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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Do you know anyone who moved out at 18 (which wasn't for uni)

114 replies

youhaveapalinme98 · 18/05/2022 21:00

I was recently at my friends house and she said that her DD wanted to get a job and rent a flat with some friends . To be honest I was really shocked as although I know 18 is legally an adult in reality it seems like nowadays you are still more of a kid until your early 20s. Does anyone else know anyone who's dc moved out at 18 which wasn't for uni but actually moved 'properly' out and lives independently.

OP posts:
shivawn · 18/05/2022 21:19

Plenty my age group did but I'm 35 now so it was back in the day! I can't think of any 18 years old I know of that have moved away for reasons other than uni recently but I guess I don't know that many young people and the ones I do know have all gone to college.

RealBecca · 18/05/2022 21:20

I did at 19 and was fine.

TheOriginalEmu · 18/05/2022 21:20

I did at 16. No real choice in it, but it suited me.

Pixiedust1234 · 18/05/2022 21:22

Me. I moved out one month before my 18th but I had already been working full time for two years. I had a Saturday job for two years prior to leaving school too.

heidbuttsupper · 18/05/2022 21:23

Me but that was 20 years ago

Gingerkittykat · 18/05/2022 21:23

My friends daughter moved out aged 16 a few years ago (we are in Scotland so probably different as in England you would still be seen as a child). Her mum is a bit of a disaster and she also wanted to move in with a slightly dodgy boyfriend.

She already had an evening job at the chippy and she got another job at a call centre to pay the rent and is now in her mid twenties and doing well.

timestheyarechanging · 18/05/2022 21:24

My sister did, she bought a flat with her boyfriend, that was over 30 years ago though.
More recently, my friend's
Daughter moved in with two friends at 18, four years ago.
My kids aren't moving out until they've got deposits to buy - my daughter next year ( she will be 24 and buying a place with her boyfriend) and my son, no idea as he is going to university so won't be able to start saving at 18, like my daughter did. He'll probably still be living at home at 30!

RandomMess · 18/05/2022 21:27

My 18 year old is doing this, a week after she turns 19 Sad

I will miss her and am sad BUT she wants her independence, she's worked hard, saved up and the wheels are in motion for it to happen.

Neverendingmindfuck · 18/05/2022 21:27

I was 15, it was very long time ago.
My DC, 17, moved out when DGC was a baby. Their choice. They've done ok.

MiseryWIthAStent · 18/05/2022 21:28

I was 19 and that was 9 years ago.

timestheyarechanging · 18/05/2022 21:29

@Nevergoingtobemrsjones well done you x

KangarooKenny · 18/05/2022 21:29

Me. I was 17.

Tigrillo · 18/05/2022 21:30

A lot of my friends did but that was in the 90s. We were into partying and clubbing and it didn't really combine with living with mums and dads. Plus a lot of parents were on benefits that would be affected by adult children living at home.

dunnotho · 18/05/2022 21:30

Me. Moved into a flat with dh, in full time work. This was 15 years ago

timestheyarechanging · 18/05/2022 21:33

Oh and my goddaughter went travelling at 18 and still hasn't come back, three years later! She's having a fabulous time in Australia. I went there too when I was 18 but only for 6mth.

lameasahorse · 18/05/2022 21:34

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

Nevergoingtobemrsjones · 18/05/2022 21:40

timestheyarechanging · 18/05/2022 21:29

@Nevergoingtobemrsjones well done you x

Thank you

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 18/05/2022 21:41

I moved out at 18 not for uni. I had a full time job and thought my then dp was the best thing ever. He wasn't. But I still wouldn't change it. Was so much closer to my parents once I'd moved out.

user1471457354 · 18/05/2022 21:41

I moved out of my parents and moved 200 miles away at 19 and it was the best decision I ever made! Really made me grow up and gave me my independence!

JorisBonson · 18/05/2022 21:43

Moved out at 17 too. I had no idea what I was doing and it was great ☺️

Darbs76 · 18/05/2022 21:44

I did, but I’m 45 now and was more common then. My brother also moved out at 18. None of us moved back after that, I moved 250 miles away in my early 20’s

L1ttledrummergirl · 18/05/2022 21:46

I was 17 and didn't want to move across the country again due to df job.

My friends dd was 18.

itfolds · 18/05/2022 21:47

Yes I was 19 (ten years ago now) and moved in with my boyfriend (now DH!). I didn’t feel like it was too young, had a full-time job, drove a car, had been together for a couple of years.

Justhereforthis · 18/05/2022 21:48

I know a couple of my DC’s friends decided to do similar after A’levels. One to the nearest city, the others more locally. 2-3 years on and they are still seem happy enough. I did the same but I’m in my 40’s now!

VivaDixie · 18/05/2022 21:48

A bit later but I moved out a week after my 20th birthday, I had saved hard since I was 18 to make sure I had enough for a few months rent and household bits. I was stifled at home, an unpaid babysitter for step siblings, and was treated like a 14 yo. This was in 93.

i moved from the North East to London at 28, eventually settling in the NW. At almost 50 I am sure my parents still won't see that it is thanks to their overbearing personalities that I gained independence as soon as possible.

I am making sure DS1&2 know that this is their home and will always be welcome (along with encouraging their freedom)

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