Are you moving out of your parents‘ house for the first time—or after having moved back home for a while? Choosing to get your own space and becoming more independent from your parents can be a gratifying feeling, but it’s a decision that comes with several emotional and economic factors you need to consider. Here’s what to know and how to prepare for moving out of your parents‘ house!
Assess Your Financial Readiness to Move Out
Before you move out of your parents’ house, it’s essential to determine if you’re financially ready for the transition. Start by listing out your current income, savings, monthly bills and expenses, and any outstanding debts. Then, use a rent calculator or mortgage calculator to help determine the monthly payment amount you can afford. (Note that landlords often require a tenant’s income to be three times higher than the monthly rent—and if you can’t meet this requirement, you’ll need to bring in a consigner or roommate to get approved for the apartment.) This is also a good time to also consider any lifestyle expenses that may impact living on your own—including how often you dine out, whether you’ll be adopting or moving with a pet, being wholly responsible for purchasing and transporting your groceries, utilities, and more.
In addition to evaluating your income and lifestyle habits, you should take steps to be financially independent once you’ve moved out. Establishing good budgeting habits now can help you maintain your finances once your living costs go up. It’s also a good idea to use this time to improve your credit score—which is often a key factor in renting or buying a home. Paying credit card bills strategically and on time will help build your credit.
Research Where You Want to Move
Whether you’re moving in a hurry or have a longer timeline to move out from your parents’ house, take some time to research where you want to live. Consider your lifestyle and preferences when deciding whether to move to a new city or just across town. For instance, if you want to be in a bustling metropolis with plenty of things to do, you might consider great cities for young professionals like Atlanta, Austin, or Boston. If your primary reason for moving is work, you could check out top cities for jobs like Boise, Orlando, and Raleigh.
The trick to researching a future place to live is to think about amenities like infrastructure, outdoor recreation opportunities, nightlife, the arts and culture scene, and local cuisine. Consider what you love about your current area, as well as things you’ve noticed and liked while traveling. You’ll also want to evaluate local data like average cost of living—including housing—crime rates, and quality of life. If possible, visit the potential areas you’re considering to get a feel for things and see if it meets the expectations set by your research. Here are some questions you might ask yourself when thinking about moving to a new place:
- How will I get around—public transit, car, or other means?
- Is the area bike- or pedestrian-friendly?
- Is this a dog-friendly city or area?
- How far will I be from work, schools, or other important locations?
- How will I build a new social circle or network in the area?
- How does the city handle income tax?
- What kind of housing options are available within my budget?
- How far will I be from my family and friends?
Decide if You’re Buying or Renting
An important consideration when determining how to move out of your parents’ house is whether you will buy or rent your new space—and how that’ll affect your long and short-term budgets. Consider whether you’ll be living alone, with a roommate, or with a partner, as the latter two options allow you to split the rent or mortgage payment. Your financial situation, long-term goals, and lifestyle preferences will also heavily influence your decision—as will local housing market conditions. Buying a home allows you to slowly build equity as you pay off your mortgage—while renting allows you to maintain flexibility and build up to the long-term financial commitment of homeownership, if that’s the ultimate goal.
Additionally, note that your decision will impact how much money you need to save up before moving. If you’re deciding between several choices—such as renting your first apartment, buying your first home, investing in a condo or townhome, or building a custom home—make sure to familiarize yourself with the associated costs and required documents for each option. For renters, it’s best practice to save three months’ rent in addition to a deposit and any application fees. Homebuyers will need to save enough for a downpayment on a house, which may prolong your move (i.e., the median downpayment for a house in the U.S. is around $34,000). Some other costs you’ll need to consider if pursuing homeownership include hiring a real estate agent and paying yearly property taxes.
Communicate with Your Parents
One of the first steps in the process of moving out of your parents’ house is to talk with them about it. Depending on your relationship with your parents, this conversation can be a one-off or an ongoing discussion. Since leaving the nest can carry some emotional weight, pick a time to discuss your decision with them when everyone is calm and open to conversation to help ensure a smooth dialogue. It may help to start by acknowledging all your parents have done for you and for the time they’ve let you stay in their home. Be sure to explain your reasons for moving out of your parents’ house to help foster open communication and demonstrate that you have a thought-out plan for getting into a new home. Consider involving your parents in the planning process to make sure everyone is on the same page—or simply so you can immediately address any potential conflicts that might arise because of the transition. Next, share your projected move-out timeline with your parents, so they’re aware of your moving dates and can help alleviate moving stress by coordinating with other family members or professionals to assist with the move.
Budget for Your New Home
Developing and maintaining a budget for during and after your move is crucial to being able to afford to live in your new space for the long term—and can help you avoid unexpected moving costs! Plan for one-time expenses for the relocation, like purchasing packing supplies and if you’ll need temporary housing or moving insurance to help replace expensive items. You’ll also want to consider potential expenses influenced by the time of year you’re moving. Use a moving cost calculator to help estimate total expenses of the relocation, and include this in your moving budget.
For after your move, you’ll need to plan for several ongoing expenses, including your mortgage or rent payment, utilities, groceries, internet, homeowners or renters insurance, and furnishing your new home by purchasing new or used furniture—or if you’ll upcycle furnishings given by your parents. It’s also advisable to put money toward an emergency fund each month, which can help you stay financially stable if any issues arise—such as unexpected home repairs, unemployment, or medical emergencies. The amount you save will depend on your income and lifestyle, but saving around three to six months of expenses is generally recommended. It’s important to monitor your spending and adjust your budget as your life circumstances change to ensure it reflects your current expenses and priorities.
Finalize Your Moving Plans
A specific move-out plan is one of the more important things you need when moving out of your parents’ house. Start by creating a detailed move-out timeline that outlines key steps like finding a new place, packing, moving, setting up utilities, and other tasks to help keep you organized and on track to reach your goals. Real estate apps like Redfin, Zillow, and Apartments.com can help streamline your home search process, allowing you to browse listings, submit applications, and schedule in-person tours. Consider how much square footage you’ll need and which amenities or features align with your lifestyle so you can filter your home searches accordingly. Once you’ve determined a lease signing or closing date, you can set a firm move-in date and more accurately estimate your move-in costs.
Declutter & Reduce Your Things
Whether you’re moving into your first apartment or buying your first house, the amount of belongings you have will impact the process in various ways—including the amount of boxes you need, the size of the moving truck, the amount of energy you’ll need to spend packing and carrying things, and the amount of space you’ll need in your new home. That’s why one of the most important things to do before moving out of your parents’ house is to take stock of your belongings and decide what you’ll need and what you can discard or leave behind when moving into your new space. You can make your moving process and new home organization significantly easier by donating, selling, or throwing away items you no longer need. If there are items you want to keep but won’t have space for in your new home, consider renting a storage unit near you to help keep your belongings secure as you move into your new home.
Gather Supplies in Advance
If you’re wondering how to prepare to move out of your parents’ house, one key step will be gathering all the essentials for your new home. If you’ve lived with your parents for a while, you might take for granted the readily available things you’ve had access to—like kitchen utensils, cleaning supplies, first-aid supplies, and other necessities. Take the time to collect essential items for your first home before your move so you can settle into your home sooner and avoid last-minute trips to the store. Here are some items you’ll need when moving out of your parents’ house and into your own home:
- Basic groceries (e.g., milk, bread, coffee, snacks)
- Basic toolkit (e.g., screwdriver, hammer, nails, tape measure)
- Cleaning supplies (e.g., all-purpose spray, sponges, etc.)
- Curtains or blinds (for privacy)
- Dish soap, sponge, and drying rack
- First-aid kit
- Important documents (e.g., birth certificate, lease agreement, etc.)
- Mattress, bed frame, & bedding (e.g., sheets, pillows, comforter)
- Microwave or toaster oven
- Plates, bowls, & cooking utensils
- Shower curtain, liner, & hooks
- Toiletries (e.g., soap, shampoo, toothpaste)
- Towels (e.g., bath, hand, & washcloths)
- Trash bags & bin
- Wi-Fi router & modem (if not provided)
Pack Smartly
To pack your moving boxes efficiently, you’ll first need to make sure you have the right supplies on hand to transport your belongings safely to your new home. Once you’ve gathered essential packing supplies such as boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and packing paper, follow these packing tips to help make the process of moving out of your parents’ house stress-free.
- Group Similar Items Together: Focus on keeping items of the same type together—with categories like books, clothes, dishes, etc.
- Label Everything: Use a marker to clearly label all of your boxes with the items packed inside and the room they belong in for an easy unpacking process.
- Use a Variety of Box Sizes: There are several different types of moving boxes, and you’ll need different sizes to fit different belongings. Remember to put heavy items in small or medium-sized boxes for easier carrying.
- Pack Heavier Items at the Bottom: Putting heavy items on the bottom of boxes helps keep things more stable during transit and prevents lighter items from getting crushed.
- Pad Fragile Items: Protect breakable items like glass or ceramics with materials like clothing, bubble wrap, or packing paper to help cushion them while on the move.
- Keep Essentials Accessible: Pack a duffle bag or backpack with essentials like toiletries, chargers, IDs, first aid, and a change of clothes, and keep it accessible at all times to help mitigate potentially stressful situations during the move.
Hire Movers or Ask Friends for Help
Your moving needs will depend on your budget, the distance you’re moving, and the amount of belongings you have. If you’re moving solo, consider asking your parents to help with the process, since they have experience in this area. This is also a great time to coordinate what items or keepsakes can be left at their place so you can reduce the number of things to pack and transport to your new space.
If you’re moving cross-country, you might consider hiring professional movers to help make this big transition easier. Similarly, if you’re moving a short distance but have several large, heavy items to transport, you may want to hire local movers to help protect your belongings from damage and avoid injuring yourself. In either instance, be sure to get quotes from multiple moving companies so you can compare prices and services. Additionally, look for a company with a strong reputation that’s backed by positive customer reviews. And if you’re not moving far away or don’t own many home goods yet, it might be more effective to enlist the help of family and friends instead of hiring movers.
Set Up Utilities, Mail, & Insurance
Regardless of whether you’re moving to a new apartment or buying a house, there are a few simple but important things to take care of to limit any potential headaches in your new home. Remember to set up utilities for your new home in advance so that you can immediately have access to HVAC, electricity, and internet when you move in. You’ll also want to update your address and get your mail forwarded. Some places to notify of your address change include the USPS, IRS, employers, and your bank, among others. Finally, make sure you invest in renters insurance or home insurance so you’re prepared for any potential damage to your home or belongings. Though homeowners insurance is not required by law in any state, most home-financing lenders offer some sort of policy to help protect the home and investment.
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