if you can carry some stuff along to your new home. It’s a great way to save some money.

Credit card

If you’ve never had a credit card before, this will be a good time to add it to your to-do list. But be careful because your credit score can affect the way you live.
For example, some landlords will check your credit score if you want to rent an apartment. You may have a mental picture of the house you want to move into, but a bad credit score can stand in the way of your goals.
So, you can start with a secured credit card since this will help you manage your finances. In addition to that, it’ll help you make payments on time, positively affecting your credit score.
Plus, checking your credit score annually will give you an idea of your financial standing and influence your spending habits. If you have monthly loan payments, paying on time will also build your credit score.

Insurance

Staying on your own won’t always be rosy, especially when you have to pay utility bills. One of the ways you can manage your expenses is by having insurance.
There are several types of insurance, but we’ll take a look at the two you’ll need if you’re planning to move out of your parents’ house.

Health Insurance

Perhaps you’ve never fallen ill, or you have a strong immune system. However, you can never be too careful. Having health insurance is one of the key essentials for moving out.
You end up saving money that can be invested in other areas. In Texas, several affordable health insurance options are available. Having health insurance will make you rest easy when you have something as mild as a common cold or as severe as a chronic disease.

Renters Insurance

You’re not required by law to have renters insurance in Texas. However, you need to safeguard your personal property in case of any accidents.
For items like your TV, jewelry, and other expensive belongings, insurance will bear the cost of losses. Hence you won’t have to worry about replacing your damaged or stolen property.

Change of Address

If you don’t want your mail to be delivered to your parents’ home, you should change your address. To change your address, simply go to USPS.com and change the address. You’ll also have to pay an identity verification fee of around $1.10 .

how much money should i save before moving out

How much should you save before moving out? There’s no clear-cut amount you need to save before moving out. It’ll depend on the rent you plan on paying for your new home. You should also consider the total cost of expenses for the first six months you plan to stay away from your parents’ house.
This will determine the amount you should’ve saved by the time you’re ready to relocate. So, let’s see the factors you need to consider when it comes to finances.

Rent

Rent in Texas may differ based on factors like location and size. In the table below, we’ve provided an estimate of the rent you’ll pay if you plan to live in any of these cities.

Utilities

When you were staying with your parents, you probably didn’t have to worry about paying bills. However, now that you’ll be staying on your own, you’ll need to know the average amount you’ll be spending on utility bills so that you can prepare adequately.
For example, as of July 2021, the average cost of electricity in Texas was recorded at about 11.75 cents per kWh . Therefore, you should be looking at paying an average electricity bill of $140.88.
The price might increase or decrease based on which city you’re moving to and your electricity usage. In cities like Houston , the average electricity bill is around $155.74 per month. This is more costly than Dallas , where the average monthly electricity bill is about $112.36.

Food

According to a living wage calculator by MIT, the average cost of groceries for a single person in Texas is about $264.75 .
If you plan to eat out or order in, this price will increase. Therefore, it’s advisable to cut down on eating at restaurants for the first six months after you move out of your parents’ house. If you have a roommate, it’ll help if you split the cost of groceries.

things you need when moving out of your parents' house

Of course, you can always figure out how to move out on your own. However, it can be expensive and stressful. Alternatively, ask friends and family to help you when moving away from home.
Also, if you want a stress-free experience, especially if you’re moving far from your parents’ house, you might be better off with a moving company.
There are a lot of moving companies around, but you want to make sure you’re settling with what works for you. Your stuff should be in one piece when you get to your new home. Let’s look at some things to consider when you’re choosing a moving company.

Recommendations

If you know a family member or friend who has recently moved to a new apartment , you can ask them about their experience. Close friends and family will give you their honest opinion because they’re looking out for your best interests.
Find out what companies they used, how much they were charged, and if they were pleased with the service. That’ll give you a fair idea of what to expect.

Experience

Feel free to ask the company how many years they’ve been in business. But don’t just take their word for it. If you need to, ask for proof. You’re paying for a service, so it’s important to make sure that your property will be safe.

Pricing

Don’t jump at the first moving company you come across. Instead, make a list of at least three companies and compare their estimates. Since you’re moving out, you’d want to save as much as possible; however, beware of extremely low prices.
A good moving company shouldn’t have any problem with giving you their estimates. So if they’re reluctant to provide you with a number, consider other companies.

License

Even if the moving company claims to have the required licenses and credentials, ask for proof. Companies that produce these without any hesitation can be trusted. However, if they start giving excuses when you demand their credentials, consider another company.

tips for moving out

If you’ve ever questioned yourself, “How to move out of my parents’ house?” Then, this article was written for you. Overall, we’ve looked at some questions to ask yourself to make sure you’re prepared to stay on your own.
We’ve also looked at some essential items you need to have when moving out of your parents’ house and what you should expect to spend on utilities, rent, and other expenses.
Be sure to sit down with your parents and talk to them about why you want to move. It’s better to leave your parents’ home on a good note.